Igniting Our Solutions with Equality and Diversity

Recently named one of the ASCE’s 2020 New Faces of Civil Engineering, Jazzy Quinabo with Kosal Krishnan one of her Jacobs’ influencers chimed into a recent S&T discussion in the Irvine, California office.

It can be intimidating to talk to industry experts that have worked on some of the world’s most iconic and innovative projects. But as equals at Jacobs, we encourage people of all career levels to network to discover career opportunities, especially through our S&T team when working on trending challenges.

“The S&T team thrives on diverse perspectives and those who put themselves out there – our revolutionizing culture is based around being open to what’s possible. While we are more alike than we are different, sometimes embracing what’s different takes courage,” Chrissy Thom shares. “I know I’ve experienced what it’s like to hide behind stereotypes or falsehoods just because it’s too much of a risk to be different.”

Chrissy is particularly focused on living our inclusion values as a key success indicator for the S&T leadership team. “At key points in my career, I doubted my place because I told myself I didn’t fit the leadership model particularly as a woman and mother of three,” she admits. “I couldn’t have been more wrong, and I began to challenge myself to stop hiding my unique situation but embrace it. The openness is freeing, and I feel free to be myself at Jacobs.”

Challenging herself sure paid off.

Chrissy was recently promoted to lead the global S&T team when Jacobs Senior Vice President Tom Price shifted to oversee Global Growth, Strategy & Solutions. Tom is a longtime advocate for equality and one of Jacobs’ Male Champions of Change. He recently accepted the Honorable Secretary Ray LaHood award at WTS Sacramento’s Annual Awards and Scholarship event. The award recognizes a male leader in transportation who has made an outstanding contribution toward advancing women and minorities in the transportation industry.

Tom and Chrissy have similar leadership qualities — both believe strongly in the importance of a diverse technology team that leads with innovation. Their partnership and Chrissy’s expanded role are a true example of how we’re redefining inclusion and diversity at Jacobs and how differences make us better together.

This especially resonates with IWD 2020, as the S&T leadership team engages with teams and cultures all around the world, where challenges of equality can vary. Chrissy adds, “I am so proud of our S&T team and they just keep raising the bar for how we deliver for Jacobs. We celebrate and lead the way in all of our communities to live inclusion. Having a conversation with our people about their experience and how S&T leaders can support is what we do.”

Photo left to right: Susan Moisio and Chrissy Thom

Recently, Susan Moisio, Jacobs Vice President and Global Solutions Director for Conveyance and Storage, initiated an inclusion and diversity initiative on behalf of the global S&T team. Susan is well-known in the industry as a champion for inclusive leadership and she brings this focus to ensure we identify our unconscious biases and challenge ourselves to keep the focus on equality.

Joining Chrissy as her executive advisor is Andrea DuMont, one of the American Society of Civil Engineers' 2019 New Faces of Civil Engineering. Andrea, a project manager and water engineer by trade, challenges the industry in a different way by talking about diversity in the online social media space and has just been involved in a think tank for women in the architecture, engineering and construction industry.

“One of my favorite parts about my role with S&T is my platform to push back or challenge things that I see differently,” reflects Andrea. “I know that even if others don’t agree, that they are always willing to hear different opinions and perspectives.”

And that’s the power of the S&T model. Its innovative culture and provides the platform for our innovators, our dreamers, thinkers and doers to showcase our thought leadership, focus on clients and grow our talent pool— and its inclusive environment and exciting career opportunities make the difference in creating a company like no other.

Jacobs Women’s Network is an Enabler to Changing Mindsets

Through the efforts of our company and in particular, Jacobs Women’s Network (JWN), we proudly accepted a 2019 IWD Best Practices award, honoring our efforts in celebration of last year’s event. JWN’s creative, innovative involvement incited overwhelming engagement from our members. We successfully engaged staff from all hierarchies across the organization and provided an avenue for open discussion on pressing topics. We had external speakers in our offices to share their experiences and ideas.

Throughout the world, we celebrated with delicious lunches while we engaged through education, staff engagement activities outside of the office and competitions with prizes to generate curiosity and interest amongst staff. All to promote our inclusive culture!

And, the best part is how our leadership team actively engaged, creating a lasting impact and demonstrating how we take gender balance and equal opportunities seriously.

This year, we’re gearing up for another exciting day on our social media channels.

JWN is one of eight employee networks that promote an inclusive culture where women and men can thrive and feel valued. Their vision fosters an inclusive environment where gender diversity and equality drive a unique local and virtual community.

With over 5,000+ members and more than 125 local chapters across 26 countries, the impact of the JWN is felt throughout Jacobs and is embraced by Chair and CEO and JWN Executive Sponsor Steve Demetriou as a Male Champion of Change. The Champions of Change mission is to accelerate a cultural shift by empowering women and promoting gender equality.