Main image: Members of PRIDE ERG during their virtual meeting in June
Cambia employees have many ways to show their pride during June and throughout the year. This includes activities hosted by our PRIDE ERG – Professionals Respecting Individuality, Diversity & Equality Employee Resource Group. The mission of the PRIDE ERG is to broaden community awareness and acceptance through open communication, increased understanding and emotional support, and camaraderie among Cambia staff. It’s a safe space for LGBTQ+ employees and allies to gather, find community and support each other.
Some of the ways Cambia and its employees are recognizing Pride this year include:
- Raising the rainbow flag outside seven office buildings across our four-state footprint—Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Utah
- Attending a local Pride event
- Going to PRIDE ERG’s monthly meeting
- Adding the rainbow Cambia logo to email signatures
- Volunteering and donating to nonprofit partners
The corporate social responsibility team partnered with the PRIDE ERG to compile a list of regional nonprofits that support LGBTQ+ people in our communities. Employees can choose to donate or volunteer with one of the selected community partners or an organization of their choosing. The Cambia Health Foundation matches donations at 50% increasing the impact of each donation. When an employee submits volunteer hours, the Foundation also gives them $20 per hour to direct to a nonprofit of their choice. The PRIDE ERG is organizing group volunteering opportunities for the rest of the year to keep the momentum of Pride Month going.
We asked a few ERG members to share how they plan to celebrate Pride Month this year:
Sadie Albro has been with Cambia almost four years, currently as a membership administrator in the government programs department for our regional health plans. She joined the PRIDE ERG a couple of years after arriving at Cambia. She enjoys the chance to meet with the LGBTQ+ community and learn from colleagues throughout the company. Albro said: “I have loved every meeting opportunity that I have been able to attend. They are always fun, upbeat, encouraging, diverse, and informative.” She plans to attend the Southern Oregon Pride Festival this year.
Cari Bacon-Flick leads the human resources business partner team focused on ensuring the development and promotion of great talent. She’s been with Cambia for almost three years and joined the PRIDE ERG not long after she started. “I’m an ally – I have close family and friends in the LGBTQ+ community, and it’s a place for me to learn how I can support and contribute more,” she said. “It’s broadened my knowledge, and I’ve met some colleagues that I wouldn’t normally work with.” For Pride Month, she has signed up with a nonprofit called Free Mom Hugs and looks forward to volunteering with them.
Marybeth Ley is a membership administrator and joined PRIDE when she started at Cambia two years ago. The ERG makes her feel more involved and connected, especially as a remote worker. She loves the monthly meetings, but her favorite PRIDE ERG activity was the virtual holiday party with ugly sweaters and recipe sharing. This year, she is attending Pride in the Park in Coos Bay on the Oregon Coast.
Nikolai O'Connor works in finance and accounting. He’s been at Cambia for 10 years and joined the PRIDE ERG to better understand how Cambia is addressing issues facing the LGBTQ+ community and to gain knowledge about how an organization can listen, act and develop a working environment that allows LGBTQ+ employees to thrive. Being a part of PRIDE makes O'Connor feel comfortable being his authentic self at work. “I feel heard because the ERG allows a safe space and time to talk and share our thoughts,” he said. “I feel valued because there is senior management sponsorship, charity giving and the level of engagement.” His most memorable PRIDE ERG event was when he traveled to Portland in 2019 and walked in the Pride parade to represent Cambia. O’Connor remembers, “It was a lot of fun to connect with colleagues across the organization and to represent Cambia, [a company] that cares and provides health care to LGBTQ+ members and employees.”
