This week, BeyondTrust celebrated another successful year of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives with the conclusion of our 4th annual BeyondDiversity conference.
BeyondDiversity is a virtual, internal conference hosted by BeyondTrust. Put together by our employee-led BeyondDiversity planning committee, which includes employees at all levels and areas across the business, and the BeyondTrust Resource Groups, BeyondDiversity aims to celebrate the differences and richness of BeyondTrust’s global community. It also presents a dedicated opportunity for employees to learn about new and ongoing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts at BeyondTrust. The objective of this year’s event was to generate greater understanding of the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, as well as to provide employees with information about BeyondTrust’s approach to diversity and inclusion, the efforts that are underway now, the vision for the future, and the ways employees can continue to get involved. It also provided a safe space for employees to discuss their experiences and their own ideas for the future of diversity, equity, and inclusion, empowering them to own their unique role in progressing diversity and inclusion at BeyondTrust.
This year’s conference featured interviews with leaders and employees, presentations, an expert-led workshop, and opportunities for employees to connect with each other to increase feelings of compassion, empathy, and understanding. All employees were encouraged to attend as much of the event as their schedules and time zones would allow.
Highlights from the event included:
- Guided mindful meditations to increase feelings of safety and comfort, led by Jordan Gift
- A presentation on the state of diversity and inclusion at BeyondTrust
- An interview with BeyondTrust CEO, Janine Seebeck, exploring the value of diversity and inclusion at BeyondTrust.
- An interactive diversity and inclusion workshop
- A panel interview with BeyondTrust resource group leaders
Let’s take a more detailed look at the highlights—and lessons learned—from BeyondDiversity 2023.
Exploring the Question of Responsibility at BeyondDiversity 2023
This year, the BeyondDiversity conference was divided into three parts to explore the question of responsibility when it comes to building a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The guiding message behind this structure highlighted that responsibility can’t sit solely with one individual, team, or group. Successful growth and adoption of diversity, equity, and inclusion into the processes and culture of a company requires active and open discussions about corporate responsibility, personal responsibility, and the intersection of the two.
Part 1: Corporate Responsibility in Building a Culture of Diversity and Inclusion
The first part of this year’s BeyondDiversity conference focused on the role of corporate responsibility in building a culture of diversity and inclusion at BeyondTrust. The purpose of this part of the event was to inspire employees to begin thinking about the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion at BeyondTrust, and to consider how it enhances our culture and operations.
Highlights from part one of the event included:
- A Diversity and Inclusion Interview with BeyondTrust CEO, Janine Seebeck - Janine shared her personal thoughts about the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion and BeyondTrust’s Resource Groups for the BeyondTrust culture, community, and the company at large. She also shared her experience working with and enjoying the various programs led by the BeyondTrust Resource Groups. At the end of her presentation, she opened the floor for an employee Q&A session.
Being better together is core to who we are as a company, which is why our annual BeyondDiversity event is so important to us. It’s a dedicated opportunity to create meaningful connections and stronger relationships in service of our culture and customers. BeyondDiversity celebrates diversity of thought and unity of purpose at BeyondTrust, recognizing that we can better solve our customer’s challenges when collaborating as our authentic selves.
- A Presentation on the State of Diversity and Inclusion at BeyondTrust, ft. Mark Rankin, CHRO, and Bill Jones, SVP, General Counsel – Mark and Bill provided a level-set with employees on the current state of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at BeyondTrust. Their discussion covered successes to date, how BeyondTrust measures up within our industry, areas for improvement, and efforts, both upcoming and underway, to continue to promote and improve diversity and inclusion at BeyondTrust.
- Reflection Questions and a Group Share, led by Laura Antolinez, HR Generalist – Laura led BeyondDiversity participants in an open discussion about the state and importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion at BeyondTrust. Topics from the conversation spanned from what we all, as a company and as individuals, stand to gain when we prioritize diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging, to how diversity and inclusion shows up in the work we do.
Part 2: Taking Personal Responsibility for Diversity & Inclusion – How to View Your Work from a Different Lens
The second part of BeyondDiversity 2023 sought to enable and empower employees to consider how they can promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within their own spheres of influence at BeyondTrust, and within their existing workstreams. To accomplish this, participants engaged in an interactive workshop, where they were provided with relevant tools, questions, and techniques that they could immediately and easily begin to implement at the individual level within their roles.
Highlights from the workshop included:
- An overview of research-driven techniques for diversity and inclusion – Participants learned key techniques designed to help them begin to view and approach their work, initiatives, and projects through the lens of diversity and inclusion.
- An introduction to Liberatory Design, co-facilitated by Janette Hernandez and Laurie Grossman – Janette Hernandez is a lifelong educator who brings 30 years’ experience and a deep knowledge of leadership growth, development, and coaching for equity and social justice. She is also a Board Member of Inner Explorer. Laurie Grossman is Inner Explorer Director of Social Justice and Education Equity, Co-Founder of Mindful Schools, and Co-Author of Master of Mindfulness: How to Be Your Own Superhero in Times of Stress, and Breath Friends Forever. Together, Janette and Laurie introduced participants to Liberatory Design, an approach to addressing complex equity challenges through empathy-based mindsets and tactical approaches.
Part 3: Building a Positive Intersection between Corporate and Personal Responsibility
The final part of this year’s BeyondDiversity conference explored the intersection between personal and corporate responsibility in the successful adoption of diversity and inclusion into the workplace. The conversation followed how we can work together as an organization to make sure the work we are doing to promote and support diversity, equity, and inclusion flow seamlessly from our personal passions and awareness through to our corporate experience.
Highlights included:
- An appreciative panel interview with BeyondTrust Resource Group (BTRG) leaders – Participants were able to hear directly from BeyondTrust Resource Group leaders Matt Treadwell (Neurodiversity@BT), Manish Datt (Faith@BT: Hindu Chapter), Andy Shook (Faith@BT: Christian Chapter), Guilaine Menefee (Women and Allies@BT), Alyssa Copeland (Pride@BT), Nancy Compean (Amigos@BT), and Joyce Tigner (Black@BT) on a variety of diversity, equity, and inclusion topics. The BTRG leaders shared their own formative experiences and spoke openly about their BeyondTrust experience.
- Appreciative Panel Q+A – Following the panel, employees were provided the opportunity to ask thoughtful questions, share their own personal experiences and vulnerabilities, and further the conversation about what proper allyship looks like and how it bridges the space between corporate and personal responsibility.
Why is BeyondDiversity an Important Event at BeyondTrust?
Let’s hear from a few of our planning committee members and participants about what BeyondTrust’s annual diversity, equity, and inclusion event means to them.
Sara Gauthier, Field Marketing Manager
Why are diversity, equity, and inclusion important at BeyondTrust?
Fostering a sense of belonging and understanding is imperative to growing as people and as a company. Learning from one another and gaining insights into a multitude of perspectives will lead to more inclusive decision-making and a renewed sense of creativity.
It is so incredible to know that creating this community of inclusion is important to BeyondTrust. There are so many facets to our culture here and having DEI as a priority shows that the company is committed to walking the walk.
What was your favorite part of this year’s event?
Connecting to my teammates and learning more about each other. As a mostly remote organization, having these opportunities to understand each person’s journey a little deeper is important to learning how to work better together, for each other, and for the success of the company.
Matt Treadwell, Customer Trust Analyst
Why are diversity, equity, and inclusion important at BeyondTrust?
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are true force multipliers for unlocking innovation and productivity within our organization. Embracing diverse perspectives helps us to generate the enhanced problem-solving skills, innovation, and creativity that are vital to our success. Equity and inclusion foster better mental well-being and cognitive performance in our people.
BeyondTrust creates an environment where all employees can thrive. BeyondTrust's commitment to neuro-inclusive informed DEI helps stimulate employee collaboration and innovation.
What was your favorite part of this year’s event?
I was excited to witness diverse perspectives converge at the event, fostering collaboration and innovation. Including neuro-inclusion for the first time in this year’s event promises to reshape how we approach cognitive diversity within our organization, leading to lasting positive impacts. All minds matter.
Ashley Hunt, Human Resources Business Partner
Why are diversity, equity, and inclusion important at BeyondTrust?
D&I fosters creativity, fresh perspectives, and understanding. By implementing D&I people of diverse backgrounds can feel that they belong at BeyondTrust. Employees feel they can bring their authentic whole selves to work and are much more likely to enjoy being a part of our company. We want everyone to feel they have a seat at the table and are taken seriously and given the opportunity to thrive here.
Our efforts to incorporate D&I mean that I can be proud to work in a space that does not discriminate, welcomes diversity of experience and thought, and is not scared of our differences but rather sees them as strengths! It creates a space that I feel I can belong to and be proud of participating in.
What was your favorite part of this year’s event?
Hearing from leadership on why they value our D&I efforts, and what their hopes are for the future here at BeyondTrust. I was especially excited to come together with our employees to celebrate our uniqueness and elevate our skills of listening and empathy while doing the “heart work.”
Conclusion: Building Toward a Culture of Empathy, Understanding, and Empowerment
Diversity and inclusion are initiatives that matter to BeyondTrust. We are committed to making further progress by expanding opportunities for underrepresented groups and creating an environment where all employees can work happily and productively as a team, and are empowered to live our company values. The BeyondDiversity conference plays a big part in driving us towards this culture of empathy, understanding, and empowerment.
Of course, we can’t conclude this blog without sending a huge shoutout to everyone involved in making BeyondDiversity such a success, from the BeyondTrust Resource Group leaders to the BeyondDiversity planning committee, to all of our speakers and attendees. Together, we managed to fill this year’s event with valuable discussions, lessons, and experiences, and we look forward to continuing to work together to build a truly inclusive workplace.
Learn more about our diversity and inclusion and Believe, Belong, Become initiatives, and visit our Employee Life page to learn more about the company values at work behind all of our employee development opportunities at BeyondTrust.
Laura Bohnert, Sr. Marketing Content & PR Manager
As a Sr. Marketing Content & PR Manager at BeyondTrust, Laura Bohnert applies a multifaceted, tech-centered marketing skillset to help drive SEO, blog, PR, and product marketing in support of BeyondTrust’s demand generation and sales enablement initiatives. She has a diverse background in product marketing, brand marketing, content writing, social media, event coordination, and public relations. Outside of the tech world, she has a passion for literature, with a BA, MA, and PhD Candidacy in English Literature, and she can either be found beekeeping, restoring her historic haunted house, or continuing her dissertation on the psychological interpretations of ghosts in gothic and horror fiction.
