We’re proud to announce the winner of our first-ever Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Pineapple* GOAT Award, presented on a monthly basis to a Galvanize employee who exemplifies our company-wide commitment to DEI.
The purpose of this award is to celebrate the efforts and accomplishments of our team members working to advance our DEI goals, which include creating and improving our systems and processes for a sustainable, successful present and future for both our team and our students.
As voted on by the Galvanize team, our first awardee is Shay Rosner, Software Engineering DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) Student Support Manager.
In her role, Shay manages Telegraph Track, a program that runs alongside each bootcamp, designed to address the challenges faced by underrepresented students in tech and engineering.
(Read more about Shay’s role and professional journey here.)
“I am happy and humbled to receive the DEI Pineapple GOAT award and the first one ever at that! It means a lot that I would be nominated, let alone selected,” said Shay. “Being recognized as someone my colleagues feel exemplifies our organization’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is a great honor!”
According to a team member who nominated Shay anonymously, her “welcoming demeanor and excitement about her work are infectious. In a space that can often feel overwhelming in the magnitude of challenges it faces (diversity and inclusion), she gives me hope,” they said.
To learn more about her role and impact, read more Q&A with both Shay and the anonymous nominator below.
*But first, a quick note on the pineapple 🍍: Why is the word pineapple in the award name, you might ask? Fair question! The pineapple has long been a symbol of hospitality, warmth, and welcoming. Here at Galvanize, we’ve adopted the symbol, incorporating its meaning into our values. We often refer to our team members as “pineapples” as we strive to embody the ideals of working together and openness and kindness toward all staff and students.
Q&A with Shay Rosner
Why do you like working at Galvanize?
It fills me with purpose working with our students, supporting them through similar challenges I experienced in the Software Engineering Immersive. (Editor’s note: Shay graduated from our Immersive program in 2021 before joining our team.)
I’m grateful for the endless support I receive from my team: Dr. Sam Kline, our Director of DEI, and Lesley Loftis, our Foundation and Scholarships Specialist.
I appreciate the community of thoughtful, intelligent colleagues I get to work with every day. I’m fortunate to share a space with some of the most dedicated and caring people I’ve ever met. In short, it allows me to combine my passion for DEI with my excitement for software engineering and tech.
Why is DEI important to you?
DEI is important to me for several reasons, many of them personal and professional. Feeling encouraged to show up as my true self and be welcomed is powerful. Being able to help provide a safe, respectful, and engaging environment for students as the student support manager for Telegraph Track is incredibly impactful.
I believe strongly that DEI efforts help cultivate creativity and innovation. Feeling secure in your career and life can lead to endless possibilities to grow and thrive as individuals, contributors, corporations, and more.
Q&A with an anonymous nominator
Why do you believe this person should be nominated as a Galvanize GOAT?
Shay has been absolutely crushing it. I believe she introduced 90 engineers to mentors this year. She has just been quietly doing the work that matters.
How does this person make Galvanize a better place?
Shay clearly puts a great deal of care into running Telegraph Track, including thoughtfully connecting mentors and mentees based on similar backgrounds, interests, and challenges. Her work also gives our generous and caring alumni a conduit to giving back to the community that they otherwise wouldn’t have.
How do they embody our company values?
It is easy to understand how running Telegraph Track – providing resources to students with underrepresented backgrounds – exemplifies our company value of inclusivity. I am also impressed to see that unlike many diversity initiatives, Telegraph Track, led by Shay, does not perpetuate the free, unpaid, or underpaid work of underrepresented groups. Instead, it firmly holds that underrepresented students and grads deserve to join companies that value inclusivity with more than just lip service and will pay them their worth. It’s so fantastic that Shay values and upholds this aspect of the program.
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Check back next month to read about our January award winner!
