Apple Scales Back Diversity Language for Board Director Nominees

Apple Inc., catching up with many of its peers, has curtailed most references to “diversity” in annual meeting materials, including from the criteria for considering new board candidates.

The company’s Jan. 8 proxy statement says the board’s nominating committee will include in candidate pools people with a “broad range of skills, backgrounds, and experiences.” That’s a step back from language used in last year’s proxy, which included commitments to actively seek out people who will contribute to board diversity.

Apple filed its previous proxy statement in early January 2025—shortly before President Donald Trump’s inauguration and his subsequent executive ...