MATT Celebrates Inaugural Construction Inclusion Week
MATT employees discuss what inclusion means to them
In an effort to advance diversity, equity and inclusion within MATT and the construction industry at large, we are participating in the inaugural Construction Inclusion Week during October 18th-22nd, 2021. To kick things off, we wanted to hear from some of our people about what inclusion means to them and how it relates to their professional lives. Here’s what they had to say.
Michael Bartolome: Safety Manager
Q: What does inclusion mean to you?
A: “To me, inclusion means leaving no one behind—no matter what disability, nationality or background a person might have.”
Q: I bring my most authentic self to work by…
A: “…Staying true to my real self—it’s the best way to form meaningful relationships with anyone.”
Hannah Chalk: Project Engineer
Q: What does inclusion mean to you?
A: “Inclusion strives to strengthen our abilities to listen, learn, adapt, improve, challenge and change in order to create a dynamic and welcoming community.”
Q: I bring my most authentic self to work by…
A: “…Maintaining an ‘all-in’ mindset, which is materialized through my ability to be transparent with my team about what strengthens and challenges me, my ability to view tough situations from a positive perspective, and how I learn and grow in the field.”
DJ Kim: Senior Project Engineer
Q: What does inclusion mean to you?
A: “Inclusion means having a choice. A choice to hear what others have to offer without pretense, which naturally creates opportunities to succeed. It starts with people providing others with the opportunity to prove themselves and their capabilities without judgment.”
Q: I bring my most authentic self to work by…
A: “…Letting my team try out some of the most amazing dishes my culture has to offer.”
Benjamin Bell: Director of VDC/BIM
Q: What does inclusion mean to you?
A: “Inclusion means understanding that we all have different qualities that result in many various life paths. While we understand ourselves, our personal experiences and life filters are insufficient to allow us to understand the depth of another person’s life journey. As such, it is important to take time to reflect on and appreciate those who are different from us.”
Q: I bring my most authentic self to work by…
A: “…Understanding that my attitude is my choice, then consciously selecting the best attitude.”
Sameera Khurana: Project Engineer
Q: What does inclusion mean to you?
A: “Inclusion means feeling a sense of belonging in my professional community, which comes from being heard, represented and respected in all regards. It is important for me to feel accepted and understood by my team, have equal opportunities to grow and flourish into leadership roles and have an influence in the company’s decision-making processes. I appreciate that at MATT, everybody has the opportunity to share their opinions and feedback after every company training, workshop, or event.”
Q: I bring my most authentic self to work by…
A: “…Having an open mind, an earnest curiosity, a deep willingness to learn from those around me, and an approachable persona. I ask a lot of questions when unsure and do my best to intently listen to diverse perspectives.”
Eric Rogers: Project Manager
Q: What does inclusion mean to you?
A: “To me, inclusion means allowing for diversity of thought and respecting the perspectives of people whether their opinions are popular or not.”
Q: I bring my most authentic self to work by…
A: “…Being honest and straightforward; facts over feelings.”
Lia Gardley: Project Manager
Q: What does inclusion mean to you?
A: “Inclusion occurs when we get to a point in the world where we no longer need to have specialized times to recognize/celebrate certain groups of people. Inclusion will happen when we are all so diverse within our respective industries that the topic of making sure all groups are included is no longer necessary.”
Q: I bring my most authentic self to work by…
A: “…Recognizing that I differ from my peers and knowing that means I bring a completely different perspective and set of skills to the table. All other things being equal, I know I’m good at my job; therefore, the diversity I bring broadens perspectives and helps with brainstorming and problem-solving. This is one of the reasons why diversity in the workplace is so great—it provides a broader spectrum to pull ideas from.”
Jason Lin: Vice President
Q: What does inclusion mean to you?
A: “Inclusion doesn’t tailor or exclude based on characteristics and certain demographics.”
Q: I bring my most authentic self to work by…
A: “…Completing my tasks on time and helping others succeed in any way that I can.”
Construction Inclusion Week was developed by a consortium of general contractors and is meant to advance inclusion throughout the construction industry by encouraging participating companies to:
–Stand united to create a culture where diversity is celebrated and embraced, inclusion is fostered, and equity is apparent.
–Champion inclusion, empowering us to reach our full potential, fueling innovation and connection with our team members, clients, and communities we serve.
–Harness and leverage the capabilities and global reach of the construction industry and its affiliates, to cultivate and perpetuate diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Thank you to all of the participants who contributed to the Construction Inclusion Week campaign. MATT looks forward to using this week as an opportunity to further its DEI initiatives and continue the conversation about inclusion in the construction industry.
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