Culture

McGranahan Architects commits to ongoing diversity and inclusion learning and long-term transformation. We have dedicated time and resources and are supported with full participation from firm leadership. We understand there is always room for improvement, and we strive to be inclusive, open, and willing to have difficult conversations. Through firm-wide outreach, large and small group discussions, learning sessions, and focused independent surveys, our Diversity and Inclusion Committee is accountable for driving progress and change within the firm.

Action & Implementation

Recently McGranahan Architects has focused on opening dialogue and providing avenues for firm-wide initiatives centered on increasing employee engagement and inclusion.

The Diversity and Inclusion Committee facilitates monthly open small group discussions and reading sessions; topics have included chapters from the AIA Guides for Equitable Practice and the book How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi. We have also initiated a series of “Ask Me Anything” events to transparently engage and have unscripted conversations.  Another engagement opportunity within the office is “Story to Story,” a lunchtime food sharing and personal storytelling activity which focuses on culture, unconscious bias, and allyship.  From these interactions and opportunities, we have gained a better understanding of the experiences of others and increased the dialog between all levels of our firm.

Cultural workplace initiatives have also been implemented.  Through our independent “pulse” surveys, we found that a flexible schedule and work hours was a key concern.  The Diversity and Inclusion Committee worked with firm leadership to write and implement a new policy establishing 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. as office-wide Core Collaboration Hours, with flexibility for salaried staff outside of that window.

The Diversity and Inclusion Committee continues to provide a safe place for discussion, feedback, learning, exploration, and implementation.