Empowering Voices, Building Belonging: How BIC’s ERGs Shape Our Culture

 

At BIC, our culture is built on creativity, care, and connection. One of the most meaningful ways we bring these values to life is through our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). These employee-led communities create space for open dialogue, mutual support, and initiatives that uplift our people while strengthening our culture. 

Each ERG reflects the diverse voices and experiences of #TeamBIC and serves as a powerful driver of inclusion, belonging, and positive impact. Here’s a look at how our ERGs are shaping culture through meaningful activations this year: 

 

HOLA: Honoring Latin Origins & Leadership at BIC 

HOLA brings joy and community through cultural celebrations rooted in Latin heritage. 

  • Cinco de Mayo Fiesta: Taco buffet, festive mocktails, and music turned lunchtime into a shared celebration. 
  • Frida Kahlo Tribute: Organized a pet supply drive for local shelters in honor of Kahlo’s love of animals. 
  • Celebration of Generosity: Marked the success of the drive with paletas for all participants. 

 

💬 “HOLA gives us the chance to celebrate and share our culture while building unity across BIC. From connecting with our Hispanic colleagues in Charlotte to organizing a pet donation drive for the local Shelton shelter, I’m proud of how we’ve created space where people feel seen, heard, and supported—while giving back to our community.” – Karina Perez, HOLA Co-Chair 

 

WEB: Women Empowerment at BIC 

WEB champions equity and confidence by spotlighting women’s voices and supporting professional growth. 

  • Honoring History: Curated poster galleries for International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month. 
  • Empowering Affirmations: Partnered with Rocketbook to fill offices with sticky-note messages of empowerment. 
  • Professional Development: Launched a speaker series with an executive leadership coach on work-life balance and confidence. 

 

💬 “WEB is all about uplifting women’s voices and building confidence, and I’m proud of how we’ve created opportunities to celebrate history, share affirmations, and invest in professional growth. Together, we’re showing what’s possible when women feel seen, supported, and empowered at work.” – Courtney McNelis, WEB Co-Chair 

 

APIA: Asian Pacific Islanders Alliance at BIC 

APIA fosters pride and cross-cultural understanding through celebrations and shared stories. 

  • Lunar New Year: Welcomed the Year of the Snake with music, Tai Chi, and a face-change performance. 
  • Heritage Month Dialogue: Hosted California Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi for a virtual discussion on leadership and representation. 

 

💬 “Being part of the APIA ERG gives me the opportunity to uplift others in the community by promoting cultural understanding and open dialogue across diverse backgrounds. I'm especially proud of events like our Diwali celebration, where team members step out of their comfort zones to connect, learn, and celebrate together—helping build a more inclusive and informed workplace for all.” – Mina Parmar, APIA Co-Chair 

💬 “The APIA ERG provides me with a sense of community and belonging, allowing me to celebrate my cultural heritage while connecting with others who share similar experiences and values. It also offers meaningful networking opportunities across departments that help me grow both personally and professionally.” – Michiko Topete, APIA Co-Chair 

 

BLISS: Black Leaders Influencing Sustainable Success 

BLISS creates space for cultural celebration and community service while advancing representation. 

  • Giving Back: Sponsored a school supply drive for local students. 
  • Celebrating Together: Partnered with PRIDE for a Juneteenth Celebration and Pride Walk. 
  • Service in Action: Marked MLK Day by assembling toiletry kits for local shelters. 

 

💬 “BLISS creates space to celebrate a rich history while fostering connection across BIC. From welcoming new members to leading back-to-school and toiletry drives, I’m proud of how we’re building an inclusive community that uplifts our colleagues and makes a meaningful impact beyond the workplace.” – Euston Lewis, BLISS Co-Chair 

 

CARE: Supporting Caregivers 

CARE nurtures empathy by highlighting the challenges of caregiving and offering practical tools for balance. 

  • Fair Play Workshops: Introduced strategies to share responsibilities at home and reduce stress. 
  • Hidden Labor Awareness: Opened conversations on the unseen work of caregiving and its impact. 

 

💬 “Balancing little kids, a full-time job, and caring for my late mother showed me firsthand the mental and physical toll caregiving can take. That’s why having a supportive network to connect and share experiences means so much. CARE strengthens BIC’s culture of belonging by recognizing that caregiving takes many forms - whether for children, parents, partners, or loved ones, and by celebrating and supporting each of those experiences.” – Nora Gelevic, CARE Co-Chair 

 

 

SWIM: Support Wellness and Improving Mental Health 

SWIM strengthens BIC’s culture of care by encouraging open dialogue around wellness and creating opportunities for self-care. 

  • Neurodiversity at Work: Hosted a virtual speaker session on thinking differently together. 
  • Spring Refresh: Organized a pot-painting and planting workshop. 
  • Mindful Moments: Offered a virtual yoga hour to promote relaxation and balance. 

 

💬 “SWIM creates a safe space to talk openly about mental health, reminding us that wellness is a shared priority. I’m especially proud of how we embraced creativity this year—from art workshops to conversations on neurodiversity and caregiving—building connection and reducing stigma across BIC.” – Adriana Pascarella, SWIM Co-Chair 

 

 

PRIDE at BIC 

PRIDE builds allyship and fosters inclusion so everyone can bring their authentic selves to work. 

  • Inclusive Learning: Hosted a speaker event with Shane Diamond on creating inclusive spaces. 
  • Celebrating Pride: Teamed up with BLISS for a Juneteenth and Pride community walk. 

 

💬 “Starting BIC Pride has been one of the most exciting things I have worked on since I started at BIC. The amount of support we have received from leadership and our colleagues has been incredible. We want to make sure that we continue to build an inclusive and supportive space for every team member to be their authentic selves.” - Michael Shypski, PRIDE Co-Chair 

💬 “Being a part of Pride is genuinely fulfilling and empowering. I am sincerely grateful for the support of the BIC Community where I can bring my authentic self to everything I do and make a meaningful impact in the lives of others. I am proud to work for BIC and be an Ally for the LGBTQIA+ community.” – David Salisbury, PRIDE Co-Chair 

 

 

Shaping a Culture of Care, Together 

While each ERG has its own focus, they share a common purpose: building a more inclusive, supportive, and connected workplace for all. Together, they amplify the voices of our people, champion meaningful initiatives, and help make BIC a place where everyone can thrive. 

 

Learn more about life at BIC at careers.bic.com.