Pride Month at AMD: Enhancing Diversity and Inclusion Through Employee Engagement

By: Adrienne Anderson, Senior Manager, Diversity, Belonging & Inclusion at AMD
Aug 8, 2024 9:00 AM ET
AMD Employees at Pride Parade

In celebration of Pride Month, the Pride Employee Resource Group (ERG) at AMD organized a series of events and initiatives that highlighted the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. From flag-raising ceremonies and rich discussions featuring diverse perspectives to workshops and colorful parades, activities aimed to foster an environment of acceptance and support. Employees and allies came together to share their stories, celebrate their identities, and reinforce the message that diversity in the workplace not only enriches the company culture but also drives innovation and growth.

Throughout the month, employees were reminded that as Pride Month evolves, so does its meaning. It is a time for reflection, commemoration, and celebration, but also a moment to recommit to the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights.

Our Pride ERG partnered with our Community Affairs team and created a list of LGBTQ+ charities that uplift and empower queer and trans communities across the globe. AMD proudly offers a 1:1 match on donations, and these contributions went to organizations that address inequality, improve public health, and build a more inclusive world.

Flag-raising ceremonies were hosted at our Silicon Valley, Austin, and Markham sites to celebrate our commitment to diversity, belonging, and inclusion and our ongoing support for the LGBTQ+ community. Employees were encouraged to stand together as the flag was raised, symbolizing our dedication to fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. In Austin, Mark Pearson, corporate vice president of talent, community, and culture at AMD, shared an impactful and heartfelt speech about the growth of the Pride ERG at AMD, the support from allies throughout the company, and the evolution of benefits opportunities for family formation and healthcare options that meet the needs of the AMD LGBTQ+ community. In Silicon Valley, employees joined Salil Raje, senior vice president (SVP) and general manager, Adaptive and Embedded Computing Group (AECG) at AMD, to raise the flag. The Markham site hosted an ice cream social as part of their flag-raising event.

In honor of Pride Month and Juneteenth, the Advancing Black Leadership & Experience (aBLe) ERG and Pride ERGs came together to co-host a live and virtual event that embraced the theme "Marginalization to Empowerment: Celebrating Freedom, Amplifying Voices, and Creating Change." Mark Wadlington, SVP of sales and AMD Executive Team (AET) sponsor of aBLe at AMD, and Dan McNamara, SVP & GM of Server BU at AMD, featured in this event, which was more than just a celebration; it was an opportunity to learn, connect, and grow.

The Dublin chapter marched in what was the 50th anniversary of the Dublin Pride Parade. It was our company’s first time to participate. Despite the rainy weather, it was a great atmosphere and a fun day as AMDers and their families and friends walked through Dublin, led by the Grand Marshalls, BelongTo, a national LGBTQ+ Youth and advocacy organization, which promotes safe and inclusive spaces for young LGBTQ+ people in Ireland through education, policy making, and mental health services. In addition, the Dublin chapter hosted an onsite celebration with an ice cream van and Pride merchandise for all AMDers. The key theme was LGBTQ+ Allyship and Visibility.

Pride Month serves as a reminder that the struggle for equality is not confined to any one country or community—it's a universal pursuit of justice, dignity, and human rights.

For more information on AMD Diversity, Belonging and Inclusion program and initiatives, please visit: https://www.amd.com/en/corporate/corporate-responsibility/diversity-belonging-inclusion.html