Ken Kuwamura is the Director of Employee Relations for the Southern Region of Union Pacific and oversees the company’s Strategic Partnerships for the Talent Acquisition Team.

 

“For the last 20 years, I’ve been supporting organizations in need of engineers while also increasing their diversity – it’s central to the value I see in the Mission of BRDG.

 

I grew up in a single-parent home and was fortunate to have great mentors. It’s important for our first-time college students to know that while they may feel like pioneers, they do not have to feel alone. These first-through-college students may feel as if they don’t belong in any one particular world as they transition from their home life into a corporate environment, and that creates a lot of uncertainty.”

 

Ken holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Southwest Texas State University and two master’s degrees from Our Lady of the Lake University in Education and Management. He spent nine years with the Department of Defense as an Education Service Specialist for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army, and is the first civilian to receive the Navy Marine Achievement Medal. He also is the recipient of the Admirals Award for Civilian of the Year issued by the Department of Defense, 2000 – 2002.

 

Ken is committed to expanding the diversity population at Union Pacific and sees BRDG as playing a key role for corporations wanting to connect to under-served, and under-represented talent.

 

“The students BRDG serves are often invisible to the hiring activities of companies who would benefit greatly from their talent, work ethic, and creativity. It’s important that we therefore help all sides so companies have a way to engage diverse talent and students acquire the know-how to properly prepare for a successful career."

 

One of my favorite quotes is "never forget where you came from and always be there to help others.”