PRIDE 2022: Meet Members of UNITE, our LGBTQI+ employee resource group, Kelly Ruffenach

"Creating a more inclusive environment not only helps people to be their best selves at work, but also helps to form stronger teams where people feel that they belong. "

Avery Dennison Communications

June 20, 2022

PRIDE 2022: Meet Members of UNITE, our LGBTQI+ employee resource group, Kelly Ruffenach

At Avery Dennison, our business success revolves around innovation, sustainability and growth. Central to all three are diversity, equity and inclusion. We’ve experienced the value a depth of perspectives brings to our culture, our business, our customers, and our communities. One way we experience diversity is through our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) which bring together employees with shared interests for community and support. UNITE is Avery Dennison’s LGBTQI+ resource group. With chapters in global regions, UNITE focuses on supporting the LGBTQI+ community and its allies. For PRIDE 2022, let’s meet UNITE member, Kelly Ruffenach.

Kelly Ruffenach, Research & Development Engineer, Industrial & Healthcare Materials, UNITE North America

Kelly, tell us about what inspired you to join UNITE North America?
Believe it or not, I had planned to join UNITE as soon as I accepted my position at Avery Dennison. My last company did not have any employee resource groups and it had been something I was looking for in my next opportunity. Since I identify as queer, UNITE felt like the right place for me to start. Also, when I joined in March 2021, I was not only new to Avery Dennison, but new to Ohio. I had moved for my wife's job and knew no one aside from her and a few of her work friends. UNITE gave me the opportunity to meet folks across the company and introduced me to some of my favorite people at Avery Dennison. Lastly, I'm super passionate about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion so joining and being active in UNITE has allowed me to participate in that space.

How is UNITE North America celebrating PRIDE month?
UNITE North America is celebrating Pride month in a few different ways! We’ve created a toolkit for all NA sites that includes creative assets like posters and digital slides, a Google avatar and more, to help our teams show their support. We've also invited all North America employees to a lesson in Allyship with PFLAG. Our theme for 2022, “Count Me In,” highlights the need to support and uplift the transgender and non-binary communities due to the increase in personal and political confrontations. UNITE will be posting regularly on our internal employee digital community, Stronger Together.

Why is it personally important to you to help foster an inclusive culture at Avery Dennison?
I know what it feels like to not be able to bring your authentic self to work. Creating a more inclusive environment not only helps people to be their best selves at work but also helps to form stronger teams where people feel that they belong. Inclusivity also extends beyond Avery Dennison. If we can promote an inclusive culture here, that could make a difference in how someone treats their neighbor, their child, or a stranger.

What are some of the positive DE&I changes/progress you've seen at Avery Dennison this year?
One of the most exciting changes is commitment. From the development of our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion strategy and pillars, to creating new jobs centering around DE&I, to the listening sessions held around the world, I can't wait to see where the DE&I journey takes Avery Dennison with these new resources. Also, I would be remiss not to mention Avery Dennison's first score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index. Seeing that meant so much to me and it's something I hope we maintain for many years. On a more day to day level, I've seen so many more folks put their pronouns in their email signature. It's a small thing but can be so meaningful.

Learn more about our DE&I initiatives here.

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PRIDE 2022: Meet Members of UNITE, our LGBTQI+ employee resource group, Kelly Ruffenach

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