ATLANTA, Georgia — Burns & McDonnell, a 100% employee-owned engineering, architecture and construction firm, hosted its first Community of Inclusion and Equity Symposium in Atlanta. The event recognized small and diverse businesses including municipalities, utilities, entrepreneurs and more.

This year’s symposium emphasized the critical role of supplier diversity in fostering equity within infrastructure endeavors across the southeast.

“Burns & McDonnell strives to emphasize the importance of supplier diversity in shaping equitable infrastructure,” says Oko Buckle, senior vice president and general manager of the Southeast Region of Burns & McDonnell. “By fostering this type of dialogue, we're not just sharing insights — we're building a foundation for inclusive excellence that powers our clients’ success and benefits all stakeholders.”

During the daylong event, attendees heard presentations from thought leaders on diversity best practices and how supplier diversity impacts equity in infrastructure in the Southeast. Through collaborative discussions with leaders in the industry, attendees examined the challenges of the energy marketplace and grid transformation.

As a leader in the power industry, Burns & McDonnell has remained committed to business diversity. In 2023, the firm recognized the excellence of 1,300 small and diverse firms, and over the past five years has invested $2.3 billion in contracts with vibrant and varied enterprises.

“By focusing on supplier diversity, we are opening doors to untapped, talented and much needed resilience in the Southeast's infrastructure sector,” says Julia Taylor-Settles, Southeast business diversity manager at Burns & McDonnell. “Our symposium aims to spotlight effective practices that empower diverse suppliers and enhance organizational success.”

As part of the event, Burns & McDonnell made a $5,000 donation to Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE), a powerhouse for economic mobility that uplifts Black entrepreneurs and small business owners through innovation, networking and resources in a 50,000-square-foot, LEED-certified space.

Participants in the symposium included: U.S. Department of Energy, Southern Company, RICE, Slater Infrastructure Group, Turning Point Leadership Group LLC and Heartland Solutions Inc.

About Burns & McDonnell

Burns & McDonnell is a family of companies bringing together an unmatched team of more than 14,500 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 75 offices globally, Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned. Learn how we are designed to build.