Inspiration personified: Gisela Sánchez Velasco
Wunderman Thompson are the inspiration experts. Therefore, we know that inspiration does not come from a single place, but must be harnessed from a diverse and inclusive culture. This allows us to see things differently, reject conventional thinking and push the limits of creative courage. The emergence of hybrid work environments has meant that finding opportunities for meaningful connections and a sense of belonging is more important than ever to protect and nurture.
In this new environment, it is imperative that companies actively build a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome, valued and heard. Our Business Employee Resource Groups are just one of the ways we bring people together and provide a positive forum for development, education and the exchange of ideas around a common interest.
We now have 20 of these groups across the Wunderman Thompson network dedicated to topics like AAPI, sustainability, marginalized ethnicities, disability, women, and more. They are a key component of what makes Wunderman Thompson inspirational experts, ensuring their core values are reflected in all aspects of the business.
In 2022, the company added Business to the existing ERG program, creating more opportunities for diverse employee voices to directly impact their work. This is just one of the ways we're putting inclusive experiences at the centre of our business to help drive growth for our customers, and something we're passionate about sharing to inspire the industry as a whole. By incorporating these groups, we take ownership and responsibility for creating culturally competent work that drives conversation to enrich our culture and society at large.
Here are thoughts from its members on what inspired their creation and how they use them to inspire change from their corner of the world.
Name: Gisela Sánchez Velasco
Title: Audit & SOX Compliance Manager
City: Mexico City
Business + Employee Resource Group / Affinity: Responsabilidad Social
Q> Tell us a bit about yourself?
Gisela> My name is Gisela Sanchez and I am part of the finance team at Wunderman Thompson Mexico. My role is very detail-oriented, as it focuses on helping the agency comply with and maintain our internal control framework, as well as ensuring compliance with any regulations that affect the business.
My background is an interesting mix of compliance and finance roles, but because it is within a creative industry, it leads to a combination which I find fascinating. I have spent several years within the advertising industry in charge of SOX Compliance, Audit and Internal Control areas, and have also carried out various consulting activities in my area of expertise.
My personal inspiration is to help everyone achieve a better present and future, so that injustice and discrimination, among other things that I have had to experience or witness at some point, and the consequences they entail, are not repeated.
Q> What made you want more cultural inspiration at work?
Gisela> I’m passionate about having a positive impact on society by doing work that benefits our community, as well as protecting and caring for our environment.
Each of us can help create a better world for all, and this is what makes me strive for more cultural inspiration at work; so that together we can design a thriving culture of equality, diversity and inclusion, and also become more aware of the impact we can all have on our environment.
Q> What is the purpose of your group? What is the change you are trying to achieve?
Gisela> We see the purpose of our group, Responsabilidad Social, as vital to achieving another level of coexistence, in harmony with our environment. We aim to integrate social responsibility into the fabric of our organisational culture,; by working together for the common good.
Simply put, we seek to generate positive change. We believe that a business culture that respects sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion is essential to inspire its people, so in this way we join the global efforts of Wunderman Thompson.
Q> Why is your group important to Wunderman Thompson's culture/the industry as a whole?
Gisela> There is still a long way to go, but our first step has been to make the commitment and begin to act accordingly.
The importance of our B+ERG for the culture of Wunderman Thompson is underlined by the fact that, through our group, we help turn our commitment to social responsibility into tangible actions. To receive recognition of this is wonderful, so we’re very proud that we have achieved a national certification as well as various highly prestigious badges in Mexico.
It’s a real honour to be part of the first agency in Mexico to obtain a certification in labour equality and non-discrimination, through which we seek to transform the organisational culture, eliminating barriers and promoting equality practices to generate spaces free of violence and discrimination.
Likewise, we have received recognition from The Human Rights Campaign as one of the best places to work for LGBTQ+ equality, and have been named as a TOP company, which acknowledges companies that consistently work toward the well-being of their employees..
We have also received an ESR, the most prestigious and participated-in distinction in Mexico, which is awarded to companies that adopt a corporate social responsibility model covering key areas such as quality of life in the company, business ethics, the relationship of the company with the community and care for the environment.
These awards act as a wonderful reminder that we are on the right path and are leading the way for corporate social responsibility. While there is a way to go, it feels good to be part of a team making such great strides!
Q> What has been the best part of being involved in your group?
Gisela> I love the fact that I am part of a team that supports causes for the common good, and that we are joining forces to create a better present and future for everyone. I have always wanted to serve my community, and this provides a wonderful forum to do so.
Although our B+ERG has started as a small project, we have put our whole hearts into it, and we hope to grow the group over time, adding more participants and raising awareness among our entire community in Mexico.
Q> What happens when you get together?
Gisela> It’s such a buzz when we get together because we’re all passionate about having a positive impact on both the business and society.
It is not always easy to find the time because of our busy schedules, but when we get together the magic begins, simply because we are better when we’re ‘In it Together’, creating a real sense of community and fraternity.
We create a space in our B+ERG where there is total acceptance, appreciation and support of each other as a team.
Q> How has your group inspired change, both within Wunderman Thompson and the industry at large?
Gisela> Our first campaign our B+ERG established was collecting teddy bears for children with cancer, with the aim of being able to give them a permanent hug in the moments they need it most. We opened up this activity to our entire office, accepting bears of all sizes, colours and shapes, because diversity is part of our DNA. Each of them also shared a photo, including in some cases of their children giving their own teddy bear to another child, which touched our hearts. It allowed us to see that our B+ERG was inspiring and positively impacting the community. It’s also nice to see that together, we can transmit this culture of service and giving to new generations.
Q> Why is community important to you and what makes a good workplace community?
Gisela> I believe that social responsibility is deeply linked to the possibility of transforming the community and in fact it is a symbiotic relationship, as it is also a voluntary decision that can increase or decrease based on whether or not we have the support of our community. Promoting these values in a community allows us to foster solidarity and interest in the common good.
Q> How does your group inspire you or others?
Gisela> We are inspired by the dream we all have and which brought us together, to contribute to and help create a better present and future for everyone. And we are inspired to know that we can make our dream come true, through helping others in social and community projects, promoting diversity and inclusion, committing to ethical business practices, respecting human rights, and promoting environmental sustainability.
