A year in review of flexing who we are
As we look back on another year in business, we're taking a moment to reflect on the progress we’ve made along our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) journey.
When we started this journey, our goal was to ensure our workplace was truly an environment where all employees could feel comfortable being and bringing their whole selves. From implementing a DEI survey to listening to our employees’ individual voices to expanding the missions and activities of our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to kicking off our FlexCares volunteer committee – this year was pivotal for Flexential.
Created by our employees, for our employees
This year, growing our ERGs was a main focal point in furthering our DEIB mission. We wanted our existing groups to be able to do even more great work while also introducing new groups and getting those missions off the ground.
To date, we have four dynamic groups:
- Women Who Flex – Our first ERG, Women Who Flex, was inspired by the desire to support and elevate women in our workplace and the data center industry at large.
- FlexMORE – MORE stands for Multicultural Opportunity, Resource, and Engagement. This ERG recognizes that there is more to each of us than meets the eye and celebrates our diverse heritages while elevating each other’s stories and voices.
- FlexPride – In looking to create a safe space for sharing, learning, and growth, FlexPride was developed to provide an understanding through an LGBTQIA+ lens for both members of this community and allies within our workforce.
- FlexFocus – Investing in the wellness and development of our employees is imperative for any people-first organization. We made it a key part of our DEIB mission.
A point of pride for our team was the ERG Fair held back in October. A hybrid event designed to invite all Flexential employees to help employees understand who our ERGs are and join groups they feel aligned with. During this event, we were able to internally announce a fifth ERG for veterans, FlexSalute, and source employee leaders to get this group off the ground.
We look forward to 2023 to continue the great work being done with our ERGs.
Our 2022 DEIB highlights reel
Proud doesn’t begin to express the full breadth of feeling and emotion we have over what our team was able to accomplish in 2022. These are just a few of the many highlights from this past year.
Women Who Flex summer reading series
Each month from June through August, Flexential employees met to discuss the different books read over the Summer to help further the ERG's mission of promoting success for all women at Flexential, helping each develop their careers in unique and rewarding ways. The reading list was as follows: You According to Them by Sara Canaday (June); The Confidence Code by Katty Kay & Claire Shipman (July); and The Power of Perseverance by Angela Duckworth (August).
FlexPride 2022 Pride Month launch and philanthropic initiative
Pride Month was a pivotal time for us this year as we leaned into further promoting education and allyship across our workforce. We held various events throughout the month, setting a new foundation for our ERG approach to LGBTQIA+ conversations and initiatives throughout the year. We were honored to be able to donate $3,000 through FlexPride to the National Center for Transgender Equality.
Inaugural We Are MORE session
In September 2022, ERG members and Flexential employees across the organization participated in our first-ever We Are MORE session. In an open forum discussion, attendees came together to celebrate unique heritages, elevate individual voices, and share personal stories. It was an opportunity to explore together with both curiosity and kindness front and center. We are excited to continue this series in 2023 and learn even MORE.
Launching mental wellness Mondays
During Q3 2022 FlexFocus launched its Mental Wellness Monday series – a 30-minute space for re-centering, grounding, and learning tools to apply to everyday situations. These twice-monthly sessions leverage deep breathing practice to help participants relieve stress, clear their minds, prepare for the week ahead, or whatever else they need at that moment.
Our path forward in 2023 and beyond
DEIB is not something that happens. We are deeply committed to this journey we are on. We believe this is the bottom line of inclusivity and belonging – creating a safe space where everyone can unapologetically be who they are and every employee can feel like they belong. We are excited about the next steps in our journey in 2023 and the new possibilities to come.
If you want to join this work, view our open positions by visiting flexential.com/careers.
Veena Bricker
Chief People Officer
Veena leads Flexential’s People and Culture team to support the overall business plan and strategic direction of the company. She has 20 years of experience in all aspects of Human Resources, including talent management, learning and development, total rewards and change management. Veena joined the company in 2020.
Before Flexential, Veena was a principal and managing director at Blake Street Group, offering talent and organizational consulting services to corporate clients, private equity and venture capital firms. In the past, she led HR at Optiv, CoreSite and worked with several other companies in various HR capacities.
Veena holds a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and a master’s degree from Cornell. She also completed the Advanced Human Resources Executive Program from the University of Michigan.
