As an ERG leader, Christina Rowe does more than schedule events. “My role involves listening to the needs of group members regarding career development, community and more,” she said. Through her ERG involvement, Rowe has gained a greater understanding of her peers’ diverse life experiences and skill sets while fostering dialogue related to topics that are often avoided in the workplace, such as women’s health. “It’s been a great way to help other women grow their careers and create a safe space for hard conversations,” she said.

Erika Porras Gutierrez’s work leading Xero’s ERG for Indigenous Americans has enhanced her employee experience in several ways. “It has clarified what inclusion really means, taught me new ways of interacting with people and made me more empathetic,” she said. Not only has she grown personally due to this role, but it’s also encouraged her to engage with other engineering teams in an effort to better understand her peers’ needs. She’s currently helping plan an event that will enable Indigenous people to share their unique stories with others in the company.

Eean Tyson’s role as the co-chair of Black Xero enables him to champion inclusion and cultivate community across the company. “I want to ensure people feel a sense of belonging,” he said. Besides helping team members build meaningful connections with each other, he also spearheads talent-related initiatives that are informed by the organization’s DEI efforts. For instance, he recently took part in a scoping session in order to develop a road map for diverse hiring practices.