2024 ElevateHER® Symposium

Zweig Group

ElevateHER® Symposium

IRVING, TX | March 6, 2024
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The 2024 ElevateHER Symposium is a dynamic event designed to inspire, challenge, empower, and equip attendees. We bring bold and powerful DEI-focused panel discussions, keynote presentations from the industry’s leading change agents, and select presentations from past ElevateHER® cohorts to an engaged audience.

Three foundational objectives:

Clearing the Path
We aim to help attendees cut through the noise surrounding DE&I, and clearly define the business case once again by presenting compelling data. Through evidence-based insights and real-world examples, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the significance of DEI in the AEC industry.
Building Bridges
Our goal is to help attendees make connections they may not have realized they needed. Benefits from these connections include increasing the effectiveness of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) within firms, fostering collaboration and resource-sharing between DEI groups, and ultimately preventing burnout among DEI practitioners and advocates. By creating a supportive network, attendees can achieve more sustainable and impactful DEI initiatives.
Becoming Better Employers
Attracting new talent and retaining existing talent is the ultimate objective for all organizations attending the ElevateHER Symposium. Through insights shared by industry leaders and successful case studies, attendees will leave equipped with strategies and approaches to enhance their organizations' ability to engage and retain a diverse workforce.

This is more than a “pep rally” for DEI advocates, we curated the content to be pragmatic and action-oriented, equipping and empowering attendees to turn inspiration into action. Expect to connect meaningfully with others on the same path of making AEC the industry of choice by focusing on employee experience. This is a forum to learn, to connect, and collaborate. 

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

8:00a
Registration & Breakfast
8:30a
Welcome & Opening Address

Marci D Thompson & Jamie Claire Kiser

9:00a
OPENING KEYNOTE - Catalyzing Change: The Relentless Path to Leadership

Tia Perry | AEC Unites

Follow Perry's inspiring journey from humble beginnings to leadership in the AEC industry, marked by perseverance, dedication, and strategic vision. Through her visionary leadership and the impactful initiatives of AEC Unites, Perry champions equity and inclusion by creating intentional opportunities for Black talent and Black-owned businesses in the AEC industry, reshaping the industry's landscape for the better.

9:30a
Game-Changer Mini Workshop: Ideas to Action

facilitated by Marci D Thompson & Jamie Claire Kiser

10:00a
Break
10:15a
ElevateHER Alumni Presents: #1 TeacHER 2.0

Chad Coldiron, Amanda Roehl, Kellie Delaney

10:45a
ZPanel: Leading with Data

Lauren Aguilar | illuceo , and Daphne Bryant | ACEC Research Institute

A dive into the state of diversity, inclusion, and belonging in AEC. Speakers will go over select findings from the Diversity Benchmarking Tool, as well as the People & Culture Survey; offering data from the organizational and employee experience perspectives.

11:45a
Networking Lunch
12:45p
AFTERNOON KEYNOTE - Flipping the Script: Resilience Amid Policy Changes

Daniela Ramirez | Dallas Regional Chamber

Ramirez reflects on the impact of policies aimed at enhancing upward economic mobility for historically under-championed communities. What has the reversal of programs and laws, such as affirmative action, meant for affected communities and the broader business ecosystem? She evaluates the status of diversity in AEC through the latest labor market data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, while focusing on how momentum can be regained to continue propelling DE&I forward in our industry.

1:15p
ZPanel: Successful & Sustainable ERGs and DEI Groups

Panelists: Brien Graham, KAI Enterprises | Jennifer Ridd, JQ, now IMEG | Brenda Premenko, Turner Construction

Moderated by: Shirley Che, Zweig Group

2:15p
Game-Changer Mini-Workshop: Ideas to Action

facilitated by Marci D Thompson & Jamie Claire Kiser

2:45p
Break
3:00p
ElevateHER Alumni Presents: #2 MentHERship

Shelby Harvey, Stephanie Putzke, Jessica Bazan

3:30p
CLOSING KEYNOTE – Driving Firm Success through DEI: Debunking Myths and Building Bridges

Áine O'Dwyer | Enovate

In this engaging presentation, Áine O’Dwyer, PE, Principal and CEO of Enovate Consulting, an Engineering and Construction Management Firm shares insights into how Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives have been instrumental in driving the success of her firm. Contrary to common misconceptions, Aine demonstrates that DEI isn't just a moral imperative but also a strategic business decision. Through real-life examples and anecdotes, she highlights how Enovate has embedded DEI principles into its culture from its inception, with a particular emphasis on how it's not merely a top-down mandate but a bottom-up commitment embraced by all staff. Join Aine as she dismantles the belief that DEI efforts are costly and instead showcases how they can yield significant returns on investment.

4:00p
Game-Changer Mini-Workshop: Bringing Home the Buy-In

facilitated by Marci D Thompson & Jamie Claire Kiser

4:30p
Closing Remarks & Champagne Toast

Chad Clinehens

4:45p
Adjourn
6:30p
Dine-Around
Áine O’Dwyer, PE
Principal & CEO
About The Speaker
Tia Perry
Executive Director, AEC Unites
About The Speaker
Daniela Ramirez
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
About The Speaker
Jamie Claire Kiser
ElevateHER Co-Founder & Advisor
About The Speaker
Daphne Bryant
Executive Director
About The Speaker
Brien Graham, AIA, NOMA
Civic, Municipal, & Cultural Market Leader
About The Speaker
Jennifer Ridd, PE
Principal
Brenda Premenko
Business Manager, Turner Construction
About The Speaker
Lauren Aguilar
Founder and CEO
About The Speaker
Marci D. Thompson, DES
Interim CEO & Chief Strategy Officer
About The Speaker
Shelby Harvey
Talent Development & HR Lead
BHC
About The Speaker
Chad Coldiron
Principal & Director of Development
About The Speaker
Amanda Roehl
Fractional-CMO
About The Speaker
Kellie Delaney
Director of Marketing
About The Speaker
Stephanie Putzke
Owner and Principal
About The Speaker
Jessica Bazan
Business Development Leader
About The Speaker
Chad Clinehens, PE
President & CEO
About The Speaker

Thank you to our sponsors!

Friends of ElevateHER

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