Disrupting the Future of Infrastructure: Michele Heyward's DE&I Influence on AEC

Michele Heyward is the Founder and CEO of PositiveHire, a tech company engineered to bridge the gap between enterprises and underrepresented women in STEM professions. In this episode, KJ and Michele discuss the challenges faced by women of color in STEM fields, the need for structural changes in workplace culture, and the economic impact of failing to embrace DE&I. The conversation also covers the practical aspects of community engagement, addressing workforce shortages, and the significance of inclusive infrastructure initiatives.

 

Key Takeaways:

03:17 Michele's Journey into Civil Engineering

07:02 Challenges Faced by Women of Color in STEM

09:39 The Impact of Diversity on Engineering and Society

19:09 Community Engagement and Its Importance

24:15 Understanding Workforce Turnover

26:44 The Glass Cliff Phenomenon

30:06 Impact of Employee Attrition

43:51 Mid-Market Companies and Talent Retention

 

Quote of the Show (18:00):

"DEI is not going away. Some people may change the terminology, but if we do not grasp diversity, equity, inclusion in the workplace, we're in for a world of hurt around our infrastructure." - Michele Heyward

 

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Ways to connect with Michele Heyward:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelecheyward

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MicheleCHeyward

Company Website: https://positivehire.co/

Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/positivehireco/

 

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