Donald Thompson
Entrepreneur, Investor, Author, Certified Diversity ExecutiveDonald Thompson (he/him), EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2023 Southeast Award winner, is a globally respected and sought-after business leader with a proven track record of success in growing firms. As a CEO, speaker, investor, advisor, entrepreneur, and executive coach, he brings a wealth of experience and expertise to any organization. Don is a Certified Diversity Executive (CDE) and CEO & Co-founder of The Diversity Movement, the creators of TDM Library. He is passionate about driving cultural transformation and delivering solid returns for employees and shareholders.
Under his leadership, The Diversity Movement has earned numerous accolades, including Inc. Magazine’s 2021 Best in Business List in DE&I Advocacy and Fast Company’s 2022 “world-changing ideas.” In addition, Donald is a three-time Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies winner, named to the Forbes Next 1000 List, the Business North Carolina Power 100 List, and winner of the 2023 Independent Press Distinguished Favorite Book Award in Leadership.
He serves on twelve boards across various industries, including marketing, health, and finance. Don is also the author of the book Underestimated and hosts the podcast “High Octane Leadership in an Empathetic World,” both of which provide valuable insights for business leaders. With his competitive learning mindset, Don delivers actionable insights and is the perfect partner for anyone looking to take their business to the next level.
Why DEI? Because I believe it’s my responsibility to take my experiences and use them to create positive change in the business environment when I can and while I can.