Description
Although programs focusing on the growth of minority-owned business enterprises (MBEs) and black-owned businesses have been in existence for decades in the United States, the growth of these firms in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry has either remained constant or diminished. In this fireside chat, Amie Kromis will speak with Deryl McKissack, Chairwoman and CEO of McKissack & McKissack, and Michael Russell, President and CEO of H.J. Russell & Company. The conversation will explore how the AEC industry can support MBEs through the lens of these companies’ successful—yet unnecessarily challenging—experiences in building capacity and competing on their own.
Key Learnings
- Learn about steps to proactively and meaningfully engage with DBEs (disadvantaged business enterprises).
- Learn how to collaboratively create opportunities for MBEs.
- Discover resources to connect MBE firms.
- Learn new ways to support MBEs through their lenses.
Speaker
Amie KromisAmie Kromis is Skanska USA Building’s first National Director of Vendor Diversity where she collaborates with leadership and leads a team to maximize opportunities for diverse firms through inclusive business practices. Her work focuses on strengthening and enhancing consistency within Skanska’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Compliance Program, subcontractor development and outreach across the United States. Kromis brings a unique perspective to her role, having worked with both Skanska’s construction and development business units in multiple geographies, and is passionate about providing economic empowerment to underrepresented businesses. Kromis received her bachelor’s degree in corporate communications and public affairs from Southern Methodist University and holds a MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business where she was a Forte Foundation Fellow. Kromis hails from Nashville, Tennessee and currently resides in Washington, D.C.
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