Kristi Campoe, PhD, RN, CMSRN, CPHQ, sMBA’s Post

As we celebrate Pride Month, a friendly reminder that there is no playbook for being LGBTQ+ in careers and community roles. Each journey is unique, filled with its own set of challenges and triumphs. Without a clear roadmap, the allyship we receive becomes even more crucial. Allyship in our professional and community lives isn't just about understanding; it's about actively creating environments where everyone can advance and succeed. I'm incredibly thankful for the colleagues, leaders, and community members who go beyond words, showing up with actions that foster inclusion and belonging. Their support has made a significant impact on my ability to bring my authentic self to work and to my community roles. In any field, whether it’s tech, corporate, nonprofit, or community organizations, allyship is essential. It’s about breaking down barriers, advocating for inclusive policies, and ensuring that every individual feels seen and valued. The presence of allies helps bridge the gap where career and community guidance is lacking, offering support and understanding in an ever-evolving landscape. I’m deeply grateful for every opportunity I’ve had to step into leadership roles. However, I recognize that not every member of the LGBTQ+ community has had the same foundation for success. This disparity underscores the importance of allyship in helping create opportunities for all in both careers and community roles. For me and many others, knowing we have allies who stand with us makes all the difference. It empowers us to navigate our paths with confidence, knowing we’re not alone in our journeys. Here’s to celebrating the allies who help pave the way and to continuing to build communities and workplaces where everyone can shine authentically and succeed professionally and personally. Not just today, but everyday. Happy Pride y’all 🏳️🌈

Is it that you don't have enough time? Or is that you don't find yourself deserving of your own care & presence? 💖 Oftentimes as socialized Asian Women & LGBTQ+ People our powers of emotional intuition and empathic abilities are often treated as a given to be exploited while also being devalued and underresourced. We're expected to give to others everything we have to the detriment of our own health and wellness. It's the ultimate sacrifice and badge of honor to have your body break down. It shows you care. This is when we say yes to more and more roles and responsibilities. And then we feel like "I don't have enough time, even for myself." "I've really been wanting to xyz...but maybe later after I finish all these obligations to work and other people." If you don't put yourself first, how will you ground in what truly matters to you so you can assess what deserves your attention or not? How might you move from being a deep empath to being grounded in your own energy and capacities and boundaries, so that you can be of the highest service and invite people to their sense of empowered choice and agency as well? That while you're out there being the champion for your community who is tending to the needs of your own body, rest, care, and support so that you can be deeply connected to your why, your passions, your pleasure, your desires, what lights you up with joy and fulfillment and is regenerative versus feeling available for others' needs and pulled in different directions at all times on a whim, leaving you feeling drained, exhausted, frustrated, and resentful because you may be neglecting your own needs and wants and the larger vision for your life. Want to be in community with other badass Asian Women & LGBTQ+ People who just get it & who want to support you in creating more supportive, liberatory ways of living our truth? Join NAAAP New York & I, along with Margaret Wang Diana Hickey & Justine Vu @justshapeshift on Instagram 🍯🐝 for HIVE & HONEY 🐝🍯: Empowered Leadership For Emotional Caregivers - A talk-story gathering & co-creative play space for API women & LGBTQ+ community members. JOIN US FEB. 13th at 7PM EST Register here www.apiwomxnheal.com

👯 What are you doing this August? Why not come hang out with me and Karen Heredia for the launch of our first-ever Culture Catalyst program! Join us starting August 7th for weekly 2-hour virtual sessions packed with practical, time-efficient activities tailored for early-stage founders. Together, we'll dig into the role your values play in your leadership and work together to craft culture blueprints and action plans so you're ready when it's time to hire. When we launched Next Big Thing in 2022, we weren't sure if the massive narrative shifts around the role of work in our lives would translate to IRL changes, but we felt pretty sure they would. Cut to two years later and having a healthy, human-centric workplace culture is more important than ever in today’s talent marketplace. It's not just about attracting top talent; it's about fostering sustainable growth, innovation, and a culturally relevant value proposition right from the start. Establishing a strong culture early on sets the tone for your startup’s future and helps differentiate you in the market. 💪 Culture Catalyst will help you gain confidence as a founder in implementing your cultural vision and refining your leadership principles. You'll walk away understanding how your values translate into concrete workplace policies and practices that ensure your [eventual] team thrives. To say we're proud and excited to offer this new annual program is an understatement. We're passionate about creating a new paradigm for the culture of work and believe that underrepresented founders (like us!) have a unique opportunity to positively shape the future of workplace culture. This has been in the works for a long time, so it's really fulfilling to see it come to life. If you or a founder you know wants to build a thriving, inclusive workplace culture, learn more below about Culture Catalyst and how it can benefit your startup! I hope to see you there 😊 Please spread the word! We also created a LinkedIn page specifically for this program, so you can follow along with updates, tips, tricks, and success stories.

Good morning, creative and curious souls✨ I wanted to share an experience I had recently. On Instagram, I saw a profile I follow change their logo colors to match the theme of the month and introduce a project supporting inclusivity for Pride Month 🌈. Unfortunately, some people reacted negatively, questioning the reason behind the change and even threatening to unfollow the profile. This made me wonder: what's the real issue here? Although I'm not part of the LGBTQ+ community because am straight, I believe exclusion is never the answer. As a graphic designer, marketer, or simply a human being, diversity is all around us—whether it's race, color, religion, or gender. Inclusivity is essential. We shouldn't judge people just because they are different or don't share our views. Inclusivity is powerful. I still follow this profile and am excited to step out of my comfort zone and try something new. Whether we're from the straight community or LGBTQ+ community, one thing is certain: we are all human 🤝. The Bible teaches us to love our neighbors as ourselves ❤️. Is excluding the LGBTQ+ community right? They may not share your morals, but they are human, and excluding them breaks this commandment. As a creative professional, I understand the value of innovation and the importance of embracing diverse perspectives. Inclusivity drives creativity and fosters a more vibrant and dynamic environment for everyone 🌟. Even though I don't personally support the LGBTQ+ community, I believe in not excluding them. I strive to promote diversity and inclusion and am excited to present my project to you all. Let's promote inclusion, not exclusion. Let's innovate together, celebrate our differences, and create something truly spectacular. Thanks!

Pride Season is here—a time when we come together to celebrate love, diversity, and acceptance. But how do we share these values with those young around us? At (BUM), we believe it’s never too early to start the conversation about inclusivity and kindness. Here’s how you can help the discussion of Pride with the next generation. Why It's Important: Teaching children about Pride helps foster empathy and understanding from a young age. It prepares them to respect others' differences and embrace everyone’s unique identity. How to Start the Conversation: 🏳️🌈 Story Time: Use books with LGBTQ+ characters and themes. Titles like “A Tale of Two Princes”, "And Tango Makes Three" and "A Day In the Life of Marlon Bundo" offer wonderful stories of diversity and acceptance. 🏳️🌈 Celebrate Together: Participate in local Pride events or watch parades and documentaries about the history and significance of Pride. 🏳️🌈 Art and Expression: Encourage children to express what love and inclusivity mean to them through drawings, paintings, or crafts. Family Fun Activities: 🏳️🌈 Craft a Rainbow Flag: Teach them what each color stands for while crafting a flag together. 🏳️🌈 LGBTQ+ Heroes: Share stories of LGBTQ+ advocates and heroes who have championed equality and justice. 🏳️🌈 Questions and Answers: Let them ask questions, and guide them through the answers in a simple, understandable way. Join Us in Supporting LGBTQ+ Families At (BUM), we are committed to supporting LGBTQ+ families. A portion of every purchase from our products, no matter the time of year, go to organizations that make it easier for those in the queer space to become parents. From our family, to your family, for more families, Pat & Carlos Founders, (BUM) Bottoms Up Movement

As someone who doesn't typically post about personal matters on LinkedIn, I find it increasingly important to bring my whole self to my professional community. I am so proud to be part of the LGBTQ+ community, and am happy to outwardly share my pride on this platform. My experiences in this incredible community have taught me lessons that directly shape how I show up at work. In honor of pride month, I thought I'd share a couple of them below: First, authenticity matters. Being true to ourselves fosters a sense of belonging and trust. When we bring our whole selves to work, we contribute to a more inclusive environment where others feel safe to do the same. Next, empathy fuels connection. Understanding the diverse experiences of others allows us to build stronger relationships. Empathy enables collaboration, creativity, and innovation which are essential qualities in any workplace. Finally, there's resilience in adversity. The LGBTQIA+ community has faced adversity throughout history. Our resilience teaches us to persevere, adapt, and find strength even in challenging circumstances. Not everyone has the privilege and luxury to feel safe to show up to their workplace as their authentic self. At the Ad Council, I feel unbelievably supported (and celebrated!) for my queer identity, and that's something I will never take for granted. If you're looking for ways to support the LGBTQ+ community this month (and beyond), I encourage you to check out https://lnkd.in/eFGXtUex where you can learn how to be an ally, create a more inclusive space at school and work, diversify your media, understand the impact of protection laws, and promote LGBTQ+ health through vetted resources. I hope everyone has a safe, healthy, and happy pride! ❤️ 🧡 💛 💚 💙 💜 ✨

Pride Month is here and it's a great opportunity to honor love, freedom and equality. But how can we do it as designers? ❤️🧡 Close on the Screen, Close to the Heart In the website header, in the advertisement, in the mockups, in the final_final.pdf presentation to the client: as designers, we choose what to represent, and our choices can contribute to diverse imagery. Everyone should feel portrayed. 💛💜 Embrace Inclusivity from the Beginning, Not Just as the Cherry on Top Consider the LGBTQ+ community and how to address them, not just at the level of the phrasing that the user sees at the final product. It's essential to consider their unique perspectives and needs from the very beginning of the strategy and design process. 💙💚 The Freedom to Choose When we create a UX flow, If we must ask, we should give users the freedom to choose how they prefer to be addressed and offering inclusive options. 🧡💛 Be Mindful All Year Round The more we learn, the better we know how to create inclusive and thoughtful designs for customers and users. Pride Month is a reminder for all of us that we should still learn, educate ourselves and commit to an inclusive approach even when June is over. As designers, we make a million small choices every day, and each of our choices can contribute to the representation and inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community in the physical space and in the digital space. We wish you a Pride Month full of hope 🌈

A sense of confidence and play is an important part of queer joy 🏳️🌈. Whether its in or outside of the workplace, when we play, we occupy spaces and do activities that are engaging, meaningful, and safe for us. That's why its so heartening to see organizations that support LGBTQ+ folks' ability to show up joyfully and confidently for their chosen pursuits.     Here at NuWave, we love what 💼 Out & Equal is doing to facilitate education and events for inclusion and belonging in workplaces around the world. Feeling safe and included at work can be a catalyst for play. 📚Stanford University recently launched a new LGBTQ+ Executive Leadership Program to help LGBTQ+ executives cultivate their own leadership styles while building inclusive workplaces.    There are also a number of groups that support queer adults and the next generation with safe spaces for play and expression:     🏕️ Camp Brave Trails runs an incredible camp for LGBTQ+ youth every summer.      🎭 The National Queer Theater elevates queer actors and storytellers of all ages through plays, festivals, and education.     ⚽ Athlete Ally provides resources, awards, and advocacy to end homophobia and transphobia and create more inclusion in sports.     There are so many different ways to be playful at work or in recreation and, thankfully, the list of organizations who are facilitating this specifically for LGBTQ+ folks seems to be ever-growing.      #internationaldayofplay #queerjoy #executiveeducation #lgbtq #pridemonth

🚀 Exciting News! We’ve Launched Culture Catalyst! This new program is dedicated to equipping underrepresented founders of pre-seed and early-stage startups with values-driven practices, policies, and structures to foster healthy, competitive workplace cultures. We understand that budgets are tight (and sometimes nonexistent) for early-stage companies, so our annual program is set at a sliding scale. No scale? No problem! We won't turn anyone away for lack of funds. 💡 Why Culture Catalyst? Today’s talent marketplace demands a radically different approach to culture, and we’ve designed Culture Catalyst to meet these evolving needs. This initiative directly reflects feedback from founders and VCs that support early-stage companies, emphasizing the importance of workplace culture in attracting top talent and driving sustainable growth. 📝 What You’ll Get Out of Culture Catalyst: Culture Blueprint: Develop a compelling workplace culture blueprint that differentiates your startup in the market. Inclusive Strategies: Learn actionable strategies for creating an inclusive, human-centric organization. Vision Implementation: Gain confidence in implementing your cultural vision with clarity and purpose. Leadership Principles: Refine your leadership principles to align with your cultural goals. Supportive Network: Connect with like-minded entrepreneurs and build a supportive community. 💚 Why It Matters: Recent statistics show that 86% of startup leaders believe a strong company culture is crucial for growth and investment attraction, and 92% of today's talent prioritizes working for companies that consider their team's overall well-being as people, but there are few resources available to help early-stage founders better understand how to build a healthy, human-first culture. With Culture Catalyst, we aim to provide the tools and strategies necessary to future-proof your workplace culture and turn it into your competitive advantage. ➕ Follow the Culture Catalyst Program on LinkedIn: We'll keep posting about healthy future of work trends and resources here on our main page, but give the Culture Catalyst Program Page a follow to stay updated with exclusive insights, resources, and success stories tailored to building a thriving startup culture as an early-stage founder. Click below, sign up, and let’s create the future of work, together! #CultureCatalyst #StartupCulture #InclusiveLeadership #WorkplaceWellbeing #FutureOfWork

The top three takeaways from last week Gen Z 101: Gen Z & Innovation: 1. Innovation is more than just technology. For Gen Z, innovation also means embracing diversity, thinking outside the box, and continuously experimenting with new ideas and strategies. 2. Diversity and inclusion are crucial. With 1 in 4 Gen Zers identifying as LGBTQ+ and the generation being highly diverse in terms of race, ethnicity, body types, and more, brands need to prioritize diversity and inclusion in their marketing to stand out and maintain loyalty. 3. Adopt a "constant beta" approach. Gen Z expects rapid innovation and is forgiving of brand experimentation. Brands should always be trying new things, keeping up with trends, and offering unique products to stay relevant and attractive to young consumers. Watch now on-demand: https://hubs.ly/Q02Kq7mf0