PRWeek is the leading trade magazine, news website, and information brand for the global public relations and communications industry. To mark Pride Month, PRWeek is recognizing leading public relations professionals who identify as LGBTQ+ on its fifth annual Pride in PR list. Pride in PR is a list of 30 inspirational LGBTQ+ communications professionals who will be profiled one person per day throughout the month of June.
Sweetser’s Chief Communications Officer, Justin Chenette, was profiled as part of the series. Here are a few responses from the featured piece below:
How has your personal definition of “Pride” evolved over the past few years?
‘My definition of Pride has evolved from a celebration of visibility into an act of sustained, institutional resilience. A few years ago, Pride felt expansive, focusing heavily on public joy and corporate milestone-marking. Today, amid a shifting political landscape and coordinated rollbacks on DEI, Pride has returned to its roots: a deliberate, courageous claim to space. As a communications executive who happens to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I view Pride not just as a flag we fly in a given month, but as a framework for protecting people year-round. It is about building lasting infrastructure, from ensuring equitable laws to fostering a greater sense of community. Pride, to me, is no longer just about being seen; it is about being safeguarded.’
Do you view “coming out” at work as a one-time event or a continuous process of navigating professional boundaries? How does a company’s culture influence your decision to be your authentic self?
‘There is an image of my husband and me right on my desk, in plain view for all who walk through my door. This is intentional and it’s personally meaningful. As an openly gay C-suite executive, particularly one at a young age and the only one at my organization, I feel an obligation to set the example of the culture I expect. This helps facilitate a sense of psychological safety for others who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community in our workplace. There is a Pride flag in my bookcase, visible at every virtual meeting. It’s a gentle reminder that everyone is treated with respect and dignity, regardless of who they are or who they love. This reinforces our shared organizational values and speaks to our mission to serve all who seek mental health treatment and recovery services. Navigating professional boundaries becomes easier when the culture itself is grounded in mutual understanding, respect and acceptance.’
https://www.prweek.com/article/1960677/pride-pr-justin-chenette