On Thursday, August 17, our San Francisco Bay group is hosting their first panel discussion about LGBTQ+ employee resource groups (ERGs). The panel, which is designed for architecture, engineering, and construction professionals and allies throughout the industry, will talk through the successes and, more importantly, the challenges they overcame to build their organization's ERG. The panel will talk through several important topics, including:

• envisioning and implementing a roadmap to create and further develop ERGs and foster connections across the AEC industry

• learning what an LGBTQ+ ERG can look like at various life cycle stages, from "getting started" to "well-established"

• aiding AEC organizations to advance their inclusivity goals, specifically by creating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ community members in the workplace through the formation and support of ERGs

The event will take place in-person at ARUP's San Francisco office where you can enjoy some light snacks while also having the opportunity meet with other professionals. And, if you can't join us in person, we will also be broadcasting the event via Microsoft Teams so you can tune into the panel virtually.

NOTE: Times shown are meant to be Pacific Time.

Register to Attend In-Person or Virtually

Please register for the event using the link here. Registration is open for both in-person and virtual attendance, please be sure to select the correct ticket when completing your registration. Space is limited, so please be mindful when reserving your space.

About Our Panelists

Lindsey Wyant
Talent Experience Manager, Swinerton

As Co-Lead for Swinerton’s brand new PRIDE BRG, or Business Resource Group, Lindsey’s ecstatic to share their first-hand experience developing a BRG from the ground up. What’s most incredible is the progress made in less than a year, such as developing their first-ever charter and having an immense influence on Swinerton’s internal marketing campaign to encourage membership and participation. The campaign included establishing a fundraising effort to support the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), and they’re incredibly excited about what additional impacts they can make as the BRG continues to grow!

Laith Nuqul
Engineer, Turner Construction

Laith leads Turner Construction’s NorCal Business Unit’s Pride Network, overseeing planning efforts with other contributing members. With Turner having just celebrated its 10th anniversary, Laith continues to carry the baton of a 108-member strong ERG with 25 chapters worldwide. In addition to helping to organize Build Out Alliance’s first-ever march in the San Francisco 2023 Pride Parade, Turner’s Pride Network also published a Pride Month Impact Report highlighting community impacts, which include progress with LGBTQ+-focused and Gender-Affirming care benefits. Laith is excited to share what more can be done–even for a well-established ERG.

Darrell Hawkins
Senior Cost Planner, Lendlease

Darrell is the Co-Chair for Lendlease’s PRIDE US ERG, formally established globally in 2017. Darrell facilitates US leadership and membership meetings and implements initiatives across US main offices and job sites, all while aligning with other Lendlease ERGs, including Women @ Lendlease, the Black Forum, and others. The ERG has helped improve employee benefit access, which includes expanding family-planning benefits and general outreach at national offices and job sites and is seeking to do more community service with local partnership organizations.

Thank You To Our Host

A special thank you to our host, ARUP, for inviting us into your office and for providing the food and drink for the evening.