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Accelerating Diversity in Business

We are committed to being a great place to work by fostering a culture that values and respects differences. This includes not only among our employee-owners, but also among the small and diverse businesses who help us build the infrastructure that moves and connects people around the world.

Over the last five years, Burns & McDonnell has had a total business diversity spend of $2.2 billion and has worked with over 2,700 small and diverse businesses globally. But it goes beyond the “spend” to build relationships and develop mutually beneficial partners where together we make a difference in the communities where we work, live and play.

In celebration of our diverse business partners, as well as our employee-owners, we’re thrilled to share Together By Design, our diversity e-newsletter. In this issue, we focus on mentoring and information sharing. You’ll hear from entrepreneur and astronaut Aisha Bowe; read about Bayen Group, one of our 2022 Partners of the Year; and discover how disadvantaged communities can access government funding for projects through the Justice40 Initiative.

In addition to sharing our diversity e-newsletter, I’m equally excited to share the news that in August, Burns & McDonnell, Evergy and Ralph G. Moore & Associates (RGMA), recognized nearly 40 small and diverse businesses that graduated in the inaugural class of Accelerate, our six-month supplier diversity mentoring program. As part of the program, Burns & McDonnell and Evergy provide 1:1 mentors while RGMA leads training that focuses on improving competitiveness, capacity and financial strength.

Plans are underway to continue Accelerate in 2024, and I can’t wait for you to learn more about it in our next issue of the e-newsletter. I personally believe programs like Accelerate are important because I’ve seen firsthand how diverse partnerships can contribute to an area’s overall health and stability. I hope as you read this letter and review Together By Design, you’ll be inspired in new ways that not only fuel your company’s growth but help fuel others’ on the way to building stronger communities. Enjoy the journey!

Tammy Martin
Business Diversity Program Director

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Culture Video

Q&A: Aisha Bowe Shoots for the Stars

Aisha Bowe is the embodiment of a successful woman. She has a background as a former NASA rocket scientist and is now an entrepreneur and future commercial astronaut. In 2024, she intends to travel to space with Blue Origin on New Shepard as the first Black woman aboard a commercial space flight.

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Business Feature

Q&A: The Secrets to Long-Term Successful Partnerships

Since the Bayen Group reserved the last open slot with Burns & McDonnell at a 2019 small business matchmaking event in Pasadena, California, its growth has accelerated. Within months of meeting with Burns & McDonnell, the technology consulting firm, which specializes in cybersecurity and business systems integration, signed a major contract to streamline an electrical distribution program for San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E).

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Community Feature

Q&A: Enhancing Infrastructure Equity and Empowering Underserved Communities

The passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act has spurred infrastructure investments across the United States. In accordance with Executive Order 14008, the federal government aims to provide 40% of the overall benefits from these federal programs to support marginalized and disadvantaged communities.

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Previous Articles

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Q&A: Lauren Bertram Reflects on Hiring the ‘Culture Add’ Versus the ‘Culture Fit’

Leon Harden interviews Lauren Bertram about how companies should focus on how a candidate could add to an existing culture with a diverse perspective.

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Growing in Business Together

Being a strong advocate for entrepreneurs is one of my passions, and always has been. It’s a mindset I have and what I encourage those around me to adopt as well, because it opens up the mind to envisioning new possibilities.

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Q&A: Construction Teaming Powers Diverse Hiring Achievements

After collaborating on the construction of SaskPower’s Chinook Power Station located in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, in 2017, Burns & McDonnell and Allan Construction teamed up again in 2020 to work on the Great Plains Power Station project in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

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Q&A: Hannibal B. Johnson Reflects on How Narrative Shapes Civility

To commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Burns & McDonnell invited Hannibal B. Johnson to share his insights on diversity, equity and inclusion. As an attorney, author and historian, Johnson has a thoughtful perspective about the past and the value of storytelling to support diversity and elevate everyone.

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Feeling Connected Through STEM

Leigha Sledge, now an architect in the Aviation & Federal Group at Burns & McDonnell, liked drawing homes and buildings as a kid and knew by the sixth grade she wanted to be an architect.

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Elevating Teams From the Basketball Court to the Boardroom

A lot can happen over the course of 20 years. Personally, I’ve started multiple businesses (and failed), built a career as an electrical engineer, successfully founded my own company and started a nonprofit to teach high school students about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers. While these experiences have been fruitful — albeit demanding — my relationships were what drove me to success.

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blog

Inclusion Drives ARDOT’s First Design-Build Transportation Project

Creating successful collaboration between firms in the construction industry, their clients and diverse suppliers can be challenging. The 30 Crossing project, a $632 million effort that is part of the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department’s (ARDOT) largest highway construction endeavor ever, provides an example of how diverse suppliers significantly contribute to complex construction projects.

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Inspiring Change: A Fortune 500 Company’s Journey Toward Racial Equality

In 2020, the world watched as racial unrest unfolded across the U.S., hitting a crisis point midyear. This political and powerful movement incited action, inspiring not only individuals but also Fortune 500 companies to reflect and evolve. Though already in the middle of an 18-month journey to further develop its supplier diversity program, PepsiCo’s CEO Ramon Laguarta engaged his team, and years’ worth of data, to go bigger and do more. Motivated by recent events, he led the charge, releasing a personal, passionate statement — and promise — of how PepsiCo would do right by its customers, workforce and suppliers.

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Q&A: Cliff Cate Reflects on How Relationships Expand Diverse Workforces

Before joining Burns & McDonnell, Cliff Cate worked for a disadvantaged business. He now finds opportunities for Burns & McDonnell to join forces with minority-owned businesses throughout the country to implement critical infrastructure solutions in the water industry.

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Honoring Veterans of WWII: Women of the 6888th

The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion — known as the Six Triple Eight — was the only all-Black Women Army Corps (WAC) unit deployed to Europe during World War II. On Nov. 30, 2018, five of the surviving veterans from the unit traveled to the Buffalo Soldier Commemorative Area at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, for the dedication of a monument honoring their service.

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Q&A: Lisa Myers Discusses the Power of the Small Business Administration’s Mentorship Program

The Department of Defense awards more than $80 billion annually in contracts to small businesses through programs run by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). That is critical funding some small, diverse companies may not qualify for because they historically have not had access to opportunities majority-owned and larger companies had.

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Wichita’s Largest Water Project Showcases Innovative Subcontracting Programs

The 80-year-old water treatment facility in Wichita, Kansas, needed an upgrade to serve the city’s growing population. To meet residents’ water needs, Wichita officials decided to construct a 120 million gallon per day (mgd), state-of-the-art facility, northeast of the local zoo.

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Professional Development Elevates Trajectory for Subcontractor

Vernal Stewart is an affable man who has built a life defined by relentless entrepreneurship and unyielding optimism. In 1986, he started his career by founding Engineering Polymers Co. While his youth and inexperience created some barriers, Stewart’s hustle and humility ultimately resulted in professional success. Today, Stewart serves as the president of SE3, a professional services company specializing in civil engineering.

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blog

United Way Builds DE&I Into Fabric of Organizational Culture

Through volunteer programs, monetary support and engagement opportunities, Burns & McDonnell employees have built a meaningful relationship with United Way. Over its 137-year history, United Way has built a proven track record of administering and distributing funds to nonprofits to help families and individuals improve their health and educational outcomes, as well as their financial stability.

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Supplier Feature

Authenticity Is the Key to Business Growth

After operating her own company for 15 years, Angela Hurt shares insight on the importance of authenticity and diversifying to grow a successful business.

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Employee-Owner Spotlight

Diverse Partnerships Are Essential for Driving Business Growth

Putting intention and effort into building diverse, inclusive partnerships can result in better client solutions and mutually beneficial business growth.

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HBCU Q&A

Q&A: HBCU Graduates Thrive in STEM Professions

Two employee-owners discuss the benefits of attending a historically Black university. The environment and experience helped them learn, grow and thrive.

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Employee-Owner Spotlight

Q&A: Leon Harden Shares Insight on Creating a Community of Inclusion

As the firm’s first diversity, equity and inclusion strategy manager, Leon Harden seeks to enhance diversity and inclusion at Burns & McDonnell and beyond.

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Business Feature

The Comprehensive Benefits of Diverse Partnerships

A strong, diverse supplier network requires a corporate commitment to diversify and create relationships that work for the benefit of all involved.

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Business Feature

Diverse Chambers and Organizations Offer Dynamic Business Resources

Diverse business membership organizations like the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and chambers of commerce are playing a major role in the development of diverse businesses that contribute a great deal to the U.S. economy.

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Client Feature

San Diego Gas & Electric Seeks to Double Spend With Black Suppliers by 2025

A utility in Southern California is investing in Black suppliers, boosting economic activity and meeting customer needs while embracing regional diversity.

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Educational Article

Authentic Approaches to Building an Inclusive Workforce

An inclusive workforce can be built when intentional relationships are established with historically Black colleges and universities and minority-serving institutions.

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Supplier Feature

Strong Partnerships With Diverse Suppliers Garner Well-Rounded Results

A strong network of diverse suppliers requires a corporate commitment to diversity and fostering mutually beneficial relationships.

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Educational Article

Thinking Outside the Box With Supplier Diversity

A holistic and inclusive approach to supplier diversity expands opportunities for minority-owned businesses while increasing overall business resiliency and flexibility.

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Community Leadership Feature

Realizing Maximum Potential for Professional Success

The president of a Black-owned civil and structural engineering firm reflects on the life of a civil rights leader who was instrumental in effecting change in more ways than one.

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Supplier Q&A

Carol Taylor Talks About the Power of Investing in People

Carol Taylor’s 18 years of experience leading a diverse, woman-owned business demonstrates the importance of people, partners and perseverance.

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Community Leadership Feature

Lessons From the Ballfield to the Workplace

President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Bob Kendrick uses the story of how baseball was desegregated to facilitate conversations about race and business in America.

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Business Spotlight

Black-Owned Businesses Look Toward the Future

During Black History Month, Burns & McDonnell acknowledges three certified diverse business partners from the Black community.

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Educational Article

Unlocking Potential: Understanding Diverse Business Classifications

Businesses across industries can take a proactive approach to cultivating and maintaining a diverse workforce and supplier base.

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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Making the Write Moves for Business Diversity

Burns & McDonnell partnered with a strategic communications firm to launch a new quarterly business diversity newsletter to advance a community of inclusion.

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At this time, Burns & McDonnell is not offering pure architectural services in the states of Illinois, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire or New Jersey. We may, however, provide design-build services for architectural projects.