Veritas Celebrates Pride Month, an interview with Andrea Ferree

As we continue to celebrate Pride Month 2023, we’d like to take this opportunity to spotlight one of our PAVE (Pride at Veritas Empowered) members who is an ally for our LGBTQIA+ community here at Veritas. Andrea (Arnold) Ferree, Sr Renewals Account Manager, has been with the company for 3 mighty years. She shares:

“I am an LQBTQIA+ ally, mother & mother-in-law to my daughters who are a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. This time gives me hope that my daughters will always have a community who supports them outside of our family unit.”

Q: What do you love most about the culture at Veritas?    

I love the fact that the culture at Veritas reflects the value they have for their employees, as well as our customers. I feel valued as an employee and my values as an individual are respected. Of equal importance, I have observed how strongly Veritas values our customers. Our leadership is best-in-class and inspiring, and that is not just an opinion of my direct organization’s leadership - the cross-functional leadership and partnership throughout is incredible. It’s so refreshing and motivating to feel that through all challenges, my leaders and teams have my back.

Q: What does Pride Month mean for you?

It’s a month of celebration and recognition that love is love. Pride month is a reminder that everyone has freedom to be themselves in the United States and we have and should always have basic human rights. I am an LQBTQIA+ ally, mother & mother-in-law to my daughters who are a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. This time gives me hope that my daughters will always have a community who supports them outside of our family unit. It’s a beautiful, colorful reminder that inclusion and love will always prevail against divisiveness and hate.

Q: Why is it important for a company to prioritize and promote inclusivity?

Companies should stand in solidarity with minority communities such as LGBTQIA+ to show full support of their employees, as well as the members of their communities. This sends a clear message that the workplace is a safe environment for everyone.

Q: Tell me about a time when you felt included, valued, and heard.

The opportunity to share the fact that I’m a LGBTQIA+ mom & ally in this interview makes me feel included, valued and heard. If I hadn’t been exposed to the LGBTQIA+ community because of my beautiful daughter, I may never have known or seen for myself how important it is for more people to support this community. I’ve seen a lot of heartbreak caused by people being rejected by their families, friends, and communities solely because of their sexual orientation. I believe you must stand up for what you believe in, and I believe in good people, without discrimination and regardless of their sexual orientation, race, age, physical appearance, disabilities, or religious affiliation.

Q: How does your team, colleagues and/or manager promote/create a safe and inclusive work environment?

A better question in my experience here would be: how couldn’t they? We are all encouraged to speak up, we have an equal say, and our input is valued both professionally and personally.

Q: What engagements have you noticed or participated in at Veritas that impacted you? For example, ERGs (Employee Resource Group), Mental Health / Pride / Wellness Webinars

I’ve participated in Orlando’s Come Out with Pride event and am a PAVE ERG (Employee Resource Group) co-champion for the Heathrow office. I also keep up on mandatory company trainings on inclusion and identifying unconscious bias to continue to grow. There’s always room for improvement as our world changes, no matter who you are or how “woke” you think you may be.

Q: What ideas do you have to improve DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) efforts at Veritas?

I’d love to see the creation of more inclusive branding/messaging through marketing campaigns. It’s important to make sure every single person knows they are represented within their company.

If you enjoyed Andrea’s story and would like to learn more about Life at Veritas, check out our Employee Value Proposition. And if our Employee Value Propositions resonate with you, consider joining us! See our open roles on our careers page.