North's commitment to inclusivity and community
June is Pride Month, and at North, our commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and community forms the backbone of everything we do. We're thrilled to align our initiatives this month with our core values, ensuring that our workplace is as vibrant and diverse as the communities we serve.
With that in mind, North is excited to launch its new Pride Employee Resource Group (ERG), Pride @ North. This isn’t just any launch—it’s a celebration of love, diversity, and all the vibrant colors in the LGBTQIA+ world. The debut will be highlighted in a global employee communication that will galvanize all of us to unite in allyship.
Sinead Kielty, North HR Manager and one of the Pride ERG liaisons said, “At North, it's about welcoming the rich community of LGBTQIA+ team members and encouraging everyone to be truly themselves.
With the launch of North's Pride ERG, we're committed to celebrating genuine self-expression and fostering a strong, supportive community. We want to make Pride a part of our everyday lives, not just a once-a-year event.”
Although our upcoming and highly anticipated Pride trivia challenge is an internal event designed to engage our employees and the Pride ERG, the spirit of Pride extends beyond our walls.
Our Ireland office will be vibrantly decorated throughout the month, embodying the colors and essence of Pride. This festive atmosphere serves as a reminder of our commitment to inclusivity in all communities, and the celebration of diverse identities.
Also in the spirit of Pride, North is stepping up with public support of organizations that make a profound external impact. We are proud to make a donation to The Trevor Project, which provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for LGBTQIA+ youth.
Additionally, we’re supporting the Human Rights Campaign, an advocate for LGBTQIA+ equality and rights, as well as GLSEN, which promotes safe and inclusive schools for all students. These donations are our way of saying, “We’ve got your back!”
Our Chief People Officer, Kari Lawry, has a deep personal and professional commitment to supporting Pride at North. “Of all the challenges I have experienced as a parent, loving my transgender child through their transition has been one of the most eye-opening, beautiful, and painful journeys.”
“Providing that important support to those in the LGBTQIA+ community, both personally and professionally, does not come without mistakes or fear. For me, it has meant learning to navigate difficult conversations and intentionally weaving my commitment to allyship into my responsibilities at North. I want my family and all of our team members at North to know unequivocally that I am here to support, value, and champion them,” Lawry said.
While some might view the celebration of Pride Month as an opportunity for quiet reflection, others see it as an essential occasion to advocate for and educate others about LGBTQIA+ issues.
Balancing visibility with meaningful action is crucial to ensuring everyone feels included and valued. We are committed to fostering an environment where all voices are heard and valued. We invite you to join us in making a difference, recognizing that this is just the beginning of our journey.
North is a leading financial technology company that builds innovative, frictionless end-to-end payment solutions designed to simplify and grow businesses of all sizes. From the front door, to the back office, the developer world, and partnerships that expand the payments landscape, North offers proactive, comprehensive merchant services, in-house processing, and more.
