2025-2026 DEI Committee Highlight

ASHRAE Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is a committee dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment for all members of our community, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, physical appearance, thought styles, religion, nationality, socioeconomic status, belief systems, sexual orientation, or education. Through our events, we celebrate the diversity of our members by highlighting different cultures in casual settings that promote networking with industry professionals and build meaningful connections.

Faces of DEI

Kharma Garcia – ASHRAE Puget Sound DEI Chair

Kharma is a Mechanical Designer at Hargis Engineers, Inc. with a focus on HVAC and plumbing design for K-12 schools and retail facilities. She has been a member of ASHRAE since 2022, originally as a member of the San Joaquin chapter and previously serving as President of the CSU Fresno ASHRAE Student Chapter. As an Asian Mexican American woman in engineering, she’s a passionate advocate for equity among engineers of all backgrounds and for celebrating diversity within the building infrastructure industry. In addition to serving as ASHRAE DEI Chair, she volunteers locally as an ACE Mentor and is a member of the A4LE DEI Committee.

Vi Troung – ASHRAE Puget Sound DEI Committee Member

Vi Troung – ASHRAE Puget Sound DEI Committee Member
Vi is a Graduate Mechanical Engineer at Buro Happold, specializing in bespoke HVAC consulting that delivers people-centered, sustainable building solutions. She is passionate about creating systems that enhance the way people live and contribute to the future of sustainable buildings. Vi is an active member of ASHRAE’s YEA and DEI committees and was an integral part of organizing the ASHRAExWIC Blueprints and Brushstrokes event that took place in March.

Leslie Garcia – ASHRAE Puget Sound DEI Committee Member


Leslie is a Mechanical Designer at Hargis Engineers, Inc. where she designs HVAC and plumbing systems for TI and turnkey retail spaces. She is relatively new to the ASHRAE community and is excited to contribute to our DEI events and initiatives! She also volunteers for the orchestra of her alma mater in her spare time.

A Recap of this Year’s Events!

Dia de los Muertos Celebration
Dia de los Muertos is a joyful celebration of life held on November 1st and 2nd in honor and remembrance of deceased loved ones. During this time, families come together to build alters to welcome the spirits of their loved ones, decorate their homes with marigolds, enjoy pan de muerto, and paint their faces to portray colorful skeleton skulls. ASHRAE hosted a celebration of this holiday at La Llorona Taqueria Mexicana where attendees enjoyed tamales, a taco bar, and margaritas while coloring skeleton masks. Facts about the holiday were placed throughout the venue so guests could learn about the traditions while socializing in the candlelight.

Lunar New Year Celebration
Our community came together for another cultural celebration in February at Jade Garden in the International District to celebrate the Lunar New Year and welcome the Year of the Horse! While Lunar New Year is observed in many countries, the traditions often center around gathering with loved ones and cultivating positive energy for the coming year, which is exactly what we did! A variety of dim sum and family style dishes were served while attendees were decorated hand fans around Lazy Susan tables. On their way out, guests took photos with the backdrop and received red envelopes (hongbaos) as a wish of good luck in the new year.

Blueprints and Brushstrokes WIC Panel
In celebration of Women in Construction week, we gathered for a paint and sip event alongside an inspiring panel of local industry leaders! To represent the wide range of roles within the construction industry, the panel included a contractor, mechanical consulting engineer, owner’s representative, architect, and mechanical manufacturer’s sales representative. This event was our largest turnout of the year due to it being open to women of all backgrounds, not just ASHRAE members. Attendees took home their artwork along with valuable career advice and insights from the panelists’ experiences.