Letter from the Co-Chairs
Greetings ChangeMakers,
Today, I'm reflecting on our capacity. Many of us are pulled in many directions. Projects and initiatives continue to pile on, and many feel we need to get it all done. We know how important these initiatives are, and some feel guilty when they can’t get it all done. I say, don’t feel guilty.
Sometimes you need to step back to step forward. Take your vacation – one week is not enough, take two weeks if you have it. We need time to rejuvenate, energize, and be ready for what’s next. Don’t log in, don’t check your emails. Step back and work to be okay with that. This resonates more in May – it's Mental Health Awareness Month. We also tend to apologize for inconveniencing folks because we are taking vacation/staycation. Don’t apologize. I worked over 12 years before I realized I needed to take a real vacation – I finally did that in 2021. I feel grounded and already planning my 2022 vacation.
This newsletter is also timed to invite you to the 2022 ERG Summit on Tuesday, June 14, 2022 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. This virtual summit, with sponsoring partnerships from the City of St. Paul, Hennepin County, the Minnesota Department of Human Services, and the Governor's Office of Inclusion will celebrate the success of our ERGs and invite state agency employees and leaders to support ERG initiatives. The summit will feature presentations, panel discussions, breakout sessions, and keynote speakers from across the enterprise.
Find more information about the summit and register on the new ERG website (built by our very own Colette Johnson).
Sincerely,
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Ellena Schoop — Enterprise Data Architect, Minnesota IT Services |
Spotlight: Erica Swain
Erica Swain is the Deputy Chief Inclusion Officer in the Governor's Office of Inclusion. She transitioned to this role in May 2022, following five years with Minnesota IT Services (MNIT) partnering with the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) and MNsure. While at MNIT DHS/MNsure, she collaborated with strategic teams from both MNIT and DHS to embed equity into the work of the agencies, provide internal IT communications strategies, and served as a co-chair for the DHS Black Women’s Employee Resource group.
In the Governor's Office, Erica will working with the One Minnesota Council, the Governor’s Community Council, and the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Liaisons from around the state of Minnesota.
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What is a fun fact about Erica that we don’t know?
I was born in the Caribbean (St. Croix USVI), but have lived most of my life in the continental United States. My father was stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina when I was a preschooler. We made it to Minnesota around kindergarten.
What are the ways you stay grounded and take care of yourself?
My daughter was born a few months before we switch to remote work in 2020. I spent just 3 weeks back at work before we were sent home with our laptops. I’ve been able to see some important moments I would not have experienced had she been in daycare, but I also know it was difficult to perform my position diligently with her being home with me. It has been a journey. She really keeps me grounded. Playing with her and teaching her how to do things always gives me a reality check on what is important. Re-learning the world from her vantage point, how I want to empower her to show up, reminds me that I must be willing to model that behavior.
I’ve really tried to reaffirm doing the things I like, regardless of how silly it may look from the outside. I should really enjoy my free time, whether its watching cartoons on a weekend, coloring in an adult coloring book, or crafting thank you cards for people. My husband and I love to watch movies together and chat about the meaning behind them. We’ve had fun recently watching all the Marvel movies in chronological order, and then in the order in which they were released.
What is one way being a female in the workplace has come easy to you, and one way it has challenged you?
I’ve worked in male-dominated spaces for the majority of my working life. Most of my mentors have been men, I know that they impacted the way I show up in the workplace. Being a woman in male-dominated spaces can be difficult, but women also provide a different perspective to solutions, and insights that the rest of the room may not have thought of. I like to lean into that perspective and space.
How have you built confidence and/or resiliency over the course of your career?
I have to model the confidence that I am teaching my daughter, and taking up space is an important part of that. It's important to not be afraid to add to the discussion and share my ideas. I also like to be prepared, and the thoughtfulness about how I show up in meetings helps with my confidence.
For resilience, I've found that giving up isn’t really an option. I’ve always been taught you must keep going, keep moving, and keep trying.
How can women support other women in their organizations?
Women can support other women by building community and by intentionally checking in and reaching out to each other about work or their personal life. To support our community of women, we need to reach out when we need help, raise our hand, and set boundaries when we need it.
What advice would you give your 25-year-old self?
Have more fun. Enjoy your accomplishments. I spent so much time setting goals and accomplishing them, then moving right on to the next goal I never really celebrated the wins I did have. Celebrate the wins!
Upcoming Events
May Lunch & Learn on Thursday, May 26, 12-1 p.m.
Today's Lunch & Learn will discuss, “Bring on Female Superheroes.” Why is it so hard to find female superhero merchandise? In this passionate, sparkling talk, media studies scholar (and father of a Star Wars-obsessed daughter) Christopher Bell addresses the alarming lack of female superheroes in the toys and products marketed to kids – and what it means for how we teach them about the world. Add the May Lunch & Learn to your calendar.
2022 ERG Summit on Tuesday, June 14, 8 a.m.- 4p.m.
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Join Minnesota’s Employee Resource Groups for the Bold Voices, Bold Vision, Bold Strategies Virtual Summit.
Find more information and register on the ERG website. |
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