ADVANCING DIVERSITY ECOSYSTEMS
Orlando, Florida - March 2024
Thank you to Our Event Sponsors
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Welcome to the
March 2024
Diversity Ecosystem Roundtable!
Our second roundtable was held in Orlando, Florida with every corner of the Construction Industry represented. We were joined by industry leaders, innovators and organizations committed to advancing meaningful outcomes through supplier and workplace diversity. Participants were challenged to understand the risk and obstacles from different perspectives, discuss specific ways to overcome them, and identify actions they will personally take moving forward.
Overcoming Barriers
Jessica McMahan, Sr. Supplier Diversity Manager of Brasfield & Gorrie, highlighted the need to understand and break down barriers that slow progress. In construction it is all about risk and the need for building trusted relationships makes work. Getting everyone at the table is the first step to getting meaningful conversation started, but now it is time to get to work building a more diverse resilient supply chain.
We NEED a Trusted
Diverse Ecosystem.
We need diversity to build meaningful outcomes. Listen as facilitators – Susan Schramm and Ana Maria Lowry – share the importance of developing resilience with a trusted, diverse ecosystem, based on their book, The Maturity Stages of a Trusted, Diverse Ecosystem.
The Panels
Each panel consists of innovative leaders with a desire to influence and challenge current thinking and ways of working as small diverse business enterprises (DBEs) to engage with primes (general contractors) and buyers (large corporations and government agencies) to accelerate meaningful outcomes.
Buyers Panel
The panel consisted of:
- Tonja Graham, Duke Energy
- Dr. Joycelyn Henson, Orange County Public Schools
- Stephanie Nierenberger, Universal Destinations & Experiences
Primes Panel
The panel consisted of:
- Mark Lewis, SKANSKA
- Jessica McMahan, Brasfield & Gorrie
- Don K Ramdass, Tocoi Engineering
DBE Panel
The panel consisted of:
- Markys Mackey, Verity Construction
- David Rees, Solid Platforms
- Jorge López, PlanZero
- Gerardo Zurita, Scenic Studios
Reflect
We asked each leader to consider where they were in the Maturity Stages of a Trusted Diverse Ecosystem. They discussed in their own roundtables what they struggled with, how they could progress and how we can create alignment within the industry.
Now, IT’S YOUR TURN! We encourage you to reflect on the key points of these videos and consider:
What is going to be your next step to create meaningful diversity outcomes? To transform, to make a change, requires action. Let us know what action you will take!
The Stages
1. Visible & Diverse
Your organization has set diversity targets and quotas, and holds regular outreach and networking events.
2. Equipped & Diverse
“Visible” PLUS our organization sponsors customized programs to help educate, prepare, and mentor diverse Candidates and Suppliers.
3. Aligned & Diverse
“Equipped” PLUS our leaders hold proactive discussions about what is needed in terms of skills and capabilities, and how to ensure success of diverse Candidates and Suppliers as they are onboarded and developed.
4. Trusted, Diverse Ecosystem
“Aligned” PLUS our organization has consistent values for both Supplier Diversity and Workforce Diversity efforts. A clear operating model, with repeatable processes, provides access to opportunities, and equips, aligns, and grows diverse Employees and Suppliers.
Our Event Sponsors
