'MERITOCRACY IS BACK': Wall Street GIANT scraps DEI criteria for board picks

Group 1 - Goldman Sachs is retracting its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, signaling a shift back to a merit-based system for board qualifications [1][2][3] - The company previously implemented DEI tests for the boards of companies it financed, indicating a strong commitment to these policies [3] - There is skepticism about whether the abandonment of DEI criteria is genuine or if it will be replaced with similar initiatives under different names [4] Group 2 - The discussion highlights a broader trend among firms feeling empowered to move away from previously established DEI practices [4] - The emphasis on meritocracy raises questions about the long-term sustainability of this approach within corporate governance [1][2] - The sentiment reflects a desire for qualified individuals to lead businesses without the influence of gender or race considerations [1][2]