When Scott Hoesman founded inQUEST Consulting in 2011, he wanted to build a model with a proactive approach to constructing more diverse, inclusive workplaces.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of the work in the field of diversity and inclusion is around awareness-raising activities,\u201d says Hoesman. \u201cI believe we have to push people and help them to think, lead and interact inclusively, and that means giving them practical tools to drive more inclusion.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to talk about these topics and clarify our values because employees are demanding an inclusive culture and want to know what the organization stands for,\u201d he adds. \u201cAt inQUEST, we\u2019re waking up every day asking how we can help our clients do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoesman will accept the Diversity & Inclusion Award on behalf of his inQUEST Consulting colleagues at the Erie Neighborhood House Future of Promise Awards Dinner on Thursday, March 14.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re humbled by the award,\u201d says Hoesman, who had the privilege of personally guiding Erie House through a process that culminated in the launch of a diversity and inclusion council at the agency in 2016-17. \u201cWe have been deeply impacted by our work with Erie House.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving conversations about immigration and today\u2019s socio-political climate really grounded me at a real human level,\u201d he says. \u201cI can\u2019t thank [Erie House] enough for that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoesman began his career in the financial services industry before taking on a succession of senior roles in diversity and inclusion consulting firms.<\/p>\n
Over the past 8 years his team has grown into a global firm consisting of 10 core leaders who are able to address the complexity of issues around diversity and inclusion in the workplace. In addition, InQUEST has established a network of more than 75 trainers, consultants and subject matter experts to better meet the needs of its clients.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the things we\u2019re really proud of is we\u2019re not all subject matter experts in the same areas,\u201d he explains. \u201cOur skills are very nuanced, too, and our ability to specialize and have the team gain deeper subject area knowledge is important.\u201d<\/p>\n
Danata Andrews, operations and marketing manager at inQUEST, speaks highly of the diverse culture she has encountered in her 2 years with the firm. \u201cWe bring our whole self\u2014our experiences, our backgrounds\u2014and that helps us think about how we can serve our clients better,\u201d says Andrews.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything is really inclusive at inQUEST,\u201d she adds. \u201cWe don\u2019t just talk about it. We\u2019re constantly asking, \u2018How can we leverage [our diversity] both internally and externally?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
But for Hoesman, it\u2019s not enough to fill his team with diverse gifts and experiences\u2014as important as that is to the success of inQUEST. To be truly successful, the work must connect with something deep within. \u201cWe try to align folks in the firm with the things they\u2019re good at and that make their heart sing,\u201d says Hoesman. \u201cWhen that happens, we do amazing client work.\u201d<\/p>\n
Its work with Erie House reflects inQUEST\u2019s expanded commitment to the nonprofit sector. \u201cWe\u2019ve built our brand and our reputation in the corporate space,\u201d says Hoesman. \u201cThis really represented a significant core value for inQUEST. We need to be supporting nonprofits who are mission-aligned in terms of diversity equity and inclusion.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n“We try to align folks in the firm with the things they\u2019re good at and that make their heart sing. When that happens, we do amazing client work.”<\/h3>\n
\u2013 Scott Hoesman, inQUEST Consulting Founder and CEO<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
As he reflects on inQUEST\u2019s work with Erie House, Hoesman points to the relationships built throughout the process. \u201cWe view success as generating, building and sustaining mutually trusting relationships with our clients,\u201d he says. \u201cOur work isn\u2019t a one-size-fits-all, \u2018cookie cutter\u2019 solution. It was because we were having this partnership, dialogue and discussion that we were able to establish that level of trust. It takes more time, but it\u2019s worthwhile.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are so grateful for the many ways inQUEST has helped Erie House build a more inclusive culture for our staff and participants,\u201d says Erie House executive director Kirstin Chernawsky.<\/p>\n
She asked inQUEST to provide an all-staff training aimed at cultivating a more inclusive culture in 2016, invited them back for the diversity & inclusion council launch, and, more recently, the firm conducted a training for members of the agency\u2019s board of directors at their annual retreat.<\/p>\n
\u201cScott was in attendance at our awards dinner last year when we presented Allstate Insurance Company with our first ever Diversity & Inclusion Award, and we\u2019re overjoyed to be able to extend that honor to inQUEST Consulting this year,\u201d Chernawsky adds.<\/p>\n
In addition to inQUEST, honorees at the event include VistaNational Insurance Group, LLC (Corporate Impact Award) and John Burns Construction Company (Community Investment Award).<\/p>\n
This year, Erie House will also formalize an honor to recognize the strength, resilience and hope exhibited by one of its own community members. Pastora Ramirez and her son, Felix Garcia\u2014residents of Chicago\u2019s Little Village\/South Lawndale community who participate in the Proyecto Cu\u00eddate program at Erie House\u2014will receive the inaugural Future of Promise Award.<\/p>\n
The Future of Promise Awards Dinner is being chaired by Ronald G. Kaminski, chief executive officer of HBK Engineering, and will take place on Thursday, March 14, at Chicago\u2019s Radisson Blu Aqua (221 N Columbus Dr).<\/p>\n