Overcome implicit bias with education, showing empathy toward others, expressing humility, and understanding mistakes will be made and it’s okay to apologize.

Develop a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging that is free from explicit biases and judgement from others while acknowledging and accepting the differences every person possesses with an open mind. DJ&A has created an Inclusion Committee to focus on these goals and create action items.

Efforts being spearheaded by the Inclusion Committee involve an accessibility audit of the DJ&A offices, a social media campaign that highlights opportunities to discuss diversity, and an employee survey to understand current feelings regarding diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging at DJ&A. The committee debriefed the survey at an all company meeting and used the survey results to drive future pursuits and trainings. Focus objectives include recruitment and retention of a diverse staff, conduction of inclusivity trainings, partnerships with diversity advocacy groups, community outreach, assurance that compliance obligations are met, and promotion and fostering of an environment of trust and integrity for existing employees to discuss personal experiences. DJ&A also strives to demonstrate inclusion and belonging as we relate to our neighbor regional offices, remote employees, and field-based employees.

Michelle Halley, Human Resources Manager