Principal Architect and DEI Expert Micki Washington on Where Women Drop Out of the Career Pipeline

0:00-0:59 - Introduction and Welcome Remarks

The host welcomes the guest speaker, Micki Washington, to the Women Of Water Virtual Summit and provides an overview of the event's objectives and agenda.

0:59 - 07:36 - Background of Micki Washington  

Micki has a 23-year career in the architecture and design industry, including the challenges she faced as a woman of color in a predominantly white male field. They talk about the importance of advocacy, representation, and mentorship in promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. They also touch on the value of having a career in consulting and the importance of using one's voice to effect change.

07:36-12:30 Issues with diversity, equity, and inclusion in various industries

The conversation discusses ongoing issues with diversity, equity, and inclusion in various industries. Companies are criticized for only adopting these initiatives as a trend and not making meaningful changes. Uncomfortable conversations are needed to address biases and promote progress. The conversation mentions a book, "Hush Money" by Jackie Abram, which explores the experiences of women facing discrimination in the workplace. There is a need to include people in conversations that affect their own professional growth and exposure.

12:30-22:19  Keynotes of Micki - The significance of including diverse perspectives in decision-making processes 

The speaker highlights the importance of including diverse perspectives in decision-making processes. She argues that assumptions made about employees' availability or preferences can hinder their career advancement and limit opportunities. Additionally, she stresses that representation matters, especially in industries that have a significant impact on communities and the environment, such as water, architecture, and civil services.

22:19-31:32 Different generations in the workforce

They discuss different generations in the workforce, starting with Gen X, who are gradually moving into management positions. The post-millennials are a growing generation in the workforce. The Millennials are reaching their early 30s and seeking a better work-life balance, leading to career changes and entrepreneurship. The speaker suggests that it's not always necessary to mentor only the younger generation, and that more mature and experienced individuals can be valuable hires. She also discusses the importance of experience and diversity in decision-making roles.

31:32-40:20 Negative Alliances caused by Microaggressions, Discrimination

The speaker believes that the powerful should take action to help the oppressed, who may lack the ability to change their situation. They also discuss negative alliances caused by microaggressions and their own experience of discrimination. They stress the importance of diversity opportunities and mention CDM Smith's reboot program for environmental consulting.

40:20-54:18 Closing Remarks and Next Steps

In this conversation, the speakers discussed the importance of strategic hiring for a company's growth and success. They also touched on the importance of diversity and inclusivity in the workplace, especially in leadership positions, and how it reflects the clients and communities that a company serves. The conversation also highlighted the passion project of one of the speakers, who is a specialist and speaker on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.