In 2017, Timmons Group launched Women in Design, an internal initiative that comprises a variety of events and courses that support the personal and professional development of women within our firm. Since its inception, our Women in Design Employee Resource Group (ERG) has been dedicated to recruiting, developing, and retaining talented women, resulting in double the amount of female representation at Timmons Group.
The Women in Design steering committee consists of employees from different departments firmwide, fostering diverse perspectives and opinions within the committee. The steering committee meets quarterly to brainstorm ideas, plan upcoming events, and review survey feedback from past events. Women in Design serves as a platform for women to connect and build relationships throughout the firm, encouraging individuals to expand their network while gaining new industry insights across the company.
From book club discussions and vision board socials to terrarium workshops and winery visits, let’s look at what our Women in Design groups have been up to this past year!
Our Richmond Women in Design group started the year off with a Vision Board Social event dedicated to refining goals, discovering inspiration, fostering casual connections, and exploring creativity!
“Reflecting on my seven years at the firm, I’ve come to appreciate how our growing company maintains a small family feel, thanks in part to the Women in Design employee resource group. It’s an additional layer of support and connection, enriching our workplace environment with warmth and camaraderie,” said Sarah Bowers, a leader on our Women in Design committee and HR specialist.
Our Raleigh Women in Design committee ignited 2024 with a DIY candle and bath bomb-making event! Participants had the opportunity to learn new skills and get creative with their own unique scents and designs while having some Friday fun with colleagues.
“The increase of women in the engineering field has been fantastic to witness during my tenure. The Women in Design program gives every woman in the office an opportunity to interact during team-building activities. This leads to friendship, mentorship, and support both inside and outside of the workplace. Creating a welcoming, inclusive work environment encourages women to continue to pursue work in engineering and supporting roles,” Beth Blackmon, a leader on our Women in Design committee and project manager on our residential team, said.
The Greensboro Women in Design group went on an artistic journey at Mad Splatter, a pottery and canvas design workshop! Participants painted beautiful pieces of pottery while bonding with each other as a team.
“The Women in Design Program helps mentor and equip the women within Timmons Group and builds passion and confidence in our ability to fulfill roles, which spills over into the integrated work environment. The more tools I gain and relationships I build, the more opportunities can evolve for my career future,” said Landscape Planner Mary Azzarello.
Two green thumbs up for our Charlottesville Women in Design committee! Members participated in a hands-on plant workshop at Plant Studio, where they explored their creative side to build their own unique miniature indoor gardens.
“Shout out to Riki van Niekerk in the Charlottesville office for reaching out to me to extend an invite to their Women in Design Event. This was a wonderful opportunity to connect with some of the engineers who may use the surveys I draft,” Marion Tudor, a survey technician on our Staunton team, said.
The Elizabeth City Women in Design team ventured to Lily Pad Pottery for an inspiring ceramic painting experience where they could express their own unique style and personality to create a one-of-kind piece!
“It has been really refreshing and encouraging to be able to engage with other women in the firm. I’ve been in the industry for 30 years, and at the start of my career, I encountered very few women in the field overall. Even as more women entered the field, I worked for a small firm in a rural area and had very few female colleagues until joining Timmons. I’m now looking forward to helping the next generation of women make the most of their careers,” said Kim Hamby, a project manager on our public land development team.
The Women in Design committee hosted a virtual course on personal visioning for women in the workplace, featuring discussions on understanding how expectations impact you, identifying strengths, values, and purpose, and reflecting on a 3–10-year career development plan.
“I love the Women in Design initiative and have been a regular participant in the events, even though I work remotely. It’s a great opportunity to network with colleagues, learn more about other parts of the company, and celebrate each other’s achievements. The events also provide valuable insight into diverse perspectives and challenges that women encounter at different stages of their professional lives,” Mireia Sanz, a software engineer on our geospatial solutions development team, said.
In celebration of the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024, our Women in Design group in Dallas, Texas, enjoyed a luncheon at North Italia, followed by a sweet gelato treat! We’re looking forward to what the new year will bring each team!
Every Women in Design event, activity, and course not only helps to build a stronger community of women at our firm but also provides opportunities for members to learn, grow, network, and have fun together. Timmons Group is proud to support and partner with other Richmond area Employee Resource Groups within our industry to help strengthen our professional network outreach.
