Limited Brands Associates Graduate from United Way's Pride Leadership and Project Diversity Programs
February 02, 2011
Limited Brands has an ongoing relationship with United Way of Central Ohio and their Pride Leadership and Project Diversity programs. We’re proud to have two Limited Brands graduates of this year’s programs, Stacee Roy (Project Diversity) and Gary Aliff (Pride Leadership).
PROJECT DIVERSITY
Meet our most recent graduate of Project Diversity – Stacee Roy
Limited Brands associate, Stacee Roy, recently participated in the United Way of Central Ohio’s Project Diversity program. Hear how Stacee’s experience went and what’s next for her!
About Stacee Roy:
Title: Manager of IT Project Management, Limited Brands
Number of Years with Limited Brands: 7.5
Favorite Limited Brands Value: My favorite is “It matters how we play the game” because it transcends across every aspect of my life. I believe that if you are playing the game correctly, you inherently embrace the other three values.
Q: “What were your expectations going into the Project Diversity program?”
A: “There were several questions that ran through my mind at the onset…What would be expected of me as a board member of a non-profit organization? What did I need to do in order to bring the expected value to a board? I’ve actually served on a board before without fully understanding what I had gotten myself into. That was definitely a learning experience, so this time I wanted to be more educated before joining a board. I wanted to also be able to select a board that best aligns with my talents, passion and interests. I also looked forward to building relationships through the various workshops and interactions as a team and to leverage those relationships going forward.”
Q: “What was your biggest learning?”
A: “I’d have to say that it was exposure to all of the challenges that non-profits are currently facing and the issues that specific communities are facing. For example, the economic downturn has made homelessness for entire families a reality. Also, the fact that many boards are not only ineffective, but also lack diversity. Some boards, don’t have term limits and have ceased to be relevant.”
Q: “What’s next for you?”
A: “I’ve always wanted to serve in areas of need. My first passion is around domestic violence. However, as a result of increased education and awareness through my Project Diversity experience and as a community volunteer, the basic needs of food and shelter for families are definitely top of mind.”
About Project Diversity:
Since its inception in 1989, Project Diversity has supported several Limited Brands associates in becoming leaders in the Central Ohio community. Stemming from United Way of Central Ohio, Project Diversity is a program that guides minority professionals to volunteer boards and committees of interest. Participants go through an eight-month training process that gives them the resources to be a more effective board or committee member. Project Diversity continues to align with United Way’s key principle of “Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion.” This guiding principal aligns wholly with one of Limited Brands’ core values, “Inclusion makes us stronger.” Limited Brands is committed to creating a diverse organization, and an inclusive culture permeates everything we do.
PRIDE LEADERSHIP
Meet our first graduate of Pride Leadership – Gary Aliff
Limited Brands associate, Gary Aliff, recently participated in the United Way of Central Ohio’s Pride Leadership program. Hear how Gary’s experience went and what’s next for him!
About Gary Aliff:
Title: Director of Enterprise Program Manangement, Limited Brands
Number of Years with Limited Brands: 9
Favorite Limited Brands Value: “It matters how we play the game”
Q: “What were your expectations going into the Pride Leadership program?”
A: “I went in with a truly open mind, having no concrete expectations because I knew that I would get a lot out of it. I was anxious to learn as much as I could.”
Q: “What was your biggest learning?”
A: “I’d have to say that I had two very big learnings. First, I really learned a lot about Transgendered people. Prior to this experience, I didn’t understand the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity. It really helped to reinforce my thoughts around the real sense and meaning of inclusion. In my role as co-lead for the LGBT Associate Resource Group (ARG) here at Limited Brands, I know that I will need to make sure that I’m being inclusive not only in my particular ARG, but with the other ARGs as well. Secondly, our class project/fundraiser with The Legacy Fund was very eye-opening as it showed me the benefit of giving others the opportunity to lead. I took a step back to look at where I could add the most value to the initiative… not where it was the easiest for me to contribute. Because of this, I focused my talents and energy on raising as much money for The Legacy Fund as I possibly could – in fact, I ended up being the leading individual fundraiser for the entire event.”
Q: “What’s next for you?”
A: “Right now, I’m in “hunting and gathering” mode, listening and learning about all of the various local non-profit organizations and their needs. This way, I will know when and where the right fit is for me.”
About Pride Leadership:
Since its inception in 2008, Pride Leadership has helped Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual and Transgendered (LGBT) professionals become leaders in the Central Ohio community. Stemming from United Way of Central Ohio, Pride Leadership is a program that guides LGBT professionals to volunteer boards and committees of interest. Like in Project Diversity, participants go through an eight-month training process that gives them the resources to be a more effective board or committee member. Limited Brands is proud to have its first Pride Leadership graduate.
Inclusion