How our team is pushing for enhanced diversity and inclusion

Wayne Lambert, Director of Supplier Diversity, joined Turner and Townsend in 2022 and has since helped to diversify our network of suppliers.

We spoke with Wayne to hear more about the great work he is doing as we push to enhance diversity and inclusion all along our supply network.

Q. What do you do to drive diversity and inclusion at Turner & Townsend?

A. It's my job to ensure we are diversifying the pool of contractors that we partner with and support.

Externally, we support our clients by helping them meet their supplier diversity goals and targets by including suppliers from various industries and backgrounds in project-related contracting opportunities and capacity-building efforts.

Internally, this means increasing awareness of supplier diversity programs through training sessions and discussions that help educate employees on the purpose of these economic development programs, how they add value to our operations, and ultimately, to society.

It also means expanding our networking with diverse organizations and companies, supporting smaller firms, and providing them with mentoring and other forms of support to build vendor capacity. The goal is to facilitate engagement that increases our ability to partner on contract opportunities.

Q. What does ‘supplier diversity’ mean in practice?

A. Put simply, it means creating opportunities for diverse types of business enterprises, or “(X)BEs,” through supplier diversity programs. (X)BE covers all designations under various supplier diversity programs including, but not limited to, minority- and women-owned firms that may be certified as Black, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, Indigenous, veteran-owned, LGBTQIA+, and locally based firms.

Q. How can these (X)BEs compete in today’s more volatile and competitive landscape?

COVID-19 was an unprecedented event that affected marginalized groups and communities more than others. This was evident in health outcomes and, from an economic and business standpoint, highlighted deeper disparities that exist for marginalized groups.

At the same time, the pandemic accelerated the ability to work virtually, which created business opportunities for many firms, including (X)BE businesses.

As work became more digital, (X)BEs were able to expand their reach and apply creative solutions in a more flexible environment—opening doors to new opportunities and projects.

We can help open new avenues for (X)BE firms by exposing them to projects happening across our broad network, which helps them expand capacity and footprint by connecting them to firms with global experience and expertise.

Q. What can be achieved through supplier diversity programs?

A. Supplier diversity programs are economic development programs designed to create opportunities that strengthen communities, support workforce initiatives and goals, and ensure every type of firm has an equal chance to access contract opportunities.

When diverse businesses can access projects through these programs, they have the opportunity to work, grow, and build capacity—while supporting local economies.

These programs enrich firms like Turner & Townsend as well. Project management is our bread and butter, and we work with clients whose internal policies may include (X)BE goals or targets tied to their projects. As the client’s representative, we help our clients meet (and sometimes set) those goals by identifying different types of firms to partner with—helping them meet or exceed those goals.

Q. What are some notable successes from the supplier diversity programs that you have worked on?

A. We have built strong relationships with organizations such as the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) and the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) in the U.S.

These organizations certify and support minority- and women-owned businesses, hosting events that draw national attention. Through these events, we’ve met many businesses that have become potential partners—many of whom we may not have had the opportunity to connect with otherwise.

We have also started using a data tool that helps us take a more efficient approach to supplier diversity. It gives us a better handle on performance and (X)BE utilization, and strengthens our ability to identify firms for partnership opportunities—all key components of a strong supplier diversity program.

Q. How will we ensure that we as a company continue to identify and embrace supplier diversity?

A. As we build a robust supplier diversity program, we want to ensure it includes capacity-building that helps our (X)BE partners grow and strengthen their ability to participate in—and successfully deliver—larger projects. This can include mentorship, administrative support, contract flexibility, financial support, or other business-related support.

As a prime—or in our role as an owner’s representative—we also have levers we can use to help remove barriers to contracting opportunities for (X)BE firms.

Our commitment to building (X)BE capacity makes these firms stronger, expands their knowledge base, and helps set them up for success in delivering services for us and our clients.

In some cases, (X)BEs support our efforts as subcontractors and help achieve the client’s goals by delivering great projects while ensuring the work is inclusive and benefits local and diverse businesses and the communities where they operate. In other cases, (X)BEs operate as prime contractors and look to include Turner & Townsend in contract opportunities. Either way, the relationship creates value on both sides and opens more doors across the (X)BE network.

Q. How can a diverse supply chain drive innovation in the infrastructure sector?

A. Working with different types of companies and people brings a wider range of ideas—and  innovation flows both ways.

With our breadth of knowledge, we can help our (X)BE partners learn new approaches. And in return, our partner firms often bring creative ideas and may be using innovative tools within their own operations.

Partnering this way helps us leverage a broader knowledge base to better support our clients and strengthen our offering—something that’s harder to achieve when operating in a silo or relying on a limited set of partners.

Q. What can the wider infrastructure community do to drive supplier diversity?

A. I’m a bit old school in this way, but I’d say a grassroots approach really matters.

There is a workforce shortage in construction-related industries, and we need people with the skills required to deliver infrastructure projects effectively. In New York City, for example, many baby boomers are retiring and leaving the industry—taking valuable knowledge with them.

That means we can do more by partnering with schools and local communities to build excitement about the industry early on and help strengthen the talent pipeline. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) programs are great ways to do this, and there are other similar initiatives that support this effort too. Our business has relationships with universities and leading organizations that help support this work.

Q. What advice would you offer to anyone looking to implement a successful supplier diversity program?

A. There are many challenges when implementing a supplier diversity program, and those challenges can vary by industry and organization.

For a larger firm, it’s more complex because there are many stakeholders involved. To build consistency across the company, you need buy-in from leadership, along with the right stakeholders at the table to launch the program effectively. This should include key people from HR, finance, procurement, operations, and project teams. Everyone needs to be aligned with the mission, and the message needs to be clear so it can take hold across the organization.

Compliance is another focus area. We must hold ourselves accountable and aim to meet performance targets, which ties closely to another area mentioned earlier: data.

Understanding past performance—and using that insight to set realistic, meaningful goals—is critical. Once companies can access the data, it can be tracked, measured, and used to guide more targeted efforts.

For Turner & Townsend, supplier diversity goes beyond checking a box. It’s about supporting the communities where we live and work, helping local businesses—and the local economy—grow while we deliver great projects. It’s also about building real partnerships and creating a true sense of purpose around supplier diversity.