Stantec, a global architecture and design firm with a significant presence in Sacramento, is committed to helping close the gender gap in STEAM fields with a company-wide Inclusion and Diversity program. The company’s Women Leadership Development Committee leads their gender equality efforts by providing education, influencing inclusive policies and practices, implementing development programs and supporting its Women@Stantec Employee Resource Group chapters around the world.
On average, 34 percent of Stantec employees are women. Within the leadership structure, 33 percent are current board members and 38 percent hold C-suite positions. Throughout the Sacramento region, Stantec has female leaders representing virtually all the company’s service offerings and business lines. Three of these local business leaders are highlighted below.
Jill Miller, senior principal, has 24 years’ experience as a project manager, contract manager and project engineer. A mother of two daughters who has been able to balance parenthood and a career with a flexible work schedule, she says, “The engineering community is recognizing that women can offer a different perspective that broadens the insight to unique challenges faced in our industry. I anticipate a better outlook for my daughters and hope I’m paving the way for them.”
“I am passionate about making space for diversity and am proud Stantec encourages me to do so.”
— Michelle Tovar, Senior Principal Biologist
Sherene Cooper, senior interior designer, was recently selected to participate in a Career Empowerment Program for Women within the firm’s North American Buildings group. “This group’s coaching and training embraced career goals and developed strategies to enact and achieve them,” she says. “It enabled me to meet other senior interior designers across the firm and develop peer relationships with people on my same career trajectory.”
Michelle Tovar, senior principal biologist, has 18 years of experience in permitting, regional conservation planning, compliance and mitigation. “Stantec has enabled me to participate in, lead and develop women’s resource groups,” she says. “We have led discussion panels, film screenings and mentoring events, allowing for open dialogue and deeper understanding of shared experiences. I am passionate about making space for diversity and am proud Stantec encourages me to do so.”
