Altieri’s Women in Engineering (WIE) employee resource group has been working toward its goal of bringing allies, particularly our male colleagues, into our conversations. The importance of this goal was highlighted by Managing Director Phil Steiner in wom(EN)gineer’s first guest post from a male contributor: Bringing Men into the Conversation. Last month, WIE hosted its first-ever JEDI meeting* which was attended by over 40 staff. We introduced our mission and activities, and shared stories in an open discussion.
WIE member Amanda Cortese and attendee Anthony Amoroso, recently took a break from their work designing mechanical systems, and asked each other questions about the JEDI session, issues facing women in engineering, and future opportunities to bring everyone into the conversation:
Anthony: What lead to the formation of Altieri’s WIE group?
Amanda: The WIE group at Altieri was formed to address issues related to the underrepresentation of women in STEM fields, to underscore Altieri’s commitment to gender diversity in the industry and in our workplace, and to provide a platform for our female staff to build relationships, learn from and support each other, and share resources. The existence of the group was a wonderful surprise for me when I started here two years ago, (we have doubled in size since our inception in 2022). It has become an integral and invaluable part of our office culture and provides a safe space for women to share their experiences, ask questions, and network. I also really enjoy the community outreach we do as a group and the opportunity to connect with women in different studios with whom I do not have regular contact during the workday.
Anthony: What is the most important thing that you wanted your male colleagues to take away from the WIE JEDI session?
Amanda: I’m sure my female colleagues would provide an endless variety of answers to this question! Personally, I wanted my male peers to leave the meeting with a greater understanding of how gender bias affects women at work. I think by gaining a deeper understanding of the personal issues that we have experienced, they can become more informed allies and advocates for gender equality – this is not just speaking up during a conference call in the office, but I hope it spills over into noticing inequities in situations with their mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters, as well. Additionally, I hope everyone in the office understands the importance of diversity in the workplace not only for the company, but also for the employees. Having a diverse team can help create a more innovative and creative environment, leading to better problem solving and increased productivity.
Amanda: Did you have any hesitations or apprehensions about attending the WIE JEDI session?
Anthony: I didn’t really have any apprehensions. I was on a call beforehand that ended up running a bit long, so I was thankful that you reminded me to join (and reminded me about the empanada lunch included!). The meeting was run perfectly in my opinion. It got everyone involved and encouraged people outside of the WIE group to chime in with their own thoughts and experiences. I think the open dialogue format works really well.
Amanda: What resonated with you?
Anthony: The stories that individuals shared about their personal experiences as women in the engineering field were interesting – and really shocking – to hear. I think they opened everyone’s eyes a bit more to the fact that on top of all the challenges that come from working in a demanding field, there are other challenges related to gender bias that women engineers are forced to navigate.
Amanda: Did anything surprise you about the challenges/barriers that women face in the workplace?
Anthony: I was definitely surprised by some of the experiences WIE members shared (not being taken seriously, being on the receiving end of inappropriate comments and actions) and by the sheer number of women at our own firm who have experienced gender bias during their careers.
Amanda: Have you noticed any conscious or unconscious biases affecting women in the workplace?
Anthony: I personally have not which I think says a lot about Altieri and its values. I’ve been lucky enough to have worked here for 5 years now and it has been my only real job right out of college; the respectful and inclusive culture we have here is all I know. I understand our culture, unfortunately, is not widespread throughout the industry. I think this is why it was so important to hear about incidents that occur outside of our bubble, with other consultants, contractors and architects. Not every firm operates with the same values as Altieri!
Anthony: How has your experience been as a female engineer at Altieri? Has it differed in any ways from other companies you have worked for?
Amanda: My experience at Altieri has been very positive. Altieri emphasizes gender equality and is committed to creating an inclusive environment – I think this value is reflected in the long tenure of some of our employees. My last engineering firm where I worked for six years (2003-2009) did not have any female engineers in leadership roles which at the time, as a young engineer straight out of college, I do not think I realized was unusual.
Amanda: Do you think the WIE JEDI meeting was effective in raising awareness about women’s experiences in a male-dominated field?
Anthony: Extremely effective and eye-opening. I think that sometimes if people don’t see things happening in their own life, they may disregard the fact that they happen at all, so it is important to hear first-hand accounts of what female colleagues deal with.
Amanda: Was the discussion helpful to achieving the goal of creating an inclusive and supportive culture at Altieri? Do you have suggestions re: what WIE can do to continue the dialogue?
Anthony: Absolutely! Meetings like this only help to strengthen the foundation we have at Altieri, and we should definitely keep talking. The more often we can have open communication about these issues, the better.
Anthony: Have you noticed any changes since the event took place?
Amanda: Yes, I’ve noticed a positive shift in the way our male colleagues engage with women engineers. Additionally, I think the overall atmosphere in the office feels more collaborative and supportive.
Anthony: What do you think can be done to encourage more women to study engineering in college?
Amanda: A variety of actions can be taken to encourage more women to pursue engineering including increasing the visibility of female engineers, offering more scholarships and financial aid for women in engineering, and providing more mentorship opportunities – mentorship provides guidance, support, and valuable insights that help women (especially young engineers) navigate their careers more effectively. Additionally, having role models who have successfully overcome similar challenges can be incredibly motivating and inspiring.
Anthony: Will you continue to host office wide events like this in the future? If so, when is the next one coming?
Amanda: It’s a great way to encourage collaboration within the company. We should definitely plan another event soon. I’m looking forward to it! I also understand that members of WIE are currently contributing to the review of Altieri’s Family Leave Policy. The first thing they did was invite a few men to join the taskforce with them!
Amanda: One more (personal) question – Did you share what was discussed in the WIE JEDI meeting with your fiancée?
Anthony: I did! And it led to a discussion about her own experiences as a woman with a career in marketing. I was surprised to hear how prevalent gender bias is even outside of the construction/engineering industry.
*Altieri’s Team USA (United Strengths of Altieri) conducts regular JEDI (justice, equity, diversity, inclusion) meetings aimed at increasing dialogue and sharing viewpoints on a range of equity and diversity issues.