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Michele Ellner brings expertise in talent acquisition, recruitment marketing, employer branding and candidate experience. Her experience spans business-to-business and business-to-candidate marketing, talent strategy, recruiting operations, compliance and team leadership.

ERGs as a Gateway to Business Learning

When people think about Employee Resource Groups, they often associate them with networking, employee advocacy or social events. Those functions remain important, but after launching our company's Women's Network two years ago, I've come to appreciate another role ERGs can play. They can help employees better understand where the business is going while creating meaningful opportunities for learning and development.

Like many organizations, we rely on senior leaders to communicate strategy, innovation and organizational change. Those messages are essential, but they can sometimes feel removed from employees' day-to-day experiences. Topics like AI, digital transformation and emerging technologies are important, yet many employees leave these presentations with questions they never ask. We've discovered that ERGs can help bridge that gap.

Creating Space for Better Conversations

The Women's Network intentionally brings together subject matter experts and employees in a more informal setting where complex topics become easier to understand. Rather than positioning ourselves as experts, we serve as facilitators who create opportunities for open discussion.

The difference has been remarkable. When technical or strategic topics are presented in everyday language within a more conversational environment, employees engage more openly. They ask thoughtful questions, challenge assumptions and contribute their own perspectives. Instead of one-way communication, the discussion becomes a genuine dialogue.

“By creating trusted spaces where employees can ask questions, share ideas and better understand the business, they strengthen both organizational learning and workplace connection.”

Just as importantly, employees view the ERG as a safe place to learn. People who may hesitate to speak during an all-company meeting are often much more comfortable participating in this environment. We've hosted numerous sessions and consistently seen highly engaged question-and-answer discussions, demonstrating how much employees value the opportunity to learn in a more approachable setting.

Connecting People with the Business

Attendance at some events has grown to nearly 400 employees, reflecting demand for conversations that go beyond traditional presentations. Employees are not participating simply because a topic is timely. They want to hear directly from people who understand the work, provide context and share real experiences that make business priorities more meaningful.

We also invite external speakers who complement those conversations. Rather than selecting speakers based solely on credentials, we focus on people who communicate in practical, relatable ways. Every session should encourage engagement, expand learning and reinforce our organizational culture.

Over the past two years, the Women's Network has evolved beyond its original purpose. It has become a valuable connection point within the organization, helping employees better understand the business while creating an environment where learning feels accessible, collaborative and engaging.

As organizations continue to navigate rapid change, ERGs have an opportunity to contribute in ways that extend beyond networking. By creating trusted spaces where employees can ask questions, share ideas and better understand the business, they strengthen both organizational learning and workplace connection.