Press Release: Nashville LGBT Chamber Board Member Nicole Gibson Wins LGBTQ Corporate Advocate of the Year Outie Award by Out & Equal
Nashville LGBT Chamber Board Member Nicole Gibson Wins LGBTQ Corporate Advocate of the Year Outie Award by Out & Equal Workplace Advocates
Nashville, TN - October 9, 2020 Nashville LGBT Chamber Board of Directors Member and Dell Technologies Nashville co-site director and human resources compliance consultant Nicole Gibson was awarded the LGBTQ Corporate Advocate of the Year award by Out & Equal Workplace Advocates. The award recognizes individuals and organizations who are leaders in advancing equality for LGBTQ+ people in the workplace.
In addition to her role as co-site director at Dell Technologies, Gibson is also the North American Lead for Pride, Dell’s LGBTQ employee resource group (ERG). Under her leadership, the Pride ERG has grown to be one of the largest, most active groups at Dell. Last year, Gibson joined other advocates at a press conference to speak out against discriminatory legislation in the Tennessee General Assembly.
“I am so honored to be receiving the LGBTQ Corporate Advocate of the Year award from Out & Equal Workplace Advocates.” Gibson said. “This year I celebrate my 21st anniversary at Dell Technologies and from the beginning, I have always been encouraged to bring my full self to work. Being part of the Dell Technologies family has given me a platform to use my voice and advocate on behalf of my community. I appreciate that I get to work for a company that has a workplace culture that embraces individuality and champions team members to get involved. Thank you Out & Equal for this award and for empowering individuals like me to be their very best, to stay educated and remain focused on what is needed to advocate for equality and to continue to create workplaces of belonging.”
Nashville LGBT Chamber Board President, Ron Snitker: “Nikki is a valuable asset to the Nashville LGBT Chamber in and out of the board room. She has been integral in furthering equality in the workplace in Middle Tennessee and beyond. This award honors those who are bold and are making a difference. She is well-deserving of this exceptional recognition.”
Gibson received her Outie award as part of the Out & Equal 2020 Workplace Summit, the largest LGBTQ focused conference in the world. She also presented several times at the conference including one with Nashville LGBT Chamber CEO Joe Woolley. The presentation titled “Partners for Progress: How ERG’s (Employee Resource Groups) Can Innovate Business” focused on how ERG’s are evolving. Their purpose in driving D&I initiatives and giving back to their company are more relevant than ever. ERG’s are now having to validate how their initiatives and presence in companies are generating business to prove their ROI. Hear how Dell Technologies unknowingly stumbled into this wave by building a solid relationship and community partnership with the Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce. What started as a life raft to build the Pride ERG membership and engagement turned into a strategic community partnership for both organizations. The results of this partnership have led to a broader membership with the NGLCC and affiliate chapters in the U.S.
“It was an honor to speak at the Out and Equal conference about our work at the Chamber,” said Joe Woolley, CEO of the Nashville LGBT Chamber. “It was even better that we were doing it with one of our top corporate members who have such an impact in the field of Diversity and Inclusion initiatives here in Nashville. Dell is a perfect example of a corporation that gets what equality looks like and knows how to support their LGBTQ+ employees and the community.”
He added, “We also could not be more proud of our board member and incredible LGBTQ+ leader, Nikki Gibson. She deserves her Outie award because of the incredible work she has done and will continue to do.”
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