celebrating Pride at Banfield

It’s Pride Month! At Banfield, we’ve been celebrating Pride for a long time, and we’re so proud of our employee-led Pride Associate Resource Group (ARG) that has been making waves since 2018.

We interviewed Lee Barrow (he/him), who has been a part of the Pride ARG for over a year now, about how he leads with pride, why he loves being a part of Banfield Pride, and what he wants Associates to know about the ARG.

How long have you been with Banfield and what is your role? 

I've been with Banfield for three years now. My role here is a Senior Learning Experience Designer, which is just a fancy way of saying I create engaging learning materials. Before Banfield, I was teaching high school mathematics. After finishing my graduate degree in instructional design, I joined the Banfield team.

My work involves designing various learning tools, from eLearnings to job aids, and even some content for our annual leadership conference, a variety of tasks to keep things interesting! 

How long have you been a part of the Pride ARG?

I've been a proud member of the Pride ARG for a little over two years and became a co-lead about a year ago. Time flies when you're passionate about something! My focus has been on education, which overlaps with my personal passion.

The meaningful impact we have is all about increasing knowledge and skills, having a real effect on people’s daily lives, both professionally and personally. At Banfield, our ARGs are open to all Associates and provide opportunities for support, communication, and networking. 

What is your favorite event or accomplishment through the Pride ARG? 

One of my recent and favorite accomplishments has been helping to establish our monthly Pride Chats. These gatherings are a casual, 30-minute virtual space where LGBTQIA+ Associates and allies can come together to connect, reflect and support one another. What I love most about these chats is that there’s no agenda – it’s just an open forum for community building.

It’s a wonderful opportunity for everyone to share their experiences, discuss challenges, and celebrate our identities in a safe and welcoming environment. The sense of camaraderie and understanding that develops during these chats is truly special, and it reinforces the importance of having a supportive community within Banfield. 

Please tell us more about the Pride Packs

Each hospital will receive a Pride Pack in June, and I’m really excited about what’s included! These packs are designed to celebrate Pride Month and foster learning and engagement among our Associates.

Inside, you’ll find coloring pages that encourage creativity and relaxation, educational tidbits that provide valuable insights into LGBTQIA+ history and culture, and a custom-designed card deck that can be used for discussion and learning.

Additionally, we’ve included some swag to help you celebrate and show your pride beyond the month and throughout the year.  

The Pride Packs are not just about celebration – they’re also a tool for education and awareness, helping to create a more inclusive environment in our hospitals. I can’t wait to see how everyone engages with these materials and the conversations they spark! 

How do you lead with pride? 

For me, leading with pride means actively listening and observing to understand what people need. It’s about identifying the gaps and figuring out how I (or the ARG itself) can help, whether it’s bringing up a topic during our Pride Chats or creating a micro-learning session.

There’s always something going on, and my goal is to fill those gaps meaningfully to make a real impact on our community. 

What would you tell other Associates to entice them to join the Pride ARG?

If you’d asked me a few years ago, my answer would have been different, but now I see the immense value in joining an ARG (not that I didn't see value before, but it has definitely evolved).

It's all about community, support, and networking. Coming from a rural teaching background in Florida where I had to hide who I was, joining Banfield and the Pride ARG has been liberating.

The support and networking opportunities are immense, and the effort you put in is reciprocated. You get what you give, and I've seen a lot of growth in myself through this network. So, what do you have to lose? Dive in and see where it takes you, you might just be surprised!