The Industry Leaders Roundtable is comprised of principals or partners of the nation’s largest architecture, engineering and construction firms, including such firms as AECOM, Perkins + Will, Weidlinger Associates, HOK, S/L/A/M Collaborative, Thornton Tomasetti, Arup, The Louis Berger Group, and Buro Happold, together representing over 100,000 employees, of which 15,000-20,000 are women.
Purpose
The Industry Leaders Roundtable is dedicated to advancing women leaders in the building industry. Fully integrating women into the workplace can yield a significant return – one that Deloitte calls the “gender dividend.” The gender dividend is a steady benefit that is earned by making wise, balanced investments in developing women as potential leaders, as well as understanding women as clients and their impact on the bottom line. According to Deloitte, done right, this should be reflected in increased contracts, expanded markets, and improved recruitment and retention of key talent.
Program
The Industry Leaders Roundtable is a program designed to encourage its participants to undertake institutional change within their organizations, by providing them research, tools, and support to be change agents. The program focuses on business planning concepts and initiatives that can move leading women in the building industry into key decision-making roles.
Process
Research presented by the Foundation is augmented by selected researchers/speakers whose work makes the business case for women and pinpoints specific, effective initiatives. During the annual two-day retreat and follow-up meetings, participants identify best practices and strategies for retaining and advancing women leaders in their organizations. Metrics are provided for ongoing progress assessment.
Attendees
Roundtable participation is limited to 20 participants drawn from engineering, architecture, planning, landscape and construction services. The Foundation also invites clients – such as 2010 guest, Rolando Rivas-Camp, Deputy Chief Architect of GSA, Washington DC – to provide views and connections outside the professional office. A professional facilitator leads the annual retreat.
Results
Following the 2010 Retreat, one firm had this to say: “The firm began to implement some of the ideas discussed during the retreat and has modified other existing policies based on information gathered at the retreat. The book, Mass Career Customization, became recommended reading material for all the HR committee members.”
Read more about past Roundtable Meetings.
Contact BWAF for Roundtable information at Roundtable(at)bwaf.org
