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Epoch’s latest in-person gathering brought the employee experience community together in the heart of Hudson Yards, New York City. With a packed room of people-first professionals, the evening was filled with great food, authentic conversations, and powerful insights - all centered around building belonging in today’s evolving workplace.
Our featured guest, Sierra Quiros, Senior Manager of Talent and DEIB Programs at Betterment, brought authentic insight to the evening with a fireside chat exploring what it truly takes to design inclusive and engaging employee experiences.
Sierra shared how her team approaches hybrid event design with intention, prioritizing quality over defaulting to hybrid as the norm. “If the experience isn’t going to translate well in hybrid,” she shared, “we’ll create a remote-first moment that feels intentional, never an afterthought.”
She also emphasized the importance of close collaboration between IT, workplace, and people teams to ensure that all experiences, virtual or in-person, are thoughtfully designed and genuinely inclusive.
A standout moment from the chat was Sierra’s reflection on Betterment’s first-ever ERG on-site, which brought together ERG leaders, many of whom are remote, for two days of development, executive engagement, and community-building.
The event concluded with a lively ERG Community Fair, where each group hosted interactive tables designed to engage employees. “When people work with their hands, deeper conversations emerge,” Sierra noted. This hands-on experience offered an inviting way for employees to explore ERG participation, sparking a surge of interest in leadership roles across the organization.
Sierra spoke candidly about the changing landscape of DEIB, noting that while external pressures may challenge its visibility, it’s more important than ever to root efforts in sustainable, holistic strategies. Her take? “ERGs shouldn’t carry the full weight of your DEIB strategy - but they are vital in building culture and community.”
She also highlighted Betterment’s ERG Ambassador Program, which offers final-round candidates a chance to meet ERG members before joining the company, embedding inclusion from the very start of the employee journey.
Not all success is quantifiable, and that’s okay. Sierra encouraged the audience to balance hard data with qualitative insights, like meaningful connections and culture shifts that can’t be captured in spreadsheets. While metrics like attendance are helpful, she reminded us that small, high-impact moments often drive the deepest employee engagement.
Sierra’s fireside chat reminded us that belonging doesn’t happen by accident, it’s built through intention, creativity, and care. As we continue to navigate change in the workplace, it’s clear that fostering community and connection isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s essential.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in NYC for a night of learning, laughter, and meaningful dialogue. We’re proud to be part of a community that’s shaping the future of work with empathy and purpose.
Looking to level up your employee engagement strategy? Epoch makes it easy to plan, promote, and analyze the impact of your internal events. Ready to create meaningful experiences? Let’s talk.
One email, every month.
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