Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Forum (DEI)

ACEC/MA's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Forum provides a forum for its members to discuss and share information about how they are implementing aspects of DEI in their firms.

ACEC-MA is committed to an open and inclusive business environment. The ACEC-MA Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Forum has been established to advance the ideals of diversity, equity and inclusion throughout Massachusetts’ engineering community. ACEC/MA's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Forum provides a forum for its members to discuss and share information about how they are implementing aspects of DEI in their firms.

Structure

Managed by two co-chairs, our DEI Forum is organized around particular areas of membership expertise and interest learning about DEI matters. All committee members are volunteer representatives from ACEC/MA member firms. Additional participants from member firms are always welcome. If your work responsibilities include DEI matters for your firm, or if you are interested in learning more about the topic, sign up for this Forum. This Forum is open to all employees of ACEC/MA Member Firms, even if you are not located in Massachusetts. Because most of the meetings are also held on Zoom or TEAMS, it is easy to participate. 

Meeting Schedule

ACEC/MA's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Forum usually meets bimonthly or quarterly by Zoom or, when possible, at the office of an ACEC/MA Member Firm. Aligned with our mission, the goals of these forums are to 1) share and exchange ideas on what your firms have done in response to raising awareness around racial injustice and other inequalities in the workplace, and 2) brainstorm ideas around how ACEC MA and our profession can help advance initiatives and the conversation across our organization and our member firms.  

Resource Materials (newest at the top)

4/25/24: DEI Best Practices

PDF of Presentation

Non-Apparent Identities with a Focus on Disabilitiess presented by Victoria Verlezza on 12/6/2023

Non-Apparent Identities with a Focus on Disabilities

Value of Water Campaign's New Toolkit for Promoting Workforce Diversity

Value of Water Campaign’s Toolkit for Recruiting a Diverse Water Workforce

Diversity Profile of ACEC/MA Member Engineering, Land Surveying & A/E Firms FY2022

Summary of DEI Forums to date (as of 5/9/2024:

May 6, 2021: Provided summary of DEI survey and then held two breakout sessions:

• Matching workforce to the diversity and recruiting of the community or to the diversity of the projects you are working on
• Recruitment

Aug. 21, 2021:  Presentation by Deborah Anderson, Assistant Attorney General Construction Bid Unit

• Work force reporting requirements for certain public projects (beyond DBE/MBE reporting)

Oct. 7, 2021:  Panel Discussion: Trials and tribulations, and highs and lows with some of our local M/WBE firms.

Jan. 7, 2022:  Panel Discussion:  DEI programs in different firms

June 23,  2022: 

• Brief presentation by DCAMM (Susan Goldfischer, Deputy General Counsel and Charles Kelsey III, Director of Access & Opportunity) about workforce reporting requirements
• TED Talk "3 ways to be a better ally in the workplace” followed by discussion

Oct. 11, 2022:    Activating Bystanders to Address Workplace Microaggressions

                                Played short video and then held discussion on ways to address microaggressions

May 18, 2023:  Fall 2022 Survey Results

                                Salary Equity/Wage Gap with Kim Borman, BWWC

Dec. 6, 2023:  Non-Apparent Identities:  Invisible or Hidden Disabilities in the Workplace – Dr. Victoria Verlezza (Fuss & O’Neil) led presentation and discussion

April 2, 2024:  Tips and Tricks for DEI initiatives: best practices from applicants for the ACECMA DEIB award

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Resource Page for ACEC/MA Members