We Want To Be the Example for a More Diverse and Inclusive World
The Platform at Gratiot, Detroit
Across our firm, we deeply believe in the power of design to create a better world. We also believe that our people’s diverse voices, experiences, and perspectives is what makes our design work exponentially more powerful. The principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion are directly aligned with our core values, and have been embedded in our DNA since the founding of the firm by Art Gensler in 1965.
Since 2020, we have amplified our global impact by forming our Global Race and Diversity Committee, establishing a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Studio led by our Global Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and more. Now, we are thrilled to reveal our Strategies to Build a Just and Inclusive Future, a revitalized, global approach to evolving and enhancing our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within Gensler and beyond. Our Strategies have been a transformative framework to address the many injustices facing our world — taking the first steps in our industry to lead by example and drive impactful, collaborative change.
Today, we remain steadfast in our commitment to those values and continue to foster a culture of change that promotes equity and inclusion. We must celebrate our culture of inclusion at our borderless global firm and continuously evolve how our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts elevate the impact of design — moving us closer to a more just, equitable, and inclusive future for all.
Gensler Inclusion by Design
Our biannual Equity and Inclusion Report plays a critical role in helping us assess our impact and progress year to year, identifying focus areas of improvement, and supports opportunities to expand our global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives. As we move forward into this next chapter for the firm, we’ll continue to foster a culture of change that promotes equity and inclusion, and encourage our industry partners, peers, and clients to do the same.
Gensler Global Workforce
87
COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN
109
LANGUAGES SPOKEN
1000+
UNIVERSITIES ATTENDED
57
OFFICES
10
REGIONS
54.5%
FEMALE
0.2%
NON-BINARY/THIRD GENDER
45.3%
MALE
Our Strategies
Together with allied partners and our clients, we are working to create meaningful, lasting change. Strategies to Build a Just and Inclusive Future has been crafted to combat the challenges that underrepresented professionals face across the design industry. Since 2020 we’ve seen steady progress across our recruitment and retention efforts for underrepresented racial and ethnic communities across the firm. Our biannual Equity and Inclusion Report helps us assess our impact and progress year to year, identify areas of improvement, and support opportunities to expand our global equity and inclusion initiatives.
- We know that our designs are more equitable, inclusive, and impactful when our designers reflect and understand the diversity of the communities we serve.
- We are inspiring the next generation of designers by introducing students to the world of design.
- The inclusion of community voices is vital to our design process — one that is purposeful, collaborative, and impactful.
- We partner with industry leaders to advocate for equitable opportunities in our field.
- By partnering with our clients on aligned equity and inclusion goals, we foster a shared vision for positive change.
We’re focused on making incredible progress towards a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive future.
MEET OUR GLOBAL RACE AND DIVERSITY COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Jason Pugh
Global Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Design Manager, Principal
As the Global Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Jason promotes Gensler’s commitment to its Strategies to Fight Racism while furthering the firm’s efforts to address...
Jean Anderson
Design Synergy Community Co-Leader, Design Director, Principal
Jean co-leads Gensler’s global Design Synergy Community and is a Design Director based in New York. She is focused on design excellence, working across the firm to ensure that...
Elaine Asal
Strategy Director, Principal
Based in Baltimore, Elaine is a Strategy practice area leader for Gensler’s Southeast region. A connector, catalyst, instigator, and communicator, she believes solutions to the...
Allison Brooke Tomlinson
Northeast Regional Legal Counsel, Principal
As the Northeast (and formerly, Latin American) Regional Legal Counsel, Allison is responsible for multiple offices across the region. She developed the firm’s first compliance...
Francisco Gonzalez
Co-Managing Director, Principal
A Principal and Co-Managing Director of Gensler’s Washington, D.C. office, Francisco is an award-winning architect who leverages his experience to help clients understand the...
Vaki Mawema
Co-Managing Director, Principal
As Co-Managing Director of Gensler Baltimore, Vaki has created a team-based design culture that embodies creative passion, innovation and rigor. His work focuses on experiential...
EXPLORE RELATED STORIES
55 Items
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BROWSE RELATED PROJECTS
Jackie Robinson Museum
New York, New York
The Jackie Robinson Museum presents the life of the first African American inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in a dynamic setting, designed by Gensler.
Newark Community Museum of Social Justice
Newark, New Jersey
Gensler worked closely with the City of Newark to convert the 1st Police Precinct into a community museum for learning, healing, and storytelling.
Lawndale Gateway Project
Chicago, Illinois
The Lawndale Gateway Project is comprised of a multi-functional fun learning exploratory space serving the North and South Lawndale neighborhoods of Chicago.
Oscar Mike Sports & Training Center
Timberlane, Illinois
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The Lark Inn
San Francisco, California
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Roots to Success is a pro bono initiative that connects students at Kelly Miller Middle School in D.C. with fresh produce and sustainable food education.
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Houston, Texas
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Debbie Allen Dance Academy
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Gensler Los Angeles partnered with REACH LA to design a vibrant and welcoming space where the nonprofit organization can engage and empower LGBTQ+ people of color through creative arts, health and wellness, personal development, and social enterprise.
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Infill On The Cut
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Infill On The Cut, a mixed-use development, will create a new, welcoming gateway to downtown Detroit.
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DISCOVER MORE FROM THE CENTER FOR RESEARCH ON EQUITY AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
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Designing for Racial Justice 2024
We leveraged years of research and Gensler’s most recent survey data in cities and communities across the U.S. to understand the historic and current inequity and to profile how to move beyond these challenges with design action and innovation.
Education and the BIPOC Student Experience
We conducted research with a diverse group of New York City school students to understand how to create inclusive school buildings that feel welcoming and supportive for all.
Adjusting for Bias in the Workplace
We sought to understand how to address the impact of bias in the workplace and developed a process for engaging in conversations around equity and inclusion.