JE Dunn Secondary Logo_Black
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

The Importance of Inclusion and Belonging

By: Zoraya Rowlands
Vice President
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director

About me and my why

For those who may not know me, I’m Zoraya Rowlands, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. I joined JE Dunn five years ago and am honored to lead a team dedicated to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace across all our regions.

At 12, I emigrated from the Dominican Republic, leaving behind everything familiar to start fresh in the cold winters of New York. Learning a new language and culture was challenging, but the support of those around me — both those with shared experiences and those from different backgrounds — shaped my journey. These connections broadened my perspective, pushed me to grow, and ultimately led me to this role, where I have the privilege of strengthening our communities and workplace culture.

Our commitment to inclusion and belonging

As we enter 2025 and continue advancing KSI 4: Best People + Right Culture, we remain dedicated to fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered.

At JE Dunn, Doing the Right Thing is more than a core value — it’s the foundation for how we build authentic partnerships and cultivate a culture of belonging. Recognizing and celebrating diversity is critical to our success, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to:

  • Attracting top talent to strengthen our workforce.
  • Fostering inclusion and belonging for all employees.
  • Creating meaningful engagement in the communities we serve.

By prioritizing inclusion — across our offices, jobsites, and communities — we are better positioned to recruit and retain top talent, create a workplace where individuals thrive, and drive positive impact where we work and live.

Looking ahead

As we continue this important work, here’s what’s ahead in the first half of the year:

  • Strengthening campus recruitment to attract top talent at spring career fairs.
  • Expanding ERG engagement with a new membership and events platform.
  • Enhancing cultural education through key observance initiatives.
  • Increasing support for diverse trade partners to create more opportunities.
  • Launching Minority Contractors Development (MCD) sessions across all regions.
  • Hosting nationwide roundtable discussions to refine diverse partnership strategies.

For more details, visit our newly updated DEI Connect page to explore initiatives, tools, and streamlined processes.

I look forward to continuing this journey with all of you. If you have any questions or want to get involved, please reach out to me or your regional DEI representative.

We are better together!💙