Starbucks CEO Defends Diversity Efforts at Investor Meeting (1)

Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol said on Wednesday that diversity will continue to be “a key strength” of the coffee giant’s business. He made his remarks following the Trump administration’s push against corporate DEI programs.

Niccol, speaking at the company’s annual shareholder meeting, told investors that Starbucks is a “tremendously diverse organization and will continue to be a tremendously diverse organization,” emphasizing the range of its customers and partners. The company declined to comment beyond Niccol’s remarks. Diversity “helps us connect with our customers at another level,” Niccol said.

The CEO’s comments followed an investor question about a recent lawsuit over ...