Diversity and Inclusion Plan for the Water + Energy Forward Research and Innovation Consortium

The Water Council and its partners received a two-year Development Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a consortium of organizations focused on water and energy research and innovation in eastern Wisconsin. The goal of W+E Forward is to facilitate the solutions needed to enable manufacturers and utilities to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change through water and energy innovation, and to quickly scale those solutions for wider use by industry, government, and other stakeholders. 

CIS, in partnership with Cross Management Services, Inc., was hired as a Diversity & Inclusion Consultant to develop the W+E Forward Diversity & Inclusion Plan—a comprehensive framework for embedding inclusive principles across all of the Engine’s foundational components and activities. The plan took a bottom-up approach, based on insights gathered from a landscape review, workgroup of local Diversity & Inclusion leaders, and stakeholder and community engagement activities. It outlined strategies for increasing small and medium business participation, growing the talent pipeline, supporting workforce development, and ensuring inclusive engagement. In anticipation of additional funding to formally develop the consortium, the project successfully developed a final regional plan, outlining additional funding sources, next steps, and initiatives that W+E Forward partners can strive to implement moving forward.

The project strengthened regional partnerships with underserved and underutilized communities and groups to increase their participation in W+E Forward’s activities.