NSCA, a not-for-profit association representing the commercial integration industry, announced a rebranding of Ignite 2.0, a committee focused on improving diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the integration industry called the NSCA DEI Action Council.

The Ignite 2.0 committee launched in summer 2020 and was born out of NSCA’s Ignite program, which informs, educates, and fosters recruitment possibilities for careers in the commercial electronics systems industry. 

While maintaining the recruiting elements of Ignite, Ignite 2.0 expanded to focus on societal injustices and inequities as well. Ignite 2.0 — now called the NSCA DEI Action Council — takes on an additional objective of providing members with the foresight and knowledge needed to instill inclusivity and diversity (and realize the business benefits of doing so).

“The name ‘NSCA DEI Action Council’ speaks directly to our objectives,” said NSCA Executive Director Tom LeBlanc, who is also NSCA’s DEI Action Council liaison. “There should be no ambiguity. The 10 councilmembers decided to rebrand to help us build awareness of DEI and maximize the impact of the resources we’re creating for integrators.”

The NSCA DEI Action Council aims to improve the integration industry’s diversity across age, gender, race, religion, identity, and experience.

“As companies scramble to remain relevant and viable, we need resources and advice on how to make sure all the doors to success are open,” said Bruce Kaufmann, president and CEO at Human Circuit and an NSCA DEI Action councilmember. “The DEI Action Council provides NSCA members with valuable information and resources to overcome potential obstacles to success.”

NSCA is also announcing a new Member Advisory Council partnership with livingHR, an agency that works with companies to build inclusive cultures, optimizing talent, and humanizing experiences. NSCA members can participate in tiered livingHR + NSCA Exclusive Partnership Solutions to take quantitative steps toward transforming diversity, equity, and inclusion as a critical part of their company cultures.

“Many large companies employ chief diversity officers to provide DEI checks and balances within their organizations, but most NSCA members aren’t likely to budget for that,” says Mike Abernathy, NSCA’s director of business resources. “Including livingHR as a new Business Accelerator is a substantive alternative that NSCA members can more reasonably afford.”

Councilmembers include:

• Mike Boettcher, New Era Technology, U.S. (NSCA board president)
• Kelly Perkins, Hall Technology
• Chris Turner, New Era Technology, U.S.
• Bruce Kaufmann, Human Circuit
• Amy Blackburn, Mood Media
• Joe Perez, ClearTech
• Akin Adewole, Verrex
• Mildred Ramos, Shen Milsom & Wilke LLC
• Luis Schilling, WeInstall.IT
• Khalil Williams, Design Electronics

Those interested in staying in the loop regarding NSCA DEI Action Council resources and discussion opportunities can sign up to join our DEI Action Council Community online.