Last Chance to Register for 2024 ElevateHER® Cohort

Last Chance to Register for 2024 ElevateHER Cohort

The time is growing near to take part in Zweig Group’s 2024 ElevateHER® cohort. The final application deadline is Dec. 15, 2023 to show your commitment to help recruit, retain, and engage the best minds in the AEC industry. The application process is quick and easy. Applicants are asked to fill out a two-page form with questions about why they’d like to be part of this exciting cohort as well as what industry skills, knowledge or insight they bring to the table. There’s space for approximately 30-40 participants and financial assistance is available to those who qualify. 

About the ElevateHER Program 

The talent shortage in this industry is real. Women are entering engineering and architectural programs at higher rates than ever, but they aren’t staying. And the ones who do stay and move into senior leadership roles have thought really hard about leaving. This is where the ElevateHER program comes into play. 

Zweig Group founded ElevateHER in 2019 with individuals from all over the world coming together to brainstorm solutions to meet the AEC retention and recruitment crisis. The end goal is to come away from the experience with actionable plans that the AEC community can implement right away to create a more dynamic, diverse, and equitable workforce.

Jamie Claire Kiser first conceptualized the idea while working for Zweig Group. Subsequent research showed that the idea would indeed fly based on data that included facts such as: 

• 100 percent of women principals in the AEC industry had considered leaving compared to 49 percent for men.  
• Zero women were given any portion of their ownership for free, compared to men who responded “yes” to the same question 33 percent of the time.  
• 20 percent of employees say that their employer’s commitment to gender diversity sounds like lip service
• About one in five C-suite leaders are women and one in 25 are women of color. 

It was clear that there was an industry imbalance. ElevateHER strives to provide sustainable solutions that will make this industry one where women will thrive.

2023 Cohort Projects

This year ElevateHER had five cohort projects that addressed: 

• Improving cash flow and capturing profitability, which in turn finances DEI initiatives within a firm
• Creating effective framework for external mentorship programs to accelerate professional and personal growth
• Development of AEC career kits for libraries
• Developing strong advocacy programs for women to break barriers and celebrate diversity
• A Growth Mindset Framework to DEI Initiatives in the AEC industry

Each cohort project had anywhere from two to seven cohort members who diligently worked to promote inclusion by developing strategic steps and tools. 

Fast FAQs

What’s included in the program fee?

The registration fee gives access to Zweig Group’s 2024 research library (electronic reports only, valued at $5,700), a $500 credit towards registration for one Zweig Group seminars, discounted registration to the annual ElevateAEC Conference and Awards Gala in the Fall, access to other relevant workshops, materials and resources used in the development of project deliverables, and much more.

When are the in-person meeting dates?

The 2024 ElevateHER Symposium and cohort kickoff retreat will take place on March 6-8, 2024 in Dallas, TX. This annual symposium, which is open to the public, hosts bold and powerful panel discussions, DEI-focused keynote presentations, and select presentations from past ElevateHER® cohorts–including updates on their research findings and team projects–to an engaged audience.

The symposium is followed by the exclusive, cohort-only think tank.  style retreat, where all the 2024 cohort members will uncover or confirm the aspect of DEI in the workplace that drives them the most. Once accepted into the 2024 program, cohort members are expected to commit to attending at least two out of the three in-person meetings.

Will I meet cohort members prior to the kickoff retreat?

Yes, there will be virtual meetings prior to the in-person kickoff event. All 2024 members are expected to join these virtual meetings; a more detailed overview of the program and expectations will be shared with the participants upon acceptance into the program.

Why should I consider being part of the 2024 ElevateHER Cohort? 

If you’re an AEC professional who shares Zweig Group’s vision for a sustainable AEC workforce, regardless of age, experience, gender, sexual orientation, or job role, you are encouraged to apply. Each ElevateHER cohort represents a special task force that spans various disciplines and organizational roles. Working collaboratively in specific project teams, the cohort breaks down this industry-wide crisis into manageable areas of focus to create tangible solutions.

So, if you want to be a part of empowering the future of the AEC industry and are ready to take a journey of transformation, then applying to be a cohort member is a positive step in the right direction. 

Applications are now open to join the 2024 Cohort. The deadline to apply is December 15, 2023. And, if you want to help make the ElevateHER program more accessible to all AEC professionals, consider becoming a 2024 ElevateHER Sponsor.

For more information, email: ElevateHER@zweiggroup.com