On February 6, 2020, the Westin Galleria in Houston, Texas, was the site of a momentous occasion, not just for women in business and science, but for their supporters as well. At the Annual Luncheon and Board Induction for the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce (GHWCC), Houston community members received recognition for their efforts to make the worlds of business, science, technology, and other industries more open and welcoming to women. Among the many recipients of such prestigious awards was alliantgroup!

alliantgroup is the recipient of this year’s STEAM Advocate Award. The award is gifted to one person or group each year, and it serves as a “thank you” to that person or group’s dedication to empowering women in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics.  

There to accept the award on behalf of alliantgroup were CEO and co-founder Dhaval Jadav and Corporate Citizenship Director Casey Curry. They joined GHWCC representatives and young STEAM students to receive the engraved plaque.

In a congratulatory tweet, alliantgroup Corporate Citizenship team member Dorina Carrillo wrote, “I’m so proud to work at @alliantgroup, a company that is so committed to giving back to the #community and supporting #STEM education! Thanks @GHWCC for honoring us as the STEAM advocate of the year!”

The Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce (GHWCC) is a non-profit that gives a voice to women in business. Although the organization is based in Houston, its reach extends beyond the city, out past the state of Texas and beyond, by creating a network of strong, ambitious women building careers across various technical industries. And, with data showing that “women hold less than 30 percent of jobs in STEAM,” it’s more important than ever for women’s organizations to give a voice to their peers.

alliantgroup’s recognition comes from the company’s long history of supporting the STEAM community through philanthropy. Dhaval Jadav and COO and co-founder Shane T. Frank have both used their passions for charitable giving, particularly for Houston-area STEM education and research. 

In 2013, Shane T. Frank and his family’s charitable organization, the Frank Family Foundation, established an Endowed Presidential Scholarship for undergraduate students at the Cockrell School of Engineering. As an alum of the school and to honor his grandfather, he used the organization to fund the Leonard Eichner Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Engineering for one student each year. He continues to use the Foundation as a means of supporting STEM students in the greater Houston area.

Dhaval Jadav has also had a long history of philanthropy. Inspired by his father, an electrical engineer, Dhaval has turned his interests in technology and innovation outwards. And this is where it all comes back to alliantgroup.

It takes a village to build up a community. Dhaval and Shane have not been alone in their philanthropic efforts. Although alliantgroup is a tax consultancy, the organization continues to use its voice and power to encourage and uplift the STEM and STEAM communities in Houston and beyond. Through alliantgroup Gives Back, every employee can do their part to give back to the Houston community. One such initiative is the Blue Heart Fund, a scholarship program for young STEM professionals that offers high school students the opportunity to pursue their dreams. 

alliantgroup Gives Back also enables employees to get out into the community and make a difference through hands-on means. From back to school charity events to seminars about diversity in STEAM, alliantgroup has proven its dedication to a diverse, passionate, and empowered workforce!

In accepting the award from GHWCC, alliantgroup is not bookending these initiatives. The advocacy award is just the beginning. As alliantgroup continues to support innovation and diversity for STEAM through its Innovating America podcast and regular donations and volunteer opportunities, there are no plans to slow down!