New Diversity, Equity And Inclusion Efforts To Support Industry Workforce Needs

With the spotlight on racial justice issues over the past year and a half, VTCA has engaged in focused dialogue around VTCA’s internal and external opportunities to provide leadership and resources for VTCA member companies. Seeking guidance on what is both appropriate and needed from VTCA to make a real and lasting impact, the Board asked for the formation and counsel of a VTCA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Task Force to provide expertise, insights and thought leadership. 
 
The DEI Task Force objective was to assess VTCA’s current efforts and provide recommendations to the Board on continuing a path toward more inclusion. The group recognized a need for continuous improvement. In addition, the task force strongly believed a “Values Statement” should be included with the Vision and Mission. The group created a statement and presented it to the Board who unanimously approved the following: 

New VTCA Values Statement: 

Transportation Construction is a complex, challenging, and evolving endeavor.  Successful efforts require people of diverse backgrounds, opinions, perspectives, experiences, and ideas to bring solutions and maximize engagement.  We value diversity of people, cultures, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, language, and nationality to build better people, teams, and communities.  
 
Our member companies drive success through diverse partnerships and impactful connections to enhance a positive transportation construction climate. 

The task force identified areas for improvement that should make everyone’s business opportunities better. There is a solid business case for creating a culture of DEI in every firm and organization. Studies show firms that invest in DEI benefit from improved teamwork, innovation, safety, productivity, workforce recruitment and financial results. A Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship article during the spring of 2021 (Issue 36) discussed how any organization can make some simple steps in improving the culture of the company that not only improves the feeling of being included but improves the financial performance of the organization.  
    
Establishing a values statement is an important first step but success is determined by action. Subsequently, the Task Force identified several first steps for the Alliance to take:   

1. Buy-in must be embraced at all leadership levels. The Board has committed to this effort and has received commitment from the Leadership Committees.  
2. During the VTCA Fall Board Retreat, the Board will discuss what advancing inclusive environments at VTCA will look like today, tomorrow and the near future of VTCA and its members.  
3. Committee & Board selections should consider diverse candidates based on VTCA’s Values statement. We are fortunate to have significant talent in all our industries and seeking opportunities to leverage that talent will be a focus. 
4. VTCA should identify and help promote certified SWaM & DBE members. This will not only help SWaM & DBE find business opportunities, but it will also help prime firms identify and team with SWaM firms and achieve their SWaM or DBE goals.  

We understand that changing the culture of our industry and our Alliance does not happen overnight. The Task Force was asked by the board to continue its efforts and provide the Board and staff with guard rails to keep the Alliance moving forward on this path. We will report back on our efforts and reflect on the accomplishments and the outcomes. We welcome your feedback on this initiative to ensure firms and employees thrive. 
 
A special thanks to the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Task Force: 

Amy Morris - T3 Designs (Committee Chair) 
Jan Holt - Chaney Enterprises 
Mo Kim - RDA 
Mimi Kronisch - RK&K 
Kamran Khalilian - AECOM  
Bethany Murphy - Scott Insurance 
Jon Harman - Shirley Contracting (VTCA President)  
Avtar Singh - CES Consulting