Zweig Group launches open call for ElevateHer™program; backed by founding patrons

FAYETTEVILLE, AR (November 11, 2019) – Zweig Group’s commitment to promote diversity as a means to combat recruitment and retention challenges in the architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry is realized with 2020 launch of ElevateHer™ program. Research from from Zweig Group’s Principals, Partners, & Owners Survey of AEC Firms indicate recruitment and retention are the greatest challenges facing the AEC industry today. While 83 percent of principals, partners, and owners in the AEC industry are men, just over half of this group, 58 percent, feel there is a problem with lack of diversity. Seventy five percent of women concur. ElevateHer™, was developed to embrace, promote, and ensure equal opportunities for all professionals in the AEC industry regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, or ethnicity. The program kicks off with the ElevateHer™ Class of 2020, a cohort-style annual program designed to define key strategies and provide open-sourced, accessible action plans to tackle diversity and its role in recruiting and retention issues. All individuals, regardless of age, experience, gender, background, or job role, are welcome and encouraged to apply for the ElevateHer™ Class of 2020 as a member. Mentors and patrons are invited to express interest as well. Results from the 2020 class will be presented at Zweig Group’s annual conference Elevate AEC 2020 in Denver, CO held September 30 – October 2, 2020 and distributed through various media channels. "Zweig Group's commitment to elevating the industry is embodied in ElevateHer, which we believe captures both the entrepreneurial spirit and long-term implications behind a movement like ElevateHer. We believe that "ally" is a verb, and that investing in building companies that reflect the clients and communities that we serve is a business imperative, not an initiative,” said Jamie Claire Kiser, managing principal, Zweig Group. The programs founding patrons include SGA Design Group, Forensic Analytical, CORE, JQ Engineering, and McAdams. Funds raised through patronage will be used to financially support program initiatives so that finances are not a barrier to program participation. Applications will be accepted from today, November 11, 2019, until December 15th, 2019. The ElevateHer™ Class of 2020 will be announced on January 6th, 2020. For more information and the ElevateHer™ Class of 2020 application please click here: https://zweiggroup.com/about-us/elevateher/

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ABOUT ZWEIG GROUP Zweig Group, three times on the Inc 500/5000 list, is the leading research, publishing, and consulting resource for the built environment. The firm provides strategy, mergers and acquisitions, business valuation, ownership transition, marketing, business development, market research, financial management, project management, recruiting and executive search services nationwide. Zweig Group also provides a comprehensive suite of products including industry reports and surveys, executive training, and business conferences covering virtually every aspect of AEC firm management. The firm has offices in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Dallas and Houston, Texas, Salt Lake City, Utah, and the Washington D.C. area. The firm’s mission, elevate the industry, has five tenets: promote, diversify, educate, change, and celebrate. Zweig Group’s vision is to facilitate action in pursuit of elevating individuals, firms, and thus the industry. More than a mission, this is a movement to advance the AEC profession, creating a world that celebrates the built environment and recognizes its impact on individuals, communities, and commerce. For more information, visit http://www.zweiggroup.com or call (800) 466-6275.