Throughout the summer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska’s (BCBSNE) employee resource groups (ERGs) have been actively living out their missions to foster belonging within the company and across the community. Here’s what they have been up to recently:

Mental Health Awareness Month

To kick off the summer, Possibilities, BCBSNE’s ERG supporting employees of all abilities, hosted a virtual domestic violence training in May, in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month. Led by Porscha Howard, senior training manager at the Women’s Center for Advancement (WCA), the session explored various forms of domestic violence and the power dynamics that often accompany them.

“I am very grateful to BCBSNE for providing information and support to employees who may be in vulnerable situations,” Dorina Mahler, agile project manager at BCBSNE and member of Possibilities, said. “I know firsthand the positive impact of being informed and getting the support and guidance needed to combat domestic violence. I would like to make sure that as many people as possible get the help they need to recognize, fight and overcome domestic violence.”

You can learn more about the WCA and the resources available on their website.

Juneteenth at the Omaha Freedom Festival

On June 14, Building Leaders Like Us for Excellence (BLUE), BCBSNE’s ERG supporting Black employees, participated in the Omaha Freedom Festival, a celebration of Juneteenth hosted by Freedomtainment. The event featured live music, art, food and performances, all centered around honoring the emancipation of enslaved people in the U.S.

BLUE hosted a booth with giveaways and an interactive game where attendees could win prizes.

“This festival really mattered because it helped strengthen local connections, honored cultural roots and gave people a space to learn and speak up,” Annette Hickman, agile project manager at BCBSNE and BLUE board member, said. “By coming together, everyone showed support for justice and equality, spreading hope and positive change throughout Omaha.”

National Work from Home Day

REMOTE Together, BCBSNE’s ERG supporting remote employees, celebrated its one-year anniversary and National Work from Home Day on June 27 with a virtual gathering.

Members wrapped up a wellness challenge, reviewed survey results, shared upcoming events and participated in breakout sessions designed to foster deeper connections.

“We created a ‘cubicle talk’ space where members connected through storytelling prompts,” Siera Fitts, a health data analyst at BCBSNE and REMOTE Together board member, said. “We shared everything from our roles at BCBSNE to memorable first jobs and high school trends. We also unveiled custom virtual backgrounds to build a sense of unity.”

LEAP Young Professionals’ Career Day

Latinos Empowered to Achieve Their Potential (LEAP), BCBSNE’s ERG supporting Latino employees, welcomed nine students for a career day in partnership with the Latino Center of the Midlands.

Students toured the building, explored BCBSNE’s technology, visited the boardroom and learned about the company’s history.

“The best part of the career day was seeing the genuine excitement and curiosity from the students,” Christian Gallardo, IT compliance program manager and LEAP board member, said. “Watching them engage with professionals, ask thoughtful questions and envision their own futures was incredibly inspiring. It reminded me why we do this work; to open doors and spark possibilities.”

The Heartland Pride Parade

In July, Fearlessly You @ Blue (FY@B), BCBSNE’s ERG supporting LGBTQ+ employees and their allies, participated in the 2025 Heartland Pride Parade.

Decked out in vibrant tie-dye and Pride-themed gear, employees marched through downtown Omaha, spreading joy and support by handing out candy, swag and other fun giveaways to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.

“I loved that so many people came together to celebrate and be their true and authentic selves without judgement,” Jamette Erickson, customer service representative at BCBSNE and FY@B Pride chair, said. “Being at the event reminded me that I am surrounded by a caring community and friends that I am so humbled to be a part of.”

Belonging at Blue Summit

To wrap up the summer, BCBSNE’s eight ERGs and Wellness Committee hosted the fourth annual Belonging at Blue Summit, a week-long celebration of employee engagement and belonging.

Each ERG led a session on topics like workplace civility, unlocking creativity, navigating change and more. Midweek, the Wellness Committee, a group of BCBSNE employees aiming to provide their coworkers with opportunities, resources and an environment to grow in well-being, offered a refreshing break with a group walk and plant-based treats.

“I’m incredibly proud of what our groups produced this year,” said Jay Warren-Teamer, community and strategic engagement leader at BCBSNE. “Their collaboration made the week an even more cohesive experience for employees, which is further proof of how we are improving this event every year. Next year we celebrate five years of the summit, and I cannot wait to see what our ERGs have in store.”

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