It’s important for any modern company to ensure that its employees feel represented and that they have a voice. PTW takes this responsibility very seriously and Cherrell Freshley has been one of our biggest advocates to ensure we keep improving. Let’s catch up with Cherrell and learn about her journey and her approach to this important issue.

From the start

“My husband (fiancé at the time) worked at PTW before me and suggested I apply for an open position,” Cherrell shares. “I started out as a Tier 2 Player Support agent out of the Baltimore office.”

“I’ve always had an interest in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion even before I knew that DEI was a thing. I’ve never liked how some companies treat their workers like pawns to be disposed of instead of people who have families and lives and deserve the chance to be built up and thrive.”

When PTW started its DEI Initiatives, Cherrell was one of the first to volunteer. “I joined to see if I could give insight and hoped to make some changes in how we look at and speak to each other about our experiences. I was tired at that point; I was tired working for jobs that never seemed to care and wanted to see if this initiative was just for show or if people actually wanted to change things.”

A continuing journey

“I worked as a Tier agent until the client contract was completed but got to know different teams and people through DEI, sharing our backgrounds and stories. I ended up being hired by Deborah, our CEO, as one of two new DEI Analyst positions.”

Cherrell quickly took on the responsibility of coordinating the initiatives. “Someone needed to, and I had become very invested in everyone and the changes we were trying to make.” Unknown to Cherrell, she was being considered for a role in Business Development. “I don’t think I’ll ever quite know what they saw in me, but I was excited about learning new things. I was pushing myself out of my comfort zone with speaking up for DEI, so why not this?”

Cherrell has since been promoted to Business Development Coordinator but maintains her role as a DEI Advocate.

True change

Cherrell relates some of the positive changes she’s seen, even after so short a time of the initiative’s existence. “One of the best things to come out of this are the connections we have built in the DEI Taskforce, where it doesn’t matter if you are in the C-Suite, IT, or a Tier 1 Player Support agent. We all have gotten to know each other as more than our positions and we want to make a positive difference in everyone’s lives.”

Cherrell has seen that people are thinking past standard work policies, to look at how the different things we do and say affect people. “With the surveys and the workshops we conducted, we started to look at what diversity means beyond just a box to be ticked, and what inclusion and equity mean beyond just being employed.”

The future of DEI

While Cherrell has been promoted to Business Development Coordinator, she remains committed to all DEI initiatives. “I am open to speaking to anyone and everyone who wants to learn about DEI, be a part of the taskforce or affiliate groups, or just needs to talk,” she affirms. “I continue to be open to learning and researching new topics and I will work with anyone who wants to keep PTW a safe, fun, and better place for everyone to work at.”

Cherrell loves the experience she’s had at PTW and looks forward to growing her career here.