Maria Gutierrez and Rachel Kennedy Win July 2020 KA Core Values Award

Maria Gutierrez is a Project Accountant and Rachel Kennedy is an EEO Compliance Coordinator out of the Twin Cities office. They were nominated by Laurie Trousil, Director of Inclusion and Diversity, who writes:

“Maria, along with Rachel Kennedy, worked to create a 3-part toolkit designed for all KA employees, to assist them to

1. Understand key terminology related to race and racism
2. Have appropriate conversations about race, guiding people about what to say to have constructive dialogues, and equally important, what NOT to say and why
3. Access resources to facilitate on-going professional and personal development to better understand and build relationships with people of color/from backgrounds different from their own

The idea for an anti-racism toolkit was discussed during a KA Inclusion & Diversity Working Committee meeting in June of this year. ”

Committee members who reviewed the toolkit shared the following feedback:

• “This is great! Thank you for the work you do and help us learn to be better.” – Cindy MacDonald, KA Realty
• “This is thoughtfully developed and very well organized. Thank you for the investment put into this.” – Jon Diessner, KA Insurance
• “Very comprehensive and useful. I like the tangible examples. Well done Rachel and Maria! Thanks for your time and effort.” – Mike Smoczyk, KA Companies
• “Many thanks to Maria and Rachel! This set of information and perspectives is of great value to many of us right now!” – Terry Hart, KACC
• “This is INCREDIBLE work. Many, many thanks to you both.” – Leslie Greves, KA Companies

KRAUS-ANDERSON CORE VALUE AWARD

The KA Core Value Award is presented monthly to a KA employee. Nominated by their peers, business partners and clients, the recipient of the award is selected based on their representation and practice of KA Construction’s core values:

Integrity: Do the right thing… always be respectful, honest and fair

Commitment: Take ownership, work hard and keep promises

Teamwork: Collaborate to foster trust and success for all

Value People: Support each other in a safe, positive environment where people are recognized and appreciated for their contributions.