NewsStories Of Opportunity: Investing In One Another And Our Company

This article was originally published on March 7, 2025, as part of the full release of the 2024 Stories Of Opportunity. The Stories Of Opportunity is VGM Group’s annual report, showcasing the successes of VGM and its employee owners. 

VGM employee owners have nearly endless opportunities to learn and grow together. Several groups and committees exist to strengthen our culture and employee owners make the most of personal and professional development. Each year, employee owners from across the company raise their hands to lead these groups and make an impact on their peers and their company.

Women In Leadership Chair

Irina Hageman, VGM Insurance

Women In Leadership (WIL) is a strategic program with the purpose to support, motivate, and empower women, who make up over 65% of the company. Irina went through the program in 2021, and it was so impactful for her, she never wanted it to end.

“After my class ended, I knew I needed to stay involved, so I applied to serve on the committee,” Irina said. “Now, having served as WIL Chair, I’ve gone through the program several times, and I get something new from it every single time. And I have gained a network of women I may never have talked to before.”

For Irina, those connections are reason enough to get involved, something she thinks every employee owner should do.

“There are so many phenomenal ways to get involved here at VGM,” Irina said. “Find something that fills your cup, whether it’s through WIL or a Get Connected Group like our Gardening Club. It could truly transform your career and your future for the better.”

Community Giving Chair

Jenny Hughes, HOMELINK

Each quarter, the VGM Community Giving committee selects organizations and makes a charitable donation. It’s part of VGM’s ongoing commitment to support the communities our employee owners call home. And for Jenny, it was a calling she couldn’t say no to.

“I can’t help myself,” Jenny said. “I see the need and the impact, and I just want to help. But I think my favorite part of joining the committee is it’s a chance to learn more about my own community, to really be a part of it, and to connect with others.”

Like other committees, Community Giving is made up of employee owners from all over the company. This diversity of perspectives is central to the committee’s ability to identify organizations and causes in need of support.

“It really speaks to our core values,” Jenny said. “For me, when I go to an event or cause I’m passionate about and I see my company has made a donation, I’m proud of that. And I’m proud that all of us as employee owners get to be part of it.”

Employee Ownership Ambassador Chair

Heather Johnson, VGM Education

Employee ownership is at the center of both our culture and our success at VGM. But what does employee ownership mean? The Employee Ownership Ambassadors are here to help their peers answer that very question.

“It can be a complicated question,” Heather said. “And the answer to that might change for each person throughout their career. As Ambassadors, we really just try to share the excitement of being an employee owner, help answer questions, and provide resources.”

Typically, Ambassadors serve one three-year term. However, having served as co-chair in 2023 and 2024, Heather extended her term by a year just to help with the transitions. Now, she has one more question…

“Do I have to leave?” she asked. “I started with the Ambassadors because I wanted to learn. I’m in a smaller business unit, and I wanted to understand VGM. Now, I’ve built connections with employee owners throughout the company and with other employee-owned companies. It’s been amazing. Fortunately, I have plenty of other groups I can join. I kind of have my eye on Community Giving after this.”

VGM Journey Guide

Becca Mullenbach, VGM Insurance

You’ve likely seen throughout this publication, there is a lot going on at VGM. To help those visiting us understand the depth and breadth of VGM, there’s a guided tour of our headquarters we call: the VGM Journey. For Becca, who has served as a Journey Guide since 2022 (and will join Brynn Prier as co-chair of the Family Fund for 2025), it’s also a source of pride.

“At a company of our size, it is rare to find such a positive and inclusive culture,” Becca said. “I love to share the story of VGM and the hard work of our employee owners…Also, if you know me, you know I love to talk!”

She has a lot of great stories from her time as a Journey Guide, but there’s one thing Becca never gets tired of hearing. “My favorite part of serving as a Journey guide is hearing the feedback from the guests,” Becca said. “I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve heard someone say ‘That’s impressive. I want to be a VGM employee owner!’ It makes me proud of my company and the work my Journey team and I put into making it a memorable experience.”

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Chair

Amanda Nugent, VGM Fulfillment

At VGM, we’re committed to providing a workplace where everybody feels they belong, where they are welcome to be themselves, and where they are valued. The Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) committee is a driving force behind those efforts, and Amanda, who now serves as Chair, has been with the group from the start.

“Like most things, we started out small,” Amanda said. “We had maybe seven people at the first meeting. And now we have…a lot. Our group is constantly growing, which shows how much people care about this initiative and making VGM a place where everyone feels they belong.”

The DEI committee regularly plans events and educational activities for employee owners, and encourages everyone to join.

“The journey always starts somewhere,” Amanda said. “I’m still learning, and DEI is perfect place to do that. It really is for everyone because it impacts all of us. And we’re lucky to have a workplace like VGM that understands the value of being able to be your authentic self at work.”

Chair of Fundraising Committee

Brynn Prier, VGM & Associates

The VGM Family Fund is an employee-funded program that pulls us together to assist a fellow employee owner. In 2024, employee owners donated $90,000 which is the highest ever raised in one year. To date, over $200,000 has been dispersed to support employee owners in true need.

“I’ve always had a passion and calling to help others,” Brynn said. “The VGM Family fund is a uniquely powerful and uplifting program at our company. I feel so proud and grateful to work for a company full of employee owners who have each other’s backs in times of need.”

To help raise funds and awareness for the Family Fund, Brynn and her committee members plan several events, but one holds a special place for her: Pizza, Puzzles, and Pints.

“I attended a Pizza, Puzzles, and Pints event for the first time a couple of years ago and fell in love with it,” Brynn said. “I knew we had to find a way to turn it into a giveback event, and now it is one of the most anticipated fundraisers of the year!”

To read the 2024 Stories Of Opportunity in full, click here.