Southeast Queens business and community leaders joined Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers in honoring Kimberly Hardy, the M/WBE director for the New Terminal One at JFK International Airport.
Hardy served as the honoree for the 2021 JFK Rotary Annual Ladies Golf Outing and Day Spa with proceeds going to her selected charities, LIFE Camp Inc. and the Aviation High School Education Foundation.
“The last 15 months have certainly been challenging for the aviation industry and businesses of all shapes and sizes. That is why the JFK Rotary Club remains committed to the aviation community,” said Nancy Vargas, president of the JFK Rotary Board. “The board members of the JFK Rotary Club decided to move forward with their annual Ladies Golf Outing and are proud to host this charitable event that will touch the lives of those within our surrounding communities at JFK. As a result, it was a natural decision to honor Ms. Kimberly Hardy because of her dedication to the diversity and inclusion management of the New Terminal One Project. Ms. Hardy is a dedicated leader in her industry, and we are proud to donate proceeds to her charity of choice, Life Camp.”
Hardy is responsible for ensuring that diversity, equity and inclusion remain business-critical priorities for the New Terminal One project and is well regarded in the community for her inspirational and engaging leadership.
Hardy developed her knowledge in diversity and inclusion by working with government entities at federal, state and local levels, developers, contractors, financial institutions and community groups during all construction stages to improve their diversity and inclusion metrics.
“We are delivering one of the most important infrastructure projects across the globe at the New Terminal One at JFK International Airport. To that end, we are committed to driving innovation, excellence and diversity and inclusion,” said Dr. Gerrard P. Bushnell, executive chair of The New Terminal One Development at JFK. “We are fortunate to have Kim Hardy managing diversity and inclusion for The New Terminal One. Even during our most challenging times navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, Kim has ensured that The New Terminal One is a business where our DNA reflects the importance of building partnerships embracing and reflecting the diversity of the JFK-area community.”
South Jamaica-based LIFE Camp provides youth and families that have been impacted by violence the valuable tools they need to stay in school and out of the criminal justice system. They provide programs and other holistic approaches to reinforce self-esteem and respect for life among one another and also connect and mobilize youth to prevent and heal from violence in New York City’s most underserved communities.
“We here at LIFE Camp extend our thanks to Kimberly Hardy, the JFK Rotary Club and the New Terminal One at JFK for supporting our organization’s work on the ground,” LIFE Camp founder Erica Ford said. “We are committed to working closely with our partners and the community not only on violence intervention programs but also job development and training for employment opportunities with the JFK redevelopment.”
Brooks-Powers presented Hardy with citations and proclamations from several elected officials representing southeast Queens for her work on the multibillion-dollar project.
“I am honored to receive this award and to be recognized by the JFK Rotary Club for our diversity and inclusion work on The New Terminal One at JFK redevelopment project,” Hardy said. “At the New Terminal One at JFK, we are looking for our partners to be strategic and innovative in how they work with MWBE and LBE firms to build capacity, grow and employ a diverse workforce. This expectation extends to all segments of our project: finance, design and construction, operations and commercial activity. These commitments permeate everything we do as we drive innovation and performance at The New Terminal One at JFK and deliver a world-class terminal.”
