Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill (SOM) is known around the world for its dramatic buildings, such as New York's towering One World Trade Center. But the architectural design firm knows its success is really built on its employees' talents...and their ability to create.
"My team is tasked with providing services and benefits to these individuals so that they can deliver what they do - these incredible ideas and designs - without needing to worry so much about How am I going to take care of my children?'" said SOM's Chief Human Resource Officer Suzanne Pennasilico in a recent presentation.
Suzanne said she didn't appreciate the full power of that support until she saw an employee grappling with college admissions while overseas.
Ame Englehart was one of the firm's many people spread around the world. Already managing a demanding job while single parenting two teenaged boys, Ame was now tasked with helping her boys apply to U.S. colleges from their home on the other side of the planet. How, she wondered, could she help them?
"My team is tasked with providing services and benefits to these individuals so that they can deliver what they do - these incredible ideas and designs - without needing to worry so much about How am I going to take care of my children?'" said SOM's Chief Human Resource Officer Suzanne Pennasilico in a recent presentation.
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Suzanne said she didn't appreciate the full power of that support until she saw an employee grappling with college admissions while overseas.
Ame Englehart was one of the firm's many people spread around the world. Already managing a demanding job while single parenting two teenaged boys, Ame was now tasked with helping her boys apply to U.S. colleges from their home on the other side of the planet. How, she wondered, could she help them?