Greater Raleigh Chamber Blog

By Spencer Lazzari
​VP of Operations
Proforma BrandCentric Solutions

The Raleigh Chamber YPN recently went to a soccer match between the North Carolina Courage and the Houston Dash. Although the home team had a great win, that was not the only win for the night. Young professionals from around the area (and even beyond) gathered on the Party Deck of WakeMed Soccer Park. Members talked soccer, swapped cards, and mingled freely. Conversation topics ranged from the classic “what do you do,” to discussing Girl Scout cookie availability. First-time attendees meshed well with YPN veterans, proving that the Raleigh Chamber YPN continues to attract those who are true professionals, want to grow, and, most importantly, want to expand their network. Be sure to check out our next event, and seize the opportunity to be a part of this incredible group. 

By Jovane Henry, communications intern

Sepi Saidi is always building – be it a construction project, a business relationship, or a new goal.  
 
The successful (and personable) entrepreneur, who started the now award-winning SEPI Engineering and Construction business in her home’s bonus room in 2001, shared her journey and insight with Chamber members at our Coffee with Leaders event on Sept. 5.
 
SEPI, Inc. provides an expansive portfolio of services, including civil, construction, traffic, and water engineering, asset management and maintenance, geomatics, and landscape architecture. 
 
Saidi chronicled her journey from Iran – where she grew up surrounded by strong professional women who championed education and financial independence – to North Carolina, where she faced challenges finding commonality with her mostly male fellow engineers. 
 
Her solution? Focus on building.
 
“I had to consciously work to find our common points and build a relationship with my cohorts,” she explained.  “I became curious about their likes and lives, and from there, it got easier.”
 
Saidi shared her expertise and answered questions on a range of topics such as hiring talent, finding a family/work balance, learning to delegate, equality for women in business, harassment in the workplace, and the importance of connection. 
 
“Every time you meet a person, it’s like adding $100 to your personal capital,” she said. “Focus on those connections not for status, but for purpose, and you’ll be able to build bridges that bring value to both your life and business.” 
 
She also encouraged business owners to step outside the walls of their company and enhance their interaction in the communities they call home.
 
“Get out of the box,” she challenged. “Join boards and committees, and get your face out there – not only does it help the community, it also helps you build and cultivate relationships. There’s always a connection to be made.”
 
With award-winning recognition on lists for Inc. 5000, Inc. Magazine, the Zweig Group, a designation as one of the Top 500 Design Firms for the Engineering News-Record (all multiple years running), and the distinction of being named Triangle Business Journal’s 2018 Businessperson of the Year, one might think Saidi is content with her accomplishments. 
 
They’d be wrong.
 
Armed with passion, vision, and a desire to push her potential to the limit, she’s just getting started. There’s much more, she says, to build.
 
“Whatever you want to do, the most important ingredient is to be excited about what you’re doing,” she advised. “Expect more from yourself and from your team- there’s always a higher bar to be reached.” 
 
We want to thank Saidi for sharing her story and perspectives with us. If you want to see more of our conversation with her, check our Coffee with Leaders series hashtag on Twitter, #ChamberCoffee.
 
Our next Coffee with Leaders will be on Friday, Nov. 15, where we will host Kristen Hess, president, CEO, and business development leader of HH Architecture. Last year, AIA Triangle named her company Architecture Firm of the Year. 
 
We hope to see you there!

By Felicia Woodard
Market Manager for Greater North Carolina Market, Business Banking
Bank of America
 
Discussing tough topics was the goal achieved at the recent Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity Conference hosted by the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
 
Nearly 600 registered to attend the Aug. 9 event at the Raleigh Convention Center where they learned tangible ways of advancing DEI in the workplace and marketplace.
 
Dr. Joanna Schwartz, a transgender marketing professor at Georgia College, kicked off the conference discussing ways to ensure genuine meaning is conveyed. “More than sixty percent of us spend a majority of our time and energy trying to blend in – and that number is even higher for LGBT individuals and people of color,” she shared. Her topic “What is DNA Anyway?” challenged the audience to go beyond having enough people in the room and to give power to voices that have something to offer.
 
Lauren Hood, a diversity and inclusion executive with Bank of America, moderated a “courageous conversation” designed to deepen understanding of these issues. It was a powerful moment to experience how all participants committed to the topic by being open and honest. This courageous conversation helped all participants challenge our own bias.
 
I am so fortunate to work for a company where the words diversity, equity and inclusion are real. This isn’t just the theme of the day or year for us… it is how we do business. At Bank of America, we recognize the potential of every employee by actively encouraging a diverse and inclusive workplace — in thought, style, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, disability, culture and experience.
 
Being a diverse and inclusive company makes us strong and is essential to our ability to meet the needs of our clients, communities and employees. For all of us in the business community, focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion will strengthen our businesses as well as our region.
 
Bank of America Merrill Lynch was proud to partner with the Raleigh Chamber on this important event. These values align with our vision, and we are committed to moving these principles forward in the Triangle.