5 Questions with Prosekians in Honor of Pride Month 2025

In honor of Pride Month, our colleagues answered five questions about their lives, what drew them to Prosek, and how we can engage with media and texts to learn more and be allies year round.

Joe Ferry, Senior Account Executive, Digital

1. Tell us about your background. (Where did you grow up, your culture, heritage, etc.?)

I was born and raised in Lowell, Massachusetts, just north of Boston. I went on to attend UMass Amherst, where I earned a BA in Political Science followed by a Master of Public Policy. My career began in political communications, which eventually led me to digital work at a larger advertising agency, and ultimately to my current role at Prosek.

2. What brought you to Prosek?

When I began searching for a new role, I was eager to broaden my experience by working across industries I hadn’t yet explored. What ultimately led me to Prosek, however, was the culture. I’ve never encountered such a motivated, passionate, and genuinely welcoming group of people. Everyone here truly cares about the work they do — and just as importantly, they care about each other. We’re all friends in and out of work and all enjoy each other’s company beyond the office, and I find that to be a very unique experience.

3. What are you best known for amongst friends and family, and what do you want to be known for at Prosek?

I wasn’t quite sure how to answer this, so I took a poll from my friends and family and here’s a quick snapshot of what I got: I’m known for my sense of humor, my outgoing personality, and my ability to find fun in just about anything. I’m energetic and animated, but also driven — constantly looking for ways to challenge myself and step outside my comfort zone. For better or worse, I’m always juggling a new “side quest.” Right now, my current side quest is qualifying for the Boston Marathon!

4. What’s a fun fact about you?

A “fun fact” about me is that I once did a 6-day hike in Peru up to 16,000 feet before descending into Machu Picchu and finishing in Cusco. I was 19 years old and had never hiked to that level before, but I love to travel and would love to do something like that again. Next side quest, perhaps?

5. What’s one thing you wish people would know, and/or one thing you recommend Prosekians engage with (i.e. one movie, one newsletter, one podcast, etc.), in observance of Pride Month?

In observance of Pride Month, I would recommend that everyone watch “Overcompensating” on Prime Video. It’s a recent release, and I found it deeply relatable on many levels. It captures experiences familiar to so many in the LGBTQ+ community (including myself), all with a light-hearted, almost nostalgic tone. Highly recommended.

Jen Greene, Account Executive, Special Situations

1. Tell us about your background. (Where did you grow up, your culture, heritage, etc.?)

I’m Jen Greene (She/They), I’m 24, I’m a triple Aquarius, and I’m a genderqueer lesbian! Growing up home was the South Shore of Long Island in an Irish-Catholic household surrounded by the Atlantic on one side and stained glass on the other. Both beautiful in their own right, but I was always drawn more to the water. After graduating high school, I stayed close to the shore just on the opposite side, and moved to Connecticut’s coast to attend Quinnipiac University. Despite the majority of the student body being from Long Island (or New Jersey), I was finally surrounded by people who had no idea who I was, so I thought I could be anyone I wanted. Super cool, but super scary!

Four years later, I graduated with two undergraduate degrees in Media Studies and Public Relations, a minor in Art History, and a master’s in Strategic Communications — my mom always called me an overachiever. Within those four years, I was not only challenged academically and professionally, but also personally. In the new found freedom of living away from home, from family, and old friends, I was confronted with my own truth. My adolescent and teen years were filled with an unexplainable backdrop of guilt, shame, and strangeness that I never understood. That was until my first semester Women’s and Gender studies class. It was as if the fog lifted and huge light up letters were shining — L-E-S-B-I-A-N.

From there, I thought I could do anything — and I still do! I sought and forged community wherever I was, and as I became immersed in my queerness, all of that shame and strangeness was washed away like a wave going back to sea. Now, I am grateful enough to be surrounded by my big, beautiful queer community.

2. What brought you to Prosek?

In my final year at Quinnipiac, I was focused on finding a firm that felt right to kick off my career. It was incredibly important to me to be somewhere with a strong culture that celebrated individual’s differences. Through my network, I fortunately came across Prosek and began to connect with Prosekians. Quickly from those conversations I learned Prosek not only had a strong culture, but was somewhere I could grow and be challenged.

As of June 6th, I have been with Prosek for two years. The time flew by, but it has been filled with immense growth and rewarding challenges. I’m very grateful to my Prosek family!

3. What are you best known for amongst friends and family, and what do you want to be known for at Prosek?

I’d like to think among my friends and family I’m most known for dependability and lightness—no matter what is going on I try to keep a smile on my face. At Prosek, I hope to be known for the same, particularly being a resource for my teams and colleagues. I’ve learned so much during my time at the firm, and it’s very rewarding when I can share that knowledge with someone else.

4. What’s a fun fact about you?

In keeping with theme, a fun fact about me is that I have been lucky enough to celebrate NYC Pride events since I was 16 (coming up on 10 years!); of course the first few years were as a very dedicated ally, but without fail, each year I end up crying tears of joy. Throughout the years, it has been a privilege to join my community in advocating and celebrating our queerness, even more so during a time where we are seeing a frightening increase in anti-LGBTQIA+ sentiment and policies.

It is difficult to articulate the palpable energy felt when a community gathers together in face of opposition and together we still smile, laugh, dance and sing (not to be super cliché), but I think that is what makes us so special. To experience that as a young, scared queer person in many ways breathed life into me — it gave me a glimpse into a future I wasn’t sure I could have. Now, with my friends and support system, we are loud, out and queer so it feels like every day is Pride!

5. What’s one thing you wish people would know, and/or one thing you recommend Prosekians engage with (i.e. one movie, one newsletter, one podcast, etc.), in observance of Pride Month?

I’m going to approach this question a little differently, and request everyone does one thing. At some point this month, take 15-20 minutes (10 even!) to explore Queer history, whether it’s a YouTube video, article, or my personal favorite, virtual archives like Lesbian Herstory Archive. Many of you may be familiar with the ‘meme,’ “and historians will call them roommates…,” because it is sadly rooted in truth. History has attempted to erase queer folk and our stories, so in the present it is essential, especially you my straight allies, that we make sure our stories are heard. We have always and we will always be here.

In terms of media, I have a plethora of recommendations, but I will narrow it down to a podcast and a book.

Glass Closet, hosted by Britnia (Nia), is not only humorous, but also approaches key issues within the queer community through an intersectional lens. From pop culture to advocacy, I look forward to hearing some of the most candid conversations you could have on the internet.

For my book lovers out there, you may know this iconic sapphic novel—The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins. Jenkins transports you back to Old Hollywood where there is fame, glamour, and secrets! The secret, of course, being a woman’s love for another. One of the many lines that will be permanently etched into my heart is: “I spent half my time loving her and the other half hiding how much I loved her.”  One line beautifully (and tragically) encapsulates an experience so many of us have had. The feeling of living a double life in fear of repercussion, physically or verbally. Evelyn and Celia’s stolen glances, looking over their shoulders, covering their tracks — it’s horrible and perfect.

Chris Headley, Executive Assistant to the CEO

1. Tell us about your background. (Where did you grow up, your culture, heritage, etc.?)

I grew up in southern Indiana, where it was evident I was not like the other boys – I didn’t see any other kids running to the other side of the outfield to pick dandelions during little league games. Being othered every day led to a lot of fear, internalized homophobia and a lack of knowing myself, which are all things I’ve worked through since I moved to NYC just over 15 years ago. I’ve embraced myself and the LGBTQIA+ community fully – this city, my chosen family, and my colleagues at Prosek all make me feel accepted and safe without question every day.

2. What brought you to Prosek?

Prosek is truly a people-first organization, and the culture Jen has created can be felt in everything we do. The moment I met Jen and the team, I knew I wanted to work with her and spend the rest of my career here.

3. What are you best known for amongst friends and family, and what do you want to be known for at Prosek?

My friends and family would say I’m most known for standing up for my community, being outwardly calm in the face of chaos, and for my inability to order anything on a menu in a timely fashion. Growing up gay in rural Indiana, I quickly learned I was safer when I was alone, so now I aim to connect and make sure others feel included. Whether it’s holding the door, saying hello or smiling and making eye contact while asking questions about the menu at a restaurant, seemingly insignificant moments of human connection can really have an enormous impact on someone else’s day.

4. What’s a fun fact about you?

I have a collection of vintage Barbies, with a strong focus on the original Malibu lines from the early 1970s, and some of the original swimsuit Barbies from 1959-1963. In true Virgo form, they’re all in original boxes and very well organized.

5. What’s one thing you wish people would know, and/or one thing you recommend Prosekians engage with (i.e. one movie, one newsletter, one podcast, etc.), in observance of Pride Month?

Fact to know: A trans woman of color threw the first brick at Stonewall.

Organizations to support: Tyler Clementi Foundation, SAGE, The Center

Podcasts to listen to: Gayish Podcast, Las Culturistas, LGBTQ&A

Movies to watch: The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson, and Love, Simon

TV Show: The Golden Girls, without question