Building a Better Working World Together: Unity in Community at EY Ireland
For me, as a long-standing EY employee, LGBT+ Pride and allyship signify a deep sense of community and acceptance. Throughout my journey with EY, I have always felt welcomed and never like a stranger. This environment of support and inclusivity empowers us to be our authentic selves. Together, we are fostering a vibrant culture where diversity is celebrated, and everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
I am incredibly fortunate to be part of a company where being an LGBTQIA+ employee is not only welcomed but celebrated. Through EY’s LGBTQIA+ Network, ‘Unity,’ we are given a platform to create an environment that truly encourages everyone to bring their authentic selves to work. I wish my 16-year-old, closeted self could see me now—flourishing and empowered by being open about my sexuality in the workplace. Ailbhe Dowling
Sharing the personal stories of our employees and highlighting EY Ireland's commitment to supporting the LGBTQIA+ community in fostering an inclusive and thriving workplace Sharing the personal stories of our employees and highlighting EY Ireland's commitment to supporting the LGBTQIA+ community in fostering an inclusive and thriving workplace
EY has been vocally and visibly an ally and advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion for a long time now. As an employee with c30 years’ experience with the firm, this has been a source of immense pride for me. To work for a firm that both acknowledges and celebrates love, acceptance and diversity really does make a difference every day. Work isn’t and shouldn’t be the most important part of any of our lives, but it is a place where we spend a huge amount of time and the relationships and experiences, we have there are key to our emotional and physical wellbeing. The knowledge that I work in a firm where people are free to be, and to bring their authentic selves to work really does matter. It mattered to me, even though and maybe especially in my case, as I wasn’t. I had struggled with and hidden my true gender identity for all my life. As I know for many different people in many ways, the strange times we’ve lived through in recent years forced me to face my fears head on. Keeping myself hidden became both untenable and undesirable. I wanted and needed to be able to stand up and say “This is who I am.” The knowledge that I work in a firm where people are free to be, and to bring their authentic selves to work really does matter. It mattered to me, even though and maybe especially in my case, as I wasn’t. I had struggled with and hidden my true gender identity for all my life. As I know for many different people in many ways, the strange times we’ve lived through in recent years forced me to face my fears head on. Keeping myself hidden became both untenable and undesirable. I wanted and needed to be able to stand up and say “This is who I am.” The support of my family and friends was the first and most crucial step for me particularly as I navigated the various aspects of transgender healthcare and legal recognition. Challenges which I was somewhat aware of but did not understand the full complexities and fundamental unfairness of, until I was in the middle of them. However, one area that wasn’t a challenge for me was work. As I started to navigate conversations with HR, our D,E&I team and my friends and colleagues, I started to realise that the firm’s commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion was not just lip service or pinkwashing, it was a genuine part of the culture of the firm and its people. with HR, our D,E&I team and my friends and colleagues, I started to realise that the firm’s commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion was not just lip service or pinkwashing, it was a genuine part of the culture of the firm and its people. There have been and undoubtedly will be tough days but there has also been so much joy and positivity, including being able to assist in There have been and undoubtedly will be tough days but there has also been so much joy and positivity, including being able to assist in EY has been vocally and visibly an ally and advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion for a long time now. As an employee with c30 years’ experience with the firm, this has been a source of immense pride for me. To work for a firm that both acknowledges and celebrates love, acceptance and diversity really does make a difference every day. Work isn’t and shouldn’t be the most important part of any of our lives, but it is a place where we spend a huge amount of time and the relationships and experiences, we have there are key to our emotional and physical wellbeing. The support of my family and friends was the first and most crucial step for me particularly as I navigated the various aspects of transgender healthcare and legal recognition. Challenges which I was somewhat aware of but did not understand the full complexities and fundamental unfairness of, until I was in the middle of them. However, one area that wasn’t a challenge for me was work. As I started to navigate conversations
the refresh of EY Ireland’s “Gender Identity, Expression and Transition Guidelines” and the first time I was able to say “Hi, my name is Jaimie and my pronouns are She/Her”. A major milestone came on March 31, 2024, when I was able to post the following on a number of social media sites, with the first picture of myself that I have truly been comfortable with for a long time: “Immensely important and emotional day personally and happy #Transgenderdayofvisibility to all. #TDOV2024 Thanks so much to everyone for the wonderful messages of support in the last few days and to all my family, friends and colleagues in #eyireland who have been beside me on my journey.” My personal journey is not yet complete and unfortunately nor is the journey towards a truly inclusive society for all transgender individuals. One, where the same as any for any cisgender person, we are treated with dignity and respect and don’t have to face the rising tide of transphobia, which is unfortunately becoming more prevalent and almost respectable in respect and don’t have to face the rising tide of transphobia, which is unfortunately becoming more prevalent and almost respectable in everyday conversation. I am very privileged to work for a firm where I feel and am free to be myself, but that should be the norm and the very minimum anyone has a right to expect. We all have to work together to combat homophobia, biphobia and transphobia wherever we encounter them and to actively ensure acceptance and understanding in everything that we do. Only together, can we make a truly inclusive society, where we all free to be our authentic selves, unafraid to say with fear, “This is who I am” and “This is who I love.“ Happy Pride! minimum anyone has a right to expect. We all have to work together to combat homophobia, biphobia and transphobia wherever we encounter them and to actively ensure acceptance and understanding in everything that we do. Only together, can we make a truly inclusive society, where we all free to be our authentic selves, unafraid to say with fear, “This is who I am” and “This is who I love.“ Happy Pride! the refresh of EY Ireland’s “Gender Identity, Expression and Transition Guidelines” and the first time I was able to say “Hi, my name is Jaimie and my pronouns are She/Her”. A major milestone came on March 31, 2024, when I was able to post the following on a number of social media sites, with the first picture of myself that I have truly been comfortable with for a long time: “Immensely important and emotional day personally and happy #Transgenderdayofvisibility to all. #TDOV2024 Thanks so much to everyone for the wonderful messages of support in the last few days and to all my family, friends and colleagues in #eyireland who have been beside me on my journey.” My personal journey is not yet complete and unfortunately nor is the journey towards a truly inclusive society for all transgender individuals. One, where the same as any for any cisgender person, we are treated with dignity and everyday conversation. I am very privileged to work for a firm where I feel and am free to be myself, but that should be the norm and the very
Mikhail Brikman Manager, Innovation and Digital Technology Infrastructure He/Him
Senior Consultant, Business Consulting Unity Network Co-Chair She/her
To me, pride at EY means feeling that you belong and you are respected. I got married recently and the amount of people who congratulated me and shared their happiness for me was priceless. It’s great to be in a place where you are celebrated for who you are. However, I recognise my privilege and the importance of fighting for those who are not in the same place or do not have the same privileges as me. EY has been unbelievably supportive and gives me the confidence to be who I am, not only in Pride month, but always. Luis Santos Senior Manager, Assurance He/Him
As a proud child of LGBTQ+ parents and member of the bisexual community, I am honoured to be part of an incredible network of colleagues and allies at EY, working together to promote authenticity, acceptance, and respect in the workplace. These shared values are key in unlocking the unique potential of each individual. While we as a nation still have some way to secure full equality and recognition for all individuals and families in Ireland, we should take immense pride in our achievements to date and the bright, inclusive and supportive future we are building together. Ailbhe O’Callaghan (née Egan) Manager, Indirect Tax She/her
PROUD TO SHINE
A better working world is one where LGBT+ people belong. #ProudToBelong #BetterWorkingWorld How can you unlock the transformative power of belonging?
Jaimie Dower Executive Director, EY Ireland She/Her Jaimie Dower Executive Director, EY Ireland She/Her
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