Most large New York City public design and construction projects require 30% minority, women, or locally based business enterprise (MWLBE) participation, as well as a 40% women and minority workforce, as part of the project requirements.  Many private-sector clients have inclusion goals on their projects, as well. Clients have become increasingly savvy and mindful about what type of diversity compliance has a positive impact, compared to simply demonstrating a good faith effort. ESG requirements for global corporations, which include supplier and workforce diversity tracking, are also finding their way into RFPs and contracts for private sector clients.  Join us for this information session and:

1) Learn about effective strategies to meet diversity goals
2) Identify ways to make your team shine with a great diversity compliance plan
3) Have a positive impact on the community

Speakers:

Michael J. Garner, Chief Business Diversity Officer, the City of New York

Michael J. Garner, MBA, was appointed New York City’s first Citywide Chief Business Diversity Officer by Mayor Eric Adams on February 16, 2023.   Mr. Garner formerly served as Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), State of New York. His tenure at the MTA spanned 14 years from February 2009- through February 2023.  He is a diversity champion, making it his personal and professional mission to create a more diverse business environment wherever he’s been.

By changing New York City’s/New York State’s Legislative Laws and creating new innovative MWDBE/SDVOB programming, Mr. Garner and his teams at the City of New York, the MTA and the New York City School Construction Authority (SCA), have been responsible for more than $30 billion in contracts and payments to New York State/City Minority and Women-owned Businesses. In addition, during his tenure at the MTA, he and his team increased the hiring of Blacks, Hispanics and Asians by 20%, across the MTA’s six different operating agencies.

Wayne Lambert, Director of Supplier Diversity, Turner and Townsend

As the Director of Supplier Diversity at Turner & Townsend, Wayne Lambert leads efforts to enhance the firm’s Supplier Diversity program and expand the supply chain to create contract and capacity-building opportunities for diverse businesses. Previously, Wayne worked in the public sector, where he had over 15 years of experience in supplier and workforce diversity, most recently as Chief Diversity and Industry Relations Officer with the NYC Department of Design & Construction and New York City’s (NYC) Mayor’s Office of M/WBE as Deputy Director of Programs. He also served in roles with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and Department of Small Business Services and currently serves as a Board Member on New York City’s Procurement Policy Board (PPB), and Director of DE&I on the Board for the Society for Marketing Professionals (SMPS).
 

Kimberly Hardy, Senior Vice President for Diversity, Inclusion, and Compliance, McKissack & McKissack

Kimberly Hardy, SVP at McKissack, oversees the Diversity, Inclusion, and Compliance Services Group. She’s an attorney with 20+ years of experience in regulatory compliance, external affairs, and construction.  Kimberly held senior positions in NYC and State government and associations with two international firms specializing in developing, managing, and reviewing diversity and inclusion-related compliance programs for public and private entities. She’s experienced in leading investigations and conducting screenings to assist clients with project compliance.  She has experience working with governmental entities, developers, contractors, financial institutions, nonprofits, and community stakeholders throughout construction projects. Kimberly holds a BA in political science from NC Central University and a JD from Yale Law School.
 

Jodine Miller, Assistant Vice President for Diversity, Inclusion and Compliance, McKissack & McKissack

Jodine Miller, Assistant Vice President, Diversity, Inclusion & Compliance at McKissack, has more than 20 years of construction industry experience, including 12 years of developing/executing diversity strategies to manage compliance requirements for construction projects. She works with clients for inclusion of small businesses, community groups, and diverse labor force professionals, including the development of outreach programs, tracking, and reporting mechanisms for diversity consulting. She prepares compliance reports; monitors progress towards utilization goals; facilitates overall effectiveness of M/WBE Programs; provides resources for certifications, procurement, and business assistance to M/WBE firms; and tracks good faith efforts per City/State requirements.