AIKEN, S.C. (May 9, 2022) — An employee group at the Savannah River Site (SRS) has convened to create real change within its company and the Department of Energy's Office of Environmental Management (DOE-EM).
Savannah River Mission Completion’s (SRMC) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Working Group kicked off recently with a charge from Nicole Nelson-Jean, DOE-EM associate principal deputy assistant secretary for field operations, who joined the inaugural meeting virtually. Nelson-Jean shared her perspective on the importance and positive impact this initiative will have on SRMC and DOE-EM.
SRMC is DOE-EM’s liquid waste contractor at SRS.
The DEI Working Group is responsible for aiding the SRMC executive team in fostering a culture of mutual respect that recruits, retains, and develops a workforce from various experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, and abilities, so that everyone feels a sense of community.
The group includes 11 employees from a variety of backgrounds and organizations. The team is refining a list of achievable action items, evaluating improvement opportunities from employee feedback, and will provide recommendations to senior leadership for change.
“The DEI group is important because we want every SRMC employee to know that regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, genetics, national origin, disability, status as a parent, veteran status, or gender identity, everybody will receive equal opportunities,” said Grady Harrison, DEI Working Group chair. “We are here to build an inclusive workplace culture that proves equal rewards and recognition for everyone.”
Ensuring inclusivity within the next generation of senior leadership starts today, according to SRMC President and Program Manager Dave Olson.
“Today we must be intentional in identifying and developing high-performing, high-potential leaders from all walks of life to ensure everyone will have a seat and voice at the table,” he said. “I am looking forward to the perspectives, thoughts, and recommendations that will be coming out of this DEI working group.”
SRMC comprises parent company BWX Technologies, Inc. with partners Amentum and Fluor. Its team brings the capabilities necessary to accelerate cleanup at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site through safe nuclear operations, optimized and integrated mission execution, and strong corporate governance.
Cutline: Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC) President and Program Manager Dave Olson, standing, kicks off the first meeting of the SRMC Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion employee working group.