HLW 2025 ESG Report

2025 ESG REPORT

INTRODUCTION

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY

LOOKING FORWARD

Message from HLW Leadership At HLW, ongoing self-reflection guides us as we question the norm, design with passion, and build what’s next. In an increasingly complex world, we understand that leading with empathy, care, and purpose is more vital than ever.

Our people are at the heart of all we do, and together we strive to make the world better. Through this report, we reaffirm our commitment to environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and ethical governance, while setting clear ambitions for the future.

It is our privilege to listen, learn, and act in ways that

positively shape generations to come.

2025 ESG Report /

GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

LOOKING FORWARD

INTRODUCTION

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

01/

02/

03/

04/

05/

Introduction: Purpose & Principles

Environmental Impact

Social Responsibility

Governance & Accountability

Looking Forward: Goals & Commitments

Contents

2025 ESG Report /

INTRODUCTION

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY

LOOKING FORWARD

01/

Introduction: Purpose & Principles

2025 ESG Report /

INTRODUCTION

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY

LOOKING FORWARD

Our ESG Framework:

Planet, People, Accountability Our ESG strategy serves as a roadmap for long-term value creation, reinforcing trust with stakeholders while identifying opportunities to address global challenges.

Environmental: Addressing climate risks, carbon emissions, energy efficiency, resource stewardship, and biodiversity.

Social: Fostering inclusion, diversity, equity, and wellbeing while supporting human rights and community engagement.

Governance: Emphasizing ethical leadership, diversity, business transparency, and risk management.

2025 ESG Report /

INTRODUCTION

HLW by the Numbers

A Snapshot of Progress

GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

GENERATIONAL REPRESENTATION: Millennials: 48%

Gen X 22%

Gen Z: 17%

LOOKING FORWARD

GENDER DISTRIBUTION: Baby Boomers: 13%

Female: 59%

Male: 41%

Non-binary: <1%

<1%

13%

Non-binary

Baby Boomers

At HLW, we are committed to fostering a workplace that reflects diversity, inclusion, and growth.

Our team is made up of individuals from a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, creating a dynamic and collaborative environment.

By focusing on career development and equitable opportunities, we strive to build a culture where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

This snapshot highlights our progress and underscores our dedication to supporting our people, celebrating their achievements, and driving meaningful change across our organization.

48% Millennials

17%

59%

Gen Z

Female

41% Male

22%

Gen X

ETHNIC DIVERSITY:

BLACK, INDIGENOUS, AND PEOPLE OF COLOR (BIPOC):

White: 146

Black or African American: 6

Asian: 49

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 2

Hispanic or Latino: 24

Two or more races: 3

3%

Black or African American

HLW

1% Two or more races

1%

Industry

BIPOC Firmwide

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islanders

38% 35%

10%

Hispanic or Latino

21% Asian

0

10

20

30

40

63% White

Sources: General LFRT Benchmarking Report 2024, AIA 2022 Report

2025 ESG Report /

INTRODUCTION

LANGUAGES:

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY

LOOKING FORWARD

LEADERSHIP: HLW

20+

Languages Spoken

Industry

BIPOC in Leadership

INCREASE

Arabic - Cantonese - English - Farsi - Filipino - French - Gujarat Hebrew - Hindi - Hungarian - Italian - Japanese - Korean Mandarin - Polish - Punjabi - Russian - Spanish - Tagalog

in the racial & ethnic diversity of HLW leadership team.

21% 18% 0

5

10

15

20

25

Female Leadership

TENURE:

59% 47%

100+

Employees with 5+ years at HLW

120+

Institutions represented by alumni

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

HIRING:

55%

of new hires are minorities

64%

of all new hires are female

Sources: General LFRT Benchmarking Report 2024, AIA 2022 Report

2025 ESG Report /

INTRODUCTION

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY

LOOKING FORWARD

02/

Environmental Impact

2025 ESG Report /

INTRODUCTION

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY

LOOKING FORWARD

Environmental Stewardship:

Where we are & where we’re headed At HLW, we are dedicated to creating a sustainable future through thoughtful design and measurable action. By prioritizing decarbonization, reduction of waste, and transition to the use of healthier materials, we are making significant strides toward minimizing our environmental impact.

Our efforts focus on improving material health, eliminating harmful chemicals, and tracking performance metrics to ensure continuous progress.

Through firm-wide initiatives and enhanced environmental literacy, we are fostering a culture of accountability and innovation, thereby driving positive change across all our projects and practices.

2025 ESG Report /

INTRODUCTION

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY

LOOKING FORWARD

Our Commitments: Healthy Materials Pledge: Transition to materials that positively impact human and environmental health.

HLW is committed to selecting materials that support human health, social equity, ecosystem preservation, and climate resilience. As part of the AIA Materials Pledge, our BEYOND and Materials Technology teams track material health and sustainability certifications to better understand and reduce environmental and health impacts. Firm-wide, we are phasing out harmful chemical groups from our specifications to create healthier, safer spaces, advancing our commitment to a more sustainable and equitable built environment.

AIA 2030 Pledge: HLW is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.

The AIA 2030 Commitment is a voluntary initiative by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) that guides architecture firms toward achieving carbon-neutral buildings by the year 2030. Launched in response to the 2030 Challenge issued by Architecture 2030, this program provides a framework for firms to integrate sustainable design strategies into their practice. Participants commit to developing multi-year action plans, setting specific performance targets, and annually reporting their progress toward reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in their projects.

By joining the AIA 2030 Commitment, firms publicly demonstrate their dedication to mitigating climate change through responsible design and construction practices.

Architects Declare Climate Emergency: Address climate impacts across all projects.

HLW has joined Architects Declare Climate Emergency, a global initiative uniting architectural practices to address the climate and biodiversity crises through sustainable and regenerative design. As part of this commitment, HLW is actively working to reduce the climate impact of our projects by aligning with the Architecture 2030 Challenge and AIA 2030 Commitment. Our BEYOND team tracks annual energy performance data across all projects, helping us measure progress and identify opportunities for improvement. With a firm-wide focus on reducing carbon emissions, HLW is dedicated to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.

2025 ESG Report /

INTRODUCTION

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY

LOOKING FORWARD

Our Actions: Conducted annual, comprehensive Waste Audits Our internal waste audit is a hands-on initiative to evaluate how effectively we manage the waste we produce in a single day.

By examining the garbage, we aim to assess if materials are being disposed of properly, determine the daily volume of waste, and develop actionable strategies to reduce it. The audit focuses on identifying recyclable materials in the trash, trash in recycling bins, and organic waste in both streams. It also sheds light on patterns of recycling errors, contamination issues, and highlights offices excelling in recycling practices. This process is a critical step in addressing root causes and fostering a more sustainable workplace.

Updated our Sustainability Action Plan (SAP) In 2024, as an opportunity to evaluate and educate, enhancing the efficiency of our collaborative process and thereby better defining our firmwide strategy for achieving our goals.

Our plan provides a framework to integrate sustainable and equitable practices across all projects. The SAP focuses on key areas, including equipping design teams with tools to assess impacts early, tracking annual sustainability performance, enhancing environmental literacy through training, and prioritizing materials that benefit human and environmental health. Through these efforts, HLW ensures its services address critical environmental and social impacts.

Eliminated harmful chemicals from specifications, ensuring safer spaces HLW is committed to creating safer, healthier, and more sustainable spaces by eliminating harmful chemicals from our specifications.

Through our dedication to the WELL Health-Safety Certification, we prioritize materials and products that support human health and environmental well-being. We have already eliminated the use of PVC’s as much as possible on all of our projects. Our various office material libraries are reflecting this ban and other chemical avoidance protocols.

By considering the entire product life cycle—from design and manufacturing to use, reuse, and disposal—we ensure our projects promote healthier indoor environments. As part of this commitment, we aim to generate at least 50% of total sales or revenues from products with positive environmental attributes and social impact.

Annual tracking and analysis of energy performance data Tracked energy performance data annually for HLW designed projects, ensuring alignment with the AIA 2030 energy reduction targets.

2025 ESG Report /

INTRODUCTION

Our Impact:

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Prioritized sustainable materials and tracked certifications for environmental and health benefits.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Enhanced environmental literacy through firm-wide training programs.

GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY

LOOKING FORWARD

Firm-wide elimination of harmful chemical groups from material specifications.

2025 ESG Report /

INTRODUCTION

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY

LOOKING FORWARD

03/

Social Responsibility

2025 ESG Report /

INTRODUCTION

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY

LOOKING FORWARD

Social Impact:

Empowering People & Communities At HLW, our people are our greatest asset.

Their diverse experiences, talents, and perspectives shape our culture, reputation, and success. We are committed to fostering a welcoming, supportive, and collaborative environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered.

We also deeply value the communities where we live and work. Guided by the principle of “paying it forward by giving back,” we strive to make meaningful decisions that drive positive change. By dedicating our time and resources, we aim to inspire impact and advocate for the communities we serve.

2025 ESG Report /

INTRODUCTION

Internal Initiatives Our internal commitment focuses on hiring, retaining, and promoting racially and ethnically diverse employees with a goal of representation at all levels, including senior leadership. We strive to create a culture of inclusion where every individual feels a sense of belonging and their unique contributions are recognized and appreciated. By cultivating an environment that prioritizes equity and opportunity, we enable our people to thrive and achieve success in their careers. Here are some ways HLW demonstrates a commitment to our people-first values:

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Safe Spaces Campaign: • HLW offices are explicitly inclusive environments for all identities.

Wellness Initiatives: • Mental health programs (resources, tools, and support), including awareness campaigns in May and October.

• Comprehensive physical health and wellness programs, including social and cultural activities and events.

Global DEI Calendar: • Celebrating diverse cultural holidays, initiatives, and campaigns.

GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY

LOOKING FORWARD

Policy Frameworks for HLW Employees: • • • • • •

Equal Employment Opportunity Gender Pay Equity Prevention of Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Maintaining a Violence-Free Workplace Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct Reasonable Accommodations and Interactive Dialogue Process • Flexible Hybrid Workplace to Support Diverse Needs • “HLW Days” (paid time off from work for volunteering, mental health, personal, or religious observances)

Professional Development An investment in our team members through: • Unconscious Bias & Microaggressions Training • Cybersecurity Training • Sexual Harassment Training

2025 ESG Report /

INTRODUCTION

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY

LOOKING FORWARD

Mentoring Program Our mentoring program plays a vital role in fostering professional growth and strengthening connections across our teams.

Leadership engagement is particularly notable, with those at the Principal level and above playing an active role in guiding and supporting their colleagues. Our mentors bring a diverse range of experiences, from long-standing team members with deep institutional knowledge to those contributing new perspectives.

⅓

of staff participate in the mentoring program

LEADERSHIP MENTOR PARTICIPATION:

55% Leadership Participation

DISTRIBUTION OF MENTOR TENURE: >10 years at HLW

3-5 years at HLW

38% 30%

Sources: General LFRT Benchmarking Report 2024, AIA 2022 Report

2025 ESG Report /

INTRODUCTION

External Engagement Our external commitment centers on building and nurturing meaningful relationships, both new and longstanding. By approaching every interaction with kindness and empathy, we aim to foster a culture of inclusion- one where communities gain increased resources, support, and greater access to opportunities within the industry. Here are some of the ways HLW demonstrates its commitment to community values:

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Philanthropy: Community Partnerships: HLW partners year-round with five local nonprofits and communitybased organizations across six states and two countries. These organizations focus on supporting traditionally underrepresented or underserved populations. These partnerships are cultivated through meaningful and engaging activities that foster lasting relationships and community impact. HLW donates to these organizations and staff participates in their events throughout the year.

Employee Volunteering: HLW is dedicated to giving back by encouraging and supporting employee volunteering efforts. These activities strengthen communities and address critical needs.

GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY

LOOKING FORWARD

Some examples of HLW employee volunteering include: • Mentoring youth through various on-site and external engagements • Donating needed goods to the elderly • Stocking food banks • Environmental restoration Volunteering reflects our commitment to investing in our communities and making a measurable difference.

CANstruction: For 22 consecutive years, HLW has participated in CANstruction, a creative initiative that brings teams together to design and build structures made entirely from canned goods, which are then donated to fight hunger.

• NY CANstruction supports City Harvest • NJ CANstruction supports the Community Food Bank of NJ

2025 ESG Report /

INTRODUCTION

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Organizations HLW Proudly Supports Include:

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY

LOOKING FORWARD

Diversity in the Industry: • Providing diverse, on-site and virtual mentorship experiences to underrepresented groups in architecture, design, and other professional fields through summer internships and collaborative partnerships.

– Partner with NYC-based programs like Ladders for Leaders (offered through the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development).

• Rainbow Level sponsor of Build Out Alliance, demonstrating our commitment to supporting gender diversity within our workforce, the industry, and the communities we serve.

– Hosted a multi-firm panel event in July 2024 focused on “Building Inclusivity: LGBTQ+ Mental Health in the Workplace”.

• Member of NOMA (National Organization for Minority Architects) as a President’s Circle Level Supporter, with a goal to annually host a NOMA fellow on site for a summer internship.

• Enhancing our CMS supplier diversity program within Dynamics by strengthening partnerships, conducting thorough research, and developing a robust internal MWBE directory.

2025 ESG Report /

INTRODUCTION

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY

LOOKING FORWARD

04/

Governance & Accountability

2025 ESG Report /

INTRODUCTION

Governance & Accountability:

Ethics & Accountability In pursuit of our mission, HLW is dedicated to delivering design and innovation that lead the industry. This ongoing evolution includes a heightened awareness of the societal and environmental impacts of our work, driving us to implement tangible actions and commitments to address them. At HLW, we strive to create spaces that not only achieve our clients’ business objectives but also make a positive impact on people and the planet.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

JUST Label: We are proud to be a two-time recipient of the JUST Label.

The JUST label, developed by the International Living Future Institute, is a voluntary disclosure tool that evaluates an organization’s performance in the following, six key areas—Diversity & Inclusion, Equity, Employee Health, Employee Benefits, Stewardship, and Purchasing & Supply Chain. Renewed every two years, the JUST Label recognizes HLW’s deep commitment to ongoing self-reflection, assessment, learning, and collaboration to continually improve our practices, always guided by the “why” and the “how.”

GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY

LOOKING FORWARD

Supplier Diversity: Partner with MWBE consultants, vendors, and small businesses, ensuring support, expertise, and alignment with HLW values.

HLW is committed to equitable, local, economic, and community development by procuring products and services from small, local independent businesses. HLW is leaning into our purchasing power to stimulate local economic development, create local employment, redistribute wealth, and to build thriving communities. HLW has an unwavering commitment to furthering opportunities for historically marginalized communities in the AEC (Architecture, Engineering & Construction) industry. By focusing on creating opportunities for all, we foster a culture that celebrates inclusion.

Our selection process for MWBE partners is guided by three core principles: expertise, experience, and engagement. We prioritize consultants, vendors, and small businesses with outstanding skills, relevant project experience, and a collaborative approach. Additionally, we seek partners who demonstrate a strong commitment to clients and share our values of sustainability and innovation, ensuring seamless and impactful project execution.

2025 ESG Report /

INTRODUCTION

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

SA8000 Compliance: Ethical labor practices embedded in our supply chain.

Animal rights: Advocating for animal compassion and responsible practices.

HLW integrates SA8000 standards to ensure fair and ethical labor practices throughout our supply chain. These standards prioritize workers’ rights, safe working conditions, and fair treatment, reflecting our commitment to social accountability. By partnering with suppliers who share these values, we promote dignity, respect, and equality in every aspect of our operations.

HLW is dedicated to animal welfare and compassionate treatment, emphasizing the prevention of harm, abuse, and exploitation of animals. The firm upholds policies such as avoiding participation in animal testing, experimentation, and factory farming, and only contracts with food suppliers that offer certified humane animal products. HLW promotes plant-based catering, ensuring at least 50% of their menu is plant-based, and does not procure animaltested supplies.

GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY

LOOKING FORWARD

Progress in Promotions & Retention HLW has made significant strides in promoting diversity and inclusion within the firm, particularly in the areas of promotions and retention.

Between 2022 and 2024, minority promotions more than doubled, and female promotions saw a notable rise. Additionally, HLW’s retention efforts have proven successful, with a high percentage of new hires representing both minorities and women, underscoring the firm’s ongoing dedication to diversity at all levels.

MINORITY

FEMALE

promotions have doubled over the past two years, increasing from 22% in 2022 to 44% in 2024.

promotions saw a significant 17% increase, jumping from 58% in 2023 to 75% in 2024.

44% 22%

75% 58%

2022

2024

2023

2024

Sources: General LFRT Benchmarking Report 2024, AIA 2022 Report

2025 ESG Report /

INTRODUCTION

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY

LOOKING FORWARD

05/

Looking Forward

2025 ESG Report /

INTRODUCTION

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY

LOOKING FORWARD

Looking Forward:

Our Goals for 2025 & Beyond At HLW, we remain focused on creating a lasting, positive impact through our environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives. As we look toward 2025 and beyond, we are setting ambitious goals to drive meaningful progress—reducing energy use, minimizing waste, enhancing employee engagement, fostering diversity, and strengthening leadership transparency.

These commitments reflect our dedication to building a more sustainable, inclusive, and accountable future.

Environmental

Social

Governance

• Leverage data-driven decision-making to systematically and strategically work toward achieving carbon neutrality across all project work by 2030.

• Embrace our people-first values and strengthen our commitment to fostering a culture of safety and inclusion in every aspect.

• Develop diverse leadership teams and governance structures that reflect equitable representation, while ensuring accountability for ESG commitments at all organizational levels.

• Implement firm-wide inclusive education and training programs to deepen our expertise in sustainable design and deliver best practices and solutions to our clients.

• Drive meaningful impact in the communities we serve by prioritizing the elimination of harmful materials in the products we select.

• Uphold our sustainability values by staying true to our commitments and leading by example.

• Increase employee engagement to boost productivity, improve morale, enhance retention, and foster a more collaborative and innovative work environment.

• Enhance our support for communities by expanding our MWBE directory, enabling us to allocate a larger share of work to diverse consultants, vendors, and small businesses.

• Deepen our advocacy and commitment to Global Philanthropy, striving to be a catalyst for positive change in the communities where we live and work.

• Implement robust systems for monitoring, reporting, and improving ESG performance, ensuring continuous improvement and compliance with global sustainability benchmarks.

• Lean into transparent governance practices that prioritize accountability, integrity, and adherence to regulatory standards in all of our work.

• Create increased mechanisms for inclusive engagement with clients, communities, and stakeholders to ensure alignment with sustainability and social impact goals.

2025 ESG Report /

INTRODUCTION

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY

LOOKING FORWARD

Our Call to Action At HLW, ESG is more than a report—it’s a testament to our values and vision. As architects, designer and stewards of the built environment, we hold the power to create spaces that inspire, sustain, and uplift communities.

Now is the time to take action. Together, we can push the boundaries of innovation, champion equity and inclusion, and design a future that prioritizes the health of our planet and the wellbeing of generations to come. Join us on this journey to build a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient world—one project at a time.

For additional information or to contact us, please visit www.hlw.com

2025 ESG Report /

CONTENTS PAGE

WEBSITE

www.hlw.com

OFFICES New York, HLW International LLP California, HLW International LLP Chicago, HLW International LLP Connecticut, HLW Architecture Connecticut LLC Florida, HLW International LLP London, HLW International Ltd New Jersey, HLW Architecture LLC San Francisco, HLW International LLP

Our work tells

your story