In our latest Epoch Live webinar, we were thrilled to welcome Jamie Adasi, Global Head of People Experience & IDEA at Greenhouse Software. As a leader deeply invested in fostering inclusive, equitable, and impactful cultures, Jamie shared valuable insights from her experience at Greenhouse and beyond, shedding light on how companies can effectively build and sustain high-impact ERG programs.

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Introducing Epoch Communities

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This webinar also marked the celebration of Epoch's new Communities feature - a dedicated space designed to streamline ERG management, enhance accessibility, and provide robust analytics for ERG leaders. From browsing communities to understanding programming details and analyzing event data, Epoch Communities aims to empower ERG leaders to create inclusive cultures that meet the unique needs of their workforce.

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Greenhouse’s DEIB strategy & partnership with Epoch

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As a remote-first hiring software company, Greenhouse has developed a comprehensive and thoughtful approach to DEIB. Jamie detailed their Arbor program, Greenhouse's own name for their ERGs, which encompasses eight groups spanning various identities and interests.

Their partnership with Epoch emerged from a need to enhance organization-wide collaboration and analytics. “When I left the demo, I felt amazing. It took a lot of work off our backs,” Jamie shared, highlighting how Epoch’s streamlined communication and centralized planning have transformed how Greenhouse manages its Arbor events.

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What does a successful ERG look like?

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• Alignment with Company Values: Greenhouse’s ERG programming reflects core values of entrepreneurship, purpose, and belonging.
• Impact Beyond Attendance: Engagement metrics go beyond headcounts, encompassing how events contribute to individual growth, connection, and company culture.
• Support for Business Goals: Whether through hiring diverse talent, developing leadership, or improving customer engagement, tying ERGs to broader business objectives is critical.

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Common challenges ERG leaders face

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• Bandwidth & Burnout: Volunteer-led ERGs often struggle with balancing responsibilities on top of full-time roles. Greenhouse addresses this by offering leadership development and coaching.
• Fluctuating Engagement: Business needs and timing can affect participation. Strategic scheduling and planned breaks help mitigate these issues.
• Visibility & Recognition: ERG leaders deserve acknowledgment for their contributions. Greenhouse ensures this through leadership buy-in, storytelling opportunities, and development tools.

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Boosting engagement & measuring impact

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• Data-Driven Strategies: Greenhouse uses surveys and analytics to understand member needs and measure success.
• Strategic Scheduling: Aligning ERG programming with company-wide priorities prevents burnout and maximizes impact.
• Leadership Buy-In: Strong executive support drives participation and alignment across the organization.

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Greenhouse’s big focus moving forward

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• Sustainability and leadership development remain core goals.
• Increasing cross-Arbor collaboration to build a unified culture.
• Leveraging and finding existing AI tools such as Epoch's AI assistants to enhance strategic planning.

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Why Epoch?

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Greenhouse’s journey with Epoch began with the search for a tool that could meet the growing complexity of their ERG programming. With Epoch, Greenhouse has been able to automate event planning, enhance communication through Slack and email integrations, and gather critical insights through standardized post-event surveys.

Jamie noted, “Epoch has taken a lot of administrative stress off of our backs. It allows us to dream bigger and focus more on strategy rather than logistics.”

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Final Thoughts

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Jamie’s advice for building successful ERG programs? “Start small, dream big, and build big.” Whether you’re just starting your DEIB journey or looking to enhance established ERGs, her guidance is a testament to the power of intentionality, collaboration, and leveraging the right tools.

Stay tuned for more Epoch Live webinars where we bring thought leaders to share actionable strategies for building inclusive, thriving workplace cultures.

For more information on how Epoch can transform ERG management and programming, book a demo today!