The Greater Des Moines Partnership has announced the honorees for its 2024 Inclusion Awards, which highlight companies and organizations championing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in business and the community.

The five award winners were honored Friday during the regional economic development organization’s 12th annual Inclusion Summit at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny.

“The 2024 honorees have taken inspiring action to advance inclusive strategies in ways that resonate beyond their organizations,” Stacey Robles, diversity, equity and inclusion program manager at the Partnership, said in a news release. “By implementing impactful strategies, they’re not only empowering their teams but also uplifting the wider community, creating a more inclusive region for all.”

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 winners are:

The Weitz Co.: Large Category (more than 500 employees)

The Weitz Co. specializes in aviation, mission-critical, industrial, senior living, student housing and commercial construction. This year, Weitz launched the Weitz University nationwide. The program aims to guide diverse businesses in construction on partnering with larger contractors while also helping Weitz build a better understanding of smaller-business operations, the release says. Weitz has invested in DEI staff, audited learning modules for inclusivity and provided leadership training. Companywide engagement also included Women in Construction Week and an ambassador-level sponsorship of Construction Inclusion Week.

In partnership with another firm, Weitz is working on the $445 million expansion of the Des Moines International Airport, prioritizing small and diverse local businesses. To promote inclusion on the project, Weitz partnered with key community voices like La Reina radio, hosted outreach events, offered bilingual services, collaborated with the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Civil Rights Bureau, and worked with the Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) to engage diverse businesses.

Turner Construction Co.: Medium Category (151 – 500 employees)

Turner Construction Co., the North America-based, international construction services company founded in 1902, is the largest builder in the United States. According to the Partnership, “DEI is not just an initiative of Turner; it is the culture created within the organization and across its job sites, with project teams and project partners.” Recruitment efforts include strengthening relationships at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) and committing to support student tuition, internship opportunities and other student programming to increase the pipeline of diverse talent nationally.

Since 1969, Turner has offered a free program called Turner School of Construction Management (TSCM) that focuses on construction management education and training for small minority-owned, women-owned and emerging 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 company, provides transparent services tailored to small-business owners and prioritizes small businesses in rural areas to reduce credit card fees. According to the Partnership, these programs saved entrepreneurs $27 million in processing fees last year, enhancing financial predictability and affordability. In the first two months of 2023, VizyPay onboarded over 40 new team members, bringing its team 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,” the release says.  

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 helped form the Multicultural Task Force 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.

The Chamber’s Minority-Owned Business Summit has brought people together to collaborate on how to continue supporting a diverse business community. 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 District and the Chamber, students gain work experience and community engagement.

Broadlawns Medical Center: Public Entities Category

Broadlawns Medical Center’s (BMC) mission is to provide high-quality care for all, regardless of a person’s identity, circumstances or ability to pay. One way BMC fosters health equity is by ensuring accessible communication, including offering free interpreter services for patients. In partnership with One Iowa, BMC has trained several clinicians across the organization to provide inclusive care for LGBTQ+ patients. To support refugees, BMC hired a refugee case manager to help promote access to essential health assessments and care.

Broadlawns works with community partners to reach historically marginalized populations with health care education and preventive services. BMC recently partnered with the By Degrees Foundation and Des Moines North High School to offer a mentorship program, where health professionals mentor high school juniors and seniors, guiding them toward careers in health care.

Internally, BMC’s BMC conducted a compensation study in 2023 to address pay gaps, ensuring equitable pay across departments regardless of demographic factors.