By Marilou Gorospe, Production Technician
When people ask why I joined the Women’s Employee Resource Group (ERG), the Multicultural ERG, and later the Culture Council, the answer is simple: I want to help make a difference.
I joined because I genuinely care about people. I grew up in a culture where caring for, supporting, and helping one another is a way of life. That experience shaped how I see the world and how I want to contribute. Despite the challenges and negativity we sometimes see around us, I still believe in humanity. I believe that, at our core, people want to do good, support one another, and make a positive difference. That’s why these groups matter so much to me. The Culture Council and our ERGs create opportunities to bring people together, build understanding, and help turn those beliefs into action.
I’ve worked in production for many years, and throughout that time I’ve always believed that people deserve opportunities to grow, contribute, and be recognized for their potential. When I saw chances to help create a more inclusive workplace, I wanted to be part of the conversation.
My journey started with the Women’s ERG. I had been hoping to see a group like that established, and when I learned it existed, I immediately wanted to get involved. The more meetings I attended and the more events I supported, the more I realized how powerful employee communities can be. They encourage new ideas and give people a chance to support one another.
Later, I was invited to join the Culture Council as a representative for production employees. At first, I wasn’t sure whether I could make it work. Production schedules are busy, and I wondered how I would balance the commitment with my day-to-day responsibilities. I also knew this was an opportunity to help ensure that production employees had a voice in conversations about culture and inclusion.
What motivated me most was the belief that positive change begins when people are willing to speak up.
Over the years, I have worked alongside many talented women who demonstrated leadership every day. I wanted to help create an environment where opportunities continued to grow and where people felt encouraged to pursue their goals. Rather than focusing on what wasn’t working, I wanted to be part of helping things improve.
One of the most rewarding parts of this experience has been seeing progress. I’ve watched more women step into leadership positions, seen stronger collaboration across teams, and observed a greater sense of inclusion throughout the organization. Those changes reinforce why employee involvement matters.
I’ve also grown personally in ways I never expected. Participating in the Women’s ERG, Multicultural ERG, and Culture Council has helped me become a stronger communicator and collaborator. I’ve learned how to navigate difficult conversations and listen to different perspectives as I work alongside people from many backgrounds and functions. Along the way, I’ve met colleagues throughout the business who I never would have known otherwise.
Perhaps most importantly, these experiences helped me realize that creating change doesn’t always require a formal leadership title. Sometimes it starts with raising a concern, sharing an idea, asking a question, or encouraging someone else to get involved.
That’s why I continue to participate today. I believe every employee has the ability to make a positive impact. When people come together, share their perspectives, and focus on improving the workplace for others, meaningful change becomes possible. For me, that’s what being involved is all about.
