05/29/2026
From powerful stories to shared cultural experiences, May gave us many opportunities to reflect, celebrate and connect as a community.
☘️ For Mental Health Awareness Month, we welcomed Chris Hawkey, radio co-host and musician, for an honest conversation about living with depression and the importance of vulnerability, connection and speaking openly about mental health. Through storytelling and music, Chris shared how bringing struggles into the light can create healing and support for ourselves and others.
☘️ To recognize both Mental Health Awareness Month and Military Appreciation Month, we welcomed Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient John Kriesel for a moving conversation about resilience, recovery and finding strength through humor and gratitude after a life-altering combat injury.
☘️ In recognition of AAPI Heritage Month, Chef John Sugimura, an executive chef, educator and cultural storyteller, joined us for a candid and immersive culinary tasting experience centered on heritage, resilience and belonging. Through storytelling inspired by his grandmother’s experience as a Japanese American chef during World War II, Chef John shared how food can preserve history, strengthen community and keep important stories alive. We also closed out the month with Vietnamese coffee from our very own Erica Dao and her seasonal pop-up business, Sundays Cà Phê.
A big thank you to our speakers, employee resource groups and team members for helping make these moments so meaningful!