SERC 2025 - Seeing DEI Through the Lens of Human Experience
Posted by [email protected] on Jun. 25, 2025 / Conferences / Subscribe 0
One of my favorite sessions at SERC was the DEI panel moderated by Jennifer Weaver, CPSM, Director of Project Development at Clancy & Theys Construction Company and led by Antonio Payne, CPA, CDE, CFO and Chief Diversity Officer for SMPS. He was joined by Asheya L. Warren, FSMPS, CPSM, CEO of PRAXIS Strategic Consulting; Briana Carter, CPSM, Pursuit Team Manager for Stantec; and John Mitchell, Senior Director for STV.
The breakfast session was set up as an interactive discussion, which really aligned with SMPS’s national focus on the Human Experience in Business — putting people and perspectives at the center of how we work in A/E/C.
What made this session feel especially timely was the moment we were in. By May 2025, conversations around DEI were clearly shifting at the federal and state levels, with new guidance and policies prompting many organizations to rethink how they talk about and approach inclusion. Regardless of viewpoint, it was evident that the language and structure of DEI programs were evolving, and many firms were trying to navigate that change thoughtfully and responsibly.
For me, this was where the idea of human experience really clicked. Reframing DEI through that lens has changed the way I personally approach these conversations. I’ve become more intentional about using people-first language—words like belonging, access, listening, and respect instead of focusing only on policies or initiatives. It’s helped shift discussions away from abstract concepts and toward how people actually experience their workplace.
The panel covered everything from the current state of DEI in our industry to recruitment and retention, moving beyond “checking a box,” and making sure marketing and business development are working together to support inclusive cultures. But the biggest takeaway for me was the reminder that inclusion isn’t just something we say—it’s something people feel. And the words we choose play a big role in shaping that experience.
Each panelist brought a different perspective based on their role and firm type, which made the conversation richer and more relatable. I walked away thinking more intentionally about how our messaging, our teams, and our client relationships reflect the values we say we care about—and how focusing on the human experience doesn’t just strengthen culture, it strengthens business too.
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