Every year, Aramark has reported that its employee resource group (ERG) recognises the members and nonprofit partners who most embody the group’s mission to foster an open, inclusive environment in which lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (LGBTQ+), and others who identify or are allied with that community are fully engaged to achieve the organization’s goals and enhance employees’ professional growth.
This year, the ERG selected the company’s Collegiate Hospitality director of retail dining Jasmine Hopkins, as the winner of the 2023 Ian Bailey Pride of Aramark Award, named for the company’s former vice president of Investor Relations.
Nominated by many of her peers, she is reported to bring boundless energy and commitment to her role as the pride communications co-chair, through which she is driven to create the best experience for ERG members.
“It is such an overwhelming honor to be recognized by my peers for my commitment to and passion for inclusion,” said Ms Hopkins. “Becoming a member of pride and joining the leadership team has genuinely been a labour of love. I am sincerely grateful that I get to be me every day and contribute to a culture where we can all be seen and heard.”
She was recognized at a virtual event on October 26 thst coordinated watch parties so ERG members and other employees across the company could take part in the celebration.
Pride also recognized other award winners during the event:
Tom Crocker, Hub Honoree 2023
Business and innovation director Mr Crocker is chair of the company’s Pride UK Hub, which was created in 2020. “It’s an incredible honor to be selected as the inaugural Pride Hub Honoree,” he said. “Our Hub wouldn’t be what it is without the dedication and efforts of our committee—and by how willing people are to support our goals in making Aramark an ever-inclusive workplace.”
Prism United, OUTstanding Community Partner 2023
Prism United is a non-profit organization addressing issues facing LGBTQ youth in Southwest Alabama. A longtime community partner, it will receive a grant along with the award recognition.
Now with more than 700 members, the initiative has grown almost 15% in the past year, due in part to the ERG’s continued focus on expansion across local and international member hubs.
In addition to the awards event held last month, several other activities took place designed to help employees commemorate LGBTQ+ History Month and National Coming Out Day, including:
- Cooking demo and discussion 6 October, discussing the rich history and cultural significance of tequila, learning how to make paloma cocktails and nachos con queso, and watching an inspiring video of a significant Latinx LGBTQ+ figure.
- Motivational Speaker 11 October. Guest speaker Stephanie Battaglino, an internationally recognized transgender motivational speaker, trainer, founder and owner of Follow Your Heart came to share her story of being a closeted employee who found true acceptance once she decided to live her truth.
- Hub Meet and Greet and Virtual Tour 18 October. Hub leaders from the UK, Philadelphia, Ohio, Nashville, and Oakland led employees through a virtual tour of their locations and shared a unique piece of history from each.
