ly elevating people into the roles so that
we’ve got diverse perspectives weighing
in on our policy perspectives, weighing
in on what’s happening in the workforce,
weighing in on what we’re feeling in our
communities? I’m not saying we’ve solved
all those problems. It’s going to be a cul-
ture change over time.
What workplace policies do you see as
having the most value to women in the
workforce, or what policies would you
like to see evolve?
Something I philosophically believe as a
manager of people — women or not — is
that different people are at their best in
different environments. If you want your
organization to run at its highest and best,
create the environment for your team to
be at its highest and best. That may mean
sometimes you work from home; that may
mean you’re sitting at the coffee shop be-
cause you need the energy. The idea of
a very traditional, you come in here at
8 o’clock and your butt better be in this
seat and you stay here for eight hours, does
not get you the best from people. Some
people do their best work at 10 o’clock at
night — that is fine. I don’t care where you
are. I just want results. If you have enough
self-awareness to know, hey, I’m a mom,
I want to be able to engage with my kids
in the morning. I want to be able to take
them to school and then between 9 and
4, I am all yours, then I’m going to go pick
them up, then I hop on my laptop at 8
o’clock after I put the kids to bed, great —
because that’s real life. I would love to see
employers embrace that philosophy more
and it’s a particular interest to working
mothers. To be able to create that balance
is a beautiful thing, and I guarantee you,
you will get more engagement and produc-
tion from your staff if you do. n
Sena Christian is the managing editor of
Comstock’s. On Twitter @SenaCChristian
or senachristian.com.
For an extended interview
with Amanda Blackwood, visit
www.comstocksmag.com.
WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP
Buehler
EMBRACING PERSPECTIVES
PICTURED ABOVE [L-R]: MARTI MARTIN: SENIOR ASSOCIATE, OFFICE MANAGER | JACQUELINE CAMERON: SENIOR
ASSOCIATE, BIM MANAGER | LORI BURBRIDGE: CPSM, ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL, BUSINESS MANAGER | KRISTA LOOZA:
SE, ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL, LOS ANGELES REGIONAL MANAGER
“
As a professional services firm, Buehler’s
product is our people — their individuality,
creativity and problem-solving skills are
our differentiator,” says Lori Burbridge, associate
principal/business manager. “We have a diverse
staff, including amazing women at all levels and roles
within the firm.”
Buehler hires strategically to support the firm’s
cultural beliefs. Structural engineering requires
technically proficient people; at Buehler, candidates
must also be sociable with excellent communication
skills. The firm believes the ability to convey complex
subject matter to architects, developers, owners and
contractors is a must, and empowers their staff to
develop and strengthen those relationships.
Traditionally, engineering is a male-dominated field;
“
Our product
is our people,
and we hire
the rock
stars of the
industry.
— LORI BURBRIDGE
”
Associate Principal,
Business Manager
as a society, women are now much more encouraged
in STEM professions. “We have always hired the best
person for the position, and it’s exciting to see the
diversity of highly-qualified candidates,” Burbridge
says. “Buehler has a collaborative approach that
embraces varying perspectives, and staff diversity
provides those valued contributions.”
CLIENT PROFILE
600 Q St. #200
Sacramento, CA 95811
916.443.0303
buehlerengineering.com
March 2019 | comstocksmag.com
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