Under the Hard Hat with Tiara Bastfield

At Clark, we are proud to be made up of individuals from a variety of backgrounds and talents. Our “Under the Hard Hat” series is designed to showcase the diverse people who make up the Clark team.

As part of Black History Month, we sat down with Clark team member Tiara Bastfield, a manager of Corporate Responsibility based out of the company’s McLean office. Tiara has contributed to the impact that our company has on the local community through her work on small business inclusion and community engagement initiatives. For Tiara, contributing to the impact Clark is making in the community – beyond physical structures – is what makes her role so special.

Tell us about where you grew up. 

I was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, before attending Bowie State University for my undergraduate degree. 

What do you do in your role at Clark within the Corporate Responsibility team, and what types of projects do you work on in your role?

I spent three years as part of Clark’s Communications team, focused on internal communications before transitioning into my new role in Corporate Responsibility.

My new role is focused on supporting the development and execution of the company’s strategic approach to small business and community engagement. 

One primary way I support the company’s small business goals is through my work with the Strategic Partnership Program (SPP). In my role, I focus on our efforts to attract prospective students and business leaders who can benefit the most from the program. I also work on our alumni programming, which provides educational resources, training, and networking opportunities. 

I also work closely with project teams to help keep neighbors informed about our construction progress and to allow neighbors to get to know our project teams. On the Metropolitan Park 6, 7, 8 project, this includes biweekly neighbor communications and our How It’s Built video series that provides a behind-the-scenes look at key trades and phases of construction.

How do you feel your work is having an impact on the company and the greater community?

In my role, I oversee campaigns like Martin Luther King Jr. Week of Service and youth engagement during Construction Inclusion Week, where we’ve seen positive impacts on the community. 

This year’s MLK Week of Service engaged over 700+ Clark team members volunteering over 2,030 hours of service at 70 organizations in 11 states across the country. 

Clark team members participated in 17 class visits in 10 cities across the country, interacting with nearly 350 students during Construction Inclusion Week last fall. The goal was to educate students on wide-ranging career opportunities available in construction and highlight the diversity of individuals in A/E/C roles.

Tell us about one of your most memorable projects.

The Metropolitan Park topping out was a stand-out event for me. There were more than 2,000 attendees, including craftworkers, project team members, Clark executives, company leaders and employees, local government officials, and other key stakeholders. Hundreds of family members of the craftworkers watched online, which was also really special. I was fortunate to be involved in preparations from the very beginning and in every element of ensuring the day was a success. 

What do you enjoy most about being involved with Corporate Responsibility?  

Contributing to the way that the company impacts communities beyond the physical structures we build makes this role special. For example, SPP plays a role in helping to level the playing field for small and diverse firms so they can thrive and take on larger-scale contracts. The growth of these firms permeates through communities. 

It has also been impactful in building out what it means for Clark to be a “good neighbor.” These activities can include helping project teams identify meaningful ways to support a neighborhood during construction or organizing a diverse group of Clark team members to visit a local elementary school and plant the seed for the next generation of engineers.   

Why is Black History Month important to you?

Black History is important 365 days of the year. Celebrations during this month are instances and opportunities for community building, education, inspiration, and current and future action.