Give & Take: Bridging the Virtual Gap
When I started the Prosek interview process, there was one common theme woven throughout all the conversations I had: “culture.” It was clear working at Prosek meant working in a collaborative environment that celebrates colleagues, provides opportunities for personal and professional growth, and gives back to the communities it is ingrained in. After previously working for an organization deeply rooted in the community, philanthropy has always been meaningful to me, and I couldn’t imagine working somewhere without the opportunity to give back.
This past year, I joined Prosek as one of the inaugural members of the Palm Beach office. While I am proud to be a part of Prosek’s continued growth and newfound presence in Florida, I had concerns about missing out on the culture at larger Prosek offices and on receiving a watered-down experience.
Eight months in, I am pleased to report my concerns were completely unfounded. The “Pro Give Back” team, an internal committee responsible for organizing corporate giving and volunteer opportunities, painstakingly ensures that every employee in the firm can make giving back an integral part of their life— no matter where they call home base. Whether it be highlighting local organizations near each office location or sharing meaningful ways for each Prosek office to participate in a larger initiative, Prosek's commitment to bringing the firm together in support of the places where we live and work has provided the sense of unity I longed for when joining the agency.
June 2022 marked both my second full month at Prosek and National Pride Month. Reading that month’s Give Back Spotlight email, which curated a list of LGBTQ+ organizations and brands to consider supporting to honor and celebrate the many contributions and achievements of the LGBTQ+ community, was a pivotal moment for me. Among the dozens of incredible organizations listed were local standouts Compass LGBTQ+ Community Center, Wag Pride, Subculture Coffee, and Justin & Greg’s Beauty. I was deeply touched to see Palm Beach companies included in the list of businesses in cities where Prosek has offices. While I was aware Prosek included all of its offices in Give Back programs, I found experiencing this for the first time profoundly impactful. As a matter of fact, it was the catalyst that led me to join the Give Back team.
As someone who mainly interacts with my colleagues through Zoom screens, Prosek's intentional consideration and inclusion of colleagues around the world has enabled me to bridge the virtual gap.
As part of our effort in Palm Beach, our small but mighty team has begun identifying local organizations to collaborate with; and it is with great excitement that we look forward to extending Prosek's legacy of philanthropy to South Florida. This Spring, the Palm Beach office will spearhead a shoe drive in partnership with In Jacob’s Shoes, a South Florida organization which provides new and gently used shoes, socks, backpacks, school supplies and athletic gear to children and families in need—and I can’t wait to get started. 