Investors Are Prioritizing Diversity and Inclusion

Rowland: ““Diversity is part of our value statement … to embrace diversity of people and perspective.”

SAN DIEGO—D&I—shorthand for diversity and inclusion—is not just the politically correct thing to do anymore; these days, CRE capital is following companies that have strong diversity and inclusion policies that result in a fairer playing field for all, said G. Joyce Rowland, SVP and chief human-resources and administrative officer for Sempra Energy, said during last week’s BMC event here. Part of the BMC Dialogue Series presented by Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate at the University of San Diego School of Business, “Unconscious Bias in the Workplace” included a presentation by Rowland on her company’s journey to diversity and inclusion.

The transition into a diverse and inclusive company doesn’t happen overnight—it’s a process. Rowland said to build a truly diverse environment, you have to commit to the long game. “Diversity is part of our value statement … to embrace diversity of people and perspective.”