The third annual Henderson Companies DE&I (diversity, equity, and inclusion) Summit was another success, bringing together thought leaders, community advocates, and employee owners to focus on building a more inclusive and supportive workplace. This year, the summit emphasized psychological safety, with sessions highlighting major initiatives in our People Resource Groups (PRGs), REAL, UNITE, Empower, and Need4Green, as well as notable non-profits Team Henderson has partnered with for community engagement and give-back events. 

Psychological Safety 

Psychological safety can be a lofty conversation. From deescalating tough topics to creating space for multiple perspectives, making sure all parties feel safe and heard is no small task. Adam Miller, founder of Bespoke Consulting, kicked off the summit with a powerful keynote providing insights that were both engaging and practical. He was able to give the group tactical tools to bring to conversations. One of his key messages was that to create a neutral and safe environment, the goal is not to prove your point but to demonstrate that you can listen to others. He also emphasized that sometimes the opposite of a great truth isn’t a lie but another great truth, highlighting the value of multiple perspectives. Miller reminded everyone that admitting when you’re wrong is crucial when leading others. “Be authentic,” he urged, “and never compromise your values for opportunities.”  

Adam’s keynote led beautifully into our panel on Cultivating a Safe Place to Work, moderated by Kevin Lewis, CEO and president, alongside Robin Broder Gibson, chief strategy officer and chair of the board. The discussion featured members from Team Henderson, Andrew Bennet and Pam Phillips, as well as external leaders Phil Dougherty, associate vice president of Slaggie Architects, and Claudia Meyer, president of Cristo Rey High School. They offered valuable perspectives on creating environments where everyone feels safe and valued. Participants stressed the importance of doing more listening than talking and leading with respect, care, empathy, and consistency. De-escalating conversations to not only find common ground but to identify  a universal experience or truth was noted as a crucial skill. The discussion reinforced that the motivation for creating safe spaces stems from the diverse perspectives that everyone brings.  

History of Henderson and DE&I 

The world has seen monumental shifts in the conversations and efforts surrounding DE&I and Henderson is no different. During the panel on Leading DE&I with People & Culture, internal participants, including Mischa Haramia and Jen Jewers Bowlin as moderators for Mindy Garrett, Devin Caruthers, Julie Pierce, and Amy McClellan, shared insights into the history of DE&I at Henderson and the broader AEC industry.  

From noting the 10th anniversary of Empower, our women’s equality PRG, to the impactful events of 2020 and the subsequent inclusion of Juneteenth in our holiday calendar in 2022, we discussed how progress can look different than anticipated but it doesn’t invalidate what we have done and where we are going. The panelists encouraged attendees to engage in difficult conversations, even when immediate answers aren’t available. Key themes were promoting the DE&I cause and merging business and diversity mindsets, with a focus on how these decisions impact employees personally and the broader community. Dedicated time and commitment to DE&I efforts were highlighted as essential for driving meaningful change. 

Henderson Knows DE&I 

The 2024 DE&I Summit was more than just a meeting—it was a call to action. Volunteer coordinators learned from non-profit leaders, further enriching our commitment to community engagement. The two-day event was filled with purposeful planning, insightful discussions, and actionable takeaways that will shape Henderson’s strategies moving forward. Stepping away from the day-to-day to focus on broader initiatives gives employees a renewed purpose and appreciation for the work we are doing and the people we do it with. Henderson is incredibly proud of the progress made and the collaborative spirit demonstrated by our employee owners during the summit and are energized as we continue to hold one another accountable, celebrate our wins, and strive for continuous improvement in our DE&I efforts. Thank you for being part of this transformative journey.