Minneapolis Auto Dealer Walser Rolls Out ‘Drive With Pride’, LGBTQ+ Group Focused on Employees, Allies, Community
MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#AutoNews–There’s a common phrase heard at Walser Automotive Group: Bring your whole self to work. It’s that motto that’s driving the launch of the company’s second Employee Resource Group – Drive With Pride.
The resource group is focused on supporting the company’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) employees, allies, and customers. The Employee Resource Group kicks off tonight with a company-sponsored launch event in Minneapolis.
“The creation of Drive With Pride is a critical part of Walser’s evolving efforts to extend diversity, inclusion, and belonging across our company,” said Sherry Schultz, Walser’s Chief Human Resources Officer. “We’re actually creating differences within our four walls with demonstrated policies, benefits, and human resource practices. It’s easy to be a supporter. It’s harder to bring broad scale benefits to the population. That’s where we’re headed.”
Diversity and inclusion are a key part of Walser Automotive Group’s culture. In 2018, the company launched its first Employee Resource Group Women of Walser, which focuses on attracting, retaining and promoting more women to leadership roles in the company and automotive industry.
“An inclusive workplace is central to our business strategy as we keep looking for ways to better represent our employees, our customers, and our core values. As a company, we can think of no greater responsibility than supporting an environment that allows you to bring your whole self to work every day,” Schultz said.
Drive With Pride will also launch a chapter today for Walser employees located on the Walser Auto Campus, the company’s campus of luxury dealerships in Wichita, Kansas.
Drive With Pride will focus on areas of education, support, and community outreach for all Walser employees, their families, friends, and connected allies.
About Walser Automotive Group
Through over 60 years of service, Walser Automotive Group has become a pioneer in the automotive industry. Walser operates 25 dealerships featuring major and luxury brands throughout Minnesota and Kansas. Walser is passionate about giving back to the communities where its employees live and work. Walser commits 5 percent of all pre-tax earnings to the Walser Foundation annually to support local nonprofit education and workforce development initiatives.
Contacts
Dayna Landgrebe
Corporate Communications Manager
Walser Automotive Group
Office: 952-345-0806
Cell: 218-556-2178
dlandgrebe@walser.com
