ATLANTA, GA — JE Dunn Construction announces the hiring of Mishaune Sawyer as its new Senior Manager of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the company’s east region. JE Dunn’s East Region encompasses offices in Atlanta, Charlotte, Charleston, Nashville, Raleigh, Savannah, and Tampa.

Sawyer brings more than 19 years of professional experience to the position along with a reputation and track record for her work across industries in the diversity, equity, and inclusion space.

In her new role, Sawyer will work directly with JE Dunn senior leadership to ensure Workplace, Workforce, and Marketplace initiatives are in alignment with the company’s overall Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) strategy. This includes the responsibility of facilitating inclusive business practices for women and minorities in construction projects, implementing initiatives that promote a diverse and inclusive culture, and participating in activities to attract diverse talent to JE Dunn.

Since the creation of the position in 2004, JE Dunn has launched initiatives such as the Minority Contractor Development Program, which Sawyer will continue to develop while having the opportunity to also develop new programs and initiatives and community and industry relationships.

“Diversity, equity, and inclusion help form the foundation of our business. We are excited to add Mishaune to our team, knowing her extensive background working with government entities and small businesses alike will bring immense value across our East Region,” said Dan Kaufman, Regional President of JE Dunn’s East Region.

Sawyer joins with experience as a Trial Lawyer, Urban Planner, Project Director for a former U.S. senator, and, most recently, General Counsel and Director of Projects for ERS Enterprises, Inc., where she worked as a DEI Consultant on numerous development projects in the Chicagoland Area. Sawyer served as the DEI consultant for the Barack Obama Foundation, the Chicago Transit Authority Redline Extension Project, and O’Hare Airport Project Management Team for O’Hare 21.

Through these roles she gained experience in coordinating with government agencies, community groups, and the public at large to work through competing interests. Over her career, she has spearheaded efforts to cultivate effective working relationships with various public and private individuals and community-based organizations.

“I am so excited to join such a dynamic group. I have worked hard to develop policies and strategies that create an environment for small and diverse businesses to build capacity and to be able to build a diverse workforce made up of as many people as possible from underserved communities," Sawyer said. "As a member of the Dunn team, I hope to continue to do that. I will continue to build on the great work that JE Dunn is doing and ensure that we continue to have a positive impact on every project and in every community in which we build."

The Atlanta native attended Emory University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts before attending DePaul University where she obtained her Juris Doctorate.