DIVERSITY & INCLUSION Procore Offers Platform for Change


By Carol Eaton Trough its ongoing blogs and


webinar series, its support of AGC and other industry initiatives and more, Procore Technologies is providing a platform for change when it comes to increasing equity, inclusion and diversity in the construction industry. Procore’s support for inclusion and


diversity (I&D) is built into the DNA of the global cloud-based construction software company according to Valerie Jackson, Senior Director of Global Inclusion and Diversity. “It’s always been an organic part of our culture,” she said. “We are passionate about being a partner with everyone and helping to improve the entire industry.” Te company’s blogs and free


webinars, accessible at www.procore. com/inclusion-diversity, are designed to “create space, provide resources for members of the industry to learn, come together and really improve collectively,” Jackson added. “We’re also creating conversation spaces for folks to crowd- source best practices and learn together.” Just one example is Procore’s current


roundtable webinar series entitled “Foundations for Progress.” Kicked off this summer, the webinars bring together industry experts on a recurring basis to discuss topics centered around I&D best practices, tips on formulating I&D programs and policies, supplier and vendor programs, and much more. In September, the most recent


webinar brought together Silvia Siqueira from Hilti North America, Martha Feeback from Catalyst, Inc. and George Hanible from Dragados USA, Inc. to discuss practical tips on how to build an I&D program from scratch. Internally, Procore adheres to three


strategic pillars for its own inclusion and diversity building approach: hiring, people and culture, and outreach. Te company supports internal employee resources groups which focus on topics including psychological safety as a


www.AGC-CA.org Associated General Contractors of California 15


component of workplace safety, uncon- scious bias, and inclusive leadership. “Just like we’re creating spaces for


industry to come together and learn, we’re doing that internally as well,” she said. “Tere are a number of opportu- nities to educate, and we leverage those opportunities to get everyone on the same page, speaking the same language


“There are a number of opportunities to educate, and we leverage those opportunities to get everyone on the same page, speaking the same language and having a shared understanding. We’re learning right alongside everybody else and sharing what we learn, what is working.” – Valerie Jackson


and having a shared understanding,” Jackson said. “We’re learning right alongside everybody else and sharing what we learn, what is working.” On board with


Valerie Jackson


Procore since February 2019, Jackson herself spent the last 15 years focused on building and leading inclusion initia- tives in global companies. A passionate director of people and opportunities with a law degree from Georgetown University and an undergraduate degree from Harvard, she currently serves on AGC of California’s Diversity and Inclusion Task Force. Her biggest piece of advice for


companies endeavoring to start or build their own I&D program? “Know your why,” Jackson said. “Why are you doing this and what are you building towards? Are you trying to recruit and retain key talent, or maybe expand in new markets? Te most successful approaches are customized for each company.” Jackson said she is heartened to


see the changes that are taking place throughout the construction industry and relishes Procore’s role in helping


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