A Look Back
ERGs (Employee Resource Groups) are voluntary, employee-led, and commonly composed of individuals with mutual backgrounds such as race, gender, ethnicity, and ally participation. Initially created to be supportive social networks, our ERGs are evolving into navigating future business strategies in tangible, successful, and innovative ways that affect the company and the clients we serve, and the communities we live in.
Since starting our Pride Employee Resource group with fifteen people in 2018, we have discovered that each ERG needs to have equitable support, actionable executive sponsorship, and resources to maintain and nurture its passion, even within a small chapter to help it develop and grow. Now with over 250 members globally, we encourage goal setting, measurement of participation, and engagement within our company and peers. Each year we have made it a priority to meet with our Pride ERG leadership team to talk about the objectives in each region and nationally to see how we can align with our company’s 2025 vision and our current and future clients.
In January, Gilbane received a considerable score for our first submission to the Human Rights Campaigns Corporate Equality Index, which is a report published by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation “as a tool to rate American businesses on their treatment of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender employees, consumers and investors” of which Gilbane scored 90/100. This was a team effort from our staff, leadership, and Pride ERG members actively involved in this imperative venture. This score has allowed us to drive the needle forward progressively towards diversity and inclusion in our dynamic company and within the construction industry.
Current Goals – Focusing on Community Service & Partnerships
On June 10th & 11th, Gilbane’s Pride members from across the country gathered for our annual summit in Washington DC, where we solicited feedback on what’s working in our group and in the company and what we should focus on as priorities. We decided as a group that our focus should be on serving our communities and making a difference through meaningful partnerships. And we had an opportunity to join the DC community by participating as a group in the Capital Pride parade!
Equality Illinois
On April 26th, the Midwest Pride ERG chapter, led by Jessica Slack, Business Development Manager, organized and hosted an event for Equality Illinois, with Gilbane employees from across the country. Yvette Stevens, Vice President, Economic Inclusion & Community Affairs was a featured speaker as the group held a round table to discuss how to improve the acceptance and representation of marginalized groups in the construction industry.
Build Out California
On June 1st, Project Manager Debi Hertz, a founding member of Build Out California led the organization’s first conference and gala in San Francisco, CA. Gilbane employees networked with LGBTQ+ contractors from across the state.
Vision For the Future – Greater Inclusion and Connection
Our Pride ERG participation reflects the excitement of our group and our hope for the future. We’ve been proud not only to support our clients but see our ERG’s work as a vital part of achieving and cultivating a more inclusive workplace and industry as a whole. The communities we serve, and where we work provide a safe space for members and allies to be their best selves, creating new opportunities for professional development while continuing to become a strategic resource for the company.
If you would like to donate to the onePULSE Foundation, please visit: https://onepulsefoundation.org/donate/
One Reply to “Gilbane’s Pride ERG – A Look Back, Current Goals, and Vision for the Future”
Tom Thrasher
Heidi and Brian did a great job putting together the Gilbane team for the Orlando CommUNITY Run. Thank you and hope to see even more Gilbaner’s next year!
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