Voices of Inclusion: Celebrating Pride at SelectQuote – Employee Testimonials

At SelectQuote, we are committed to fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion, where everyone feels unwavering respect and value. Throughout the month of June, we have asked our team to reflect and share their opinions on how the company empowers our LGBTQIA+ associates to bring their authentic selves to the workplace.

Read below for this edition of 'Voices of Pride' to hear our associates explain how the SelectQuote community stands in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community.

Lanie Ford, Sales Manager, on Empowerment:

Working with new agents on average every 3-4 months, I find it especially important to create a team environment that is welcoming to all. I have the opportunity to meet each new hire and boldly state my story. As a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I make sure my welcome package includes areas of preferred names, and pronouns. As well as an open door policy for all to feel free to express themselves both professionally and personally.

Morgan Rauker, Supervisor SDA, on Empowerment:

As an individual who identifies with the LGBTQIA+ community and holds a leadership role, I have advocated for an inclusive culture within my organization. This culture prioritizes the creation of a safe, open space for all associates, regardless of their ethnicity, origin, or race. My efforts are aimed not just towards creating a supportive environment for our associates but also towards encouraging them to embrace and express their authentic selves. This inclusivity extends beyond the associate level, with senior management also contributing to this ethos, notably seen in the support I received during a pivotal period of my personal life—my wedding. My experience at SelectQuote is indicative of inclusivity that not any companies share the same values. I am grateful and proud to be part of such a progressive and supportive organization.

Tasha Hadley, Recruiting Manager, on Personal Story & Experiences:

Hello and Happy Pride Month! The purpose of this blog is to share a story or experience within SelectQuote that has made me feel a sense of allyship, belonging, inclusivity, and value around the LGBT+ community. I have never once felt treated differently by anyone at SelectQuote based on my sexuality, and therefore I have always felt a sense of allyship, belonging, inclusivity, and value. In reality, this is how SelectQuote presents itself to all walks of life, not just within the LGBT+ community, but within every diversified community. The mere fact that SelectQuote puts so much effort into recognizing the differences among us all and celebrating that individuality speaks volumes. For me, my colleagues have gone out of their way to support me in my running, showing up at events to cheer me on and always shouting out my successes outside of the work environment. The amount of support they show my wife with her (our) business adventures is incredible, considering she isn't even an employee of SelectQuote. Still, the support and excitement are the same. What I want to point out about SelectQuote is that, in my experience, there has never been a time where I have felt the need to have a sense of allyship, belonging, inclusivity, and value as a part of the LGBT+ community, because that belonging has been unwavering since day one.??

Bailey Brewer, Supervisory of Application Support, on Teamwork and the LGBTQIA+ Community:

Being a queer leader within SelectQuote is both simultaneously rewarding and challenging. Creating and maintaining a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for my team is one of the aspects of my leadership I take most pride in. I continuously work with my team to bring the utmost empathy to my position. I also have a zero tolerance policy for any degrading comments aimed at someone’s identity, no matter if it’s race, gender, etc. But working together, living with empathy, can certainly create constraint. Working in a digital workplace can create some complicated communication issues. I am a trans woman, and I have made the decision to not voice train (meaning I’m not purposefully working towards raising the pitch of my voice so it lands in a more traditionally feminine octave). When I join a call with people I’m unfamiliar with, it can lead to me being misgendered. There are occasions where I stand up for myself and make the correction, but there are other times when I simply don’t have the energy to engage in that way. However, because my team and I have worked together to create a positive environment of empathy, others on my team will oftentimes make that correction for me so I don’t have to.

Alex Cooper, Manager of Application Support, on Allyship:

June is a special month dedicated to celebrating and promoting inclusivity, acceptance, and the vibrant diversity of the LGBTQ+ community. As a leader in my Department and an ally, I feel driven to help uplift the voices of others and create a welcoming space where everyone can contribute to their fullest potential. Contributing to a community is not a one-time interaction, so I have to continually ask myself: how can I be an inclusive leader? First, I believe you can allow for the most impact by keeping an attitude of curiosity; learning from others and educating yourself are the building blocks for a welcoming environment. Second, showing respect and deference to your peers (no matter what level) allows everyone the opportunity to contribute equally. Especially in a management role, it’s critical to create space for people to feel safe, heard, and respected. Being an ally is not always straightforward, but taking a few intentional steps can open the door for others to step through. I will look forward to celebrating our successes and learning from one another.?

As we reflect and recognize Pride Month throughout the last few weeks of June, we must remember that our commitment to being an ally extends beyond this month. SelectQuote looks to continue being a proactive ally, supporting our LGBTQIA+ colleagues, friends, and family members in their journey toward equality and empowerment.

Thank you for tuning into this profound article and listening in to our associates as they contribute to the Voices of Pride. We greatly appreciate their continuous efforts to build a stronger, more compassionate community by celebrating diversity and promoting acceptance within the workplace!