Recognizing International Women’s Day and realizing the theme #BreakTheBias is in part about taking action to do things differently.
The commitment to doing things differently is inherent to the founding of UG2 and it manifests in actions big and small, from treating employees and customers like family to staying privately owned so we can make decisions that aren’t just driven by the bottom line.
In a historically male-dominated industry, UG2 owes much of our success to the women who have contributed to our organization at every level. We succeed by seeking out the voices and skills of women who traditionally have been shut out of policy-making, business development and leadership positions. We excel by recognizing their talent, providing opportunities for advancement, and supporting their professional development.
Here are some ways UG2 works to #BreakTheBias:
Providing training, professional development and leadership opportunities. We lead the field in educating and training our employees, and that includes sending women to events such as the Pennsylvania Conference for Women and the Texas Women’s Leadership Conference. We prioritize promoting from within and supporting advancement among our incredibly diverse workforce.
Sponsoring the efforts of outside organizations that are working to advance equity. We are devoted to supporting the work of other organizations who share our values, such as English for New Bostonians, Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers, Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Network and DC-based Jubilee Housing, which is women-founded and women-led.
Partnering and subcontracting with minority and women owned businesses. Diversity is a core value we hold in the highest regard, and that extends to our external relationships and professional dealings.
Seeking out and honoring women’s voices and input. Taking responsibility means inviting and acting on feedback. UG2 offers every employee ongoing opportunities to provide input, from listening sessions to one-on-one check-ins to anonymous surveys.
Prioritizing work/life balance. Treating employees as family means recognizing the whole employee. We coordinate part-time/flexible/overnight schedules and comprehensive benefits packages that ensure our employees can care for their children and aging parents while also thriving professionally at UG2.
We have more work to do, in our own organization and in our industry, too. We are particularly proud that UG2 Associate Vice President for Culture and Community Lauren Lanzillo is taking on the role of Co-Chair of BOMA’s Emerging Leaders Committee, where she can help #BreakTheBias as she engages, inspires and advocates for the next generation of women in our industry.