The Partnership Announces 2024 Inclusion Award Winners
GREATER DES MOINES, IA (Nov. 8, 2024) – The Greater Des Moines Partnership has announced the winners of the 2024 Inclusion Awards and unveiled the results of its Global DSM Talent Study. The awards honor organizations championing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in business and the community, while the study provides insights into the region’s approach to integrating its rapidly growing foreign-born population into the workforce. Winners were announced and honored at the 12th Annual Inclusion Summit that took place today. This year’s Inclusion Awards celebrated recipients who are inspiring action through impactful inclusive initiatives, sparking change that empowers employees and community members alike.
The award winners are:
The Weitz Company: Large Category (more than 500 employees)
The Weitz Company specializes in Aviation, Mission Critical, Industrial, Senior Living, Student Housing, and Commercial construction. With a strong 169-year history, Weitz forges their reputation by constantly seeking new construction innovations and technologies that provide clients with predictable, reliable and collaborative services. This year, Weitz launched Weitz University nationally. This program supports diverse businesses in construction, with five modules intended to guide businesses on partnering with larger contractors while also helping Weitz build a better understanding of smaller business operations. Weitz has invested in DEI staff, audited learning modules for inclusivity, provided core leadership training, and utilized cultural observances like MLK Jr. Day and Pride Month as opportunities to educate employees on these cultures impact to advance the construction industry. Companywide engagement also included Women in Construction Week and an ambassador level sponsorship of Construction Inclusion Week.
In partnership with another firm, Weitz is upgrading the Des Moines International Airport, a $445 million project prioritizing small and diverse local businesses. To promote inclusion on this project, Weitz partnered with key community voices like La Reina radio, held outreach events, offered bilingual services, collaborated with iDOT Civil Rights Bureau, and worked with CIRAS to engage diverse businesses.
Turner Construction Company: Medium Category (151 – 500 employees)
Turner Construction Company plans and delivers building projects of all types and sizes—schools and hospitals, stadiums and museums, airports, data centers, offices and more throughout North America and in 30 countries around the world. DEI is not just an initiative of Turner; it is the culture created within the organization and across its jobsites, with project teams and project partners. Turner approaches work holistically, focused on the people, the environment and the industry. Recruitment efforts include strengthening relationships at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) and committing to support student tuition, internship opportunities and other student programming to increase the pipeline of diverse talent nationally.
Turner School of Constructions Management (TSCM) is also a free program offering construction management education and training to small minority-owned, women-owned and emerging small businesses, helping participants build networks, connect with resources, establish joint venture partnerships and form long-term business relationships.
VizyPay: Small Category (1 – 150 employees)
VizyPay, a payment processing fintech, provides transparent services tailored to small business owners. By prioritizing small businesses in rural areas, VizyPay’s Dual Pricing and Cash Discount Programs empower merchants to reduce credit card fees, offering customers a choice between cash and regular prices. These programs have saved entrepreneurs $27 million in processing fees last year, enhancing financial predictability and affordability.
In 2023, VizyPay onboarded over 40 new team members in the first two months bringing the total to more than 130 employees.
What sets VizyPay apart is its inclusive approach to development, with a unique hiring process that emphasizes candidates’ potential and cultural fit over resumes. CEO Austin Mac Nab and Co-founder Frank Pagano personally meet potential hires to ensure alignment with VizyPay’s values of attitude, drive, and effort. A key initiative is “Vizonian University,” an onboarding process introducing new employees to the payment industry and VizyPay’s culture.
Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce: Nonprofits Category
The Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce and the Multicultural Taskforce began its journey back in 2022 when a group of business leaders, advocates, community leaders and members of the community came together to begin to understand racism and how the Chamber could take steps to make a difference in Ankeny.
In 2024, the Minority Owned Business Summit theme was Supercharging Growth & Opportunity Within Your Business featuring breakout sessions tailored to providing small businesses with resources to implement within their business and networking with fellow entrepreneurs, industry leaders and vendors. The Minority Owned Business Summit has brought people together to collaborate on how to continue supporting a diverse business community that is often forgotten. The Chamber focuses on growing the local workforce by following this advice: If the diverse workforce hasn't found you yet, it's time for you to go find them. Through ORBIS, a partnership between Ankeny Community School and the Chamber, students gain work experience and community engagement, soft skills critical for future employment.
Broadlawns Medical Center: Public Entities Category
Broadlawns Medical Center (BMC) actively promotes inclusion through various internal and external strategies. BMC’s mission is to provide high-quality care for all, regardless of ability to pay. One way BMC fosters health equity is by offering accessible communication, including free interpreter services for patients. In partnership with One Iowa, BMC has trained over 50 clinicians to provide inclusive care for LGBTQ+ patients, ensuring dignity and respect. To support refugees, BMC hired a Refugee Case Manager to assist with interpretive services and health assessments. Community partnerships are also key, reaching marginalized populations with healthcare education and preventive services.
In 2023, BMC conducted a workforce assessment to gauge employee inclusion and belonging, and new hires receive training on bias and inclusion. BMC’s employee-led DEI and Employee Engagement Committees involve members from across the organization. BMC recently partnered with the By Degrees Foundation and Des Moines North High School to mentor students in healthcare careers, launched on Oct. 23, 2024, with BMC professionals mentoring juniors and seniors. Additionally, BMC conducted a compensation study in 2023 to address pay gaps, ensuring equitable pay across departments regardless of demographic factors, a priority it continues to uphold.
To qualify for the Inclusion Awards, organizations must be a Regional Member or Investor of The Partnership. A selection committee made up of members of The Partnership’s Inclusion Council and The Partnership team evaluated the applications.
“The 2024 honorees have taken inspiring action to advance inclusive strategies in ways that resonate beyond their organizations,” said Stacey Robles, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Program Manager at The Partnership. “By implementing impactful strategies, they’re not only empowering their teams but also uplifting the wider community, creating a more inclusive region for all.”
Additionally, you can review the results of the Global DSM Talent Study here. The study was conducted in partnership with Bâton Global, the study gathers insights from community leaders to identify key challenges and opportunities in supporting global talent.
"Our growing population brings impressive and diverse talent and perspectives to Greater Des Moines, enriching our community and workforce,” said Jenae Sikkink, Senior Vice President of Talent Development and Inclusive Strategies at The Partnership. “The Global DSM Talent Study helps create a shared understanding to how we can better support global talent and create a more inclusive, dynamic workforce that benefits everyone in the region.”
About the Greater Des Moines Partnership
The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with 23 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,500 Regional Business Members and more than 400 Investors, The Partnership drives economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes DSM as the best place to build a business, a career and a future. Learn more at DSMpartnership.com.