In this episode of Founders Future, host Jae Encarnacion sits down with Joe Santana, CEO of Joseph Santana, LLC — a trailblazing leader transforming how companies approach diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). With decades of leadership experience and a powerful pivot from outsourcing executive to DEI strategist, Joe shares the epiphany that reshaped his career: DEI isn't just about fairness — it's a strategic lever for business growth.

Joe takes us back to the moment he realized how untapped talent pipelines were holding companies back, and how bridging that gap led to a 17% revenue increase. From there, he walks us through how his company empowers Chief Diversity Officers and Employee Resource Groups through high-impact executive briefings, podcast-based learning, and future-focused insights via the CDO Power Circle.

This episode is packed with actionable takeaways on aligning DEI with business objectives, building scalable programs that equip leaders and teams, and preparing organizations for workforce trends—from AI to remote work.

If you're a founder, executive, or DEI leader looking to embed inclusive leadership into your growth strategy, this conversation is a masterclass.