During the week of Nov. 30 more than 40 c-suite association leaders participated in high-level discussions, during a roundtable to Improve the Workforce of the Built Environment through Social Equity hosted by the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS). This virtual meeting was designed to share best practices, data, and strategies for improving social equity in leadership positions within the industry.

"Individuals often grow in their career based on leadership opportunities, honors, awards, and certifications achieved through our associations," said Lakisha A. Woods, CAE, president and CEO of NIBS. "We must focus on equity in leadership roles within our industry."

Woods referenced race and gender data on board seats held at Fortune 500 companies in 2018. Sixty-six percent of seats were occupied by white men, and 18 percent of board seats were held by white women. Just 12 percent and 4 percent of seats were held by men and women of color, respectively. "If the Fortune 500 companies have such a challenge with diversity – we have some work to do," she said. "The building industry has far greater diversity challenges."

John Martinez, president of the Regional Hispanic Contractors Association, said construction has been wonderful for the Hispanic labor force. But there still are issues, namely the ability to move up into leadership positions. "In 20 years, Hispanic laborers will still be laborers," he said. "Diversity without equity is not inclusion."

To address social equity, diversity and inclusion, executives shared what their organizations have done to meet today's challenges. They include the following:

• Analyzing board of direction makeup and making changes to reflect the local community
• Engaging external consultants to address diversity, equity and inclusion concerns
• Creating an equity initiative to address lack of diversity within the organization
• Working with diverse suppliers and corporate sponsors whose goals align with the organization

Paula Glover, president and CEO for the American Association of Blacks in Energy, said the industry gets it wrong when "we start to diversify an organization without thinking about the organization you're bringing people into."

"[We need to] start with equity, move through inclusion and then go to diversity," she added.