Be You @ Cohesity | The Importance of Pride, Allyship, and Authenticity

June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate and recognize the LGBTQIA+ community, the successes and achievements made by this community, and the continued fight for equality. The momentum behind the Pride celebration dates back to the 1960s in cities from San Francisco to New York with protesters standing up against police harassment of LGBTQIA+ communities. These riots across the country sparked a revolution of sorts that has continued to evolve for decades — in the United States and worldwide. Pride today continues to be about taking a stand, and at its essence, giving everyone the right to live their life authentically and to be able to love unapologetically. 

In celebration of Pride 2023, we’re shining a light on our new Employee Resource Group, Be You @ Cohesity. Be You @ Cohesity provides a safe space for all members of the LGBTQIA+ community here at Cohesity. In this article, hear from members of the Be You @ Cohesity ERG about who they are today, what advice they would give to their younger selves, and why it’s so important to “Be YOU” each and every day. 

Annabelle Minchom, Sr. Manager, Channel & Inside Sales Operations, EMEA

For someone completely unfamiliar with your field, please describe your role at Cohesity.

I am a Channel & Inside Sales Manager for EMEA. I drive operational excellence to increase deal velocity and provide compelling insights to the business leaders.

What is something personal about yourself that most people at Cohesity don’t know about you?

I have been playing Dungeons & Dragons for over 35 years

Looking at our RADIO values which one resonates with you the most, and why?

Respect and Integrity resonate equally for me. I believe these engender all of the other values.

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

Just be you. Anything other than “yes” is “no”, and people that love you won’t demand that you change yourself to suit some transient and ambiguous standard.

Why is it important for members of the non-LBGTQ+ community to be allies?

We are all people. We laugh, we cry, we love. Who we are, who we want to be, and who we want to be with are not measures by which anyone should deem someone worthy or unworthy.

What does it mean to “bring your full and best self to work every day”? How does our new ERG, Be You @ Cohesity, support that?

We are creating and evolving a culture of equality and a safe environment in which we can be ourselves. It enables people from across race, gender, orientation, etc. to share stories, insights, and wisdom that help to create an informed population where what may currently seem strange becomes familiar.

Michael Thacker, Sr. Director, Global Public Relations

For someone completely unfamiliar with your field, please describe your role at Cohesity.

I lead the global media relations/public relations team here at Cohesity.

What is something personal about yourself that most people at Cohesity don’t know about you?

While I do not have a technical role, I grew up a big math and science geek. My undergraduate degree is in Chemical Engineering. It was later in life when I learned to speak up that I realized that not only am I an effective communicator, but I really enjoy this kind of work.

Looking at our RADIO values, which one resonates with you the most, and why?

Positive Attitude: Cohesity has great technology. But to many, we’re still not the most known company. I’m proud to be a part of the team that is helping to create that awareness, but that can be a daunting task. I feel very fortunate that I am surrounded by a team who not only understands the assignment but truly enjoys working together with positive intent.

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

Don’t allow imposter syndrome to make you think you aren’t worth the opportunities you will be presented with.

Why is it important for members of the non-LBGTQ+ community to be allies?

It doesn’t take more than a quick view of the news or a scan of social media to see that this group is under attack in recent times. When I see those who are anti-LBGTQ+ in their language, I feel fear. However, when allies are alongside us in fighting those fears, I really believe we can transform society.

What does it mean to “bring your full and best self to work every day”? How does our new ERG, Be You @ Cohesity, support that?

To me, bringing my full self means that I can speak up without fear, guilt, or shame. Our ERG helps celebrate those of us who challenge society by simply being who they are. I believe this makes us a better company — one that can make better solutions. while also creating a great place to work.

Lisa Marcyes, Director, Social Media Strategy

For someone completely unfamiliar with your field, please describe your role at Cohesity.

I lead social media at Cohesity.

What is something personal about yourself that most people at Cohesity don’t know about you?

I have jumped out of an airplane, walked on hot coals, and backpacked over 250 miles of the Appalachian Trail.

Looking at our RADIO values, which one resonates with you the most, and why?

As someone who values integrity, I wholeheartedly believe that it permeates every aspect of my life. From my work to raising children, integrity weaves its way into the very fabric of my being. In the workplace, integrity serves as a compass, guiding me to be honest, dependable, and accountable. It means staying true to my values even when faced with tough choices or tempting shortcuts. It’s about doing what’s right, not just what’s easy.

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

Embrace and trust the journey of life. Understand that mistakes and failures are not indicators of worth or potential, but are stepping stones toward growth and self-discovery. Embrace your uniqueness, follow your passions, and be kind to yourself along the way. Remember that life is a continuous learning experience, and it’s okay to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from them. Believe in your abilities, stay true to your values, and trust that everything will unfold in its own time. Most importantly, love yourself. Slow down. Breathe.

Why is it important for members of the non-LBGTQ+ community to be allies?

There’s never been a more crucial time to be a vocal ally. Every person, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, deserves nothing less than love, respect, and equal opportunities. It’s vital that we support and protect the rights of all individuals. By advocating for safe spaces, challenging biases, and fostering empathy, I hope to build a stronger, more compassionate community. As a Mom, all I want is for my child is a world where everyone’s rights are respected, where love and acceptance prevail, and where equality for all is the norm.

What does it mean to “bring your full and best self to work every day”? How does our new ERG, Be You @ Cohesity, support that?

I think bringing your full and best self to work every day is about being present, authentic, and committed to making a positive impact. The Be You ERG fosters a supportive work environment by valuing teamwork, being open to different perspectives, and contributing to a collaborative and inclusive work culture.

Lamar Daniels, Head of Talent Acquisition, GTM and Marketing 

For someone completely unfamiliar with your field, please describe your role at Cohesity.

I am one of the leaders of the Global Talent Acquisition team. My day-to-day includes overseeing our various recruiting functions for Go-To-Market and Customer Experience, while also building and enhancing our processes that attract diverse talent.

What is something personal about yourself that most people at Cohesity don’t know about you?

Home improvement and decorating are one of my passions, and I also love helping people design their homes and spaces for all different budgets. I love to build things — even though I am not super crafty — but it helps me learn how to fail and try again and get better! I also really enjoy giving back to the community around me.

Looking at our RADIO values, which one resonates with you the most, and why?

For me, it’s Customer Obsession. In my role on the Talent Acquisition team, we have customer obsession on various levels. Our “customers” are our hiring teams and leaders in addition to our candidates. This gives us the opportunity to have experiences with each of our different customers and learn how people digest and think about things, which in turn, makes us better.

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

Don’t let someone take something from you that was never theirs to take, whether that’s how you identify, or maybe it’s the job you want. Don’t let their negativity impact your desires. Instead, take that negativity and use that to help motivate you to reach your goals.

Why is it important for members of the non-LBGTQ+ community to be allies?

We need to champion one another – first as humans – to be their best. We don’t have to agree with everyone’s choices, but we should respect and uplift the people around us.

What does it mean to “bring your full and best self to work every day”? How does our new ERG, Be You @ Cohesity, support that?

Be You is what you should be doing every day – bringing your whole self to work, authentically. There’s a professional and personal version of yourself and the more that you can infuse both together, the happier you’ll be. It’s exhausting having to show up as someone different every day, and if you stay true to yourself, you’ll learn how to greatly impact the organization.

We all need to have empathy, especially around challenges. It’s okay to just show up and be YOU. Don’t lose yourself in being something that you are not.