Lead with Pride: Building an inclusive work environment
At Banfield, our commitment to equity, inclusion, and diversity drives our culture. As a leader, I’m constantly seeking feedback, so I can understand what’s working and what we can be doing better. Fostering an environment in which our Associates’ needs are not only heard, but acted on is critical to creating a better world for Associates so they can do what they do best: deliver high-quality care to pets.
Thanks to Associates using their voices as well as the support of our Pride Diversity Resource Group (DRG) — one of our six DRGs created and led by Associates — we’ve made inclusive changes such as adopting gender-neutral bathrooms and adding pronouns to name badges.
Most recently, our Pride DRG helped steward a new Gender Affirmation Resource Guide to provide the best support possible for our transitioning Associates and their leaders. Our DRGs are an integral part of building a culture where all Associates feel they can be themselves and they belong.
As we celebrate Pride Month, I want to share the voices of a few Banfield Associates who exemplify what it means to lead with pride. Their strength, courage, and leadership are helping humanity and creating a brighter future for our people, pets, and society.
Lead with Pride: Modeling the way
“There are still workplaces that have not adopted ‘sexual orientation’ into their anti-discrimination clause, so you can be let go or fired for identifying as LGBTQ+. With Banfield, I stopped worrying about hiding the fact that I’m gay and have a wife because I knew it was safe. To work for an organization that is inclusive, diverse, and actively supports DRG’s makes me proud. I still recall my first Pride event in Orlando 2018. Our Pride DRG was just getting off the ground and it was important to me that we show our acceptance and diversity at Banfield. My line manager at the time didn’t hesitate and gave his full support for Banfield’s participation. Having the freedom to celebrate our uniqueness means a lot to our Associates and their ability to support one another. It’s the happiness on their faces that makes it worthwhile to help model the way!” — Dr. Kris Piland-Rice, vice president of veterinary quality and an executive sponsor of Banfield’s Pride DRG
Lead with Pride: Using your voice
“When I joined Banfield in 2017, I realized it would be necessary for me to use public, gendered restrooms each day. For gender diverse Associates, this can cause great anxiety and stress and it puts us at greater risk of acts of transphobic violence. I used my voice to explain why gender-neutral restrooms create a safer and more inclusive environment for transgender, non-binary, intersex, and other gender diverse Associates. Banfield welcomed this feedback and, not long after, we made a company-wide change. It only took one voice and the change remains visible throughout the practice today. I’ve experienced discrimination based on both my gender and my sexuality through my career. I never imagined I would land in a place where my experience as a transgender queer would not only be celebrated, but I would be given a voice to help other people with their journeys. It means everything to me.” — Jackson Clark, practice manager
Lead with Pride: Being an ally
“I prioritize building a culture of acceptance because I want everyone in my hospitals to feel comfortable and able to be themselves, every day. I remember on a Pride DRG call when they announced Banfield name badges would now come with the option to add pronouns, I ran out and got Deon so he could hear the news. He became emotional; it was a big turning point in his journey. I immediately helped him order new name badges. When he first joined Banfield he presented as female, but — after time — he shared with us that he’s transgender and interested in transitioning. Before his top surgery, we threw him a support party. It’s been such an honor to watch the transition within himself. Deon went from being shy to being outgoing and very engaged. The only thing we did was provide support and cheer him on along the way.” — Andrea Buczkowski, RVT, practice manager
These stories demonstrate what’s possible when we use our voice and lead with pride. It takes one person to model the way, to speak up, or to be an activist for those in the LGBTQ+ community so everyone can feel comfortable being their authentic selves. Of course, pride doesn’t end in June; it’s every day. Change and progress are made year-round through inclusive leadership and creating safe spaces for conversation at scale, so we can understand what’s working and areas we can show up stronger in support of our LGBTQ+ community.
We must continue turning our words into actions so we can feel pride in the more inclusive world we are creating together. I believe inclusion is a choice, and it’s one we make every day at Banfield by putting our people first.
