BienVenidos: All Are Welcome at Black & Veatch

Employee resource groups (ERGs) are a critical component of any diverse organization. They foster a sense of community and acceptance, offer opportunities for career growth and mentorship, and promote employee retention.?

When I began my career at Black & Veatch, there were a number of ERGs available to join—including Ebony, Pride and Global Fusion. What they didn’t have was a group for Hispanic/Latino professionals. So, we started one. Although we weren’t sure about the interest level, more than 110 employee-owners asked to join within 24 hours.?

How BienVenidos Came to Be

To better understand the aspirations for the ERG, we held our first meeting. Throughout the call, members shared candid stories about their experiences of being Hispanic/Latino in the U.S. The conversation quickly turned to the importance of having representation within our organization.

With a grasp on what our employee resource group embodied, the next step was solidifying that identity. Our name and logo needed to capture the ERG’s core values—diversity, inclusion and company pride. Translating to “welcome” and playing off the B and V in Black & Veatch, ‘BienVenidos'? was the perfect choice. In name and practice, BienVenidos signifies professionals coming together as one. As for the BienVenidos logo, it draws upon our diverse geographical origins—with members representing nearly every Latin American country, as well as Spain. Details such as the sun and multi-colored kernels echo important values within our cultures.?

After carefully crafting our ERG meaning, ethics and goals, we’re proud to announce the official launch of BienVeindos at Black & Veatch.?

Members Tell Their Stories

“I joined BienVendos to help Black & Veatch and all my familia of Latino/Hispanic/Indigenous descent to build a more diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for everybody.” - Jorge Rodriguez?

“I joined to support my community, to champion our contributions to Black & Veatch, and to help manifest our combined potential in Latin America and the world.” - Charles Moseley

“I’m in three ERGs: BienVenidos, Global Fusion, and Wave. These ERGs show the layers of my identity and when I interact or participate in those, I feel a sense of community and belonging.” - Melody Gonzalez

“I joined to collaborate with other Hispanic, Latino and Indigenous professionals and come together as a group to promote networking opportunities, cultural awareness, and professional development across the organization.” - Margarita Guzman

“It’s great to see how much we’ve grown over the years. Black & Veatch is a diverse and inclusive place to work with a great team and career development opportunities” - Rene Dominguez Argueta

“I joined BienVenidos because I want to help spread Colombian culture.” - Carlos Mantilla Pena

“Black & Veatch creates a culture of DE&I through its diverse workforce and by making everyone feel safe and respected. I chose BienVenidos because of my Hispanic origin.” -Pablo Gala Serra

“I joined the BienVenidos ERG because it connects me and grounds me.” -? Jose Lamboy-Ruiz

“Connecting with the Hispanic and Latino communities at Black & Veatch is very encouraging as a first generation immigrant.” -Kevin Cevallos

“I was curious about the number of Hispanic, Latinos, and Indigenous peoples at Black & Veatch. It was incredible to see the amount of interest we received. That showed me I was not the only one that was looking for the same thing. We all need a sense of belonging.” - Ivan Tamayo

“I wanted to show younger Latino generations that you can do great things in this country and come from humble beginnings.” - Gloria McBride

“I want to let others know that no matter your origins, you can feel at home at Black & Veatch.” - Felipe Morales

“I admire how this ERG is focusing on fostering professional development, project outsourcing, cultural awareness, and community engagement in order to add value to Black & Veatch. I also love the commitment and passion of its members.” - Julian Sanchez-Pinto Barrera

Fostering a Sense of Belonging

The support of ERGs is just one of the many ways Black & Veatch helps to create an inclusive and welcoming work environment. The emphasis this organization places on its DE&I efforts is one of the main reasons I’m proud to be an employee-owner.?

I’m honored to have the opportunity to create a place of belonging for the Hispanic, Latino and Indigenous communities within our organization. I’m excited to see how our group will grow and positively impact the lives of our members for years to come.?

Want to be part of a company that celebrates diversity and makes a difference around the globe? Check out available openings here.?