Celebrating Pride and Championing Diversity: An Interview with our Dario Quondamstefano
At Wooga, diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords; they are foundational to our culture and ethos. We believe in the power of narrative-driven stories not only in our games but also in the lives of our employees.
In celebration of Pride Month, we sat down with Dario, a valued member of our team and the LGBTQ+ community, to discuss the importance of Pride, Wooga’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, and the role of allies in fostering an inclusive workplace.
Why do you think Pride Month is still important to celebrate?
“Pride is still important to celebrate,” Dario says, “to remind people within and around the LGBTQ+ community that many still encounter struggles in their day-to-day life, despite having equal rights on paper. It is a reminder and a reassurance that there is strength and support to be found in unity, and this is why we celebrate year after year.”
When it comes to matters of diversity and inclusion, what makes Wooga different from your past employer/company?
Reflecting on his past experiences, Dario shares, “In my past work experiences, I have more often than not met acceptance, respect, and inclusion for me and the wider LGBTQ+ community from individuals I worked with. At Wooga, however, I found a genuine interest in developing diversity and inclusion above and beyond acceptance and respect left to the individual. Wooga’s diversity and inclusion standards are carefully set and iterated by looking to the world outside and listening to its people inside.”
What has been your experience as a member of the LGBTQ+ community during your time at Wooga?
“Our LGBTQ+ community has been a great place for emotional and practical support many times,” Dario says with a smile. “Work is sometimes the first and, for some time, only social circle we get when moving to a new city. Feeling safe to share doubts, questions, and stories about our lives with our LGBTQ+ peers at work provided a safe space for me to thrive and grow. On an organizational level, our LGBTQ+ community is often asked to provide insights. If our company is a well-oiled machine when it comes to brainstorming ideas to innovate and iterate, our LGBTQ+ community is one of its roaring hearts. Yes, true diversity for us is a creature with multiple beating hearts, and the LGBTQ+ community’s one beats strong.”
Can you share an example of how Wooga has demonstrated allyship to the LGBTQ+ community?
“I would start by mentioning our talented talent acquisition team,” Dario highlights, “that truly embraces diversity and inclusion values in our hiring processes, putting together an extraordinary crowd, a group of people that I am lucky to interact with on a daily basis. Through well-established formats such as brownbag talks and company events, Wooga provides an environment of education and discussion and, as I mentioned earlier, highly regards the community’s contributions.”
What role do you think allies play in creating an inclusive workplace for LGBTQ+ employees at Wooga?
“Allies play a great role in creating an inclusive workplace for LGBTQ+ employees at Wooga,” Dario explains. “I think that true inclusion happens when people are interested in putting their ideas and beliefs on the line to grow. And that growth is both personal and professional. It’s a win-win situation, really.”
What advice would you give to other companies looking to improve their LGBTQ+ inclusion efforts?
Dario offers insightful advice for other companies: “While at Wooga the LGBTQ+ community’s inclusion truly feels organic and natural, it actually comes from constant work. Sure, Wooga has provided a space where it all feels natural, but the work behind it requires constant awareness of the reality surrounding us as well as education and iteration on what would otherwise become assumptions and guesswork. I highly encourage an inclusive mentality in your teams and encourage LGBTQ+ members in your organizations to feel safe to share their views and ideas. Above all this though, appreciate and celebrate all people for who they are! Only by tapping into the core essence of an individual can you achieve their true potential.”
At Wooga, we are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. Dario’s insights highlight the importance of continued efforts towards diversity and inclusion, and we are proud to celebrate Pride Month as a reminder of the strength and unity within our community.