Huber's People-First Approach to Workplace Inclusion and Belonging

This Next Practices Weekly session spotlighted how Huber Engineered Woods builds an inclusive and enduring workplace culture rooted in values and belonging. Alyssa Mastors, Vice President of Human Resources & Ethics Officer, and Matt Minchew, Culture and Inclusion Program Leader, shared the company’s long-standing commitment to equity, tracing back to the 1920s, and their modern strategies to operationalize inclusion across varied workforce segments.

Cohosts Eric Davis and Amber Burton guided the discussion, which emphasized Huber’s employee-centric practices—from localized DEI programming to employee resource groups (ERGs), robust listening mechanisms, and values-driven leadership. The conversation underscored how consistent principles and community-focused engagement drive long-term business success.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Localizing Inclusion to Meet Diverse Workforce Needs: Huber tailors DEI experiences to individual locations, ensuring programs are relevant, relatable, and community-centered, driving engagement and breaking down barriers.
• Sustaining High ERG Engagement: With 11 active ERGs, including a decade-strong women’s group—Huber fosters belonging by empowering employees with resources, executive sponsorship, and flexibility to lead initiatives during the workday.
• People-First Culture Anchored in History and Values: Huber’s culture has deep roots in fairness and community uplift, exemplified by their early 20th-century commitment to racial equity in housing and pay, principles still guiding their actions today.
• Data-Driven DEI with Empathy and Trust: Huber collects high-quality feedback through anonymous paper surveys and adapts programs based on local insights, building psychological safety and credibility.
• Crisis-Ready and Community-Minded Programs: Whether through natural disaster responses or community outreach via Huber Helps, the organization blends operational readiness with a human-first approach.

Resources Shared:

• DE&I in 2025: How Organizations Are Making DE&I Decisions (Member Exclusive): Access the executive brief.

To ensure open discussion, the event was exclusively for HR practitioners. Vendors and consultants were not permitted to attend.