BREA, California — Burns & McDonnell, a 100% employee-owned engineering, architecture, and construction firm, hosted its Community of Inclusion & Equity Symposium. The symposium, which brings together diverse businesses from municipalities, utilities, ports and more in California, discussed best practices in advancing a community of inclusion and equity, benefiting diverse suppliers and organizations alike.

This year’s theme, Equity in infrastructure, focused on the importance of partnering with small and diverse businesses to advance equity across infrastructure projects as well as understanding market conditions that impact the success of contracting in general, including projects supported through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

“At Burns & McDonnell, we understand the value of partnering with diverse firms and how critical it is to the success of infrastructure projects,” says Chamberlain Duru, business diversity manager for Burns & McDonnell in California. “Teaming with diverse suppliers broadens our horizons and skill sets. Today’s event was an extension of our mission to come together with our clients and partner organizations to advance our collective efforts to better our local economies and communities.”

During the daylong event, attendees heard presentations from thought leaders on DE&I impacts from IIJA, workforce development, digital equity as well as industry insights from some of the largest agencies and utilities in Southern California.

In California, Burns & McDonnell has worked on more than 4,000 critical infrastructure projects since 2010 in sectors including energy, aviation, mission-critical, manufacturing, federal life sciences, construction, and environmental. The firm’s commitment to project success includes working with small and large businesses owned by women, veterans and minorities to help deliver solutions that strengthen our communities.

Nationally, Burns & McDonnell spent $2.2 billion with diverse businesses over the last five years to execute critical infrastructure projects nationwide. In 2022, the firm spent nearly $61 million with small and diverse suppliers in California, partnering with more than 205 suppliers.

As part of the event, Burns & McDonnell made a $5,000 donation to Big John Kares, an organization dedicated to promoting equality in education for inner-city schools in and around the Los Angeles area. Giving back is part of the Burns & McDonnell culture. In 2022, the firm donated more than $11 million to communities across the U.S., including $225,000 to California-based organizations.

Participants in the symposium included: Bayen Group, City of Los Angeles, EmpathifyU, Inland Valley Development Agency, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission, Los Angeles World Airports, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, UCLA, Port of Long Beach, San Diego Gas & Electric, Southern California Gas Co., Southern California Minority Supplier Development Council.

About Burns & McDonnell

Burns & McDonnell is a family of companies bringing together an unmatched team of more than 13,500 engineers, construction and craft professionals, architects, planners, technologists, and scientists to design and build our critical infrastructure. With an integrated construction and design mindset, we offer full-service capabilities. Founded in 1898 and working from more than 70 offices globally, Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned. Learn how we are designed to build.