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When organizations promote diversity, equity and inclusion, we create a more resilient, innovative, and successful business environment, as well as enhance community relations and stimulate local economies. Sundt values these benefits and heavily invests our time in fostering relationships with our clients and trade partners, specifically XBE partners (X=Women, Minority, Veteran & Disadvantaged; BE=Business Enterprise) through programs that offer education and networking opportunities. For many of our projects, XBE participation provides the ideal opportunity to advance these efforts for the communities in which we live and work. Our ongoing relationship with California State University (CSU) schools demonstrate the value of engaging with the community.
Teaming up with our education clients to serve students
Jim Householder, vice president and regional manager of Sundt’s operations in Irvine, goes above and beyond to connect with communities on a deeper level.
“Sundt has always succeeded at meeting or exceeding XBE participation goals on projects because these efforts align perfectly with our core values,” Jim said. “But beyond these obligations, working with schools and universities provides an abundance of opportunity to directly engage and partner with DEI-affirming student clubs and support organizations affiliated with the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry.”
When Jim and his team were finishing up work on the Sicomoro and Secoya Residence Halls and Centerpointe Dining Commons for Cal Poly Pomona, he was asked to serve on the university’s advisory board for women in science and engineering on campus. His board role included supporting outreach to elementary and middle schoolers through a program called Femineer, which provides K-12 students with project-based learning, female engineering student mentors and opportunities to visit affiliate universities. “Promoting engineering education and career paths to groups traditionally underrepresented in our industry is crucial to meeting the future needs of the AEC community. It’s simply the right thing to do,” said Jim.
As construction planning began for Sundt’s newest project at CSU Fullerton, Jim’s experience with Cal Poly Pomona inspired him to look for a similar opportunity to get involved with the Fullerton campus community. Today, our Irvine office is a sponsor of Fullerton’s program Project M.I.S.S., which seeks to assist college-bound students to enhance their mathematics skills, with the broader goal of increasing the population of female students in STEM.
“These opportunities to support small businesses and the next generations of students through our projects are a big part of why many of us at Sundt love to deliver K-12 and higher education work,” said Jim. “Being able to make a positive impact on younger generations by delivering top quality facilities and sponsoring key education programs is part of what drives me in my own work.”
Beyond the contract
On the business side, XBE/Diversity Outreach Manager Jackie Guilfucci is helping ramp up our trade partner outreach events to help fulfill XBE participation goals for the project. Jackie takes XBE collaboration beyond securing contracts for diverse businesses by organizing and hosting trainings, workshops and networking events to further nurture those invaluable relationships.
Jackie has built a strong relationship with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in California and is familiar working with university SBDC branches. “When Sundt works with higher education clients, we’re able to collaborate with their SBDCs on hosting and developing trainings and workshops for small and diverse businesses. This not only supports the growth of small businesses, but also helps increase knowledge and connect with potential trade partners to staff our projects.”
Jackie has actively participated in a variety of training sessions that focus on topics like navigating government contracts, doing business with other contractors, understanding certifications and more. Leveraging her fluency in both English and Spanish, she delivers these trainings in the language most appropriate for her audience, ensuring that the content is accessible and impactful for all participants. In addition to her partnerships with multiple agencies in San Diego, she has been invited to conduct training for the San Diego International Airport’s Small Business Department and its vendors, as well as for the San Diego chapter of National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), where she serves as a member-at-large. She also takes an active role in teaching and speaking engagements for university students to raise awareness about the vast variety of available career opportunities in the construction industry.
Sundt’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion goes far beyond meeting project goals — it’s about fostering long-lasting relationships that benefit not only our business but also the communities we serve. Through strategic partnerships with educational institutions like CSU and initiatives led by dedicated employee-owners like Jim and Jackie, we can support small businesses, nurture the next generation of construction professionals, and ensure that diverse voices are represented in the process.
Learn more about Sundt’s work in California.