By Marilou Gorospe, Technician Test 3
One of the things I value most about our workplace is the opportunity to learn from people whose experiences, backgrounds, and traditions may be very different from my own.
That belief inspired our Multicultural ERG Summer Potluck.
We organized the event to showcase the cultural diversity represented across our workforce while creating opportunities for employees to connect in a more personal way. We hoped employees would feel valued and included, inspired to learn more about the Multicultural ERG.
The response was incredible. Nearly 40 employees participated, far exceeding our expectations, and brought dishes representing cultures from around the world. Each dish reflected a unique story and tradition connected to someone’s heritage.
Connecting Through Food and Conversation
Gathering outdoors on a warm summer afternoon created the perfect setting for conversation. What started as a potluck quickly became an opportunity to share experiences and build relationships.
One of my favorite moments was watching employees connect across departments. The event made it easy for people to meet coworkers they may not interact with regularly and learn about different cultural traditions in a natural and meaningful way.
Jayna Patel, Quality Control Inspector, experienced the same thing. She shared that the potluck helped employees connect outside their usual circles while creating opportunities to learn more about one another’s cultures and backgrounds.
Building Belonging
The event reinforced something I believe deeply: A multicultural workplace is one where people feel valued for who they are and where diverse perspectives are welcomed and appreciated.
As someone with Philippine, Asian, and Spanish heritage, this is especially meaningful to me. Jayna echoed this sentiment, describing a multicultural workplace as a place where employees feel respected and able to learn from one another.
The Power of One Novanta
By the end of the afternoon, it was clear that the potluck had become much more than a meal. It brought people together and encouraged new connections, fostering a greater sense of belonging.
For me, that’s what One Novanta is all about: Bringing together different perspectives and backgrounds makes us stronger. Creating opportunities to learn from one another and build meaningful relationships reflects the inclusive, collaborative culture that defines The Novanta Way.