Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Our People Are Our Greatest Asset
Benesch strives to be the company of choice for top talent. We truly believe our employees are our greatest asset. We also believe that promoting diversity within our staff isn’t just the smart thing to do from a business perspective—it’s the right thing to do, period.
At Benesch, we want to ensure that our staff reflect the communities we serve and that our hiring and promoting practices are equitable. Everyone—from the first-generation college grad to the 20-year industry veteran—deserves access to opportunities that will further their careers.
We have taken intentional steps to attract diverse candidates and create inclusive environments so all employees can thrive.
Our EDI-Focused Initiatives
Making Meaningful Connections
Benesch has greatly expanded our campus outreach in recent years, with a focus on connecting with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) and other colleges.
Within the industry, we continue to form meaningful relationships with local chapters of various organizations, including the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), Women’s Transportation Society (WTS) and many others.
Providing Intentional Training
Our Learning & Development team provides EDI-focused training and enrichment opportunities to employees at every level within our company.
Courses on allyship empower our employees to support each other and foster inclusive environments in every office. On-going trainings from experts in areas of diversity and unconscious bias equip our leadership teams with the tools they need to lead inclusively. Manager-level staff receive specific training in building and leading inclusive and diverse teams.
Employee-Driven Engagement
Employee engagement has been a critical component of our culture for a long time. Benesch is home to four employee-driven focus teams, including the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Focus Team, which works alongside our Human Resources Department to identify opportunities for making life at Benesch even better.
Members of the EDI team worked together to create Benesch’s Employee Resource Group program, which established four identity-based groups connecting co-workers across the company in pursuit of common social and professional goals.
Bringing Coworkers Together
Developed by Benesch’s EDI committee, our Employee Resource Group program brings together coworkers with similar identity attributes for social and professional networking, as well as opportunities for establishing new company processes, programs and events.
Established to build a network of members dedicated to the advancement and affirmation of all LGBTQ+ employees, Benesch Pride aims to:
- Increase the number of and visibility for LGBTQ+ employees at Benesch
- Connect with LGBTQ+ professional organizations within the AEC industry
- Ensure Benesch maintains LGBTQ+ affirming policies and is a safe workplace for LGBTQ+ employees
Established to create a cross-cultural community that celebrates cultural diversity, fosters cultural awareness and encourages inclusive dialogue, the Benesch Cultural Alliance aims to:
- Fortify cross-cultural professional relationships amongst employees
- Promote community outreach inside and outside of Benesch
- Elevate sense of belonging for all
Established to inspire others to stand together in support of mental, physical, emotional and financial disabilities, Benesch Strong Divers-ability aims to:
- Provide support and opportunities for personal growth
- Share knowledge and resources for supporting all employees and their families
- Create space for sharing personal journeys regarding disabilities
Established to foster professional growth and equitable career opportunities at Benesch, the Women of Benesch aim to:
- Build relationships via intentional networking among group members
- Support professional growth through women-focused training and mentoring
- Promote STEM fields for women in our communities outside of Benesch