Diversity & Inclusion created & launched the Tolerance to Understanding Spark Awards in 2017 and presented the first awards during the 2017 National Employee Resource Group Conference in Dallas, TX.
The purpose of the awards is to recognize demonstrated commitment to the AT&T journey from Tolerance to Understanding through meaningful dialogue, education & awareness and ongoing employee engagement based on initiatives that bridge diversity gaps, promote inclusion and rise above tolerance to further understanding of our people, the cultures we represent and the challenges we face across multiple segments.
➢ Leading by Example – Individual Spark Award. Eligibility requires individual-led initiatives which closely align with the chairman’s dialogue for understanding message and our vision for diversity & inclusion and business alignment. Exemplary efforts that bridge cultural gaps and foster an inclusive work environment and successfully uses our diversity resource guide to drive dialogues for understanding and employee engagement.
➢ Bridge Builder – Business Units Spark Award. Eligibility requires business unit/team initiatives which closely align with the chairman’s dialogue for understanding message and our vision for diversity & Inclusion and business alignment. Exemplary team efforts that bridge cultural gaps and foster and inclusive work environment and successfully uses our diversity resources guide and other tools to drive dialogues for understanding and employee engagement.
Nomination Process for Awards: Open to Active employees of all AT&T companies are eligible for a Spark Award. A narrative in 600 words or less, is required for submissions and must indicate the nominee(s) name, ATTUID, and describe why the nominee(s) is worthy to be recognized as a winner of the prestigious award(s). Submissions will be reviewed by D&I selection committee.
Award Winners will be announced on Friday, October 16th, 2020 during the Annual National Employee Group Conference.
Spark Award Winners will receive a Spark trophy and a D&I sponsored celebration luncheon and be featured on the D&I website. They may be acknowledged in other communications and D&I sponsored initiatives.
Past recipients and their initiatives are highlighted below.
Spark Awards Recipients
Leading by Example Award Individual Winners:
2018
➢ Mark Patterson, Strategic Account Manager – Lead Mark has a sincere passion for inclusion and awareness. Mark represents AT&T’s Technology and Operations business unit and bridges ERGs and employees through educational events on diversity and disability issues. Events are open to all AT&T employees through live webcast with a studio audience. Mark as fostered employee engagement broadly and deeply. He is a shining example for the Leading by Example Spark Award.
➢ Catalina Bajenaru, AVP HR Business Partner Catalina is an advisor to the NETwork NY/NJ chapter. The NETwork created a program titled “Café Conversations” in response to the Chairman’s call to action. Catalina hosted five of these conversation forums discussing social issues limiting employees’ ability to bring their authentic selves to work. Catalina helped employees tackle sensitive topics, so they can move from tolerance to understanding. She is a pillar of diversity and inclusion.
2019
➢ Grace Leavitt, Asst. Manager, WarnerMedia At Bleacher Report, Gracie is a driving force behind Diversity & Inclusion. With a gift for being insightful to ward off potential problems. She ensures the video projects she’s connected with are inclusive, thoughtful and sensitive. Her leadership as the primary writer of her groups Quality Control Guidebook that provides conscious and inclusive language for media content. Early this year, she organized a companywide meeting on domestic violence and sexual assault to help cover sensitive stories. While on maternity leave, Gracie earned the opportunity to lead the B/R Women’s Network within her organization. She simply inspires and empowers others to be their best.
➢ JuJu Ruel, Customer Service Representative This person is a leader among her call center co-workers ... and a transwoman ... who openly shares her experiences to promote understanding of what it means to identify as LGBTQ+. Her acceptance of herself draws people to her to be enlightened. This year, she helped assemble an especially informative, fun and creative Pride Week for her office. We thank her for the example she’s set and her contributions to our company.
➢ Rachel Ybarra, AVP – External Affairs Operations Rachel put together a team of 50 Hispanic managers to amplify awareness of our Hispanic leaders and our commitment to the Hispanic community. She helped create the HOLA Speaker series, a platform of Hispanic leaders who are available for panels, town halls and external events. Rachel leads companywide efforts to observe Hispanic Heritage Month, which starts this Sunday and runs thru October 15th. A true demonstrated servant leader and champion of diversity and inclusion.
Spark Awards Recipients (cont)
Bridge Builder Unit/Team
2018
➢ Internet & Entertainment Field Services - SE, Tracy Garner, VP – IEFS Tracy’s leadership in a predominately male organization attempts to bridge the diversity gap that started sharing the “Called to Rise” book with her team and developing a strategy. Require managers to take D&I Classes; Ouch! Your Silence Hurts and Defeating Unconscious Bias. Facilitated “Connecting to People” the first open candid discussion. Director’s conduct “Dialogue of Understanding” discussions. A “Monthly D&I Lunch and Learn” to inspire and lead change. Attract and recruit women to Wire Technician position. Leading by example, Tracy speaks at events and leads mentoring circles. Ongoing work with ERGs and support within the organization to lead the various Employee Groups speaks to Tracy’s leadership and vision.
➢ Client Solutions & Operations – Thomas Harvey, Senior Vice President CS&O continues each year to be more innovative creating one of a kind, experiences that Bridges the Gap: From Tolerance to Understanding; CS&O Mentoring Zone allows employees to share knowledge and enhance their learning through a Collaborative Learning Culture. “D&I: Conversations of Understanding,” one-on-one and/or circle mentoring. Hosted Bridging the Gap Session for Summer Interns, includes the CS&O Senior Leadership Team. Created “Making a difference” Let’s Talk D&I Session Video. CS&O SVP, Thomas Harvey travels around the globe addressing customers’ needs and visits with employees hosting Culture Transformation Global Roadshows across Business Operations.
2019
➢ HATCH / Tuner International’s Innovation Team (Caterina Preti org.) The HATCH program pulls together colleagues from different nationalities, backgrounds, business units and levels to solve big challenges and test new ideas – all with empathy and understanding. Candidates are assessed for their passion for innovation and the diversity they bring to the team. Those selected for HATCH then work together for 20 days in a lab environment, away from their desks, guided by innovation coaches. They work on executive-identified challenges such as, ‘How might we improve the experience of discovering new movies and shows?’ It’s focus on empathy, which is required to uncover consumer needs and address them with new solutions. Many HATCH participants have said this emphasis has energized them – while challenging them to explore their personal limits.
➢ AT&T Communications Co. Sales Excellence team (Thomas Harvey org.) This group drives dialogue for understanding, bridges cultural gaps and fosters an inclusive work environment. For example, this year the team expanded upon the DINE! program to reach more people; DINE! Week invited everyone in the organization to pledge to host or attend a DINE! event. Executive DINE!, for direct reports and business partners from HR, legal and finance. And Intern DINE!, equipping interns with tools to take leadership roles and host their own DINE! get-togethers. In addition, hosted Bridging the Gap from Tolerance to Understanding sessions for summer interns, its leaders and business partners. Introduced a From Tolerance to Understanding section in its D&I magazine and provided additional tools to all team members to promote tolerance to understanding.