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Asian American and Pacific Islander Month: The many pieces of a beautifully complex puzzle

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Accessibility and Inclusion for Future Talent 

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An Ally. A Military Spouse. A Soldier.

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Celebrating Women’s History by Making Women’s History

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Joyce Christanio NextTech Diversity Program T-Mobile

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Black History Month Employee Spotlight: Joyce Christanio Is Leading The Charge For Change With The NextTech Diversity Program

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T-Mobile Expands Successful Returnship Program for Third Round

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Employee Spotlight: Changing Careers After Military Service, a Veteran’s Story

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T-Mobile Retrunship Program Women in the workplace

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A Big Step Across the Digital Divide: T-Mobile’s Project 10Million Connects 35,000 Oakland Students

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Aaron Sanchez T-Mobile Talking With Trailblazers

Chef Aarón Sánchez joins Jorge Martel, T-Mobile’s Vice President & General Manager, Puerto Rico, in front of fifty employees at its signature store in Miami.

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Chef Aarón Sánchez: “Our Time Has Come”

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Claudia Gordon T-Mobile Senior Accessibility Partner

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Employee Spotlight: Disability Awareness Starts with All of Us — and Benefits All of Us

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The most vibrant nations in the world have always been the most complex.

People from just about every corner of the planet have converged here. All their beliefs, skills, knowledge and values have influenced us to create an America that innovates, leads and extends hands around the world like no other nation in history. That’s the power of our complexity, and it’s what makes us shine bright enough for the whole world to see.

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) have played many roles in this American complexity for about five centuries. There are too many storylines along too many eras for any one theme or slogan to sum up or celebrate the long, rich and complicated history of Asian and Pacific Islanders in America. Think of all the achievements to celebrate, all the tragedy and sacrifice to memorialize, and all the hope and aspiration that propel us forward.

You can’t tell anything close to the true story of America without the many chapters on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, but that’s often what has happened. Too many AAPI contributions to what is American are overlooked or even hidden away, and Americans cannot fully be who we are if we hide pieces of ourselves away.

If you’re wondering what good these “appreciation” or “history” months do – that’s it. They shine a light on the things that make America the vibrant, complex, difficult and beautiful puzzle that it is.

I’m proud that T-Mobile is shining that light for employees all month with workshops, panel discussions and events. At T-Mobile, diversity fuels our Un-carrier spirit, and that spirit drives us to become champions of change for our customers. I hope everyone takes some time this month to learn about and recognize the enormous portion of America’s spirit that is AAPI people!

T-Mobile Advanced and Emerging Technologies EVP John Saw shares his thoughts on the powerful contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islanders and the importance of AAPI Heritage Month.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Month: The many pieces of a beautifully complex puzzle - T-Mobile Newsroom

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As we celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day, a T-Mobile intern and participant in the American Association of People with Disabilities’ intern program interviews the President and CEO of AAPD to talk about disability advocacy, accessibility and inclusion for future talent. 

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I walked into my first day of high school in 2015 feeling unconfident, un-liked and unsure of what the future would bring.

My mind raced with crushing doubt. Would I survive academically? Socially? I know high school is a scary rite of passage for most, but throughout my life I was continuously tested for learning disabilities, provided accommodations and sat through countless Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings. I was often told aiming within my “abilities” meant solely graduating high school and finding a job. When I argued that I wanted more for myself, I was met with blank stares and shrugs.

I was frustrated not only with my learning challenges, but with the systems in place that prioritized adult decision-makers choosing my educational path instead of asking me. I knew if I did not take ownership of my academic future, it would be decided for me. I took a more decisive role in better understanding the intricacies behind my own IEP and the legislation behind it. This self-advocacy empowered me to feel unafraid to demand what I needed to succeed. I entered college determined to do my part in advocating and supporting fellow students with disabilities.

I began my advocacy work in the most natural of places — in a legislator’s office. I interned for United States Senator Patty Murray’s office during the summer of 2021. There, I got my first glimpse of how real societal change comes to life, and I never would have had this opportunity if it weren’t for the <a href="https://www.aapd.com/">American Association of People with Disabilities</a> (AAPD).

AAPD is a national cross-disability civil rights organization that focuses on building the economic and political power of the 61 million disabled people across the country. As a member of their <a href="https://www.aapd.com/summer-internship-program/">Summer Internship Program,</a> my peers and I had access to an entire network of employment opportunities, including my internship in the federal government. I also have this program to thank for my most current internship at T-Mobile working in Corporate Communications, an experience has been incredibly valuable to me as I explore a career where I can help share stories with a broad audience in ways that create impact and drive change.

As I soak in every moment of my experience learning more about my own career passions in communications, while also supporting T-Mobile in its mission of being an ally to the disability community, I wondered if the opportunity to be an agent of awareness was right in front of me.

So, I reached out to <a href="https://www.aapd.com/about/maria-town/#:~:text=Maria%20Town%20is%20the%20President,power%20of%20people%20with%20disabilities.">Maria Town</a>, President and CEO of AAPD, to learn more about what it takes for an organization to be a stronger ally and to discuss her life and career path in disability justice, her current work at AAPD and what roles she believes large companies like T-Mobile play in employing, mentoring and advancing people in the disability community.

An extremely important advocate for the community, Maria has served as the Director of the City of Houston Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities and is a former Senior Associate Director in the Obama White House Office of Public Engagement.

What gives you the dedication and drive to work every day advocating for the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities?

One thing that I love about AAPD is that we are led and staffed entirely by people with disabilities. I am disabled myself; I have cerebral palsy. This is a disability I was born with and have lived my whole life with. I have always had to advocate for myself and for my inclusion in mainstream society, whether that was in school, in things like Girl Scouts, and in the workplace. I’m lucky to work in a field and in a role that is so deeply personal to me. Sometimes that makes the work hard.

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When I was growing up, I did not see a lot of people like me in the world. I was the only child with a visible disability in most of my classes, all the way through college. I didn’t see anyone who was working in advocacy or in policy full time. The world of policy as a career was not available to me. I got into my career because of people who were part of my journey and who connected me to people they thought I would like and who I could learn from.

One of the signature programs that AAPD coordinates is the Summer Internship Program, which is celebrating its twentieth anniversary this summer. I took part in the program and benefitted greatly.  Can you tell us a bit about this program, and why you believe it has been and continues to be so pivotal for young adults with disabilities?

The AAPD Summer Internship Program selects students and recent graduates with disabilities and places them in internships. All the interns have very different disabilities and are varying ages from post-secondary programs to those who are pursuing their PhD’s. Because the disability community is so unique and diverse, we want to include as many people as possible – so we cover transportation, housing, technology, food, and provide them with paid internships to make it seamless and easy.

Internships are vital career development opportunities for not only young people, but anyone who is trying to figure out their career. Students are placed in an internship and paired with a mentor. They also participate in the disability advocacy certificate program to deepen their awareness of disability history, key issues and what it means to be an advocate and tell your story.

Twenty years later, this program is still critically important because even though the <a href="https://adata.org/learn-about-ada">Americans with Disabilities Act</a> has existed for more than thirty years, we continue to see huge gaps in disability employment. The gaps in disability employment reflect gaps throughout the systems in education, career development and learning that people participate in before they get a job. We need the AAPD internship program to exist and grow so that more young career professionals with disabilities can get these experiences.

Recently, we have seen an increase in disability representation in the media such as the film CODA winning the Oscar for best picture, which is helping more people around the country be more understanding of people with disabilities. What do you believe companies such as T-Mobile can do to add to this awareness?

I believe companies like T-Mobile should seek to hire people with disabilities in every job level from frontline customer service positions to corporate executives and invest in advocacy and mentorship. For example, I would have never been able to work at the White House without <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/community/disability-awareness-claudia-gordon">Claudia Gordon</a>, T-Mobile's Senior Accessibility Strategy Partner who is my dear friend. Seeing her in that space and knowing that I could do that work as well was vital for me. Also, when I was offered the position in the White House, I was intimidated, and imposter syndrome set in! But Claudia took me to lunch and said, “You can do this!”  Having people that believe in your abilities and worth is vital, and we all need to support people in their goals and aspirations. Not only is advocacy critical, but it’s also important for companies to host companywide celebrations for key disability events or bring in speakers to come share knowledge, so that everyone can learn that having disability is about far more than needing special accommodations and assistive technology. Getting employees and everyone at your company to understand the culture around disability is key.

What advice do you have for young people who are reading this article and have had the same thoughts of self-doubt in achieving their own personal and professional goals?

I feel like today’s younger generation could give me the most valuable advice, and that makes me hopeful and inspired. Young people today have greater access to information about disability and the disability community than I ever did. Part of that is because of social media and the way communities are formed via the internet and technology and use of mobile devices. If I had to give any advice, I would quote one of my favorite poems, which is “You Get Proud by Practicing” by Laura Hershey.

One of my favorite lines in it is, “Remember you were not the one who made you ashamed.” Even though I have had my disability my whole life, there are moments when I get really frustrated, whether it’s with my body just not doing what I want it to do or with the outside world not accepting me as I am. Those are all moments where I practice my pride

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As you figure out who you are, what it is you want to do, and who you want to be in the world, it’s okay to try something and decide it’s not for you. It is okay to take risks and make mistakes. As disabled people, I think we must deal with the reality that we aren’t given much grace to make mistakes, because we have to try so hard to overcompensate for a perceived deficit. There is a community of fantastic people out there who want to support you and are willing to reach out if you're willing to reach back. I would point them to our internship program or many similar programs on our website.

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As T-Mobile's collaboration with AAPD continues to grow, so does its pipeline of unique, diverse young talent. I am incredibly grateful for the support I’ve received from my experience with both organizations, and I’m thrilled to share that another fellow AAPD intern will be joining T-Mobile's Summer 2022 internship program – ranked among the <a href="https://www.nationalinternday.com/top100-2021">best in the nation</a>!

If you share T-Mobile's passion, ambition, and desire to do things differently, check out the T-Mobile <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/careers/culture-and-benefits/diversity">career diversity</a> and <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/careers/meet-our-teams/students-and-grads/internships">internship</a> pages to keep up to date with the latest career opportunities. Customers can also learn more about T-Mobile's accessibility accommodations through our support page <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/responsibility/consumer-info/accessibility-policy">here</a>.

As we celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day, a T-Mobile intern and participant in the American Association of People with Disabilities’ intern program interviews the President and CEO of AAPD to talk about disability advocacy, accessibility and inclusion for future talent.

Accessibility and Inclusion for Future Talent

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As the country honors its servicemen and women this month, T-Mobile renews its lead sponsorship of a nonprofit helping veterans and their families meet the challenges of life after the military. We bring you a special story of how three employees found themselves demonstrating what Military Appreciation Month in action truly means.

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“I’m often asked how we got connected with <a href="https://warriorsandquietwaters.org/">Warriors & Quiet Waters</a>,” says Paula Timmons, a T-Mobile director of Government Affairs in Washington, D.C., with a smile. “I guess that would start with me. In the back of my head, I kept thinking of my friend Laura and her husband Drew. Laura and I have been close friends for almost 20 years and over that time, watching her with Drew, I knew I wanted to be an ally for her — be a better friend for her.”

Our story begins here, with this simple thought from an ally. This small but mighty space held for allyship led to a path that’s connected three people to a cause, as well as a commitment to each other, that they never could have expected.

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Paula says in her role she sees herself as an ambassador for T-Mobile, sharing its policies and values with policymakers on Capitol Hill. She says as the daughter of a Navy Captain and the sister of a brother who served in the military, she found herself focusing on Veterans Affairs and the work the company was doing to serve its veteran employees and community.

Paula says she was working on a project to find underserved rural markets in need of the benefits of fast and reliable connectivity, when she met officials from the state of Montana. She was invited to represent T-Mobile at an event with Montana Senator Steve Daines. While there, she struck up a conversation with a few men who said they were on the board of an organization called Warriors & Quiet Waters.

“I learned they were all veterans who suffered from some kind of PTSD,” says Paula. “One of them even brought a service dog to lunch that day.”

She says they described their mission at Warriors & Quiet Waters as helping post-9/11 combat veterans and their families thrive by building a support system and sense of community through outdoor excursions like fly fishing. Sensing that Paula was really interested in their work, she says they asked if she thought T-Mobile might be interested in learning more and sponsoring one of the biggest events they were planning that year, called the <a href="https://warriorsandquietwaters.org/events/warrior-taste-fest" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warrior Taste Fest</a>.

“I knew right away I wanted T-Mobile to be part of this event in our new Bozeman Montana market,” says Paula, “but I found myself constantly thinking about my friend Laura. Knowing she was an avid fly fisher and knowing what she had been going through with her husband Andrew, I just felt like I needed to make that connection.”

“In the words of Johnny Cash, we got married in a fever,” laughs Laura Linderman Barker, a senior director on the Government Affairs team at T-Mobile.

Laura says she met her husband Andrew when he was doing reserve duty in the Navy and working with the Department of Justice. They fell in love quickly — then married quickly — because he was scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan. They got hitched in San Diego in 2008, and a day later he began his seventh deployment. It was always meant to be his last, but not for the reasons that came to be.

“Unfortunately, when he was there, Andrew was in close proximity to a blast and suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury,” says Laura. “TBIs are complicated. I had no idea what it meant to be a military wife. I was someone who always planned everything and felt in control, but then became someone who never felt so emotionally vulnerable. And I deeply missed my husband.”

Laura says she had no concept of what to expect of supporting a navy veteran reintegrating into civilian life but they just kept moving forward as life took over. They were busy working and raising their two daughters. While on the outside they may have looked like any other family, Laura says in no uncertain terms they were struggling with very complex issues at home and she felt overwhelmed.

When Paula first mentioned her chance encounter with the board members she met from Warrior & Quiet Waters, she says she saw it as a wonderful opportunity for T-Mobile. The company could sponsor the Warrior Taste Fest to continue its work of supporting veterans, and the part of Montana where the organization is located was a rural area in need of better connectivity.

“Our boss Tony Russo, VP of Government Affairs, saw an obvious alignment with the brand's values," says Paula, "but he too saw Laura struggling and once I pitched it to him, he said he would support the sponsorship — so Laura and I headed to Montana to represent T-Mobile.”

Laura says when they arrived and she shared her personal story with some of the staff at Warriors & Quiet Waters, someone referred to her as a caregiver and it was the first time she had ever even thought of herself that way. It’s no surprise that members of the organization saw Laura for exactly who she was, as Warriors & Quiet Waters was beginning to work on a caregiver focused fishing expedition program.

“I admit when I first heard of Warriors & Quiet Waters, I immediately thought I need to get my husband involved in this and it kind of went over my head that I should apply as well,” she says.

Paula told Emily Sather, Chief Development Officer at Warriors & Quiet Waters, about how impacted Laura was by the Warriors Taste Fest and Emily asked if Laura would be interested in applying to their new program. She immediately called Laura.

“I think Laura for the first time felt that she found a community that understood who she was and what she was going through — she was a caregiver”, says Paula. “And the opportunity to take advantage of this new-found community through fly fishing came at the perfect time with what Laura was going through. I saw her struggling and I needed to help her put one foot in front of the other.”

Once again, Laura says it was her ally Paula who pushed her to see that she, too was, deserving of care.

Connecting veterans (and their families) to careers. T-Mobile has partnered with <a href="https://www.hiringourheroes.org/?gclid=CjwKCAjwjtOTBhAvEiwASG4bCJcu2JUfxNReMCYUNU25ZqXk2_hJjQLBeV_--Toju8tVfbYtWGu6vBoCoRIQAvD_BwE">Hiring Our Heroes</a>, which finds meaningful employment opportunities for service members, veterans and spouses. It is also <a href="https://www.militaryfriendly.com/is-t-mobile-usa-inc-military-friendly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nationally recognized</a> as a military-friendly employer and has committed to hire 10,000 veterans and military spouses by 2023. Since its merger with Sprint in 2020, T-Mobile is more than halfway there.Fostering a culture of inclusion and professional growth. T-Mobile offers resources to help retain veteran and military spouse employees throughout their career. <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/community/returnship-helps-veterans-reenter-workforce">The Tech X Returnship program</a>, which connects people with a path back to the careers they love after a considerable break due to personal reasons, has accepted a number of veterans transitioning back into civilian life.

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“I had been going through a particularly rough period at home, and I just remember after that conversation with Paula, I submitted my application,” says Laura. “A total of six people are chosen for their caregiver fishing expeditions and I feel grateful I was chosen last year. My takeaway is that I’m of no value to my husband and family if I’m not taking care of myself. And this program reminds people to stop and energize and refuel because you’re going back to a situation that requires your energy and if you don’t ever recharge it can be a recipe for disaster. It reminded me to not just focus on what it is to have my most basic needs met, but to challenge me to pursue a life of purpose.”

“Laura is someone who always wants to do what’s right,” says Emily, “and it’s an honor to partner with someone who is not only service-oriented but also brings her own personal experience of being a military caregiver and the challenges and opportunities therein.”

Laura returned from that trip excited to do more for the organization, but says attending that first Warrior Taste Fest was monumental thanks to one chance encounter.

“That’s when we met Larry,” she explains.

“I am one month away from retiring after almost 30 years of service with the Washington Army National Guard, and even right now Warriors & Quiet Warriors is helping me with such a big transition,” says Larry Weidinger, a T-Mobile Operations Manager in Montana.

A chance sighting of pamphlets for the organization back in 2014 led Larry to ask some questions about what exactly they did on these outdoor expeditions that was so special. Fast forward more than eight years later, and Larry has become a staple figure with the non-profit. He says his volunteer work as a companion to help other soldiers struggling after service was something he believes is part of his purpose.

“It’s just something I knew I needed to do as much as I can for the rest of my life,” says Larry.

“Larry never wanted the spotlight to be on himself,” says Emily, “and even though he qualified, he always had a mindset of service.”

Larry’s qualifications are staggering when you ask him to list out his life of service. In the Army for almost three decades, he was deployed to the Middle East three times and to seven different countries, including Iraq. He only recently decided to retire from his role as a senior non-commissioned officer and command sergeant major in a military intelligence battalion.

“I never wanted to take another veteran’s spot who might need it more than myself,” he explains.

When he was invited to join a fishing experience as a recipient himself, he says it was hard for him to allow others to care for him, but also necessary.

“I realized after getting married and having a baby and moving out of my command sergeant major role, that I also have a purpose to take care of myself,” he says. “What this program has done to help me is really amazing.”

“Our CEO Brian Gilman often talks about why veteran reintegration is hard after getting out of the military,” says Emily. “We are not about just focusing on the challenges, but also the solution and how we can help veterans find peace, meaning and purpose, and to pursue that purpose with passion.”

Larry says he always wanted to find a way to coordinate T-Mobile support for the organization that had given him so much beyond the work he was doing to bring more coverage to their area, but he says he just didn’t know how. So, when he walked into a partner’s lunch at the first Warrior Taste Fest and met Laura and Paula for the first time, accompanied by so much T-Mobile magenta, he was floored.

“He kept asking us how we got T-Mobile in Montana to do all this,” says Paula. “It felt like this perfect storm because Larry had been building out the network in that area as a market engineer and was so passionate about Warriors & Quiet Waters. He had so much insight and we made a pact after that event that we were going to do all we could to make sure this wasn’t a one-time thing.”

T-Mobile is helping veterans get the care they deserve by partnering with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to enable real-time health care via video.In 2020 during National Veterans and Military Families Month, T-Mobile became the first major wireless provider to make the <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/community/t-mobile-makes-988-emergency-lifeline-available-to-customers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">988 emergency lifeline </a>immediately available to its customers, which offers real-time mental health services.<a href="https://livemagenta.com/)" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LiveMagenta</a> houses various telehealth options for T-Mobile employees focused on mental health such as virtual therapy and well-being apps.<a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flivemagenta.com%2Fl3%2FMindfulness-with-eM-Life&data=04%7C01%7CShawna.Ryan16%40T-Mobile.com%7Ca311ee43e17b470543ad08da0dc3cb8b%7Cbe0f980bdd994b19bd7bbc71a09b026c%7C0%7C0%7C637837431827235903%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=jV99GvBVkkBnXAzUXSg9xN6z%2Bdx3XJbpRViycgmdNrs%3D&reserved=0">eM Life Mindfulness</a> offers programs for military and veterans, and there are also immersive programs like <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fvibe.emindful.com%2Fprograms%2FMMAP&data=04%7C01%7CShawna.Ryan16%40T-Mobile.com%7Ca311ee43e17b470543ad08da0dc3cb8b%7Cbe0f980bdd994b19bd7bbc71a09b026c%7C0%7C0%7C637837431827235903%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=aYTxkCQf4uhip%2B234n36USer18da4ehT8eIdI1UZ%2BUY%3D&reserved=0">Journey Forward: The M.M.A.P. For Success</a>, on-demand programs like <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fvibe.emindful.com%2Fprograms%2Fnext-evolution-veterans-from-s&data=04%7C01%7CShawna.Ryan16%40T-Mobile.com%7Ca311ee43e17b470543ad08da0dc3cb8b%7Cbe0f980bdd994b19bd7bbc71a09b026c%7C0%7C0%7C637837431827235903%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=nEcGYyUFGn3GaEzTqznzvXLRZhwvPWfRrGT0GLEnI9o%3D&reserved=0">Next Evolution: Veterans - from Soldier to Civilian</a> and a variety of mindfulness communities such as <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fvibe.emindful.com%2Fvibe-tribes%2F19&data=04%7C01%7CShawna.Ryan16%40T-Mobile.com%7Ca311ee43e17b470543ad08da0dc3cb8b%7Cbe0f980bdd994b19bd7bbc71a09b026c%7C0%7C0%7C637837431827235903%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=xxtADLDsmaxgTcAFqDYk5AqUx7NbqoC%2FszD%2B82HfXME%3D&reserved=0">Mindful Warriors</a>. LiveMagenta’s <a href="http://liveandworkwell.com/">Live and Work Well</a> site offers articles, videos, resources and topics for veterans. <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ft-mobile.percipio.com%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dveterans&data=04%7C01%7CShawna.Ryan16%40T-Mobile.com%7Ca311ee43e17b470543ad08da0dc3cb8b%7Cbe0f980bdd994b19bd7bbc71a09b026c%7C0%7C0%7C637837431827235903%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=YoX%2BbBJ9SwYwFhTkkNi2d9IsTEgpaIKfq6UeIBFyeC8%3D&reserved=0">Percipio Resources</a> are free and available to T-Mobile’s military employees including books, courses, videos and much more.

So, Laura decided to write a letter directly to Jon Freier, T-Mobile’s President of Consumer Group and the executive sponsor of the company’s Veterans and Allies Network employee resource group. She says she pulled all three of their personal stories together and explained what this organization is doing not just for her personally, but for so many others who have served, including Larry. She asked that he consider allowing T-Mobile to become a lead corporate sponsor for their next Warrior Taste Fest fundraiser.

“I’m so proud of the way T-Mobile supports our employee veterans and the veteran community at large,” she wrote. “Our work matters and aligns so beautifully with WQW’s mission.”

She sent the email on a Friday. By that following Monday she had a response.

“I ENTHUSIASTICALLY and FULLY support!” Jon Freier wrote. “Big thanks, Laura, for bringing this great organization to my attention.”

Laura says his commitment turned out to be more than just the funds.

“He blew us away by identifying countless resources throughout the company that we could work with to take our support of their event to the max,” explains Laura.

Members of Warriors & Quiet Waters say the attention that they were able to bring to their biggest event was invaluable, and the support they gave to ensure it was a success will never be forgotten. And thanks to these three T-Mobile employees advocating for the non-profit, Jon has once again approved the company’s lead corporate sponsorship for next Warrior Taste Fest in August 2022.

“It’s not just about helping veterans to survive,” ultimately, says Laura, “it’s how do we get them to thrive? And it’s in that thrive that you come to a self-actualization or a life of purpose. And I know this to be particularly important in the lives of a veteran family. For the veteran caregiver or the children, it’s important because so much effort often goes into helping the veteran succeed, and often times you forget to make sure you’re succeeding. And my participation in this program reminded me of the importance of thinking about challenging yourself to a greater life of purpose, because that’s when you see veterans and their families thriving, and that is the goal of Warriors & Quiet Waters.”

When you ask Larry to think about how this all came together the way it did, he will interrupt to remind you how it all started with an ally.

“I know that Paula was the catalyst for this by making the connection after her encounter with the board members from Warriors & Quiet Waters,” he says. “And through that I got to meet her and Laura, who has become a true friend. We know we can always call each other and be there for each other. And it’s because of this chance encounter of ours that T-Mobile has benefitted and so have those we serve at Warriors & Quiet Waters.”

T-Mobile renews its lead sponsorship of Warriors & Quiet Warriors after three employees demonstrate what Military Appreciation Month in action means.

An Ally. A Military Spouse. A Soldier. - T-Mobile Newsroom

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As the war in Ukraine continues, one of the most important things, say these T-Mobile team members who are from the region, is keeping an open line of communication with loved ones. Here are their stories of how they’re keeping connected during the conflict.

Since the invasion of Ukraine, stories outlining the ways in which connectivity can play in our world have punctuated the news with hope. And those with loved ones in Ukraine, Russia and nearby countries can’t possibly undercut the most traditional benefit of a connected world: the ability to talk with those you care about with less complexity, even in complex times.

“Every morning when I wake up and every night before I go to bed, I talk to all of them and make sure they're okay,” said Yevheniy “John” Yuzvyak, a senior technology procurement manager at T-Mobile, of his family and friends in Ukraine. “Though, they’re not always okay, right?”

Born just fourteen days after Ukraine declared independence in 1991, John immigrated to the U.S. with his mother and sister a decade later. Last week, inspired by concern for family, he took to LinkedIn to share a first-time personal plea with his network and offer a list of organizations to support.

“I was born in Ukraine, have family and friends in Ukraine, and feel hopeless and heartbroken for those who wait for daylight every morning because the sound of sirens and bombs keeps them up at night,” his <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/johnyuzvyak_istandwithukraine-auxauraugauiaugauzauqauwaugavtautavs-activity-6904190253784023040-sRK0?utm_source=linkedin_share&utm_medium=member_desktop_web">post read</a>. Over the past few weeks, tracking and touching base overseas have offered comfort.

“We have some family and friends who have evacuated, and I’ve got some family and friends in Kyiv, Donetsk, the Luhansk area. We still have some family in Odesa, but the majority of my immediate family is in western Ukraine, around Lutsk and Lviv. In Mariupol and a few other regions, you can't get in touch anymore because of the heavy bombings to the southern part of Ukraine,” John said.

“Luckily, my family and friends who haven’t fled are still in the western part of Ukraine, so we’re still able to communicate with them daily through Skype or Viber, or by calling them directly. My grandma, she went yesterday and bought some food and water and some clothes for some of the soldiers, and I sent her money for that, and, you know, it just helps from a morale perspective, if nothing else.”

“I just can't imagine not being able to reach them and knowing all the things that are going on,” Vladimir “Vladi” Zhukovskiy, a manager of creative direction at the company’s T-Studios, agreed. Vladi and his loved ones immediately started a group chat to keep in touch — a reason he found <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/community/t-mobile-offers-support-to-those-impacted-by-events-in-ukraine">T-Mobile’s extended waiver</a> for international long-distance and international roaming charges for calls and SMS made between the U.S. and Ukraine and surrounding impacted regions helpful.

“I was born in the western city of Lviv, Ukraine, and my family moved to the United States in 1995 when I was about seven and a half,” he explained. “Ukraine is still home. My wife has relatives in the eastern part of Ukraine, where the majority of the fighting has been going on lately. I think the outpouring of support from friends and colleagues at T-Mobile has been such a tremendous help.”

Like John’s, Vladi’s family is working to support those around them, but both explained that simply passing along the outpouring of support they receive from stateside friends and colleagues has a powerful impact on those they love.

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John is quick to point out that the situation impacts many, and that casting a wider net when showing support for impacted friends is wise: “This is not a war between Ukrainian and Russian people. This is a war between an authoritarian Russian government and the Ukrainian people, so there are people suffering on both sides. My grandfather was from Russia, so we have family and friends there, and it has been really difficult to hear them call and say, ‘Hey, please don’t hate us.’ You know, of course, we don’t hate you.”

Because of the countries’ long history, John explained, “everybody who is both Ukrainian or Russian has family or friends in Ukraine and Russia. And beyond that, things like this conflict happen all over the world. It impacts me right now, but this isn’t the first time, right? A lot of different people, and employees at T-Mobile, deal with these things on a daily basis.”

For Lidia Wiens, a communications specialist in T-Mobile's internal communications department, that shared history is as personal as it gets. “My mother is Ukrainian, and my father is Russian and German," she said. "My family moved from Ukraine to Estonia because there were more opportunities. So, I was born in Estonia, and then we emigrated from Estonia when I was six.”

“I went through ESL in school as a Russian speaker, but we spoke Russian because it was the ‘more common’ language. While we went to a Russian church, my mother’s side of the family went to a Ukrainian church. When my mother speaks to her sister, they speak Ukrainian. For me, it just felt like we were part of a mishmash Slavic community, and I don’ t even think my American friends in school made a distinction.”

Using Facebook Messenger to connect with her Aunt Nelya, who’s been sheltering in Kyiv over the past few weeks, hasn’t always been easy. “It can be hard to read posts where people I know are literally asking ‘Does anyone know anyone in Poland? Because my cousin's family of four are trying to get placed.’ So, I have to limit my exposure somewhat.”

Still, Lidia’s found relief even in the simplest connectivity feature of the platform: “I’m glad that it’s easy to check in on her, but even when we’re not speaking, the green indicator that shows she’s online reassures me. It’s a huge comfort just to know she’s out there, and she’s okay.”

Nina Spasikova, a communications manager in technology who emigrated from Macedonia in 2013, knows both the tension and the relief of connection stretch across Europe. “My region has been rattled by wars,” she said. “When Yugoslavia fell apart, those wars lasted forever, and though people thought they wouldn’t see another conflict of that scale in this area, these are the wounds people carry.”

The lasting anxiety from that shared experience has prompted preparation conversations. Over the phone, Nina and her mother have discussed preparing a go-bag, and Nina’s reminded her to keep her gas tank full. At the same time, Nina has been using Facebook Messenger to connect with a close college friend sheltering in Kyiv.

“Before the invasion, when troops began massing on the border, I thought of her immediately and reached out,” Nina said. “I didn’t know what to say, so I kept it very simple: I’m thinking about you a lot, and I have no idea how to help but I just want you to know I’m here.”

Fresh from the pandemic’s lockdown phases, we know the impact checking in on others can have. But for many who might want to reach out, it’s hard to know what to say. “It’s tough when you’re going through something like this and someone asks you how you're doing,” John said. “I've learned to accept that as a caring question, but I've had other people, even in my family, respond with, ‘Well, why would you even ask that? You know I’m obviously not doing well, how could I be doing well?’”

“I think it comes down to the individual and what they need, which can be hard. When it’s someone you know well, I think there may be an understanding of what to say, but I always take a lighter, cautious approach initially, then see how the person I’m reaching out to responds and go from there.”

Listening Circles led by T-Mobile’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion team have gained ground as a go-to resource for employees during challenging times. The company has offered an open call to establish Listening Circles about the conflict since the invasion.

Facilitating these conversations with a set of ground rules for intentional engagement is important, Holli Martinez, VP of DE&I, shared. “Impactful listening is about prioritizing the other person’s experience,” she explained. “That can be in a circle, or it can be one on one.”

Some of the basics — reminders to come from a place of curiosity, assume positive intent, share mutual respect, and to listen and let others tell their story without interrupting — may seem like a given. But certain nuances can make a big difference.

Be sincere and open. In situations like these, where sensitivities are high, it’s important to embrace the discomfort of not knowing. Admit your concern and give yourself room to make mistakes. That could be as simple as saying; ‘I’m nervous I won’t say this right,’ or ‘I’m worried I may offend you, please let me know if I do.’Be supportive and present. These will almost without fail be emotionally charged conversations, so it can help to remind your friend or family member that your conversation with them is a safe space. Start by acknowledging your support, give reassurance about your trustworthiness, and stay centered and in the moment throughout the conversation.Be empathetic, not just sympathetic. We tend to think of sympathy as sharing the feelings of another person, while empathy is understanding another’s feelings, though you may not necessarily share the same experience. Sympathy is often an instinct, while empathy is a choice to connect with a person and let them know they are not alone.That empathy is more powerful when you speak from your authentic experience. Once you’ve shown your support and listened fully, draw from your own experience to respond. And if you don’t feel you have a comparable experience, be honest. It can be helpful to say, “The closest thing I can draw from is this, but I know it’s not the same, and I just want you to know I support you," instead of forcing a comparison, which might feel minimizing.

“Everybody has a different way of processing things,” offered John, “and everybody has a different way that they accept help, or want help offered to them. But one of the best ways, you know, for me, has just been saying, ‘Hey, we support Ukraine.’”

Since the invasion of Ukraine, stories of staying connected with loved ones have offered hope. Here, T-Mobile employees impacted by the conflict share how they've kept in touch with family there during this crisis.

Employee Spotlight: Making Connections Count When They’re Needed Most - T-Mobile Newsroom

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Employee Spotlight: Making Connections Count When They’re Needed Most

In 2014, T-Mobile employees founded the Women’s Leadership Network to broaden the collective voice for women in wireless. Today, under the purposefully evolved title Women & Allies Network — and after a pandemic that took a serious toll on working women — its presence can be felt across the company, including in changes to physical workspaces and initiatives like the TechX Returnship program. In honor of Women’s History Month, we take a look at how it all began and where it’s headed — along with why that’s important not just for the women of T-Mobile, but women everywhere.

Anneke Blair-Aparicio doesn’t seem the least bit surprised that one of T-Mobile’s largest Employee Resource Group is the Women & Allies Network, but she’s honest about the strides it’s taken to get there.

“It all began as something called the Women’s Leadership Forum in 2008 where female leaders were simply invited to get together and talk,” the T-Mobile senior inclusion and diversity strategy partner recalls of that gathering at T-Mobile headquarters in Bellevue, Washington. “It couldn’t have had more than 500 people.”

While an important step, she’s very clear that it never felt like it was enough.

And so, in 2014, that small group of women looking to support each other in their professional endeavors at T-Mobile started one of the company’s official Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), known then as the Women’s Leadership Network (WLN).

A similar spark saw the 2008 creation in Overland Park, Kansas, of Women in Sprint Excelling (WISE). The goal of the Sprint ERG was fostering an environment of professional networking, mentoring and educational opportunities that supported career growth and development of female leadership at the company. The ERG’s membership exceeded 1,000 within six months.

“Legacy T-Mobile had a strong presence among employees with the WLN pre-merger, and it was also that way at legacy Sprint,” says Rachael Wohletz, a senior copywriter for Employer Brand Marketing in Human Resources and a former communications and operations officer for WISE.

When T-Mobile and Sprint merged in April 2020, the two women’s networks came together under the new name of the Women & Allies Network (WAN), which today boasts the second largest membership — 16,801members — of all six of the combined company’s ERGs.

Now, with Women’s History Month under way and the two-year anniversary of the merger approaching, the support and social connection of the Women & Allies Network is more important than ever.

Timing for the launch of WAN could not have been more important.

As the pandemic took hold in 2020, working women — just like the ones in these ERGs, and so many others in various areas of work across the country — disproportionally felt the hit. One in four even considered downshifting their careers as the burden of caretaking fell heavily on them.

For instance, in September alone, it was reported that some <a href="https://fortune.com/2020/10/05/women-labor-force-drop-out-september/">865,000 jobs held by women were lost</a>, compared with just 216,000 by men. And every single one of the net <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/08/economy/women-job-losses-pandemic/index.html">140,000 jobs lost</a> in December 2020 were held by women. The final job loss number for women in 2020 was <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/about-us/covid-response-center/inclusive-economy/what-we-lose-when-we-lose-women-in-the-workforce">2.3 million</a>.

Over the last two years, WAN’s influence has helped T-Mobile respond to these changes with new initiatives big and small — with an eye to the future.

“There’s been significant progress over the years thanks to the influence of WAN,” Blair-Aparicio says. “I think of the expansion of parental benefits and physical updates from our real estate teams with the inclusion of mothers rooms on campus, as well as culturally significant programs like the Women’s Summit, <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/community/successful-returnship-program-returns-2022">Tech X Returnship</a> and WAN Connections. All focused on learning and highlighting opportunities women might not have known were available to them.”

“The education and motivation WAN provides to women and allies are in high demand, especially after the last few difficult years,” adds Tiara Moten, T-Mobile’s Global Care Operations Director and WAN’s current Education Chair. “I am proud to be a part of a troupe responsible to build back the hope and the connection for our women and allies, ultimately resurging possibilities and togetherness.”

Just prior to the merger, Wohletz, who served as a communications lead for WAN from 2020 until 2022, says WISE had hit its stride with formulated communications and programs. It’s a stride that wasn’t easy to replicate during the integration process of the two companies while on lockdown during the early days of COVID, she says. But it did enable the two legacy ERGs to figure out how to operate as one.

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