This award recognizes an Employee Resource Group (ERG) chapter that has been established within the last two years – the ERG can have existed longer than that but the chapter must be new. This award recognizes a new chapter that has made a bold impact at their company in their first few years—consider chapters that have started around the globe.
View Corporate Advocate of the Year Finalists View ERG Legacy Finalists
View Ally Changemaker Finalists View Workplace Excellence Finalists
EA Pride/Austin Pride – EA
Founded – 2017
HIGHLIGHTS
- Austin chapter membership has more than doubled since their creation in 2017
- Partnered with Out Youth Austin on several events including their yearly school supply drive, annual LGBTQ+ prom, and promoting the organization at the Austin Pride Festival
- Hosted a day of Tech Camp where the campers were able to build a video game together. The camp offered an opportunity to meet LGBTQ+ tech professionals & provide information on the career choices available to them
- Introduced gender pronouns to work signatures. They also have started working with our People Practice team to incorporate gender pronouns into their professional profiles
In Their Own Words: Our ability to partner with other ERGs in our organization makes us stronger and gives us a wider audience to spread our message of equality and acceptance. What makes us most unique, is our high percentage of active and supportive allies. We have almost as many allies in our ERG as members of the community. We think this is truly exceptional and sets us apart as a PRIDE ERG.
Exchange Pride – Army and Air Force Exchange Service
Founded – 2018
HIGHLIGHTS
- Participated in their first pride under than own unique ERG banner
- ERG membership has more than doubled since their first year
- Hosted powerful event where speaker shared her experiences with Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, marriage and eventual acceptance as an out person in the military.
- Sponsored PRIDE ribbon and Red Ribbon (in support of World Aids Day in December) campaigns
In Their Own Words: Our ERG is unique in that we operate in the federal sector space. With the changing governmental climate, the ERG recognizes the need to continue to remain active in the ERG community. Sharing our LGBTQ experiences helped solidify the acceptance of LGBTQ associates and provide a common understanding with our straight counterparts.
LatAm OUT & Allies Network – BlackRock
Founded – 2018
HIGHLIGHTS
- Founded in Santiago, Chile in October 2018, the ERG has already expanded its operations to São Paulo and Mexico City.
- Helped hire an LGBTQ head of Latin American Investment Stewardship, who will vote on behalf of every company BlackRock owns as a result of their asset management business in the region.
- Supported LGBTQ employees after Bolsonaro, who has threatened LGBTQ rights in Brazil, won the Brazilian elections. They sent out an email to the firm explaining what the election meant for the LGBTQ population, and how they would continue to support the community.
In Their Own Words: The LatAm OUT & Allies Network is particularly unique because there is such a wide variety of cultures within each office, compared to a US-based network. There are different needs, challenges and cultures in each country/office that need to be addressed and the LatAm OUT & Allies Network has done an excellent job of lifting up each country’s individual Networks. This has driven a larger business purpose and contectedness with the broader firm.
Rainbow ERG South & Central America – John Deere
Founded – 2018
HIGHLIGHTS
- Offered an Ally Training Program in 3 Brazilian units with over 400 employees committing to be LGBT allies at the completion of the course. Newly minted allies are provided with an Ally Kit to proudly display their support.
- Launched an internal campaign with testimonials from 4 brave employees, including a lesbian, a gay man, a trans man, and an ally.
- John Deere’s D&I team in South and Central America was recognized with an award from EXAME, a business magazine in Brazil. The Diversity EXAME Guide highlights the companies that make the most progress in promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity in business.
In Their Own Words: Despite the taboo nature of LGBT topics in Latin America, the Rainbow ERG South & Central America chapter has tackled the issues head on. They have boldly stated “We belong, and we are visible.” They have taken quick actions to impact the culture at John Deere in a very conservative and religious region of the world. This group’s messaging and initiatives have been extremely effective and a growing number of LGBT people in this region are bringing their authentic selves to work now.
LGBT+ Pride India Chapter – Bank of America
Founded – 2017
HIGHLIGHTS
- Helped extend policies to include same-sex partner medical benefits in addition to introducing gender inclusive washrooms in all facilities.
- Hosted celebration marking the end of Section 377 joined by LGBT+ Committee members and employees across branches. The event concluded with cutting of “LOVE HAS NO LABELS” Rainbow Cakes across branches followed by a networking event over snacks and refreshments.
- Partnered with two NGOs Periferry Trust and Humsafar Trust in India to provide development/mentoring opportunities to people from the LGBT+ community
In Their Own Words: Bank of America took leadership to start the LGBT+ Pride India chapter on September 12, 2017. Bank of America was one of the first in the market to provide transgender medical coverage. Starting an Ally network in India and sensitizing and educating our workforce was an important step towards our efforts for the LGBT+ cause in India.