GHD adds Joel Howell as Americas and EMEA diversity and inclusion leader
GHD, a global design and engineering consultancy, has hired Joel Howell as Americas and EMEA region inclusion and diversity (I&D) leader. He is based in Tampa, FL.
In the role, Howell will work closed with GHD’s leadership, employee resource groups, the global I&D council, and HR team to achieve the firm’s overall I&D goals. He will report to Sadaf Parvaiz, global I&D leader, who joined the firm in March.
“My focus is to weave inclusion and diversity into all facets of our culture and business processes to create a workplace where everyone feels like they belong,” Parvaiz, formerly of EY, said when she took on the new created role earlier this year.
Howell brings more than 15 years of experience as a human capital and diversity, equity, and inclusion professional. He has expertise in HR leadership, employee engagement, talent development, diversity and inclusion, coaching for high performance, motivational speaking, and advanced facilitation.
Howell spent the last 16 years at PwC, where he most recently served as a strategic advisor in the firm’s office of diversity and inclusion. Before that, he was a people leader in PwC’s finance function, where he focused on driving an innovative and agile culture.
Howell also previously held leadership roles in talent acquisition and HR management within the Big Four accounting and consulting firm.
Prior to joining PwC, Howell was a case manager in the Tampa Hillsborough Urban League.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in human services from Springfield College and an MBA from the University of Phoenix.
“This appointment represents GHD’s commitment to I&D by expanding the breadth and reach of our team,” Parvaiz said. “Joel will align our regional efforts with our overall enterprise I&D strategy, while also providing regional input into global initiatives.”
Howell added, “This is an exciting time to join and work with an organization and an amazing I&D team who understands that inclusion is the catalyst for success. When belonging is a part of the everyday culture you’ll be amazed at how people show up in a real and authentic way.”
The addition of Howell coincides with GHD’s appointment of Coralee Fitzgibbon as Asia-Pacific I&D leader, who will also report to Parvaiz.
Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, GHD delivers architecture, engineering, construction, and advisory services in the areas of water, energy, environment, buildings, and transportation. The firm has more than 10,000 people across over 200 offices.
GHD’s Americas operations are a critical part of its business, with more than 4,000 professionals across 130+ offices in the US, Canada, and Chile.
Related: GHD appoints James Viray as global sustainability leader
https://www.consulting.us/news/6041/ghd-appoints-james-viray-as-global-sustainability-leader
