Quattrocchi Kwok Architects Unveils New DEI “Scorecard” in Recognition of Ongoing Efforts

Santa Rosa / Oakland, Calif., May 28, 2024 – Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA), a leading planning and design firm serving Northern California’s education industry, is pleased to debut its updated Just label from the International Living Future Institute (ILFI), demonstrating forward progress on its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) goals. In 2020, QKA’s employee-owners made DEI a formalized pillar of the company through the establishment of the QKA DEI Council, which has since implemented meaningful policies, programs and actions to advance social equity within the firm and industry as a whole.

ILFI’s Just program provides a comprehensive assessment framework for evaluating various aspects of an organization’s social justice and equity practices. A voluntary disclosure tool, the program focuses on employee experience, health, well-being and meaningful community connections. QKA received its initial Just scorecard in 2021 and after a thorough reporting process, reveals updated results that show a marked improvement in all six of the program's social justice indicators: Diversity and Inclusion, Equity, Employee Health, Employee Benefits, Stewardship, and Purchasing Supply Chain.

“Employee well-being and engagement are integral to the fabric of QKA's culture and we recognize the importance of continuing to take action to ensure those within our organization and industry feel included and valued,” said QKA President Aaron Jobson. “Thank you to all those who have served on our DEI Council for their dedication and commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace and community, continually pushing our progress forward.”

 QKA’s efforts to improve DEI have spanned all facets of its business, including improvements in gender and ethnic diversity and pay equity. Hiring practices have been made more inclusive through expanding interview panels to feature a more diverse group of employees and updating language in job descriptions to be more inclusive. Additional actions include improved professional development programs, volunteer outreach to expose underrepresented students to careers in the architecture field, as well as the formation of a Health and Wellness Committee and ensuring all food provided in the firm’s offices is humanely sourced and as local as possible.

In recognition of its ongoing efforts, the North Bay Business Journal honored QKA in 2023 with its inaugural “Diversity in Business Award.” Looking ahead, QKA remains committed to furthering its DEI initiatives and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. 

About Quattrocchi Kwok Architects

QKA provides comprehensive master planning and design services for K-12 and higher education, historic renovation, and community facilities in Northern California. With more than $2.5 billion in projects completed in its 38-year history, QKA’s award-winning portfolio reflects a commitment to design that emphasizes environmental sustainability and community impact. Building Design + Construction has recognized QKA as one of the nation’s top K-12 and BIM (building information modeling) architecture firms. Engineering News-Record has called it one of America’s top design firms. Majority employee-owned through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), visit qka.com to learn more.

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