Tuesday, May 9
8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
9 a.m. | Welcome & Introductions
Chamberlain Duru, California Diverse Business Manager, Burns & McDonnell
Stephen Kane, Vice President in California, Burns & McDonnell
Rashmi Menon, Vice President and General Manager in California, Burns & McDonnell
9:30 a.m. | Advancing DEI Strategies through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
Rhianna Rogers, RAND, Director, Center to Advance Racial Equity Policy; Policy Researcher
The $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) includes $550 billion in new investments for roads and bridges, water infrastructure, resilience, internet and more. It also provides an opportunity for engineering and construction firms to enhance their approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I). During this session, attendees will explore ways to truly incorporate and advance DE&I ideals and outcomes across IIJA projects.
10:15 a.m. | Resourcing Small and Diverse Contractor Inclusivity
Ingrid Merriwether, President and CEO of Merriwether & Williams Insurance Agency
You cannot create equity without redressing inequity. It takes conducive policies, practices and programs to significantly impact the paradigm where systemic barriers have impeded small and diverse contractors’ ability to participate in the public contracting arena. We can shift the “status quo” and in the process encourage more firms to participate — thus increasing the pool of competition. Reaching this goal requires the creation of ecosystems more conducive to engage these firms, implementing contracting practices that promote direct contracting access and investing in programs that provide contractor supportive services.
11 a.m. | Break
11:15 a.m. | Building a Sustainable Workforce in Infrastructure
Tom O’Brien, Executive Director of the Center for International Trade and Transportation, California State University - Long Beach
Noon | Lunch
1 p.m. | Digital Equity, DEI and Ted Lasso
Sanford S. Williams, MBA, JD, Deputy Managing Director for Federal Communications Commission and Lecturer of Law for the University of California, Los Angeles
Discussing the important of Digital Equity and DE&I along with its impacts on our lives, and how the lessons learned from Ted Lasso informs those issues.
1:45 p.m. | Roundtable: Outreach and Community Engagement Built for the Future
John Arena, Outreach and Business Development, Metropolitan Water District
Erin Henning, Director of Strategic Sourcing, Los Angeles World Airports
Daniel Castillo, Supplier Diversity Manager, San Diego Gas & Electric
David DeLuz, Deputy Director of the Office of Civil Rights, California Dept. of Transportation
Moderator: Chamberlain Duru
2:45 p.m. | Break
2:45 p.m. | The Adaptive Leader Framework
Ajit Dodani, Founder and CEO, EmpathifyU
During this engaging session, attendees will discuss adaptiveness and how to employ empathy in the workplace. Learn how empathy can help engineering professionals navigate uncertain times, respond to changing circumstances, stay competitive and retain talent while fostering innovation.
3:45 p.m. | Group Photo
4 p.m. | Happy Hour
5:30 p.m. | Conclusion
