Inspiration Personified: Vanessa Lacy and Dulce García

Wunderman Thompson are the inspiration experts.​ Because of this, we know that inspiration doesn’t come from any one place, but rather it should be drawn upon from a diverse and inclusive culture. ​ 

This allows us to see things differently, reject conventional thinking and push the boundaries of creative bravery.​ The emergence of hybrid working environments has meant that finding opportunities for meaningful connections and a sense of belonging are more important to protect and nurture than ever before.  

In this new environment, it’s imperative for businesses to actively build a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome, valued and heard. Our Business Employee Resource Groups are just one way we bring people together to provide a positive forum for development, education and idea exchange around a common interest.

We now have 20 of these groups across the Wunderman Thompson network devoted to topics such as AAPI, Sustainability, Marginalised Ethnicities, Disability, Women and more. They’re a key component of what makes Wunderman Thompson inspiration experts, and ensure that their core values are reflected in every aspect of the company.

In 2022 the company added Business to the existing ERG program, which creates more opportunities for the diverse voices of employees to directly impact their work. This is just one way we’re putting inclusive experiences at the heart of our business to help drive growth for our clients, and something we’re passionate about sharing to inspire the wider industry. By incorporating these groups, we take ownership and responsibility for creating culturally competent work that drives conversation that enriches our culture and wider society. 

Here are thoughts from members on what inspired their group’s creation, and how they use them to inspire change from their corner of the world. 

Name: Vanessa Lacy  

Title: quality assurance, senior manager

City: Chicago  

Business + Employee Resource Group / Affinity: ¡HOLA! 

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Name: Dulce García

Title: global social responsibility, consultant 

City: Guatemala City 

Business + Employee Resource Group / Affinity: ¡HOLA! 

Q> Tell us a bit about yourselves!

Vanessa> I am Vanessa Lacy, and I work as a senior manager in quality assurance (QA). I live on the South Side of Chicago with my husband, daughter and two German Shepherds. Though I hail from San Antonio, Texas, being in Chicago for 22 years has not dampened my love and appreciation for the first snowfall of the year. I have worked in QA for about 10 years on various projects, from education right through to water bottles. Over these years, I have developed a program that gives QA a seat at the table, making a positive impact on projects and elevating the process from being mere bug finders to brand protectors. I care for each project because I care about our work and want it to be the best it can possibly be, both for us as a company as well as end users who will eventually enjoy the sites we build. 

Dulce> Hola! My name is Dulce García (she/her), I’m Guatemalan and proud mother to Paquito, a Teddy Bear Pomeranian. I graduated with a degree in industrial engineering, and I have a Master’s in communications. When I was a young student, I dreamed of working in a mill or a production plant, but since my professional career began, I realised that my passion is working to seek the well-being of people. So, I have been working on projects and social initiatives for more than seven years and since 2022, I have been in charge of social responsibility initiatives at Wunderman Thompson Commerce and Technology North America.

Q> What made you crave more cultural inspiration at work? 

Vanessa> Before QA, I worked in administration, and though the two positions are different, their similarities are astounding. Both departments can be the unsung heroes on the team, but in order to be successful, both require attention to detail, passion and care for others. I always aim to shine the light and uplift groups that deserve our attention and appreciation. Helping others to be seen is a core part of who I am, and I don't want people to be forgotten. With the ¡HOLA! B+ERG (Business and Employee Resource Group), it allows me to keep this value alive for my LATAM friends and family. 

Dulce> We work in a company with people from different countries, cultures, ideologies, and life experiences; how could we not want to take the opportunity to enrich ourselves by learning more about each other? I believe that all of us feel more comfortable and fulfilled working in an environment where we can be ourselves and enhance others’ lives with our cultures and traditions, while at the same time benefitting ourselves by learning from others.

Q> What is the purpose of your group? What is the change you are trying to achieve? 

Vanessa> Our mission is to create a sense of community and belonging for Hispanic and Latin American employees within the Wunderman Thompson NA network, amplifying their voices and multifaceted experiences. We seek to unify these individuals and their allies to promote professional growth, establish an inclusive environment within the organisation and contribute to company efforts that help promote equality and greater understanding for the Hispanic and Latin American community. 

Dulce> In ¡HOLA! our purpose is to create a community of Hispanic and Latin American employees and allies where we can share our experiences and perspectives working at Wunderman Thompson NA. This community is built from both those who live in North America and those who live in other countries, and as a result of this exchange of experiences, is a fantastic way to build a diverse environment in which each one of us feels comfortable and proud of who we are, our ancestors and cultural traditions; and to enrich the rest of our team members and clients by sharing our experiences through different resources.

Q> Why is your group important to the culture of Wunderman Thompson / the wider industry?  

Vanessa> We want to showcase the talent, power, and warmth that our LATAM people offer to our culture, business, and life. Our LATAM colleagues bring more than just fabulous pan dulce and tamales to the table. We are an untapped talent with fresh perspectives that can boost others’ passion for life and work. 

Dulce>  Over the years, it has been shown that Latin/Hispanics also have much to offer within the professional workforce, and although the employment rate in our industry is still low, it’s increasing, which we can see in the Wunderman Thompson workforce too. So, it's essential to have a space where Latin/Hispanics and their allies can raise our voices and share all the qualities and skills we offer within the entire company and industry. 

Q> What’s been the best part about being involved in your group?  

Vanessa> Being able to hear about the similarities in our journeys, even though we live in different locations, is comforting. The companionship I’ve felt provides a sense of belonging that you usually do not experience professionally, and having a space at work where you can connect with others on a deeper level is essential; this group does that for me. 

Dulce> Feeling proud of my Latino heritage. I live in my country of birth, so it is common to take food, traditions, and culture for granted, and I sometimes embrace and yearn for North American traditions that I am exposed to through my line of work. Sharing with members of ¡HOLA! who live in North America, and hearing how much they value and yearn for Latin traditions and the biases they have had to face, has helped me appreciate every day the richness that I have at my fingertips and has made me more committed to spreading that pride.

Q> What happens when you get together? 

Vanessa> We just debuted the group and are currently in the planning phase for our first events. However, after our announcement, new member requests are coming in hot, and we're excited to start sharing with the Wunderman Thompson family. 

Dulce> We have shared experiences, traditions and even recipes! We’re a new B+ERG, so we’re working on the annual planning – it is a very enthusiastic group!

Q> Why is community important to you and what makes a good workplace community? 

Vanessa> Enjoying work depends on those around you, which is even more vital in the remote, post-covid world we live in today. Having a community at work to celebrate and cry with sometimes makes work feel more like a family. Without those bonds, a workplace is hollow. Culture is more than free snacks and drinks; it’s people. We all need a community, to allow us to thrive and grow. 

Dulce> Having a community helps us strengthen our sense of belonging and knowing that we have others who support us helps us improve our confidence and commitment and, therefore, our results!

Q> How do you stay connected to one another?  

Vanessa> Teams is our primary communication tool because we are spread across North and Central America. Sending each other articles, notes, ideas, and an excellent cat GIF helps keep the creativity and conversation flowing. 

Dulce> At the moment, Teams! We hold bi-weekly meetings, but above all, we maintain conversations by chatting and sharing resources, tips, recipes and even photos!

Q> How does your group inspire you/others?  

Vanessa> First, the B+ERG, being formed by four remarkable women, is an inspiration all on its own, but seeing their passion overflow with ideas in each meeting has been influential. On top of seeing how quickly others have embraced it, it shows how much a LATAM-focused group was needed at Wunderman Thompson. 

Dulce> It inspires me to see my teammates' passion, energy, and enthusiasm. With each idea or proposal, everyone is willing to collaborate and help each other. And I love seeing how we all grow by acknowledging each other’s contributions and how much we learn from each other.

Q> What is your advice for other agencies who are looking to foster a sense of community among employees, and expand the work they are doing internally to effect change for their clients/the industry? 

Vanessa> Feed your employees’ souls, and they will, in turn, feed the culture you’re looking for. We all need more than our daily work to inspire us. These groups break up the routine and provide us with opportunities to flex muscles in new ways or, in my case, forgotten ones. I dusted off my art degree to create our ¡HOLA! logo. And doing something small like making a logo after all this time is invigorating and reminds us that we are more than our day job. 

Dulce> I would say that it’s in the nature of being human to seek out a community (after all, even those who prefer to be by themselves are part of a community of people who prefer to be by themselves!), so I consider it essential to start by creating a collective environment, where the members of the company can express themselves and can talk freely. Then it is necessary to be attentive, listen, be responsive and take action to maintain a healthy and collective company culture.