We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.

logo
  • Engineers & Specifiers
  • Contractors & Installers
  • Wholesalers & Distributors
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Subscription
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • PRODUCTS
    • Bath & Kitchen
    • Fire Protection
    • HVAC
    • Hydronics/Radiant
    • Plumbing
    • PVF
    • Tools
  • PROJECTS
    • Commercial
    • Green Building
    • MRO/Retrofit
    • Remodeling
    • Residential
  • HOW TO
    • Design
    • Fire Protection
    • Legal Matters
    • Management
  • BUSINESS
    • Buying Groups
    • Technology
    • Associations
  • CODES & STANDARDS
    • ANSI
    • ASHRAE
    • ASSE
    • Regulations
    • Green Building
    • IAPMO
    • ICC
    • NFPA
  • RESOURCES
    • Media Kit
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Classifieds
    • Digital Editions
    • Behind the Wall
    • Webcasts
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • COVID-19
    • Events & Webinars
    • Business Resources
    • Industry Announcements
    • Health & Safety
    • Op-Ed
Home » C-Suite Leaders Meet with NBIS to Share Best Practices and Discuss Industry Challenges

C-Suite Leaders Meet with NBIS to Share Best Practices and Discuss Industry Challenges

December 4, 2020
No Comments
More Than 40 C-Suite Association Leaders Meet with NBIS to Share Best Practices and Discuss Industry Challenges

During the week of Nov. 30 more than 40 c-suite association leaders participated in high-level discussions, during a roundtable to Improve the Workforce of the Built Environment through Social Equity hosted by the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS). This virtual meeting was designed to share best practices, data, and strategies for improving social equity in leadership positions within the industry.

"Individuals often grow in their career based on leadership opportunities, honors, awards, and certifications achieved through our associations," said Lakisha A. Woods, CAE, president and CEO of NIBS. "We must focus on equity in leadership roles within our industry."

Woods referenced race and gender data on board seats held at Fortune 500 companies in 2018. Sixty-six percent of seats were occupied by white men, and 18 percent of board seats were held by white women. Just 12 percent and 4 percent of seats were held by men and women of color, respectively. "If the Fortune 500 companies have such a challenge with diversity – we have some work to do," she said. "The building industry has far greater diversity challenges."

John Martinez, president of the Regional Hispanic Contractors Association, said construction has been wonderful for the Hispanic labor force. But there still are issues, namely the ability to move up into leadership positions. "In 20 years, Hispanic laborers will still be laborers," he said. "Diversity without equity is not inclusion."

To address social equity, diversity and inclusion, executives shared what their organizations have done to meet today's challenges. They include the following:

  • Analyzing board of direction makeup and making changes to reflect the local community
  • Engaging external consultants to address diversity, equity and inclusion concerns
  • Creating an equity initiative to address lack of diversity within the organization
  • Working with diverse suppliers and corporate sponsors whose goals align with the organization

Paula Glover, president and CEO for the American Association of Blacks in Energy, said the industry gets it wrong when "we start to diversify an organization without thinking about the organization you're bringing people into."

"[We need to] start with equity, move through inclusion and then go to diversity," she added.

 

Commercial Engineers & Specifiers Industry Community News Infrastructure Regulations
  • Related Articles

    ASA, PHCC Leaders Meet with White House Staff to Address Labor Shortage

    Armstrong Partners with Industry Leaders To Launch Global “2 in 22” GHG Initiative

    ‘NEXT Coalition’ of Leading US Engineering and Construction Firms Challenges Industry to Enhance Health, Safety Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular

  • Porter Pipe & Supply Names COO Nick Porter New CEO 

  • Winsupply Names Thomas Pipe and Supply Company of the Year, Others by Industry Category

  • Harmonized Bidet Standards and the Pandemic-Caused Run on Toilet Paper

  • Showroom of the Year: Experience the Flow of Elegance

Featured Video

Mcneeley webinar

PHCPPros: State of the PVF Industry

Industry Events

  • 28Apr

    2021 BLUE HAWK Annual Conference

    Austin, TX
  • 12Oct

    BOILER 2021 – ABMA Boiler Technology Conference & Expo

    Dallas, TX
More Events

Subscribe to our newsletters & stay updated

Subscribe & Learn More

  • Tw04 2021
    Learn More
  • Pe04 2021
    Learn More
  • Phc04 2021
    Learn More
  • Es07 2020
    Learn More
Subscribe

More from PHCP Pros

  • Editorial Team
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise

Follow Us

© 2021 All Rights Reserved

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development | ePublishing