Out & Equal’s Post

As we celebrate Pride Month, it’s worth noting the significance of diversity and inclusion in the maritime industry. Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are focused on making sure everyone has the same opportunity to succeed. It’s not about disrespecting the contributions of others. It is about acknowledging and addressing systemic inequalities that have persisted over time. The goal is to create a more inclusive and fairer environment where everyone is valued and respected. Pride Month is a time to honor and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, recognizing the contributions and talents they bring to all sectors, including maritime. Diversity is essential for innovation and progress. By fostering an inclusive environment within Washington State Ferries and the maritime industry at large, we can better serve our communities and navigate towards a brighter future together. For more information on what's happening at WSF, check out our weekly update: https://lnkd.in/gn4WHptm

In #publicsafety , everyone is #family You spend more holidays with your co-workers than you do with your own family. Of course, you have that weird aunt or grumpy uncle but at the end of the day - regardless of race, gender, religious beliefs, sexuality, etc. Everyone loves eachother and supports eachother through those difficult calls. Coming over to the private sector, I didn’t know what to expect. #Thankful to have joined a company that welcomes #diversity and supports all employees. Verint has created a culture that embraces #inclusion while providing #opportunities and #support for everyone. #equality #employeeresourcegroup #ERG #diversity #verint #publicsector #publicsafety #community #bestplacestowork #culture #proud #together #verinteer #technology #techjobs #womenintech

🚀 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

Pride is not coming to a close. June is! Living with Pride isn't limited to a one-month celebration; it's a daily reality for many. Organisations must continuously support their employees, including those in the LGBTQ+ community, every single day. Suppose an organisation's only focus on doing the work—holding workshops, delivering education, and amplifying voices with unique lived experiences—is during June. In that case, that is nothing more than rainbow washing. This performative act gives the organisation more visibility and reduces risk, as it blends in with every other company that merely puts a rainbow over its logo for the month. A genuine commitment to diversity and inclusion means going beyond performative gestures and integrating these values into your organisation's culture year-round. Let's work towards genuine support and inclusion every day of the year. Let me be a part of your solution to addressing Pride 365. Contact me at cynthiafortlage@cynthiafortlage.com

#TogetherWePride: Inclusivity means not just ‘we’re allowed to be there,’ but we are valued. Truly diverse teams will do impossible things. Leaders that create an inclusive environment can start by: 1. Create A Welcoming Space For Everyone 2. Celebrate Your Clients’ Support Of The Community 3. Spotlight Internal And External LGBTQ+ Stakeholders 4. Showcase The Diversity Of Your C-Suite 5. Make Diversity And Inclusion Core Values 6. Ask What’s Missing And Lean Into Learning More Take the joy and power of recognizing the full value of everyone on your team! #pride2024

👯 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.

Happy Pride month! 🌈 It's wonderful to see employee resource groups like Poland ROKout organizing events to celebrate and support LGBTQ+ employees and allies. These gatherings provide an opportunity for connection, education, and celebration. 🎉 As you eagerly await the upcoming events, here are a few tips to make the most of your experience: 🌈Engage and Connect: Take the opportunity to meet new people, share your experiences, and learn from others. Employee resource groups often foster a sense of community and belonging. 🌈Attend Workshops and Sessions: Many events include workshops, panels, or guest speakers. Attend these sessions to gain insights, expand your knowledge, and connect with experts in the field. 🌈Be Open-Minded: Embrace diversity and different perspectives. These events are a chance to learn, grow, and challenge your own assumptions. 🌈Spread the Word: Encourage your colleagues and friends to join as well. The more people participate, the stronger the impact of these events. Join the Pride month events to contribute to a more inclusive workplace and society. Enjoy, learn, and celebrate! 🎊🌟 A few highlights from the 2023 Milwaukee Pride Parade. #LifeatROK #PrideMonth

When it comes to supporting diverse suppliers on a broad national scale, partner with ODP Business Solutions and look for below list of major icons supporting all your product needs!! The ODP Business Solutions™ Diverse Supplier Catalog highlights an assortment of hundreds of products offered by certified minority-, women-, disabled-, LGBTQ+-, veteran-owned and small businesses. Pages 83-108 feature items we support in breakroom, cleaning and facilities!! Copy and paste the full catalog here: Diversity.odpbusiness.biz #diversity #odpbusinesssolutions #WorkspaceFacilities

🌈Happy Pride Month! 🌟 As we celebrate love and equality, it’s crucial to remember that being an ally to the LGBTQ+ community goes beyond rainbow flags and parades. Here are some ways we can all make a difference: 1. **Educate Yourself** – Take time to understand the history, struggles, and victories of LGBTQ+ rights. Knowledge is the first step towards empathy. 2. **Speak Up** – Use your voice to stand against homophobia, transphobia, and discrimination. Silence often means complicity. 3. **Support LGBTQ+ Businesses** – This month, and every month, choose to support businesses owned by LGBTQ+ individuals. 4. **Respect Pronouns** – Something as simple as using the correct pronouns can make a world of difference in making everyone feel accepted. 5. **Attend Events** – Whether virtual or in-person, participating in Pride events shows solidarity and helps fund various LGBTQ+ causes. At Turnberry Solutions, we strive to create a more inclusive world, not just during Pride Month but every day. #PrideMonth #LGBTQSupport #BeAnAlly #LoveIsLove