Ron Nussbaum

Here are my answers as best as I can. I am no expert on these topics but have some real-world expertise and opinions. 1. Do you understand the WMBE programs the government has created? How has this helped your organization? No/No 2. Is Supplier Diversity important in your organizations? Why? I think it is important to have the best people in the roles no matter what. 3. What would you say to folks in the construction industry who may not be aware of the challenges that we face in this industry? Do you want to learn to grow and be a better organization or continue to feed the narrative? 4. How can we work together to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for men, women, and the next generation in construction? We have to bust through the statue's que! If the construction industry is going to continue to grow, we have to grow our processes, mindset, and system to make sure we have the best talent available. 5. What are some strategies that can be used to effectively and respectfully communicate experiences and concerns in the industry? Direct and open lines of communication. All too often we leave too much up to interpretation instead of really talking about the issues head-on. 6. How can men and women be better allies to all people in construction? What specific actions can they take to support each other and promote equality in the industry? If we focused on the outcome for the industry and collaborated on how we best get there together. 7. What are some common misconceptions that we have about people in construction, and how can we address these misconceptions? That everyone is a laborer and there is no room for advancement. Educate everyone on what construction really is and help promote the future of construction. 8. How can we ensure that everyone's voices are heard in decision-making processes within the industry? Everyone must start to have a voice, there's something about construction that makes people just sit back and not have one but what we need is to have one! 9. What role can training and education play in promoting equality in the construction industry? As companies, we should live and die by our training systems, and they should be available to everyone in your organization. 10. How can we create opportunities for women to take on leadership roles within the industry, and what benefits can this bring to the industry as a whole? Promote and hire the right person for the role no matter what.