CDM Smith Supports Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Through Wellness Program Donations

BOSTON—Partic­i­pants in CDM Smith’s employee wellness program made $100,000 in charitable donations possible as part of the firm’s award-winning wellness program. CDM Smith gave $25,000 each to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Code to Inspire, Girlstart and K9s For Warriors.

CDM Smith’s wellness program rewards employees, spouses and partners for healthy behaviors and accom­plish­ments with the overall goal of a healthier, more productive, happy and focused workforce. Employees earn wellness points by partic­i­pat­ing in activities like team challenges, races and exercise classes, and by tracking behaviors that contribute to their overall physical and mental wellbeing. Once partic­i­pants reach a threshold of points, the firm converts their points to dollars to donate to charity. Charities are chosen by CDM Smith’s Executive Leadership Team and by employee vote, supporting causes that are important to them.

“We’re proud to support these orga­ni­za­tions whose missions advance global diversity, equity and inclusion in society and align with our firm’s values,” said Carlos Echalar, CDM Smith Chief Human Resources Officer.

Here’s how the donations are making a global impact…

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the largest grassroots orga­ni­za­tion in the United States for people with mental illness and their families. CDM Smith employees chose to contribute $25,000 to NAMI in support of their members and friends who work to fulfill NAMI’s mission by providing support, education and advocacy. NAMI’s many activities include public education and information activities, peer education and support, raising awareness and fighting stigma, and state and federal advocacy.

CDM Smith’s Executive Leadership Team selected Code to Inspire as one of their choices. The $25,000 contri­bu­tion will help Code to Inspire empower female students in Afghanistan with the tech tools, knowledge and resources to develop their coding skills. Code to Inspire considers technology education the key to providing Afghan women with “leverage in their fight for social, political and economic equality.” CDM Smith supports this mission for equality, empowerment and change.

Girlstart empowers girls in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) by engaging them through innovative, nationally-recognized informal STEM education. Girlstart believes that more girls with more ideas will create more solutions to benefit the world, and CDM Smith agrees. CDM Smith employees voted to give $25,000 to help Girlstart provide STEM education programs for K-12 girls.

The Executive Leadership Team also chose to donate $25,000 to K9s For Warriors, the largest provider of service dogs to disabled American veterans. The orga­ni­za­tion empowers veteran warriors to return to civilian life with dignity and inde­pen­dence. Every veteran who walks through the door at K9s For Warriors is family. CDM Smith’s donation will help K9s For Warriors continue to provide veterans with an ADI-certified Service Canine, equipment, training, seminars, legal instruction, veterinary care, housing, home-cooked meals, uncon­di­tional love and listening, and a lifetime of wrap-around services, all at no cost to the warrior.

CDM Smith is a privately owned engineering and construc­tion firm providing legendary client service and smart solutions in water, environment, trans­porta­tion, energy and facilities. Passionate about our work and invested in each other, we are inspired to think and driven to solve the world's envi­ron­men­tal and infra­struc­ture challenges.