How does ElevateHER® ensure underrepresented demographics find success in the AEC industry?
Founded by Zweig Group in 2019, ElevateHER® is about the future of the AEC industry. It is Zweig Group’s commitment to help recruit, retain, and engage the best minds in the industry.
By serving as an advisor and a hub of information and resources, this movement brings us together to elevate the industry. We believe that with inclusive and strategic steps, we can work together to advance the future of AEC firms, because we believe that diversity brings about positive change.
ElevateHER® is an initiative to better the future of the AEC Industry.
About ElevateHER®
Each year, a cohort of up to 40 AEC professionals from all over the country, and across the org chart, join forces to develop and disseminate actionable plans that aim to solve the recruitment and retention crisis in the industry via the lenses of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The results are made available to the entire AEC community and are ready for turn-key implementation.
program timeline
New Year: ElevateHER Cohort is selected & announced
Spring: ElevateHER Symposium & Cohort Kick-off Retreat
Mid-Summer: Mid-Year Summit
Fall: Cohort Projects are presented at the ElevateAEC Conference
Winter: Application opens for the following ElevateHER Cohort
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My vision for ElevateHER is not one of divisiveness or women first. It is a practical acknowledgement of the 100% of woman who have considered exiting the AE industry, confronting this challenge, and doing everything that we can to fix this system. We need women in our firms to speak up when they feel alienated.
Jamie Claire Kiser
MANAGING PRINCIPAL
Read more about the vision and the individuals that make elevateHER possible
The elevateHER® Story
On a 2am, mid-week flight, Jamie Claire Kiser found herself contemplating the solution to the workforce inconsistencies in the AEC industry. The vision for ElevateHER was put into words via an email draft to partners. From 2am to 5am she identified the pain points and rigorously planned for the solution to the issue at hand. Jamie Claire was fully enthralled and energized by the purpose. She sent the first draft to her business partners, Chad Clinehens and Christy Zweig Neihues. In apprehension, she waited for feedback on her gut feeling that the time is now to speak up and to confirm the intent for ElevateHER. The data came after the concept but the results were staggering.
Zweig Group is grateful for the generous support of our elevateHER® sponsors
with the following Friends of ElevateHER
