American College of Healthcare Executives

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Approved by the Board of Governors Dec. 8, 2025

One of the hallmarks of a democratic society is providing equal opportunity for all. ACHE embraces inclusion within the healthcare leadership field and encourages all healthcare executives, board members, educators and policymakers to actively strive to increase inclusivity within healthcare leadership ranks. ACHE works to create a supportive, collegial environment that encourages inclusive membership and advancement within ACHE. ACHE believes fostering inclusive environments will help reduce disparities in care and improve quality care for all.

ACHE encourages all healthcare executives to play a significant role in promoting inclusivity by actively pursuing the following:

Recruitment

• Promote healthcare careers broadly via school programs and community organizations. Encourage students to shadow healthcare executives and explore careers in healthcare.
• Develop strong outreach mechanisms to attract a broad range of promising candidates to healthcare leadership careers.
• Advocate for inclusivity in the appointment of job search committee members and promote the provision of an inclusive slate of candidates for senior leadership positions.
• Recruit broadly at every level, being transparent about hiring criteria, so as to promote inclusive representation in leadership and also to develop a pool of qualified candidates for the future.
• Recruit candidates external to the healthcare field to broaden the pool of candidates.
  
  

Retention and Promotion

• At every opportunity advocate for promoting inclusivity at entry, middle and senior levels in healthcare leadership.
• Institute policies that prevent discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity or any other protected characteristic in the recruitment and hiring of candidates, and create an environment that encourages inclusivity in the retention, development and promotion of qualified employees. Ensure that policies are well known and understood among decision-makers and are applied consistently among all applicants and employees.
• Publicize career advancement opportunities, such as continuing education, professional development organizations, networking events and vacancies inside the organization in a manner that is accessible to everyone.
• Develop and disseminate specific criteria for advancement in leadership that would allow all individuals to have an equitable opportunity for senior-level positions.
• Conduct regular reviews of organizational compensation programs to ensure salaries are nondiscriminatory.

Support

• Advocate for programs that increase funding to promote inclusive education, information dissemination and employment opportunities.
• Support and assist the development of mentoring programs within healthcare organizations to promote inclusive opportunities.
• Encourage healthcare executives who are not ACHE members to join and become active at both the local (via chapters) and national levels. Extend invitations to events such as executive breakfasts, chapter networking events and educational programs.

Every leader plays an important part in recruiting, promoting and cultivating leaders to ensure we are prepared to meet the challenges ahead. Fostering a community of leaders that respects and celebrates each of us and all of us will benefit patients, the workforce and the community at large.

Policy created: July 1990
Last revised: December 2025