A decade of growth: my OPEN experience

This year marks the 10-year anniversary of OPEN (Out Professional Engagement Network), a crew resource group at Vanguard. OPEN strives to create an environment where Vanguard’s LGBTQIA+ crew are empowered to be themselves and thrive professionally. Hear from Nicole G. as she reflects on her OPEN experience.

As we celebrate Pride Month, I reflect on how grateful I am to have found a supportive community at work through OPEN (Out Professional Engagement Network), a crew resource group here at Vanguard. Being a member of OPEN has genuinely been a transformative experience for me. While I have been lucky to have a loving and supportive family at home, OPEN has allowed me to embrace my identity at work, build a strong connection and network of peers, enhance my own allyship, develop critical professional skills, and advocate for inclusivity. The personal and professional growth I’ve experienced through this journey is a testament to the power of creating safe spaces and fostering diversity within the workplace.

Although I’ve been at Vanguard for over 23 years, my coming out journey started just over a decade ago with a few trusted and close colleagues (now great friends) who provided the initial space I needed to share my truth. After hearing about OPEN a few years later, I joined immediately. OPEN became a larger support system where I could share my personal experiences and continue to develop the courage to talk about my life outside of work. Connecting with crew who are a part of my community, as well as allies, also helped me feel comfortable enough to bring my authentic self to work. This has given me a renewed sense of purpose to encourage others to do the same.

Over the years as I’ve taken on more prominent roles in OPEN, I’ve deepened my understanding of the challenges faced by others in the LGBTQIA+ community. I’ve had the opportunity to use my voice to raise awareness, build allyship, educate others, and advocate for everyone in our community. I’ve also had the pleasure to help coordinate many inclusive programs and events at Vanguard including a Buddy program for members and allies of the LGBTQIA+ community that provides a space for crew to connect on a personal and/or professional level with others in the LGBTQIA+ community. One of my OPEN colleagues has said we have our “day jobs” and we have our “gay jobs” as volunteers for OPEN, and I think that captures something meaningful. I enjoy my day job in market research, but I find such fulfilment in in my OPEN role and am so happy to have found these wonderful people in my OPEN family. I am humbled and honored to be a part of this passionate group. We have the unique opportunity to learn and grow with each other and help others feel empowered to do the same.

I am excited to celebrate my LGBTQIA+ community this month and continue the positive change we collectively create for current and future crew members here at Vanguard. My OPEN family and my team have greatly contributed to me feeling safe and proud to hang my rainbow sticker and pictures of my lil’ queer family at my desk, which is so important for me in today’s world.

If we are empowered to be our true selves at work, we are more confident in ourselves to do our best.

Happy Pride!

-Nicole G. (she/her)