Meet the ERG: Disability and Critical/Chronic Illness at SWCA with Kelsey Gonzales

Meet Kelsey Gonzales, an Associate Project Manager at our Denver office and Co-lead of the Disability and Critical/Chronic Illness employee resource group (DCCI ERG) alongside Anne Russell, the Principal Geospatial Sciences Program Lead for the Greater North region. Kelsey shares her priorities as DCCI ERG lead, her advice on allyship, a bit about her career, and what she enjoys outside of work.

Q: Please tell us about yourself and your career.

Kelsey Gonzales, Associate Project Manager

A: I’ve been with SWCA for five years now, starting out as a field biologist. After developing a chronic illness, I transitioned into project management, and it’s been a rewarding shift. These days, I’m managing an amazing team that helps one of our large oil and gas clients with natural resource surveys.

Q: What are your interests outside of work?

A: I’m an avid reader – fantasy novels are my go-to escape! I’m also a bit of a board game fanatic. I have over a hundred different games, so no matter the mood, there’s always something to play. My favorites are the more intense war games or ones that involve strategic patterns. It’s all about that competitive spirit! When I am not at home I prefer to be traveling. I have been to 5 continents and looking to hit them all!

Q: What does leading the Disability and Critical/Chronic Illness ERG mean to you, and how did you become involved with it?

A: My own diagnosis took two years, and when I learned about this group, I immediately felt a sense of belonging. It was the first time I found a community of people who really understood what I was going through. There are unique challenges that come with being part of this group in our everyday lives, so I got involved as a co-lead to be a voice for others. Sadly, there’s still a lot of stigma and misunderstanding, and I want to help make things easier for those who aren’t always able to speak up. It’s been an incredible experience that’s deepened my empathy for others on similar journeys.

Q: What are the goals and activities of the group?

A: We want to make sure people in our community feel seen, heard, and understood. This year, we’re focusing on creating more involvement, like advising on how to make our Gives Back events more accessible and enhancing safety procedures for employees with disabilities or critical/chronic illness. It’s important to remember that anyone can unexpectedly find themselves needing this kind of support, and we want to be ready for that.

Q: As OneSWCA, how can we work toward more unity, understanding, and positive beliefs about individuals with disabilities, critical illnesses, and chronic illnesses?

A: The best way is to stay open-minded. Disabilities impact more than one in four Americans, and we need to be willing to challenge old ways of thinking. Listen, adapt, and understand that people’s capabilities may change day-to-day. For instance, some days I can handle stairs just fine, while on other days, it’s a struggle.

Please remember: we can do our jobs just as well as anyone else!