Celebrating Pride Month 2024: Kevin Phipps

At Compass Group and across our family of businesses, we are driven to build a culture of belonging. June is PRIDE Month and we’re celebrating our amazing people. Each week we’ll introduce you to an Associate from the healthcare and senior living sector who is focused on creating an affirming and inclusive community in their workplace and where they live. They offer advice on being true to yourself, caring for each other and how to show your support for the LGBTQ+ community.

Meet Kevin Phipps, Senior Project Manager for CCL Hospitality Group. He shares why he’s proud to be a part of the Compass family:

“I am very fortunate to have a husband of 13 years who has supported me on my journey and especially during some healthcare scares. We were the first gay couple married in our church that has been open for over 180 years. I love what I do every day supporting our team, residents, and clients. It makes my day to have an impact by helping them grow personally and professionally.

“Each person is unique in their own special way. Why should anyone hide that? Being true to yourself and expressing who you are only makes you more comfortable in a safe working environment. Be yourself and let yourself shine!

LGBTQ+ inclusion is important because equal rights and opportunities for all should exist. No one should be discriminated based on orientation. The first PRIDE march was in Greenwich Village in New York in front of Stonewall Inn in 1970. The forward movement we’ve made since then has been instrumental, but we still have a long way to go for equal rights.

“Knowing I work for an organization that will not discriminate against me based on my sexual orientation and which provides a supportive environment with a multitude of resources makes me proud to be a part of the Compass Group family. I serve on our sector’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council and our LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group. Being a representative on this team, I can showcase our inclusive environment and assist individuals to feel comfortable in a workplace that supports diverse associates and leaders.

“Allyship is extremely important because it fosters inclusiveness, camaraderie, appreciation and respect. We should all be proud of who we are. Pride is taking a stand for our equal rights as human beings and celebrating our diversity.”