International Women’s Day Forum on Diverse Workplaces

Industry News

March 8, 2019

International Women’s Day Forum on Diverse Workplaces

As part of ACEC’s focus on workforce development, ACEC Senior Director of Tax and Regulatory Affairs Katharine Mottley participated in the 2019 International Women’s Day Forum hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues at the U.S. Department of State.

Suzanne Clark, Senior Executive Vice President of the Chamber, kicked off the conference by encouraging businesses to look at diversity and inclusion in the workforce not just as a challenge, but as an opportunity.

A panel on growing strong organizations with inclusive workplaces focused on firms clearly identifying their values and connecting diversity to those values. Businesses should develop metrics on their workforce and issues such as pay equity that demonstrate whether their workplace reflects their values.

Executive leadership is critical to building and retaining a diverse workforce. Employers can improve retention through policies such as family leave, child care and elder care, and flexibility through telecommuting.

Panelists also discussed encouraging girls and young women to study STEM disciplines. Several speakers referenced middle school as a key time when girls often switch their focus away from STEM. They spoke about partnering with organizations that provide opportunities for high school students to pursue fields such as robotics or coding and offering internships to college students.

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