Stories

KBR Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) offer our people several outlets to grow their careers, connect with colleagues and create lasting change within their communities. Through our employees’ contributions, KBR ERGs help shape our company culture by bring together people of different backgrounds and uniting them into One KBR.

We are excited to announce the addition of new ERGs – enhancing our culture through our global workforce.

ASPIRE adds new chapter in Oklahoma City

In Oklahoma City, ASPIRE, KBR’s employee-led organization designed to cultivate women leaders and promote inclusion and diversity, signed its charter with company leadership to launch the group’s newest chapter last June.

The charter signing, which coincided with International Women in Engineering Day, took place virtually because of ongoing COVID-19 restrictions. Those in attendance included Oklahoma City ASPIRE founding board members Emily Hendrickson, Sarah Kirby and Katherine Bornholdt-Smith and KBR leadership, including Byron Bright, President, Government Solutions, Pete Green, Sr. Vice President, Government Solutions U.S. – Engineering, Bob Newhouse, Vice President, Talent Development and more.

Hendrickson, Sr. Technical Professional – Mechanical, hopes to grow the group’s professional networks through collaboration with organizations such as the Society of Women Engineers, Ellevate and Women in Aerospace “to make the world even more accessible for the next generation.”

“I think the key takeaway from any diversity initiative is that there is strength in our different perspectives,” Hendrickson said. “These different perspectives allow us to approach the problems we’re trying to solve from different angles and in turn help us come up with better solutions.”

Green, who co-signed the charter with Hendrickson, said he was excited to take part in such a significant event and looks forward to the many contributions from the Oklahoma City ASPIRE group. “The company is now maneuvering toward many of the tenets that ASPIRE has been embracing for years. ASPIRE is the bow on the icebreaker, breaking the ice” Green added.

Leatherhead office initiates inaugural Pride & Allies group

At KBR, we value all of our employees for who they are – regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability or any other characteristic that makes us who we are. This commitment to Inclusion & Diversity and promoting a safe and positive culture at KBR is shown by the recent launch of KBR’s Inaugural Price & Allies group at our Leatherhead office in the UK.

KBR Pride & Allies is dedicated to supporting the One KBR ethos by supporting our LGBTQIA+ community and its allies around the globe by providing educational resources, networking events and support for wider communities.

In addition, the organization aims to help enhance perceptions and attitudes of the LGBTQIA+ while reducing societal stigmas and biases.

“I am very pleased with the work and dedication by our people in launching the company’s first Pride & Allies group,” said Jenni Myles, Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer. “By embracing our differences, we are a stronger, more innovative and resilient company.”

She added, “ERGs such as Pride & Allies further the ideals that through collaboration and teamwork we can deliver no matter the circumstances. I look forward to welcoming new Pride & Allies chapters throughout the KBR network.”

IMPACT, ASPIRE chapters liftoff at NASA Ames

Stationed at NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) in California’s Silicon Valley, KBR employees launched new IMPACT and ASPIRE chapters this summer, offering KBR employees on the FILMSS and ISRDS-3 contracts an opportunity to connect with their colleagues throughout the global IMPACT and ASPIRE communities. This latest addition to each group now brings the total to 14 IMPACT chapters and six ASPIRE chapters worldwide.

Even though COVID-19 has kept our people physically distant, that has not stopped IMPACT ARC from providing its membership with career and personal development opportunities catered to our young professionals. Chaired by Sarah Parker, Partnerships, Government Solutions U.S. – Space & Mission Solutions, IMPACT ARC has hosted events on topics such as career development and planning, networking, tips for sustainable living and more. In addition, the group is planning to begin a book club and having joint events with the local ASPIRE chapter.

In the remaining months of 2020, ASPIRE ARC plans to engage membership through a variety of events, including a feature lecture that captures the accomplishments of ARC women on the Women of Ames Data Collection project as well as events honoring women veterans and Native Americans.

“Our entire ASPIRE ARC team is very excited to join the global ASPIRE network,” said Lisa Vestal, Communications Specialist, NASA Ames Research Center and ASPIRE ARC chair. “We look forward to introducing ourselves and the people of NASA Ames to the other ASPIRE chapters and to sharing ideas, best practices and possible collaboration opportunities in the future. This is an exciting time at NASA Ames!”

“The One KBR spirit is truly alive and well within our global network of Employee Resource Groups and represent the best of what KBR has to offer as an employer of choice,” said Jenni Myles, Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer. “I welcome these new groups and look forward to their contributions to our business.”

KBR is committed to investing in its people by providing the necessary tools for success for our ERGs., We believe in empowering every ERG to be a catalyst for individual growth and to create a home for anyone seeking to make a difference at KBR.