Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Our DE&I Mission:
To build inclusive environments with a diverse workforce where everyone can prosper.
TALENT
A Skilled Builder is a Diverse Builder
Sundt is committed to building a workforce that reflects the diverse communities where we operate. From our internship program to our self-perform craft and project teams on the front lines, to our mid-level and senior leadership, our people are bringing more to the table—because they have a seat at the table. This is the idea behind our efforts to hire, develop, promote and retain diverse talent.
Construction needs more female role models, and less close-minded people. Diversity provides richer perspectives to help us generate better ideas for our clients, our community, and ourselves.
– Jennifer Peralta Carbajal, Project Engineer
TRAINING
Creating Opportunities Through Learning
Offering industry-recognized training in core trades, early-career development, and leadership skills is critical to our business. Creating equitable access to these programs, however, is the blueprint behind a sustainable workforce pipeline for our industry.
We’ve reaped the benefits of being intentional in connecting people across our organization with meaningful training: in competencies that matter most to their jobs, in new responsibilities that foster growth, and in relationships with mentors who are vested in their success.
Sundt is making it easier for women to get into the trades because they value work-life balance and offer flexibility in our schedules and programming for the apprenticeships. This flexibility allows me to spend time with my daughters and achieve my career goals at the same time.
– Letrisha Tuni, Pipefitter Apprentice
CULTURE
Seen and Heard, Involved and Invested
We are working to make sure every one of our employee-owners, from our executive team to our skilled tradespeople, is valued and respected in their workplace. Sundt is proud to be an active member of the Associated General Contractors of America and a signatory of its Culture of CARE pledge, as well as a participant in Construction Inclusion Week. Sundt’s DEI program also offers an employee resource group dedicated to supporting and empowering women with opportunities for professional development, mentorship and special events.
Also, as one of the nation’s largest 100% employee-owned general contractors, we take pride in vesting ownership across our organization, ensuring our success is shared from the boardroom to the front lines. Our Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) provides an unparalleled wealth-building opportunity for every employee-owner.
I started as a driver for the Transportation Group. Now, with the ESOP I’ve built up in the past 30 years, I’m about to retire a multi-millionaire. I have three kids who work for Sundt too, and they’re invested in their career here as well. If you’re going to work somewhere, you might as well commit to a company that will commit to you.
– Rick Garcia, Warehouse Manager
PARTNERSHIPS
Supporting Diverse Trade Partners
Sundt understands the importance of supporting small, local, and disadvantaged business enterprises (XBEs). In turn, the skilled work of our XBE community is often the cornerstone of our projects’ success. We’re proud to partner with XBE subcontractors in every phase of our projects, contributing to their business growth and self-sufficiency.
Throughout the year, we host, sponsor, and participate in several in-person and online events to provide support to our XBE community, allowing us to get to know these firms to understand their specific needs. The feedback from our XBE trade partners is consistent: Sundt pays attention. We pay attention in maximizing subcontracting opportunities, offering support and education throughout each project phase, and creating collaborative community opportunities.
On our recent work at San Diego International Airport, a two-year $150 million progressive design-build project, we achieved 48% XBE participation of total construction costs. This result is amazing, but it didn’t happen overnight. It came from the constant improvement of our program across 11 other projects in San Diego and Southern California over the past 12 years, which overall has had 38% XBE participation for $1.4 billion in total contract values.
– Tracy Sanders, DEI Manager
We care deeply about providing everyone the opportunity to succeed and prosper. Sundt is intentional and deliberate in our DE&I efforts in order to build a more diverse, inclusive and equitable future. By taking these important steps, we seek to drive meaningful change within our company and our industry.
– Mike Hoover, President and CEO
