May is Asian-American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month, so throughout the month, we are spotlighting employees who help strengthen our culture, push our business forward and help Molson Coors thrive. Today, we chat with Lindsey Troy, route-to-market specialist on the Distributor Network Team in Chicago, and a member of our AAPI employee resource group.
What does AANHPI Heritage Month mean to you? How do you celebrate/recognize the month?
AANHPI Heritage Month has long been a reminder to never stop celebrating, honoring or learning about different cultures and experiences. May always kicks off a month dedicated to sharing these stories, collaborating with our community partners, and amplifying our focus around education and awareness. Not only do I get to be a part of some pretty amazing events, selfishly, I get to catch up with friends old and new.
Celebrating diverse voices shouldn’t be limited to one month. How can people be strong allies throughout the entire year?
I completely agree. Allyship is a muscle that should be used daily. Take a moment to listen. Try to understand some of the challenges people are facing. Encourage team participation and ensure you are practicing inclusion in everything you do. Getting involved, whether it be in an ERG or one of your local nonprofits, allows you to learn while you support.
Who is an AAPI leader or role model you look up to and why?
Sen. Tammy Duckworth on so many levels! I have immense gratitude for her service and commitment to our country. Not only is her list of accolades impressively long, but she also went on to become a woman of many firsts in Congress (look it up!). She is incredibly accomplished, but has managed to stay approachable, down-to-earth and true to her values.
What motivated you to join AAPI?
Early on in my Molson Coors career, I knew I wanted to get more involved and grow my network. I attended a Chinese Lunar New Year event, and I was hooked. The meeting was filled with education, passion and an infectious warmth. I wanted to be a part of that.
What has been your proudest moment as a member of AAPI?
Our AAPI chapters (Golden, Milwaukee and Chicago) have prided ourselves on our collaborative work. We have done an impeccable job of working together to streamline our mission, vision and values, as well as our company goals and yearly events.
Although these events may look different at each location, the overall theme and mission have the same feel. This collaborative work extends into our communities as well, and we do a great job of maintaining these external relationships that provide a broader network for our teams. In 2017, our team won the Our Brew award for this work, and I was just thrilled to see our efforts and ERG team members recognized on a broader platform. Obviously, many years have passed, but this is still one of my fondest memories.
What would you say to other Molson Coors members who are not Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders who are considering joining AAPI?
This holds true for any of our ERGs. You do not need to directly identify with a particular group to get involved. These are communities of likeminded people that want to be a part of the solution. I truly believe any ERG is only strengthened by champions and allies who do not share the same characteristics of the group.
How do resources such as AAPI strengthen our first value of putting people first? How do they strengthen all of our values?
These groups provide a safe space to share ideas and discuss challenges. When employees feel like they matter and their voices are heard without repercussions, this drives engagement, innovation and retention. When people are truly happy at their jobs and have the runway to try new things and fail forward, I believe these values – our values – fall into place naturally.
What would you say to people who identify as AAPI who are interested in pursuing a career at Molson Coors/beverage industry?
Join us! A career in beverages is more fun! Molson Coors strives to Put People First. It is an important part of our company’s fabric.
What can people do to raise awareness and educate themselves about the “Stop AAPI/Asian Hate” movement?
Educate: Learn about the history of Asian American discrimination and read up on the current events and issues. Advocate: Support your local businesses and stand up for your neighbors. Help stop discrimination by speaking up and/or reporting it when you see it. Donate: Whether it is your time or money, every little bit helps to support the change.