Inclusion Matters at Matrix

At Matrix Service Company, we take diversity and inclusion seriously. That’s why we were honored by our recent recognition at the 2020 Women on Boards: National Conversation on Board Diversity for the gender-diverse composition of our board of directors.

Women on Boards is a global education and advocacy campaign committed to building public awareness and momentum toward achieving at least 20% of all public board seats held by women by the end of the year.

Being the best means having the best people. In an always-changing business environment, the diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences of our workforce is a critical competitive advantage. The research is clear: diverse companies almost always outperform their less-diverse rivals. Gender diverse leadership, in particular, gives businesses a distinct competitive advantage.

Twenty-nine percent of our Matrix Service Company’s board of directors is composed of women. Martha Z. Carnes was appointed to the seven-member board of directors in 2017, and Liane K. Hinrichs was appointed in 2018.

“Just as diversity in thought and experiences drives ideas and innovation across our organization, it drives ideas and innovation on our Board,” said Matrix Service Company President and CEO John Hewitt. “The talents and experience of Matha Carnes and Liane Hinrichs — both highly qualified directors — has made us a richer, stronger organization.”

A Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

For Matrix Service Company, building a culture of diversity and inclusion means ensuring equality regardless of ability, gender, race, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. When we value each other’s differences and encourage every voice to be heard, we are a stronger and more competitive company. 

That is why Matrix Service Company makes a concerted effort to embed diversity and inclusion into every level of our organization. This effort includes: 

  • Forming an Inclusion and Diversity committee comprised of leaders and employees from across the company
  • Company-wide training focused on inclusive practices and unconscious bias
  • Evaluating recruiting and employment practices to ensure we are attracting and engaging an increasingly diverse workforce
  • Reviewing operational practices to encourage our suppliers and subcontractors to advocate for diversity

Matrix Service Company has been recognized for our diversity and inclusion efforts before — as a Great Place to Work-Certified organization, as a Family Positive Workplace, and as a 2019 Mosaic Top Inclusive Workplace by the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce. Last year, Hewitt took Matrix Service Company’s commitment to include a step further when he signed the CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion™ pledge to advance inclusion and diversity in the workplace. 

“Creating an environment that truly values the differences we each bring to the table isn’t just the right thing to do,” he said. “It fuels innovation, enriches our individual and collective experiences, and drives our success. We are committed to ensuring our workplace is one where employees can openly address challenges, present opportunities, and share perspectives.”

Find out more about our commitment to diversity here.