In celebration of Pride Month, we’ll be sharing the open and honest experiences from some of our LGBTQ2S+ team members and how they’re sharing their Pride this month, and beyond.
Andrew Myers has been a member of the Rogers team for eight years, and currently heads up the Advanced Advertising team at Rogers Sports and Media (RSM). His day job currently consists of thinking about how our customer and marketer experience can be improved by building more targeted and personalized ads using data, and pretty soon, he’ll add another full-time job into the mix – being a father.
Andrew shared some details on his journey to becoming a father, and how Rogers is helping him and his partner transition to dad life.
What has the experience of navigating the workplace as a member of the LGBTQ2S+ community been like for you?
I am grateful to have always been part of very supportive teams and colleagues at Rogers. I have certainly been part of some awkward and uncomfortable conversations over the years, but they have been part of our journey to be a more inclusive place. I feel incredibly lucky that I can bring my whole self to work, and feel comfortable sharing my personal life with my colleagues. The change in inclusion that I’ve felt since first joining Rogers, and even more so during the last 18 months, is palpable.
I have also been lucky enough to be a mentor as part of the Spectrum Mentor Circles, one of our Employee Resource Groups. The individuals that have been part of these groups have shared some incredible stories. The transparent, diverse and open conversations have helped me grow as a person and as a leader at Rogers.
We hear you have some exciting news! Could you share that with us?
I do! My husband Brian and I are expecting a baby boy in September!!!! It’s been a long journey working with a variety of agencies, lawyers, and doctors, but it’s now very real, and soon! (Yes, we’re extremely excited and petrified). We have an amazing surrogate in Ottawa who is the honestly the best. Despite COVID, we’ve been able to hang out in person together a few times and we got to feel Baby Brandrew kick last week!!
I couldn’t have asked for a more supportive team here at Rogers. It’s been such a hectic experience and it’s been fun to answer questions from my colleagues. And, between the great paternity leave and the newly launched Surrogacy Benefit, Rogers will really help us to transition to dad life.
Looking back, what is one piece of advice you’d share with your younger self (or, your little one!) on feeling at peace with your identity?
Be confident! The world can be a scary place, but if you’re confident with who you are, what you stand for and what you bring, then others will respect you.