Thought Leadership

By Jenni Myles, KBR Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer

Today we celebrate International Women’s Day, and this year’s theme is #ChooseToChallenge. The theme is a call to action for each of us to actively advocate, role model and promote positive change in our work and personal lives. By calling out gender bias and inequality and actively challenging the status quo, we can each contribute to creating meaningful change.

We value our people

Our people are the beating heart of our organization. We are dedicated to creating diverse and inclusive work environments, in which every member of our team of teams feels safe, supported, respected, trusted and valued, and where each person is given opportunities to grow and reach their full potential.
 

We are a team of teams

We believe our individual differences and perspectives bring enhanced value to our teams and understand that by embracing those differences and working together, we are a more innovative, resilient and sustainable business. In a truly global team effort, KBR’s business leaders are showcasing some of our wonderful and talented people who choose to challenge the status quo and advocate for change to celebrate International Women’s Day.

 

 

An environment where people flourish

The goal of our People Strategy, shaped directly by employees, is to build our reputation as a great place to work and create conditions in which people can flourish. KBR is making significant headway, particularly in the area of gender diversity, where efforts include:

• Proactively monitoring diversity of candidate shortlists and ensuring diverse representation in hiring teams
• Continually monitoring any potential pay gaps and enhancing family-friendly policies and flexible working to suit different people and lifestyles
• Using data insights to determine lead indicators and embed these within business- and region-specific inclusion and diversity (I&D) improvement plans
• Developing and sponsoring talent and employee resource groups (ERGs) that help educate and engage our workforce

In addition to creating open and collaborative work environments, KBR offers Employee Resource Groups, each with a specific area of focus, as outlets for employees to connect, network and build relationships, while also focusing on professional development and social activism.

A key issue in the industries we work in is increasing the diversity pipeline in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) careers for females. Through our ASPIRE network — an employee-driven global I&D network committed to the development of women and the promotion of diversity, including gender — KBR seeks to empower change by contributing to and partnering with schools and non-profits to pave the way to a brighter and more diverse future.

Our ASPIRE Australia chapter recently supported two high school students to attend the National Youth Science Forum, providing an opportunity for the duo who are both hoping to pursue careers in STEM fields: KBR Sends Sisters to National Youth Science Forum.

Another area of focus across the company is mental health and well-being. In the past twelve months, I have been blown away by our people’s commitment to support each other. Each of us is in our own place on the spectrum of mental health. Are we thriving in our current situation? Are we struggling? Do we need help? Our people’s efforts to establish proactive networks and to engage in conversations focused on well-being, sexuality, and ethnicity and race, have created a foundation for them to continue providing that support, and in equal measure they have given them the choice to challenge.

I ask everyone to choose to challenge gender bias and gendered norms, and to advocate for gender equity or role model inclusive and progressive behaviors that help create an inclusive world in your sphere of influence. Together, we can create a bright future.