Company > Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Diverse in Thought, United in Action

Our Commitment

Together, we are on a journey.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is a commitment to create a culture that encourages growth at all levels. By building trust and valuing team results, this becomes a strategic advantage that benefits us all.

Our people are our greatest asset, and collaboration is our greatest tool. Everyone has something to offer and by tapping into their unique insights we optimize and generate innovative ideas and solutions to complex problems.

The tenacious pursuit of embracing diversity, pledging equity, and intentional inclusion will lead us to an environment in which all people feel respected and safe bringing their whole selves to work.

Making Strides

We’ve already come a long way on the path to greater diversity, equity, and inclusion at SSOE. Some of our notable milestones include:

100% of our employees participate in DEI and ethics training.
We’ve increased the number of women in leadership roles by over 20% in 5 years.
We appointed the first woman President and Chair of the Board in 2020.
We hired our first Corporate Director of DEI in 2022.
In 2022, a DEI committee was added to SSOE’s Board of Directors. This committee is led by a woman who is an external member of the board.
We formed our first Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) in 2023.
We observe Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a holiday and day of community service for our staff.
SSOE participates in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring our Heroes Corporate Fellowship Program, and currently employs more than 65
veterans across our firm.

Being Resourceful

We’re dedicated to ensuring every employee is listened to, valued for their individuality, and recognized for their distinct contributions. Conversely, we know it’s human nature to want to form connections collectively with those who share similar experiences. SSOE’s ERGs are voluntary, employee-led groups that offer opportunities to network internally, attract a diverse employee base, provide the inclusion of ideas and solutions, and create opportunities for mentoring and career development.

ERGs are an integral component of our commitment to creating an internal culture that encourages growth at all levels, builds trust, and pursues intentional inclusion. These groups are typically centered around supporting underrepresented communities or shared perspectives.

Our ERGs

BLACC PRIDE SWAN ¡HoLA! The Interfaith Alliance HYPE

BLACC

BLACC (est. 2023), an acronym for Black Leaders and Collaborative Changemakers, represents the interests of Black / African Americans by collaborating with other ERGs and partnering closely with Human Resources. BLACC fosters a supportive network that’s open to all who support the Black / African American experience at SSOE.

PRIDE

PRIDE (est. 2023), an acronym for People Respecting Identities, Diversity, and Equality, is an inclusive community of *LGBTQIA+ people and allies whose vision is to promote a positive and inclusive work environment and community while providing opportunities for education, networking, collaboration, and career development.

SWAN

SWAN (est. 2023), an acronym for SSOE Women and Allies Network, empowers women and allies by offering robust avenues for professional and personal growth. Through a suite of programs, resources, and a supportive community, our Women’s ERG aims to cultivate development and opportunities. The group is dedicated to highlighting the unique challenges faced by women and equipping our community with the tools to support their female colleagues effectively.

¡HoLA!

¡HoLA! (est. 2024), an acronym for Hispanic and Latin Allies, is committed to empowering our Hispanic / Latin colleagues and providing them with a safe space to express and share the richness of their unique cultures throughout SSOE. ¡HoLA! aims to break down invisible barriers and foster cross-cultural connections by organizing workshops, cultural showcases, and various programs and activities that increase cultural exchange.

The Interfaith Alliance

The Interfaith Alliance ERG (est. 2024) is dedicated to uniting individuals across various religious and faith-based and spiritual spectrums to foster understanding, education, and inclusivity. It serves as a welcoming forum that honors all faith identities, ensuring every unique voice is heard and cherished without bias toward any single belief system.

HYPE

The Helping Young Professionals Excel, or HYPE ERG (est. 2024) provides a platform for our next-gen leaders to drive transformational change with their fresh perspectives. The aim of this group is to elevate and motivate our young professionals through strategic alliances and knowledge exchange, propelling our firm into the future while establishing a collaborative space where the enthusiasm of young professionals and the seasoned expertise of mentors converge.

Candice has been with SSOE since 2022 and works out of the Toledo, Ohio office. She said, “DEI is critically important to SSOE as an organization, but also to the industry overall. Aside from it being the right thing to do from a humanity standpoint, we can also be confident that diverse teams drive innovation, improve problem solving capabilities, expand our network of qualified talent and studies have shown that diversity helps to improve financial performance. (Source: McKinsey, February 2020) I am incredibly proud to work for a company that views DEI as a core value.”

Candice Harrison (she / her)

Director, DEI

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Deanna has been with SSOE since 2018 and works out of the Toledo, Ohio office. She said, “By embracing DEI, we strive to create a culture where every voice is heard, every perspective is valued, and innovation thrives. A truly inclusive workplace is the cornerstone of a resilient and dynamic organization, and our ERGs play a crucial role in our DEI success. In our ERGs, we witness vibrant employee engagement, intentional inclusion, education, and the building of trust. Three out of four SSOE ERG members feel that ERGs are effective at building a sense of community, and eight out of 10 would recommend participating in ERG activities to their colleagues.”

Deanna Grady (she / her)

DEI Specialist

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Zulema is a Section Manager in SSOE’s Facilities Operations and works out of the Toledo, Ohio office. She started with SSOE in 2005 and recently came back to the firm in 2024. Zulema feels being the HoLA ERG co-Lead is important because, “I believe in creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and included. I am passionate about fostering a more inclusive environment to ensure every voice is heard. Diverse and inclusive teams are more innovative and effective. By embracing different perspectives and experiences, we can develop more creative solutions and better serve our clients.”

Zulema Lopez (she / her)

¡HoLA! ERG Co-Lead

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Emanuel is part of the architectural department in SSOE’s Facilities Operations. He has been with the firm since 2023 and works out of the Chihuahua, Mexico office. Emanuel said, “I wanted to co-lead the HoLA ERG because we need to keep building an inclusive world where everyone feels in a safe environment and can be who they are.”

Emanuel Arredondo Gutierrez (he / him)

¡HoLA! ERG Co-Lead

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Ron is an Accounting Controller who has been with the firm since 2011 and works out of the Toledo, Ohio office. Ron said he wanted to lead the Interfaith Alliance because, “Faith is a core value to me. It defines who I am and what I believe. Having a healthy faith life is an element to allowing us to have a healthy overall life.”

Ron Vass

Interfaith Alliance ERG Lead

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Brandon is part of the mechanical department in SSOE’s Process Operations. He has been with the firm since 2023 and works out of the Toledo, Ohio office. Brandon said, “I took the role of BLACC ERG Lead because the work we’ve done within the group has continued to grow and I want to help push the narrative forward.”

Brandon Monford (he / him)

BLACC ERG Lead

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Jose is part of the structural department in SSOE’s Facilities Operations. He has been with the firm since 2021 and works out of the Toledo, Ohio office. Jose said, “I became the PRIDE ERG Lead to foster a workplace where everyone feels seen, valued, and empowered to bring their authentic selves. My goal is to create real impact through collaboration and shared purpose, inspiring a stronger, more inclusive community.”

José Carlos Arnal de la Peña (he / him)

PRIDE ERG Lead

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Rachel is part of the process department in SSOE’s Process Operations. She has been with the firm since 2021 and works out of the Lima, Ohio office. Rachel said “I feel being the SWAN ERG Lead is important because it’s a great opportunity to build community across our organization and provide resources for growth and support.”

Rachel Mason (she / her)

SWAN ERG Lead

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Adrienne joined SSOE in 2005 as part of the firm’s Industrial Process business unit. She is now Division Manager of Chemical Process and works out of the Toledo, Ohio office. She said, “I’m honored to share my career experiences and community outreach as a woman in engineering. It’s crucial to spread the word about the possibilities, provide exposure to the industry, various fields, and career paths to inspire and show the next generation that being an engineer might look different than they expect.”

Adrienne Taylor, PE (she / her)

SWAN ERG Technical Sub-Group Lead

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Belén is part of the mechanical department in SSOE’s Facilities Operations. She has been with the firm since 2019 and works out of the León, Mexico office. She said, “I was very excited to take on the SWAN ERG México’s subgroup leadership because there are so many areas of improvement in our culture and communities, and I felt empowered by the response we had to the group. Empowered women, empower women, and I am here for it”

Belén Hernández (she / her)

SWAN ERG México Subgroup Lead

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Adrienne is a Project Management Assistant in SSOE’s Advanced Technology Operation. She has been with the firm since 2024 and is based out of the Hillsboro, Oregon office. Adrienne said, “I felt compelled to take on the role of HYPE ERG Lead because it gave me an opportunity to challenge myself while also helping others to develop their own skills and abilities.”

Adrienne Stauth (she / they)

HYPE ERG Lead

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Betsy Hurner (she / her)

BLACC ERG Executive Sponsor

Vince DiPofi, PE (he / him)

PRIDE ERG Executive Sponsor

Robin Whitney, PE (she / her)

SWAN ERG Executive Sponsor

Brad Rowe (he / him)

¡HoLA! ERG Executive Sponsor

Matt Oberts (he / him)

HYPE ERG Executive Sponsor

Meet our DEI Champions

Our DEI Champions are leading the way toward a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture at SSOE. Comprised of our Director of DEI, ERG leaders, and Executive Sponsors, this team was built to be representative of SSOE’s employee population and to have the level of executive involvement required to underscore our commitment and enable forward progress. Our DEI Champions are primarily focused on:

Advancing a culture of DEI at SSOE through the lens of industry and global best practices
Listening to the unique needs of our employees and creating internal avenues of support
Holding us accountable for our corporate commitment to DEI and measuring our progress

An ERG Executive Sponsor is a senior-level executive who supports and champions an ERG. They provide strategic advice to the ERG to align their goals with the organizational goals and build support for the activities of the network. They are responsible for ensuring that ERGs have access to senior leadership to demonstrate their value and secure support. They also have the key role of providing mission-driven guidance to ERGs to ensure they continue to serve the overall purpose of the organization.

Narrowing the Divide (One Step at a Time)

There’s no quick or easy solution for building a diverse workplace. Through our time, talents, and contributions, we’ve been nurturing DEI at a societal level to begin building a stronger workforce that is truly reflective of the diversity of our population.

We’re deeply invested in community and university partnerships that work to prepare students from all walks of life for successful careers in the STEM / STEAM fields. At the talent acquisition level, we actively seek to hire individuals with diverse backgrounds who are historically underrepresented or marginalized in our industry. Through this lifecycle approach, we aim to advance DEI in the architecture, engineering, construction, and adjacent industries for many generations to come.

SSOE actively engages students at the high school / pre-college level to provide them exposure to STEM / STEAM careers

Every year SSOE hosts dozens of high school students as part of Engineers Week’s “Engineer for a Day” program

SSOE is partnering with the University of Toledo to support diversity in STEM careers through a multi-year gift to the College of Engineering

SSOE supports students attending historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) through our annual scholarship program

A Look Inside SSOE

There is no quick or easy solution for building a diverse workplace.

Gender Demographics

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

% of SSOE Employee Population that
is an Underrepresented Minority

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Partnering for Progress

SSOE is a member or corporate partner of several DEI organizations, further enhancing the commitment to serve and represent our communities.

Ohio Diversity Council
Catalyst
CEO Action
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
National Organization of Minority Engineers (NOMA)
Society of Women Engineers (SWE)

Constructing a More Inclusive Community

In 2023, we launched our DEI Podcast Series: A Blueprint for Equity. We invite you to join us as we explore the challenges and celebrate the small victories in pursuit of a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive future. Listen on our website or download wherever you get your podcasts.

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Featured News

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SSOE Group’s Adrienne Taylor to Participate in Panel Discussion at the SHINE Women’s Summit

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SSOE’s Vince DiPofi Joins 2024 HeForShe Forum Panel “Allyship in Action” in Partnership with Women of Toledo and Rotary Club of Toledo

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SSOE Group CEO Vince DiPofi to Provide Opening Remarks at DEAI Alliance of Northwest Ohio’s Diversity Summit

Equal Opportunity & Disability Accessibility Statement

SSOE is an equal opportunity employer and provides fair and equal treatment to all individuals, employees, and applicants for employment, regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, disability, genetic information, military / veteran status, or any other protected group status under federal, state, or local law. SSOE complies with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 and related laws. SSOE does not make employment decisions based upon any protected status under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Applicants with a disability, who require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, may email their request to hrassist@ssoe.com for assistance. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodations will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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