Exchange PRIDE Named a Finalist for National Honor
Exchange PRIDE participated in June’s annual Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade in Dallas.
Exchange PRIDE, the special emphasis group for LGBTQ associates and allies, was named a finalist for a national honor recently, highlighting the team’s efforts to build an inclusive workforce.
The Outie Awards are presented by Out & Equal, a nonprofit dedicated to workforce equality. Exchange PRIDE was a finalist for 2019 New Employee Resource Group Chapter of the Year.
“Exchange PRIDE is growing—the group is getting stronger each year,” said EVP and Chief Financial Officer Jim Jordan, pictured fourth from left.
“Exchange PRIDE is growing—the group is getting stronger each year,” said Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer Jim Jordan, one of the group’s executive champions. “While we didn’t win, being a finalist for this award is a testament to the group’s hard work and focus on inclusion.”
The group, which stands for People Respecting Individuality, Diversity & Equality, was honored for several activities throughout the year, including:
- Participating in Dallas’ 36th annual Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade in June, marking the first time Exchange PRIDE marched as a standalone group under its own banner.
- Doubling membership to nearly 70 associates
- Hosting Lunch & Learns, movie nights and other events
- Sponsoring ribbon campaigns for Pride month and World AIDS Day
“All associates come from different backgrounds and have different perspectives and experiences,” said Vice President of HR Operations Patrick Oldenburgh. “Exchange PRIDE brings the LGBTQ community and its allies into the Exchange’s organizational culture, allowing us to live out our core value of family serving family.”
In addition to Jordan, Exchange President and Chief Merchandising Officer Ana Middleton is an executive champion of the group. Oldenburgh, Senior Marketing Manager Scott Lohmann and Executive Assistant II Tysheema Hunter-Mejia lead Exchange PRIDE.
“We plan to continue to expand throughout 2020,” Lohmann said. “Interest in our group and mission keep growing, and our headquarters team is eager to share best practices for successful Pride events with associates in the field.”
