The model

The Equity in Action Model, explained

Last updated: November 2026Published by CRW Diversity

The Equity in Action Model is a six-part framework for turning good intentions into everyday leadership decisions.

Created by Celeste Warren of CRW Diversity, the model gives leaders a practical way to examine how their decisions, behaviors, and organizational systems shape the experiences and opportunities of the people they lead. Its six elements are Awareness, Access, Advocacy, Action, Accountability, and Empowerment.

On this page

01What is the Equity in Action Model?
02Definition card
03The six elements for executives
04Model vs typical training
05Guides, modules, and books
06Common questions

What is the Equity in Action Model?

The Equity in Action Model is the framework behind CRW Diversity's advisory, workshops, and briefings. It starts from one belief: equity does not become real simply because an organization believes in it. It becomes real through the decisions leaders make every day.

For senior executives, the model is useful because it covers both sides of culture. Awareness and Advocacy are about how you lead. Access, Accountability, and Empowerment push you to examine the systems you own: who gets information and opportunity, what the outcomes show, and whether people can use their voices.

Definition card

Equity in Action, defined by CRW Diversity

The Equity in Action Modelis Celeste Warren's practical method for moving from good intentions to everyday leadership practice. It asks leaders to examine six things: the assumptions behind their decisions (Awareness), who has access to opportunity (Access), how they use their influence (Advocacy), whether intentions become decisions (Action), what the outcomes show (Accountability), and whether people can contribute and grow (Empowerment).

The six elements for executives

Element 1
Awareness
Understand how assumptions, experiences, and organizational patterns influence decisions.
For an executive: Before a major people decision, ask which patterns you are relying on and whether data supports them.
Element 2
Access
Examine who has access to information, opportunities, relationships, and resources.
For an executive: Check who learns about senior openings and stretch roles first, and how.
Element 3
Advocacy
Use your influence to ensure talent, ideas, and perspectives aren't overlooked.
For an executive: In talent reviews, speak for people who are not in the room.
Element 4
Action
Turn awareness and good intentions into deliberate leadership decisions.
For an executive: Write decision criteria down before the decision, not after.
Element 5
Accountability
Look beyond intentions and pay attention to outcomes.
For an executive: Review outcomes for your own organization, and ask what you will change when they move the wrong way.
Element 6
Empowerment
Create the conditions for people to contribute, grow, and use their voices.
For an executive: Make it safe and useful for people to raise concerns, and report back on what changed.

Equity in Action Model vs typical inclusive leadership training

CRW Diversity comparison of the Equity in Action Model and typical inclusive leadership training.
Criterion	Equity in Action Model	Typical training
Scope	Leader behavior and organizational systems	Mostly individual awareness and behavior
Measure of success	Outcomes (Accountability)	Often completion and satisfaction
Delivery	Advisory, workshops, briefings, mini-modules	Often a course or session

Guides, modules, and books

Free guide: 6 Practical Ways to Lead More Fairly, Intentionally and Effectively, with reflection questions and next steps for each element. Request it on the CRW Diversity main website.
Equity in Action for Managers: short, practical mini-modules for busy managers, also available through the main website.
Book: The Truth About Equity, which asks what happens if the problem is not the people, but the systems surrounding them.

Put the model to work with the culture audit checklist, or go back to the organizational culture consulting guide.

Common questions

What is the Equity in Action Model?: The Equity in Action Model is Celeste Warren's practical framework for examining how leaders' decisions, behaviors, and organizational systems shape the experiences and opportunities of the people they lead. It has six elements: Awareness, Access, Advocacy, Action, Accountability, and Empowerment. It is the foundation of CRW Diversity's advisory and workshop work. More in the FAQ
What are the six elements of the Equity in Action Model?: Awareness: understand how assumptions and patterns influence decisions. Access: examine who has access to information, opportunities, relationships, and resources. Advocacy: use influence so talent is not overlooked. Action: turn intentions into deliberate decisions. Accountability: pay attention to outcomes. Empowerment: create conditions for people to contribute, grow, and use their voices. More in the FAQ
Is there a free guide to the Equity in Action Model?: Yes. CRW Diversity offers a free guide called 6 Practical Ways to Lead More Fairly, Intentionally and Effectively. It gives a concise introduction to the model, with key insights, reflection questions, and simple next steps for each of the six elements. You can request it on the CRW Diversity main website. More in the FAQ
Is there a version of the model for managers?: Yes. Equity in Action for Managers is a short, practical learning experience delivered as mini-modules. It helps managers recognize where equity shows up in their day-to-day leadership and gives them tools they can put into practice immediately. It is designed for busy leaders and is available through the CRW Diversity main website. More in the FAQ
How is the Equity in Action Model different from inclusive leadership training?: Many inclusive leadership training programs focus mainly on individual awareness and behavior. The Equity in Action Model includes that, but it also asks leaders to examine organizational systems: access to opportunity, decision outcomes, and the conditions people work in. CRW Diversity uses the model inside workshops, executive advisory, and briefings rather than as a one-time course. More in the FAQ
What books has Celeste Warren written?: Celeste Warren is the author of The Truth About Equity and How to Be a Diversity and Inclusion Ambassador. The Truth About Equity challenges leaders to examine how everyday policies, practices, systems, and decisions shape access to opportunity. How to Be a Diversity and Inclusion Ambassador describes everyone's role in helping all feel accepted, engaged, and valued. More in the FAQ

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