Building LGBTQIA+ Inclusion & Equity in Construction
Hear from our panel of leaders from the LGBTQ+ community in the construction industry on their experiences, expertise, and perspectives on fostering a more inclusive and equitable environment
Learning Objectives:
- The importance of creating/providing tangible resources for the industry that help foster a culture of belonging and promote inclusion of queer folks in the industry.
- The importance of partnerships (BuildIT, AGC, and Build Out Alliance, for example) when it comes to amplifying queer voices and businesses.
- How LGBTQ+ and other employee resources groups can effect change within an organization to support a more inclusive workplace.
- Reflections on progress made in the construction industry for LGBTQ+, and ideas for actionable things we can all do to positively impact the future jobsite environment.
Panelists:
Tracy Passarella
Title: Senior Project Manager
Company: Gilbane Building Company
tpassarella@gilbaneco.com
Marcy Szarama
Title: President
Company: Destination Enterprises
msz@de-cm.com
Marcy Szarama is the President of Destination Enterprises, a firm that provides construction and project management professional services, including inspection, safety oversight, schedule and cost administration, and construction claims services to the public and private sector. Szarama is a trailblazer in the Construction Management space, beginning in the “trenches” as one of the first female Resident Engineers on the Metro Red Line subway in Los Angeles prior to launching DE. Marcy has over 30 years of experience in the construction industry, specializing in construction management, change negotiation, project closeout and dispute avoidance and resolution. Marcy is a Founding Member of BuildOUT California/BuildIT, and serves on Board of CalInfra and the Senior Leadership Network of Conscious Capitalism International.
Michelle Stoffel
Title: Journeyman Electrician, President of Local 340 Women’s Committee
Company: IBEW 340
Michelle.stoffel25@gmail.com
Michelle Stoffel is a journeyman electrician with over 10 years’ experience in the field. She is the President of the IBEW Local 340 Women’s Committee. In 2024 she led the effort for IBEW 340 Women’s Committee to participate in the Sacramento Pride March and Festival for the first time with a goal to increase awareness of the trades as a viable career option. Michelle also has a background in Human Resources.
Nasim Adeli
Title: Small Underrepresented Business Partnership Manager
Company: AGC of California
adelin@agc-ca.org
Nasim Adeli is the Small/Underrepresented Business (SUB) Partnership Manager for the Associated General Contractors of California (AGC), which represents more than 1,000 construction companies and construction related firms throughout the state. Nasim works closely with AGC members and partners to provide resources and programming for SUB’s in California and bridge the gap between small, diverse businesses and larger prime contractors.
In her previous role, Nasim worked as AGC of California’s Sr. DE&I Program Coordinator and Sr. Executive Assistant. Before joining AGC, Nasim worked as an Administrative Assistant/Program Support Coordinator for an international exchange organization that provided J-1 Visas to international students/interns. Nasim has also previously volunteered in community-based organizations that create safe and fun spaces for queer people to celebrate.
She earned her B.A. degree in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara. During her undergraduate studies, she studied abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina, for one semester to study Spanish.
Debi Hertz
Title: Senior Project Manger
Company: Gilbane Building Company
dhertz@gilbaneco.com
Debi Hertz is a Senior Project Manager at Gilbane Building Company in Sacramento, California, with over 29 years of experience in the industry as both general contractor and construction manager. Debi was one of the founders of Gilbane’s PRIDE ERG and currently serves as the national co-President. Additionally, she is a Founding Member of BuildOUT California/BuildIT, an industry association dedicated to the growth of LGBTQ+ construction, architecture, and engineering firms. Debi is a member of Gilbane’s Economic Inclusion Peer group and the CMAA NorCal Education Committee. She is a DBIA certified professional, Certified Construction Manager (CCM) and LEED AP.
