HAILEY, ID — Human Resources Manager Sumi Sankaran-Deal will lead POWER Engineers’ diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts as the Chair of the company’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee, executives recently announced.

“Sumi’s experience at POWER and her proven strategic planning skills make her a natural choice for this role,” said POWER CEO Jim Haynes. “Her experience, leadership, and passion will help POWER take the next step forward in making sure our company is a great place to work for everyone.”

Sankaran-Deal joined POWER in 2013 as a Corporate Training Manager. After establishing POWER University, the company’s accredited professional development and training program, she led the formation of the POWER Women’s Network, which fosters a welcoming environment for women and women-identifying professionals at POWER and in the energy industry. Sankaran-Deal was promoted to Senior Human Resources Manager earlier this year, overseeing POWER’s training and benefits departments.

“As a first-generation immigrant who understands what it means to be different and looking for ways to be ‘part of the gang,’ diversity and inclusion have been constant themes throughout my life, personally and professionally,” Sankaran-Deal said. “I’m honored to be the Chair of such an important committee and look forward to accomplishing great things with an amazing team.”

Recent events prompted company leadership to formalize POWER’s commitment to inclusion and belonging. The POWER Diversity & Inclusion Committee was formed in 2020 following the race-related civil unrest in Minneapolis, Kenosha, and other cities across the United States. The nine-member committee works to build a culture with respect, inclusion, and belonging at its core, where employees can reach their full potential and bring their full, authentic selves to work.

POWER Engineers is an engineering and environmental consulting firm specializing in integrated solutions for clients in the power delivery, power generation, food & beverage, government, renewables and storage, campus energy, and oil and gas industries. Founded in 1976, it is an employee-owned company with 45 offices and more than 2,900 employees across North America.