ATTRACT: Bringing diverse talent into BGO
To track our progress against our goal of increasing diverse representation, BGO aims to ensure 2/3 new hires globally identify as women or underrepresented minority groups. BGO has surpassed this goal annually.
Additionally, BGO has invested in programs to foster diversity within the Commercial Real Estate industry through equity-building opportunities. BGO's Built to Lead was established to help new talent from underrepresented communities embark on early pathways to a meaningful career in our industry.
BGO’s Talent Accelerator Program
BGO's Built to Lead Program Across North America and the UK, BGO is forging a path for diverse talent to find their way into a rewarding career in commercial real estate. To achieve that, we examine opportunities we create through internships, scholarships and community engagement. BGO Built to Lead (BTL) initiatives work with diverse and underrepresented communities across Canada, the U.S. and the UK to provide enriching opportunities for career development in a setting that is invested in their success, thanks to the support of four partner organizations: SEO, Upreach, Schulich School of Business and Project Destined.
Annual Scholarships
BGO has invested in annual scholarships in partnership with Ozîja Thiha Education Trust, Onion Lake Education Trust Fund, and University of British Columbia with a focus on First Nations/Indigenous students. At Schulich School of Business, The Gary Whitelaw Strength in Diversity scholarship is a 10-year, $250,000 commitment to supporting Black, Indigenous, or female students pursuing a career in commercial real estate.
Project Destined
BGO is a longstanding sponsor of Project Destined - an immersive learning program and business case study competition. BGO is also a founding sponsor of Project Destined’s Black Student Athlete-focused programs providing training in financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and real estate, and the first-ever accredited Certificate Program in commercial real estate.
RETAIN: Recognizing and retaining our diverse talent
In addition to embedding our EDI strategy into existing programs and policies, such as our BGO Culture Code, Code of Business Conduct, Global Engagement and Inclusion surveys, and annual performance management processes, BGO has established programs to further enhance employees' sense of belonging and inclusion.
Employee Resource Groups
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are a key way BGO fosters inclusion. BGO has four ERGs: The BGO Asian Network, The Black Professionals Alliance, BGO PRIDE and The Women’s Network. BGO’s ERGs are designed to celebrate diversity and provide supportive environments for our diverse talent to advocate for the kinds of changes at BGO that will help ingrain our diversity strategy in our culture. Each ERG is employee-led and equipped with an operating budget to advance programming and events that amplify important issues to its membership.
Parental Leave
In recognition of the intersection of important life changes and feelings of inclusion, BGO has implemented a new parental leave and maternity leave policy offering industry-leading salary top-ups for employees on leave. BGO launched a program for mothers transitioning back to the workplace, called the Motherhood Leadership Program in partnership with Maturn. Members of the program are offered tools and support for navigating new work-life demands, shifting priorities and career objectives.
CULTIVATE: Developing and growing our diverse talent
Personal and professional development is an important way to advance an inclusive culture. Therefore, EDI is incorporated throughout all employee and leadership training such as onboarding, culture code training, DiSC communication style training, and feedback training.
BGO’s Global Mentorship Program
BGO’s Global Mentorship Program prioritizes underrepresented groups within middle management to cultivate diversity within this talent pipeline and positively influence greater representation within senior leadership. Each mentee is exclusively paired with a senior leader for one year and offered networking and on-the-job development opportunities.
Inclusion Works
BGO’s learning platform, Inclusion Works, builds employee awareness, skills, and practices for effective collaboration and leadership covering topics such as ‘Psychological Safety', 'Debiasing Feedback', and 'Inclusive Communications’.
