NewsStories of Opportunity: Well-being & Cheering Each Other On

This article was originally published on Jan. 7, 2026, as part of the full release of the 2025 Stories Of Opportunity. The Stories Of Opportunity is VGM Group’s annual report, showcasing the successes of VGM and its employee owners. 

Well-being At VGM

In 2025, VGM introduced Total Employee Owner Well-being, an initiative to promote all facets of well-being. It’s one more way VGM and its employee owners aim to make their place of work more than a place to work.

Connie Peirce, HOMELINK

Connie, Billing Representative with HOMELINK and employee owner since 2000, started experiencing health issues during the 10 years she was caring for her parents. She was diagnosed with lymphedema and Type 2 diabetes. And shortly after her mom passed, Connie was diagnosed with stage 1 endometrial cancer.

She started taking better care of herself, and while she lost some weight, the pain from her lymphedema was unbearable. She knew she needed to make a change.

Connie shared her story with Cara Hintz, Wellness Partner with Human Capital and employee owner since 2024. Cara suggested Gentle Gym in Cedar Falls, which offered physical therapy supervision, compression leg therapy, a swimming pool, and even infrared saunas. Connie was sold.

For the first few months, she focused on compression and pool therapy. Within a week, she was walking without pain, then worked her way up to jogging on the water treadmill.

Today, Connie is down 129 pounds, off all her blood pressure medications, and her A1C and blood sugar levels are now in normal range.

“Don’t stop believing in yourself,” Connie said. “It’s never too late to put yourself first. Whatever you think isn’t possible IS possible—this is your story to write how you see fit!”

Cheer Each Other On

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Brenda Abarca joined VGM’s Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Committee shortly after starting with the company. For Brenda, joining the committee was an opportunity to support meaningful change and deepen her understanding of VGM’s culture.

One of VGM’s guiding principles, “Cheer Each Other On,” resonates strongly with Brenda, and she strives to embody it daily. She makes a point to greet colleagues warmly, especially new employees, and often reaches out personally to help them feel welcome. Brenda believes these small gestures reflect VGM’s commitment to treating people as individuals and fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued and included. Brenda is proud to work for a company that continues to prioritize DEI, even as many organizations scale back such efforts.

"At a time when many organizations were scaling back or eliminating DEI programs, it was truly inspiring to hear both our CEO, Jeremy Stolz, and CPO, Sara Laures, affirm VGM’s strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Their words remind us that DEI is not just a checkbox; it’s a core value that shapes our culture and drives our success. I’m proud to work for a company that recognizes the importance of inclusion and continues to lead with these principles at the forefront." - Emily Ovel, Human Capital System Administrator, VGM Group, Employee Owner Since 2024

Cheering Each Other On In The Warehouse

Damon Caple, Specialty Picker, VGM Fulfillment, BNA, Employee Owner Since 2018

“Damon truly exemplifies our core value of Cheer Each Other On. At the start of each month, Damon is among the first to participate in the Ultimate Teammate nominations, recognizing and uplifting fellow coworkers.

Beyond that, Damon embraces allyship in meaningful ways, such as making the effort to speak Spanish with teammates, which creates a sense of inclusion and appreciation. Their positive attitude during challenging times and commitment to supporting others make a real difference in our workplace culture.

We’re proud to have Damon as part of the BNA team!”

- Cyntia McGann, BNA HR Generalist, VGM Fulfillment, Employee Owner Since 2025

Sandy Aquino, Specialty Picker, VGM Fulfillment, PHX, Employee Owner Since 2025

“The upbeat and welcoming voice that echoes across the warehouse belongs to Sandy Aquino. At PHX, everyone knows when Sandy has arrived—her warm greetings and genuine interest in how teammates are doing set the tone for the day.  

This enthusiasm extends beyond daily operations. Sandy’s leadership and team spirit shine through in PHX’s participation in VGM events. Her positivity is matched by her performance. Sandy consistently averages three Ultimate Teammate nominations each month and submits around five monthly nominations cheering others on. She recently earned the Ultimate Team Member Award for Q3—a testament to her dedication and impact.

PHX is proud to have Sandy Aquino on our team. Her ability to inspire, motivate, and deliver excellence makes her an invaluable part of our success.”

- Mirna Mendoza, PHX HR Generalist, VGM Fulfillment, Employee Owner Since 2024

To read the 2025 Stories Of Opportunity in full, click here.