How has your involvement in BANC helped you to build professional connections and relationships across BBH?
Maria: Joining the Women in Technology (WIT) Mentorship program was one of the best career decisions I’ve made. Meetings with my mentor opened my eyes to many things about myself and forced me to reflect on my strengths and growth opportunities. It also enabled me to network with colleagues beyond my daily job responsibilities and increased my visibility across BBH. Exchanging ideas with people from different lines of business, job titles, and experience levels broadened my horizons.
Halszka: When I joined the Parenting Network upon returning to the workforce, I was looking for a group that would understand the challenges I was facing, provide support, and help me rebuild my professional network, which had been disrupted during my 6-year career break to focus on my children. Getting involved in organizing events for kids and their parents not only enhanced my career trajectory by building valuable skills, but also reinforced my belief in the power of community to enhance a professional environment.
Have you been involved in any BANC initiatives or events that created change, fostered inclusivity, and/or enhanced belonging at BBH?
Bartosz: After a Young Professionals Network (YPN) and BBHcares Charity Quiz Night aimed to create more networking opportunities, I was stopped on the way home by a young employee who had attended. She asked if she could hug me. After embracing, she shared that she moved to Krakow during the pandemic and found it challenging. A combination of lockdown, losing her parents, and being in a new place had left her feeling isolated for almost three years. She said the Quiz Night event was the first time she felt like she was part of a community again, and YPN gave her the opportunity to be authentic. I was moved to know an event I helped organize had made such a difference in a colleague’s life.
Kamil: As a Chapter Co-Leader of the Poland’s Pride Network, the mission is to establish a welcoming community for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies, which is important as it can be challenging to have open conversations about sexual orientation and gender identity. This year, we’ve significantly expanded our local network, organized LGBTQ-themed events in the office like Broadway Musical Theater, Coming Out Day, and Transgender Awareness Week. We also took part in the Krakow Pride March, Krakow Business Run, and started a partnership with one of the largest LGBTQ+ NGOs in Poland—who hosted workshops in our office about LGBTQ+ inclusive language. I’m happy that we’ve furthered our commitment to expanding our community and making sure every voice and idea is heard.
How have BANC networks helped you advance your career?
Anna: Joining the Women’s Network and signing up for Mentoring Circles gave me the push I needed to meet new people and attend more speed networking and leadership events. I’ve always been nervous about public speaking events, but recently, I spoke on a panel in front of a large group of people, thanks to the confidence I built as a Women’s Network member. Before, I’d never thought I would ever agree to participate in a public speaking event. The connections I made at the Women’s Network opened doors to mentorship, collaboration, and support, helping me to grow professionally and gain the confidence I needed to take on challenges I wouldn’t have sought out otherwise.
BANCs aren’t just a treasured part of our employees’ work lives—they’re also a contributing factor to what makes job seekers choose BBH. For those in the final rounds of interviewing with BBH, BBH’s BANC Ambassador’s initiative offers an opportunity for support to begin before you even walk through the door. Through this program, we give finalist candidates the opportunity to speak with a representative from the BANC group of their choice—allowing candidates to learn more about our culture, growth, and mobility practices, while meeting someone outside the interview process. “This experience can help candidates make the final decision to accept an offer or, if they’ve already accepted, it can make them even more excited about coming on board,” shares Page deGregorio, Vice President and Head of Philanthropy, who oversees the BANC program. “It’s a good opportunity for our candidates to make a connection with a BBHer, talk about what it's like to be an employee, and get answers to questions they might feel more comfortable discussing with someone from a similar background.” BANC also hosts new hire speed networking events, providing ways to make new connections as soon as you join the firm.
At BBH, we believe the strength of our community lies in our ability to build trusted relationships across our employees’ different backgrounds, experiences, expertise, and locations—creating a supportive environment that leads to innovative solutions for our clients and the best workplace for all our people.
Interested in learning more about BANC? Check out the Our Inclusive Culture page in the Life at BBH section!
