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2024 Construction Inclusion Conference
October 16
National Bank of Arizona Conference Center
6001 N. 24th St. Phoenix, AZ 85016
DEI is not just the workforce, the culture that we go to work every day and experience; it is supplier diversity.
Programing
Registration | |
Welcome | |
Supplier Diversity Message from SRP | |
Leading the Charge: Building Accountability for a More Inclusive Construction Industry | |
Building Bridges: Leadership Strategies for Inclusive Project Management | |
Break | |
Voices Panel | |
Navigating Tricky or Difficult Conversations | |
Closing |
2023 Construction Inclusion Conference Recap
Watch highlights from last year’s conference below.
Speakers – Coming Soon
Commitment through Time: Nearly 30 Years of Supplier Diversity
AMCA’s 25th Anniversary Supplier Diversity Sponsor
SRP began its supplier diversity initiative to strengthen its supply chain and foster economic empowerment. Now, supplier diversity is core to SRP’s corporate function to ensure the utility company continues to empower who it serves. SRP is proud to discuss the approach that resulted in $243.3M on goods and services with over 700 small and diverse suppliers in FY2023.
Erika Castro
Erika Castro is the Supplier Diversity & Supplier Management Manager at Salt River Project (SRP) and carries out SRP’s Supplier Diversity strategies and activities by connecting small and diverse businesses to the business and to the purchasing teams responsible for SRP’s business units. Erika has been with SRP for 15 years and enjoys being able to lead a team that makes a difference with Arizona’s small and diverse businesses.
An active community leader, Erika is a board member of the Chandler Cultural Foundation Board and Commission and WBEC-West (Women’s Business Enterprise Council West). She also serves as Co-Chair for the Public Policy Committee at the Chandler Chamber of Commerce and quad chair for Chandler Leadership’s Class 40.
Leading the Charge: Building Accountability for a More Inclusive Construction Industry
The session will dive into the critical need for leadership accountability in achieving true inclusion within construction. Mr. De La Cerda will explore practical methods for leaders to establish measurable goals, track progress on DE&I initiatives, and hold themselves and their teams responsible for creating a more diverse and equitable work environment.
Al De La Cerda
Al De La Cerda, President/CEO of ASUSE Incorporated, is a seasoned engineering leader with over 40 years of experience. Throughout his career, he has held various leadership positions within the electrical engineering and construction sectors. At ASUSE, Mr. De La Cerda oversees all aspects of the business, from surveying and design to construction and finance. He is recognized for his expertise in project management, safety, and value engineering and passionately advocates for building a more inclusive and successful construction industry.
Building Bridges: Leadership Strategies for Inclusive Project Management
This workshop will focus on effective leadership strategies for project managers to create and sustain inclusive work environments; they will leave with practical tools. The session aims to empower project managers to lead diverse teams effectively, fostering an environment where every team member feels valued and included. Participants will engage in interactive exercises designed to develop their skills in communication, collaboration, and resolving conflicts with equity and respect.
Cherron Castillo
Cherron Castillo, Owner and Principal Facilitator of Fruitful Training Group (MBE, WBE, WOSB), is a national speaker with over 15 years of experience. She holds a degree in HR Management and a master’s in professional development and is a certified John Maxwell Team trainer and Wiley Everything DiSC® partner.
Cherron specializes in leadership, DEI, and power skills, with topics like emotional intelligence and creating inclusive workplaces. She has trained in various sectors, including corporations, government, and universities. Passionate about empowering others, she shares her “Cherronosophies” and enjoys” light bulb” moments. Cherron is married, has two children, and loves Cabo San Lucas!
Industry Voices Panel
More info is on it way!
Tracy Sanders
TBD
TBD
TBD
Navigating Tricky or Difficult Conversations
Being a successful team member requires having conversations that are difficult, not to mention important, awkward, tricky, meaningful, and powerful. The goal isn’t to avoid these conversations; it’s to find ways to have these conversations effectively. Measures of success often focus on project delivery: on-time, on-budget, safely, and to the client’s satisfaction. Underlying those goals is the ability to have effective communications up, down, and across an organization or project team.
Michael Riegel
Michael Riegel is a coach, consultant, author, speaker, and trainer working across industries with a focus on technical and process- driven organizations. He developed an expertise in managing technical professionals, creating high-performing teams, and helping leaders grow and exceed their individual and corporate goals.
As a technical professional himself, Michael brings insights and perspectives on the challenges and organizational dynamics that can thwart analytical, technical, and structured-thinking professionals. In his coaching work, he focuses on building emotional intelligence,
communication skills, collaboration, cooperation, and leadership skills, especially for technical professionals who work with non- technical leaders and teams. Michael’s coaching approach leverages his experience working in organizations and emphasizes practical solutions to management and leadership challenges.
His clients include Washington Gas and Light, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Carolinas AGC, Wayfair, Electives, and Udemy. He designed and is facilitating the Carolina AGC Construction Business Academy including business assessments, action planning, and leadership coaching. Michael is a strategic partner to the National Association of Women in Construction to build greater awareness of coaching and professional development benefits to traditionally underserved professionals, industries, and companies.
Michael is a contributor to Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Forbes, and is the author of Build Like The Big Primes: A Contractor’s Guide to Building Your Business While Balancing Your Life and The Little Book of Big Ideas for Construction Professionals.
Sponsorship
Registered Attendees
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