Spotlight on BLDR Founding Member Andrew Moore

As part of Black History Month, we are proud to feature Clark team member Andrew Moore, a Maryland native and project manager in the company’s preconstruction department in McLean, VA. As a founding member and the first co-chair of Clark’s Black Leadership + Development Resource group (BLDR), Andrew has worked to help foster a sense of community and connectivity among Black employees and support their growth, development, and success. Fueled by his love of people, Andrew enjoys bringing individuals together, mentoring others, and building a sense of belonging.

In 2020, the impacts of a global pandemic, tragic death of George Floyd, and other social injustices, delt a substantial blow. Like millions of Americans, Clark project manager Andrew Moore felt the weight of these events and how it tied to him as an individual. As he grappled with how to deal with the mental and emotional toll and stay engaged and productive at work, he reached out to another long-time friend and Clark colleague to share how he was feeling. It turns out, he wasn’t alone.

Those early casual conversations between friends quickly grew to include dozens of Black employees across the organization who also felt the heaviness of world events and needed a space to come together and have an honest dialogue about what they were experiencing. Over time, the group’s discussions evolved from personal introspection to more forward-looking conversations about what they, collectively, could do to effect change and create a connection point and sense of community among Clark’s Black employees. They aligned around a set of common goals:

• Attracting Black talent to the organization and supporting the growth and development of Black employees (personally and professionally)
• Supporting Black-owned businesses
• Supporting our communities through community services

As Clark’s I&D efforts took hold, and the company worked to develop the framework for its employee resource groups (enERGy), Andrew jumped at the opportunity to contribute and work alongside other Black employees to establish the foundation and mission for BLDR, the company’s Black Leadership + Development Resource group. When it came time to elect the group’s board, he leaned in further, assuming the role of BLDR co-chair where he shared responsibility for setting the group’s priorities and shepherding their progress and impact.

Over the last two years, Andrew has provided enthusiastic and focused leadership for BLDR, and worked hand-in-hand with fellow board members to support the group’s mission, expand its membership, recruit new Black talent, educate allies, coordinate development and service activities, and build a sense of community and belonging among Clark employees. His efforts have helped significantly expand BLDR’s membership and impact. He credits his involvement in his college fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity Inc., and other groups at Drexel University, for preparing him to help organize and lead people and initiatives.

Now at the end of his two-year term, Andrew reflects on the progress the group has made, and how the experience has helped shape him personally and professionally.

As You Reflect Back on Your Term With BLDR, What Are You Most Proud Of?

I’m most proud of the relationships and mentorship that have grown out of what we’re doing. Mentorship wasn’t originally a pillar of focus for our group, but it has become a growing priority.

In 2021, we looked at how we could get engaged with the company’s Summer Associate Program and create informal mentorship opportunities for college students exploring careers at Clark. We asked BLDR members with at least two years of experience to get involved. We paired BLDR members and summer associates together based on school, major, and other interests. Our group developed a process to check in and, ultimately, focused on creating an experience that could spark a relationship. That initiative has since evolved from one-on-one connections to groups of mentors and mentees coming together for special activities and to build connections. l really loved doing it.

A good majority of our Black summer associates have expressed that they are coming back to Clark because of that experience. I believe the interpersonal connections we made were important to their career experience and helped ensure they continue to grow with Clark.

Our next goal is to create a more formal mentorship program for Clark employees.

How Has Your Role with BLDR Evolved Over the Last Two Years?

My role has changed quite a bit over the last two years. Early in my term, I served as a connector, bringing people together. As BLDR took shape, my role expanded to organizer and planner. Now, I feel like I’ve transitioned into the role of mentor, which is perhaps the most rewarding. With my perspective and experiences, I can help the group plan for the future and determine where they can have the most impact.

How Has BLDR Progressed Over the Last Two Years?

I’m really proud of how professional, organized and influential our group has become. When I page through our annual Impact Report, I can see the effect we’ve had and the change we’ve made. We have worked hard to increase the visibility of the group, and to show the value and benefit of the group to members, and to the company. I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by a great board – people who are passionate about what we’re trying to accomplish, and willing to put in the work. They are the true reason behind our progress.

What is One of the Most Rewarding Aspects of Your Work with the Group?

I love people. I enjoy getting people together and helping them feel comfortable and fostering a sense of belonging. Expanding people’s perspectives and creating that welcoming space is something I’ve really enjoyed. If I had to summarize, it’s helping people feel good about themselves and do great work.

When You Think About BLDR’s Future, What Does Progress Look Like?

As a group, I want us to continue to support the development of future leaders at Clark, learn new skills, and grow our impact – both internally and within our industry. I look forward to a time when we can see diversity represented from the top to the bottom, and when we can show the rest of our industry, this is what a diverse company looks like and here are the benefits of it. The ideal future state is that we don’t need ERGs.

Outside of Your Role at Clark and BLDR, What Fuels You?

This really changes depending on my personal goals. Lately, I’ve been playing around with the idea of competitive body building. I also love to read and spend time with friends. When time allows, I also help coach a local high school step team, The Lady Raiders Step Squad.