Otak Launches New Equity and Inclusion Strategy

March, 2020

Otak is moving into 2020 with a fresh approach. Like many firms in this region, Otak has struggled to achieve a level of workforce diversity representative of the population and the clients we serve.  This year, we will develop a firm-wide Equity and Inclusion Strategy—an implementable plan that will identify and address barriers to greater diversity in firm staff and leadership.

Creation of the Strategy will be led by a team of Otak leadership and staff, with a Working Group of firm leaders responsible for development and implementation based on feedback from an Advisory Group of underrepresented groups and perspectives. Otak has hired consultant The Formation Lab to guide and structure the process, led by partners Nicki Pozos, PhD, PE and Jessie Maran. The Formation Lab delivers support programs for disadvantaged businesses, works with private organizations to become more inclusive, and facilitates the integration of equity considerations into infrastructure planning. Nicki is a civil engineer with 19 years of experience leading marketing and delivery of water infrastructure projects. She is multi-racial and a recognized equity leader in the water industry – she’s presented on equity to thousands of technical professionals, serves as a minority evaluator for the City of Portland, and is current President of the non-profit Women Leading Water. Jessie brings 20 years as a consultant and transportation justice advocate, with a background in landscape architecture, community planning, and marketing.

The Equity and Inclusion Strategy will kick off in the next month with brown-bag talks and one-on-one stakeholder interviews in each region.  For more information or to get involved, contact Project Manager Teresa Huntsinger.