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Want a peak behind the curtain into one of the best places to work in cybersecurity and the minds of the innovators behind the industry’s leading security operations platform? Tune in to The Howler podcast!
Hosted by Chelsea Lowman, People Experience Specialist, and Mary Newville, People Experience Senior Manager, the culture duo connects with pack leaders on leadership insights, mental health and overall wellbeing, and how they lead their teams to advance our mission of ending cyber risk.
The Howler Podcast - Episode 8 - Pack Unity
Chelsea Lowman 0:00
Welcome back to the Howler Podcast. I'm Chelsea.
Mary Newville 0:03
I'm Mary,
Chelsea Lowman 0:04
and we are back with a bonus episode we are so excited to bring you another roundtable episode. If you are a Howler podcast listener, you know that our standard episodes, we are interviewing our senior leaders. But we're really excited with these roundtables that we can introduce you to the broader Pack. So we are happy to have three Pack members with us today. And we're going to talk all about Pack Unity. Yes,
Mary Newville 0:33
like Chelsea said, we're gonna have a great roundtable discussion with some really beautiful humans here at the Pack, our last roundtable discussion if you missed it was on mental health and well being it was a great conversation. You can catch it. I think it was episode number four. Okay.
Chelsea Lowman 0:54
Well, we name them like bonus episode one, you
Mary Newville 0:58
can find bonus episode one, wherever you listen to podcasts normally. But yes, it's compact unity is our diversity, equity and inclusion and belonging initiative here at Arctic wealth. So before we get into our conversation, whether you're watching or listening, we want to introduce you to the Pack members we have on the call with us. So okay, guests, we're so excited to have you if everyone could share so the audience can put your faces and or your voices to your names and a little bit of what you do if you could share your name, your location, your role. And if you're willing, your pronouns, and then two things, your favorite thing about running with the Pack? And what does Pack Unity mean to you. So it's a lot, take your time, whoever wants to go first can jump in?
Chidi Egwim 1:45
Sure, I'll go first, think about my left side. Hi, my name is Chidi, Chidi Egwim. I am a project manager for the manager when there's products from the security awareness and training team. In my role, we drive projects schedules for internal ma teams, such as r&d content, the strategy team, the product team as well. We also coordinate between internal m&a teams and the larger Arctic Wolf team. I have been Arctic cool for two years and five months now. In this role since October, I originally started as a customer support manager when we were acquired from a different company. What does Pack Unity mean to me? Or what do I love about Pack Unity? I love the I love the culture. I love the camaraderie. Pack Unity means no one gets left behind. You know, you respect people you consider everybody and you bring people along with you. So that's that's what back unity means to me. Happy to be here.
Mary Newville 3:06
Yeah, we're so happy you're here for the listener that might not know our internal lingo. M A is for managed awareness. Right?
Chidi Egwim 3:14
Yes. Managed awareness. Yes. And it's one of the products here and articles.
Mary Newville 3:18
And you're what's your favorite thing about being part of the Pack? Like I said,
Chidi Egwim 3:22
it's the camaraderie, the importance that we place on respecting others and being considerate. It really makes you pause before you react. I I love that so much. Because we you know, almost always, especially in the world we live now people are quick to react to things but because at every Pack in any meeting that we've gone to those that blurb that, you know the leader is read out really quickly and it always says you know, respect others. Don't take it personally. Listen, to understand and not to respond. That always that really resonates with me. So that's my favorite thing about the Pack is the respect and you know, just carrying everybody along. Thanks,
Mary Newville 4:14
Judy. And Chidi, fun fact, is an avid traveler, and you want to bond with someone who loves to travel so I'm excited for rapid fire when we ask for Don't spoil it now. Next place on your bucket list. Yes,
Chidi Egwim 4:28
yes, I know we talked about this when I first met you. I love that. So
John Taylor 4:33
my name is John Taylor. I go by JT many know me by duty, but I go by both John or JT. I am currently located in our San Antonio, Texas location. I'm from Utah originally. So sometimes you'll see me in the office there if you're listening. And you're an employee at Arctic Wolf in Pleasant Grove. I am a technical trainer with the security services team and Most of what I do involves the monthly release train. Every month, our r&d and product organization releases, new features and software updates, both for internal teams and for our customers. And I train the security services organization on those changes. And that happens on a monthly basis. So I love what I do love getting to learn about the Arctic Wolf solutions in depth and then get to teach that to other people. So it's a great job. One of my favorite things about running with the Pack is I really believe in the Arctic Wolf is doing for the world, right. Our our slogan is end cyber risk, right. And we know there's there's a lot of breaches out there. There's a lot of malicious people and a lot of malicious actors that are trying to take advantage of people's data and their information. And, and I love that Arctic Wolf is protecting people, there's people behind everything that we do, even if you are a security analyst and you feel maybe all you're doing all day is looking at log lines, or you're just responding to certain events that are being logged by a computer. Just remember that there is a person behind what you are doing. And that's what I love about Arctic Wolf. Pack Unity to me, kind of like what Ed was saying, is running together, you know, the wolves run in a Pack. And there are many different kinds of wolves, right. We know there's, there's articles, there's wolves that that don't live in Arctic places that live in the mountains or they live in different climates. And just like wolves, each of us comes from a different background, we have different experiences. And I love that Pack Unity works to bring all of our experiences together so that we can increase our diversity of thought and diversity of perspective. That article
Mary Newville 6:54
so good. And JT so humble is the co founder of Lobos. Do you want to share a little bit about Lobos? JT? Absolutely.
John Taylor 7:03
Yeah, so Bose is our employee resource group or our Pack unique alliance is what we call them here at Arctic Wolf. It's our Pack Unity alliance for Hispanics and Latinos, Latinos and Latin X people and allies as well. We love our allies. And it's a party honestly, we get to learn about all the different cultures and and, and perspectives from people who identify as Hispanic or Latino or Latine. And it's, it's been amazing. We've we've gotten to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month multiple times now, each with great turnouts, lots of great food, great music, fun activities. And when not in Hispanic Heritage Month, we also get to celebrate some of the cultural traditions that come from different countries in Latin America, and other places where people identify with being Hispanic or or Latino or Latina Latinx. And
Mary Newville 7:56
for non Spanish speakers, they might not know but Lobos means wolves in Did you already say that?
John Taylor 8:03
I didn't say that. No, but you are correct. Lobos is a direct translation from Spanish and Portuguese actually, the word Lobo means wolf
Mary Newville 8:12
so cool. It's been so fun to see the logos community grow at Arctic wolves. Salsa salsa at Columbia's Independence Day to last race day. Why
John Taylor 8:26
don't some insane growth over the past two years that said that our Pack EOD Alliance has existed. And it's just been so much fun.
Mary Newville 8:35
It's really cool. The community that you inspired with Anthony, so
John Taylor 8:41
yeah, Anthony has been a great partner. Okay, last but not least,
Trisha Farrow 8:45
thank you. I'm Trisha Farrow, I'm at Arctic Wolf I serve as Vice President of people, which means I have the team of people experienced that Mary Leeds and Chelsea isn't working alongside them. I also work alongside our leader and lnd, Kim Kramer, and Sam Otto and then I have a people business partner team that spans across the globe as well so really exciting role here at Arctic Wolf to be a part of. I also for since I've been an Arctic well for the past three years. based at Eden Prairie, Minnesota, I have been serving as the Pack Unity co chair with along with Mary and I am passing the torch to Chelsea, and I'm super excited to continue to see the growth of Pac unity it's been I guess I'll wait until just what tech unity means to me. It's been it continues to be the opportunity for me to really like for me personally connect both my head and my heart to the work and the people that make up our Pack with the intentional goal of of me meeting people where they're at and understanding them individually, and then hopefully, collectively bring people along on our journey so that every single wolf feels that they can thrive. He had articles, in addition to kind of their, their connection of the head and heart and happening to so when JT lights up and talks about Lobos, I see that and I get so excited, because not only is he thriving in his career here, but he's thriving and something that he's passionate about and volunteering to do, and creating a space for other individuals and allies that identify with the Lobos community. And that just, it's, it's just really cool to see. And it's been really cool to be a part of, and I can't wait to see what Pack Unity will continue to grow to be in the years to come. I use the pronoun she her I'm kind of going out of order here. And what I love most about the Pack, I know it sounds cliche, being I am in the people team, but I will say the people and I consider it a true honor and privilege that I get to come to work here at articles every single day. There's many other companies in this world that we're choosing to be a part of Arctic Wolf and Arctic Wolf has chosen us and I the people that make up our Pack truly is just it's been fun to be a part of and I considered it a true blessing.
Mary Newville 11:27
Love everything you had to say. And I feel like we can't, I mean, we'd be remiss not to just talk I feel like you're a an unsung hero of the podcast, or not an unsung hero of the podcast. But I mean Trisha and I, if you've if you're a listener of the podcast, we've referenced Trisha a lot she's on your head alone. But as far as Pakhtoon V goes, Trisha, his fingerprints are all over it and they things are on the path like when you know better, you do better and we're stronger together. And those are direct. That's Trisha has influence infiltrating into how we operate and care for each other well, so we would not be where we are today without you, Trisha and an honor to have you lead us and so it's great that you can be on the podcast today. So
Trisha Farrow 12:16
thanks for having me. As I said, I feel like I'm missing celebrities here.
Chidi Egwim 12:22
With you Okay. With you. This is how to break into Hollywood guys. Chelsea and Mary's This is
Chelsea Lowman 12:38
No, we're honored to have you all on the podcast chestnut. Um, before we get into our next question, I did just I know we heard about churches influence and JT leading Lobos Chitty, I just wanted to talk a little bit about your influence with impact unity. I know you've been a super active member of Women Transforming tech. And now you're stepping into the leadership role for our black employee Alliance. So just wanted to give you your flowers as well. And if there's anything you kind of want to share about your experience and journey into these leadership positions.
Chidi Egwim 13:14
Well, I'm I'm I'm really humbled number one, because I you know, I've told you Chelsea when they first when it was first suggested I was ready to run in the opposite direction. But, you know, they've everybody before me now. Darius and Cami and Amina and Bob attune de, they have done all of the hard work, okay, they have laid such a solid foundation. There's not too much else we can do, because they took this from nothing with Trisha support and brought it to where it's at now. So my only hope is that, you know, in conjunction with Venga, and we can, you know, build on what they've already started. So, I am honored and I can't wait to see where this takes us. Yeah,
Chelsea Lowman 14:13
so I have no doubt that you guys are going to, to your point build on the wonderful success of the Alliance so far, and it's just going to get even better. So excited to have you. Yes, in that role. Um, okay, let's jump in to our first official question. Could one of you share with us, maybe one experience that has shaped your understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion, and kind of what drives you to be an advocate?
John Taylor 14:46
So I had an awesome experience last year, through the nonprofit that I volunteer with Ra�ces Cyber Org. I had the opportunity to attend the RSA Conference 2020 Three in San Francisco. And I got to participate in a lot of roundtables and just talks that were focused on the topic of diversity, equity and inclusion. And some things that kind of stuck out to me were that inclusion is not a data point. It's a feeling. And that's something that I wanted to like, kind of bring up now. Because a lot of times, I think I've been in management here at Arctic Wolf before. And I know everyone here has some sort of vested interest in in diversity, equity and inclusion here at Arctic Wolf. And a lot of times, I think we focus too much on on what we can see in the data, don't get me wrong, the data is amazing. And it helps us you know, get funding to support our employee resource groups, and to help people feel or help people be seen, as far as from a numbers perspective. But really, diversity, equity, and inclusion is more than just like the measurable number. It's the sentiment at your organization. And so I think that, you know, if people are leaving a company, they're not really leaving their job, a lot of times they're leaving people, right. And so what is it that we can do to foster a place where people feel comfortable being themselves and, and sharing their culture with others? I think that was something that really resonated with me at that talk when I was at RSA. The other thing is, we should not only consider our hiring pipeline, but also the leaky pipe. Do we have a leaky pipe? I know a lot of times we put a bunch of effort into hiring diverse talent, but what are we doing to preserve the diverse talent that we already have? So those are just some like keys that key takeaways that I had from that that conference and kind of wanted to bring up here and, you know, kind of tickle your brain a little bit about? Yeah,
Chelsea Lowman 16:54
I loved that the point of no, or that inclusion is not a data point, but a feeling and I think that's where a lot of our talk around belonging comes in here at article feet. We use the EIB. So diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Well,
Mary Newville 17:12
it makes me think when you were sharing that, JT, this question will come up later. But as Kelsey and I are preparing for this interview, I was just thinking about some of my thoughts as well. And one of my some of my favorite path unity moments on the journey have just been the conversations that have happened after a Pack Unity event, where somebody comes up to me in tears and says, I've been working in the US for 20 years, and I've never once got to celebrate holy. I've been here I've worked my whole life and have never seen this experience happen or feel seen in this way and feeling so seen and heard here. I feel like we've had so many different stories of people connecting with their heritage or getting to celebrate share their culture, that means so much to them with others. So when you were talking about the feeling, I mean, it's definitely something that I've seen here. Even I think if you're open to sharing in your storage at the first time, we celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month and you sharing your story and getting to integrate your personal with your professional. Yeah,
John Taylor 18:16
so I grew up in a small town where I was one of the only Hispanic darker skin toned kids at my school. And so I didn't see really a lot of people that represented what I felt like. And as I got older, it got a little bit better, right, more diverse people started to move into the area. But I really felt like the pinnacle of when I I felt like I was representative was when I came to Arctic Wolf right. And I think the the birth of our Packing at Alliance Lobos was, was kind of a turning point for me, where I knew that I had a duty as someone who was given this position of authority and and privilege to be able to pave this path for other people who felt similar to how I have so really like being an article has has really helped me kind of spread my wings and hopefully I've had that same impact on other people who have worked here and are working here currently. Not hopefully
Mary Newville 19:19
you have for locals and I think what you're the ones that interview or the one that introduced this Ra�ces Cyber Org* who we've we've spent Pack members to their conference like that, you know, and the ripple effect so it's it's when Trisha and all of us I mean, but you know, we talked about being stronger together saying Trisha says all the time. It's just so true like this. What we have here at Arctic Wolf isn't because of any thing we have on our careers page or one person's effort in any different seat in the organization, but it's everyone and how they come together and actually JT at the beginning of the podcast, you said I love that impact unity we bring all our extreme enters together to increase our diversity of thought and how we serve our customers. And even just in your example, like it impacted you positively and now you're paving the way that's positively impacting others and making article off a place where more seen and safe. So,
John Taylor 20:16
absolutely. For me,
Chidi Egwim 20:18
I think mine happened in college. I volunteered at an international students and scholars Services Office. And it was like for freshmen who had just like, who it was the first semester at the University of Houston. So I remember walking in there that day, and I was like, Oh, my gosh, like people from everywhere, you know, and I, I didn't mention this earlier, but I live in Houston. And Houston is super diverse, right? Like it is, every continent on the planet is here, while like, the college campus really just opened my eyes to like just the diversity of humans, people from different nations, people from different religions, different socioeconomic backgrounds, and animals. This is just where I want to be. So I'm always people oriented, like my friendships, my life and work, I just, I found that after that day, I learned a lot of patients that day, because, you know, meeting people from different places forces you to not center yourself, but actually listen to them, because you're able to guide them because folks communicate in different ways. So I find myself since then, leaning towards any thing, any project that involves growing yourself growing diversity of opinions, you know, learning. And that's, that's how it was, for me, it wasn't, it's been so long, I've leaned towards that, that it just, it seemed natural that when I came to, that I joined the path that I'll figure out a way to like, you know, contribute, you know, for lack of a better way to describe it.
Mary Newville 22:17
Well, it makes me think charity, and I love it, I hear you talk about how when you're in school, and you've met all these diverse individuals, and I loved how you said, it forces you not to center yourself, but to really listen to hear other people's stories, because they're communicating differently than how you might normally, but it makes me think of how you're the one that has spearheaded the women of the week spotlights that we do on LinkedIn and writing the articles that amplify and tell other women's stories. So it's cool to see how you appreciate the stories of others and you are part of amplifying other people's stories. I
Chidi Egwim 22:52
love hearing other people's stories. Because everyone just we're regular in the workplace, you know, like everyone's doing their work. And then we have this opt in, I need to be clear, a lot of that work is done with marketing shout out to Ryan Johnson. Brian, oh my gosh, I don't know what many of us would do without Ryan, chalet. And Vic on Women Transforming tag. The idea was there, you know, they just needed somebody to raise their hand to, you know, kind of guide it and I was happy to but yes, it opens your eyes to like all the different people you can meet. And I get to read all of these stories before they actually posted. So it's, it's pretty amazing. Yeah,
Trisha Farrow 23:36
there's a learning experience that kind of is coming to my mind. It probably was, Oh, I think it may be 10 years ago or so maybe not quite 10 years. But it JT made me think of it when you were talking about that, you know, inclusion is an individual feeling, right? I think belonging is as well. But I was at a conference, a seminar on D IV and oftentimes while it's so foundational to the understanding of this work, oftentimes equality and equity can be used or or thought of to be the same thing, but they are not the same thing. And there was an analogy at that conference that has just stuck with me that I mean, I'm going to use Jordans because if you know me, I love a good pair of days and Nikes so what I will say is equality would be if I if I gave each of you the same pair of Jordans the same size and just mail that to all of you a size nine women's pair Jays that's a quality but for me for JT and Chitty Jackie. Um but equity is if I took the time to find out Does anyone need an insulin cert for their high arch or does Are you a wide or are you size 10 Can you wear the kid size can whatever it is right? And equity is making sure that the pair of shoes I mean LT KT fit him to Ginni, and they all look differently. And so even on the journey of equity and belonging, it can be individualized. Right? And it is and to take that into account, because it's not always a blanket approach. It can't be a blanket approach.
Mary Newville 25:15
I love that analogy. Trisha, I've heard similar and I think it's a really helpful visual for the difference between equity inclusion. On the topic, though, of it can't be an individualized approach. I think that leads really well to our next question of as you all have been leading in the DEI space and promoting inclusion, what are some challenges, challenges that you faced, and how have you overcome them?
John Taylor 25:42
So I think a challenge that I've seen, not necessarily within our organization or our company, but outside is sometimes there's like collision between different diversity groups. And what I mean by that is sometimes we get so focused on on our own plans and supporting our own group that we kind of silo ourselves a little bit, and I think it does a bit more harm than than help. What I want to see more of I think, in just the professional world, and working with a lot of like nonprofits and stuff, is we should come together, because we all have a common goal, right? And that is to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in the cybersecurity space. And so instead of siloing, ourselves and focusing too much on what makes us different, let's try to work together find out what makes us similar, or what we have in common, and work towards a common goal.
Unknown Speaker 26:41
Unity, Unity.
Chidi Egwim 26:46
It will be fatigue for me, and much like JT, it's not really here, like company related, it's just life in general, like you. You want to do the right thing, but and you do the right thing, but you get hired, because it seems like you're not making a difference, right? Like, but then I have to remind myself that well given up is not an option, right? Like, it's challenging, you can't bring everyone because everyone, people have their own thoughts about all of this. But even if you're able to rotate the mind of somebody else, you know, like, you know, take one person you've succeeded. people before us ancestors, if, if they had given up, none of us would have any of what we had right now, we wouldn't even have the option to be discussing this. So whenever I feel tired, or fatigued by the conversations, or the lack of a lack thereof, you know, you just don't give up. Just keep trying. cliche as it sounds, but just keep going.
Chelsea Lowman 28:04
I want to touch on that charity, because fatigue is a real issue within the DEI space. And a lot of times, we are asking the I guess, affected community or the community that is fighting for said equity, to be doing a lot of that work. And there's that fine balance between, obviously like elevating voices and giving people a seat at the table, but also not putting all of the words on them. So I'm just curious if anyone has any. I know, Chitty you just shared like remembering all the work that our ancestors have done to get us here. But does anyone else have any other like practices or maybe like self care tips, because it can feel like really tiring, and it feels like a very long, long road. And sometimes it's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel, even though we know there's light, I
Trisha Farrow 28:57
think you have to find your people. Right. Many of you know we're No, I'm married to a black man raising biracial children and we've had tons and tons of experiences outside of the workplace. And ever since I dated him in the seventh grade, that even as an interracial couple we experienced and I think long ago I realized we gotta find our people. And when you do, you can, you know, when I'm weak, someone else can be strong for me. And so that's something that that we've been intentional about. And I think we've been intentional about that as well here at the Pack with Mary's really vision on the ambassador program. Those are for allies and advocates to come alongside our alliances and for us to tap into that group as well so that it can be strong when when others are weak or not weak but tired and, and just need someone else to carry the weight right, and I think within Pack Unity, Chelsea Mary and I always talk about this, that we never want the burden of the work to fall on those who have been, you know, at the at the hands of, you know, unfair systems and things of that nature or throughout the throughout time, right. And so we try to be really intentional about that we don't always get it right. But when Mary says, when we know better, we do better. And no doubt we make mistakes along the way. I can think of a couple that that, you know, we've made here and we we get the feedback and we course correct and I think it makes me think of. So that's what I'd say mental health. But I don't mean to go on a tangent, there's a poll Brene Brown uses. And she says, I'm not she said, I'm not here to I'm not here to get it. I'm not here to be right. I'm here to get it right. And so I think we can do that the more the collectively like JT, to your point of everyone coming together in unity, I think we can do that together. So find your people.
John Taylor 31:08
I agree with that. I think that both of our points actually mesh really well together because we we can't do it alone. We can try, right. But I've felt that exhaustion, from trying to do it all on my own. And sometimes you get so passionate about it that you're just like, I'm the only one who cares about this. So I'm going to do it the best. But I've realized myself that is such a selfish perspective. And I give myself way too much credit, right? Because I think that I can do it all. But I really can't I do need that help. I can't have diversity of perspective by myself, right? Yeah, so I completely agree with you. We need we need the help. Right. And now coming in to like an example from here at Arctic Wolf. I'm thinking back to just recently at Hispanic Heritage Month, and then they have the Dia de los Muertos, like back to back. And Anthony, my, my Pack Unity Alliance partner and I were feeling a bit overwhelmed. Because Hispanic Heritage Month is a big deal. It's a whole month, you know, you got to plan activities, and you got to plan all this stuff. And so we decided that we were going to trust those that were a part of our Pack Unity Aliance to take over Day of the Dead, D�a de los Muertos. And they did a beautiful job. We were able to celebrate it in in each of our office locations. And each office had their ofrenda that they made, if you don't know what your friend is, it's like a, an altar, an altar that is decorated with like flowers and, and decor and pictures of your, of your ancestors who have who have passed, and each office had one of them. And it was amazing. And at the end, I hardly had to do anything. And so really, I think just putting the trust in your people is going to be a huge benefit. And I think it addresses both both of the challenges that we've we've talked about. And
Mary Newville 32:56
I'm sure those individuals that gave them the opportunity to create to tell their story to lead. And just the pride that they feel from getting to share their heritage.
Unknown Speaker 33:10
Yeah, did.
Chelsea Lowman 33:13
Great. Well, we've teased out a couple of our wonderful events that we've had Hispanic Heritage Month Mary mentioned wholly earlier in the episode. But could you all maybe go around and share one of your favorite Pack Unity events or initiatives to date?
Chidi Egwim 33:33
Well will for me and I'm silent participant Right? Like I feel bad because I see the Slack channel and I wish but I just never because I'm never on time with it. But I love Well, Wolf so much. No, but I love that you we've figured out a way to incorporate work and life balance while at work, you know, taking little breaks. Going out the walking, I love exercising. So I love that we keep pushing that go out into the sunlight because we all could do with a little extra vitamin D. You know, there your mind and do it with your colleagues. Because that's the best time to get to know a colleague is on your little walks in between meetings and back at the office. So while wolf has to be my favorite, I feel sorry Chelsea that I never send him.
Chelsea Lowman 34:31
That's totally fine.
Chidi Egwim 34:34
But I tell her about it. I
Trisha Farrow 34:36
mean, 500 points, we're giving it on the whole or podcast.
Chelsea Lowman 34:39
Yeah, exactly. The awareness is what's important. The fact that you're noticing and even if you're not submitting, you're making that mental note of like, oh yeah, I should get outside. I should go home I will have swag. For those of you that don't know, well. Wolf is our wellness initiative here at Arctic Wolf and we really try to look at a whole list sake approach to well being. So we have a lovely well wolf pyramid that Mary created. And we look at five different kinds of components of well being. So glad to hear that you love that charity. And we also have to our wellness and well being. Topic, we have a Pack in the Alliance, mental health and wellbeing, who we have mentioned on the podcast before and our mental health roundtable, but they do amazing work. It's a community of Pack members who have created such a safe space to be vulnerable. I feel like we've used this example before, but sometimes you'll go into that slack channel, and there'll be a Pack member that's just posted, hey, I'm having a really hard day. And immediately 12 responses in the thread from people they don't even know they likely don't work with on a day to day could be on the other side of the world. And it's not every workplace that has a community and space like that. So, again, we're really lucky here at Arctic Wolf.
Mary Newville 36:01
Truly, and every time I see those posts, I can't help but think of the numerous people that are feeling the exact same way that now Now, I'm not alone in this, I'm not scared or a failure, or there's nothing wrong with me because I'm struggling today. This is like part of the human experience.
John Taylor 36:23
I was actually going to mention the Pack Unity Alliance for Mental Health well being. Because it's one of my favorites. Honestly, I think, you know, emotions and mental health, like that's a universal experience, right? Everyone has their ups and their downs, and everyone experiences something, it seems. And so I'm super grateful. Sometimes I just lurk in that channel, I don't participate too much, because maybe I'm not brave enough or vulnerable enough to want to share with with the crowd. But I appreciate those who do because sometimes I share those experiences. And it makes me feel more seen on that front.
Trisha Farrow 37:02
My favorite Pack Unity event is amplify, we've done amplify for two years in a row. And for those that don't know what to amplify, we partner with other tech companies. And the intent of the event is to connect, elevate and amplify, and grow black tech professionals within within our sphere. So it's been an incredible just group of people to be a part of Mary has been the unsung hero and all of that because it takes a lot of companies coming together speakers, and things of that nature to make that happen. But I love that event. And we'll be doing that again this year. For third year. That's one yet
Chelsea Lowman 37:47
I was just visit I was just in the ad and we did expand amplify this past year during Hispanic Heritage Month. And I just want to give a shout out to JT because I know he led amplify for Hispanic tech professionals. And that was hosted in our San Antonio office, which is fun. So just love to see how an idea can grow. And to your point, if we're all working together, we can go even farther.
Mary Newville 38:11
And I think it bring it hits on your point that you made earlier JT about like, let's not be so siloed and it's come together a rising tide lifts all boats and amplify specifically, we partner with local organizations and businesses to say hey, like we're all in this together, how can we make our community better for whether it's black tech professionals or Latino tech professionals? Before we move in next question, though, Chelsea, so for those that don't know Chelsea is just the unsung hero behind all of our Pack Unity alliances, she comes alongside of our leaders supports events. So Chelsea, I need to we need to know what your favorite event so far.
Chelsea Lowman 38:54
Whoa, no choice I can't pick because I've worked with all of them. Um, I, I know Mary already mentioned it, but I also really loved Holi which was a an event that our happy wolves, which is honoring Asian and Pacific Islander alliance held last year. And holy is a festival of color and spring and love and light. And I've just never been at a workplace that has celebrated that event. So it was just a new experience. And we did a really fun activity in a lot of our offices where we had different colored paints and we did like a hand kind of kind of like the elementary school handprint art. We did that in our offices and it was just really fun, but honestly, it's so hard to pick like JT said, like Dia de los Muertos was awesome seeing the ofrendas in the office. I think I'm recognizing a theme. I love color. I'm really loving the events that bring a lot of color. Hi.
Mary Newville 40:00
I'm looking at salsa, salsa. Yeah, and yes and Tai
Chelsea Lowman 40:05
Chi.
Chidi Egwim 40:09
Virtually when, okay, it was I forget his name because I remember thinking I was gonna reach out to him and tell him how I could continue but he led it during when we had it. Gary,
Chelsea Lowman 40:22
Gary, Gary. Yeah. Yeah, salsa event. We were doing tai chi. I mean, again, not every day in the middle of your work day, you're busting out Tai Chi. So,
Trisha Farrow 40:36
so many 2022 Pride Month, Nick Moser keynote speaker here at the back is up there on my list as well. I love them. Yeah, and I love what Moser does.
Mary Newville 40:51
Org. Nick looked fabulous. Listening. I just feel bad. You weren't there to witness the amazing outfit the incredible talk it was on ally ship beyond just Pride Month. Not but yes makes an amazing person. And Moser is an incredible org. Okay, we are approaching our final nine minutes here. So before we get to rapid fire, I was thinking we skip to our last question. I would love just to hear a little bit peek more into your heart of what is the world you hope to see someday? And how do you hope and believe that the work that you do with impact unity, and what we're doing together here at Arctic wealth will contribute to that future.
John Taylor 41:36
So with this question, I want to start by saying, acknowledging the reality we live in right now. I was having a really interesting conversation actually after our salsa event a few months ago. And I was talking to one of our one of our team members here in the San Antonio office, he actually led the salsa dancing. And we were talking about how fortunate we feel to live in New Location and to work at a company where we can celebrate our culture and our differences. Because there are many places in the world that that don't have that privilege. They can't talk about culture, or they can't celebrate culture, in workplaces or in public, whether it be due to war, or lack of resources or civil unrest. We are very fortunate to have the resources that we have here at Arctic Wolf and in the office locations where we choose to do business. And so I hope to see a world where we can continue to do the things that we do here at Arctic Wolf, like I just saw wish that the people who who didn't have that opportunity. I wish that they could have those opportunities and they could they could see the beauty in in cultures from all over the world and where people come from. And something that kind of resonated with me that Chitty, you mentioned earlier is about like our ancestors, right? People who came before us paved a path for us. And maybe that was years ago, right? Where things were maybe even more challenging, you know, they had to stick out and rise above everybody. And and now we live in a time where I think that the platform is being given to us right we have a place where we can we can speak out and those of us who are going to listen to the call should rise up and accept the call. Because are we not all pioneers as well.
Unknown Speaker 43:46
Trailblazers like you should make me sign
Chidi Egwim 43:55
us just
Trisha Farrow 43:58
was so eloquently said in my mind with that question it was like that that everyone is celebrated right and I do think it is a privilege and honor and I thought like you said it way more eloquently than I but where we don't actually need this this is just what is right this is just what infiltrates the world the companies and and that we don't even I mean yes packing did but it just is who we are just what it is right. Are people allowed to be who they are and be celebrated for who they are. Yeah, free from injustice and inequities and all of those things. Is my dream as well. But you said it way more eloquently.
John Taylor 44:44
What you said was beautiful.
Mary Newville 44:50
COURAGING This podcast is like shout
Unknown Speaker 44:52
out to this person.
Chelsea Lowman 44:59
Um Okay, well then should we get to rapid fire? Everyone feeling good?
Mary Newville 45:04
Yeah. Before we do, I was just thinking about this because we did have one question of share resources you found helpful and would recommend to people on their journey, Ted Talks, podcasts, books, I don't know where to start. So I think Chelsea now will reach out to our guest today, and maybe get their recommendations and we'll put them in the show notes. If there's links or books because I think that'd be valid. Well, we just are running out of time today.
Chelsea Lowman 45:30
Great idea, Mary. Okay, rapid fire is exactly what it sounds like. Don't think too hard. Just the first thought that comes to your mind. Okay. And we'll go in the order that I see you all so we're gonna go Trisha Chitty JT. Okay, okay. All right, Trisha. Best concert of your life, boys, man.
Chidi Egwim 45:53
I love Beyonce on the run tour.
Unknown Speaker 45:57
Love it.
John Taylor 45:58
So last year, I got front row tickets to Charlie Puth in Austin and I love him. So it was amazing.
Chelsea Lowman 46:06
Okay, all three were top tier answers in my opinion. Okay. Trisha, same�favorite word. Legacy
Chidi Egwim 46:16
indicative
John Taylor 46:20
I don't know why this came to mind. But I love the name of the country Azerbaijan.
Chelsea Lowman 46:31
I'm a place on your bucket list. Bali,
John Taylor 46:35
Tanzania. Singapore.
Chelsea Lowman 46:44
When you guys are planning Most trips, I will tag along. What's something that people often get wrong about you?
Trisha Farrow 46:53
Hmm, maybe that's what they would never guess. I worked at a drive thru liquor store in college.
Unknown Speaker 47:00
Okay,
Speaker 2 47:01
I just used the question because I couldn't think of anything. That's totally. That's a fun fact. By fact.
Chidi Egwim 47:11
I don't know if I can say Do you know what RBF is? Uh,
Chelsea Lowman 47:15
Yes, we do.
Chidi Egwim 47:18
So things like me, but I can't. I'm like, No, don't let the face fool you have to talk to. So it's a complete misunderstanding. I don't know. So I try hard to recap but I don't mean it to be I don't know. Hard.
Unknown Speaker 47:37
For
Chelsea Lowman 47:38
those who don't know. RBF just means that your face maybe doesn't look like you're thrilled or having a great time. Just your natural face. Maybe it doesn't have a smile on it.
John Taylor 47:55
For me, people think that I'm a lot more mature than I think I am. The only thing that I have is like old school, I think. But really I feel like I'm like an 11 year old at heart like I still play. I love Shrek, like animated films like live AG. I'm a little boy at heart.
Chelsea Lowman 48:23
Okay, wow. I will admit, I definitely put you in the old soul category.
Speaker 3 48:29
Wow. I was wrong. He likes to track everyone. I like Shrek. Shrek.
Chelsea Lowman 48:39
Okay, last one. Um, give us a snapshot of an ordinary moment in your life that has brought you joy. Hmm.
Trisha Farrow 48:50
family movie night, watching it with my children on Sunday nights in our bed in my one child and each arm.
Mary Newville 49:02
Family eat snacks, right? Yes, of course.
Trisha Farrow 49:05
I make popcorn and I hide candy in the popcorn. And they're like, Mom, make sure you hide the candy and like no, not tonight. And then there's
Mary Newville 49:14
Q and then of course it's always there. love
Chidi Egwim 49:18
CrossFit. So if I break my PR, like if recently I dead lifted 250 pounds. So I was like, so excited. So it's time I can top my previous, you know, personal record.
Mary Newville 49:36
Just makes me happy. Like a way to go. That's amazing.
John Taylor 49:40
Yeah, this might seem not ordinary to some people. But to me, it felt ordinary. I just so happened to be in a different country when this happened. I lived in Guatemala for two years, as I've told a lot of people at Arctic Wolf. And during that time we were doing a service project for a family and After we were walking away from their house, we had to walk a long ways to get to the bus stop. And if you know anything about Central America, it's very tropical. And the weather can be something different every 20 minutes. And it was super hot when we were working on like the service project. And then as we were leaving, it just poured rain, like a rainstorm that never seen in my entire life. It was just like, so wet. So dreary, but I felt like a sense of peace. And just knowing that, like, what I was doing was the right thing. And it just felt like so real. Just like being so close to like nature and, and just like experiencing just rainfall in the moment. I just like fell so in touch with like life and my reality. So that's just experience I wanted to share.
Unknown Speaker 50:50
That sounds love.
Chelsea Lowman 50:52
Great answers. Well, thank you, everyone for being on the podcast today. I was just looking at my notes really quickly. And I noticed that we use the word people a lot today people centric, caring about people, people first. And I think it just shows how important we how important people are here at Arctic Wolf, that we care about people we want to make community where people feel that they can show up as their true selves and feel safety and belonging and respected. And you three are people but help us with that mission. And because of that we're stronger together. So thank you all so much for all that you do for Pack Unity for the Pack. And we're so glad that we could share all of your wisdom and knowledge with with the rest of the world.
Unknown Speaker 51:47
Thank you.
John Taylor 51:48
Thank you for having us. Hopefully next time there's hot wings
Chelsea Lowman 51:57
we didn't plan that. That was all. Yes, yes. Yes.
Mary Newville 52:05
That's delightful. Thank you all so much. And for showing up every day, like Chelsea said, The Pack is a better place because you're here. So
Chelsea Lowman 52:13
if you are a Pack member, please join Pack Unity if you are not in it already Pack into the Slack channel is your go to place, as I hope you could hear from today as podcast. Packed unity is not just an HR Initiative, a PX initiative. It's an everyone initiative. So we need all of us Hand in Hand working together. We're always looking for more allies, more Pack Unity ambassadors. So please join us along our journey. And if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to myself, Mary Trisha, anyone on the PX team and we would be happy to answer those.
Mary Newville 52:53
And if you're not a part of the Pack, our debrief.com backslash careers, come and join us on our mission. And even if you don't join us literally join us in how we show up and see those around us and seek to world Leave, leave the world a better place and like Trisha says when we know better, do better. The things we do make a difference. So peace and love and all the good things and let's we're doing a classic Minnesota goodbye right now.