“There’s nothing wrong with loving who you are.”
Lady Gaga’s iconic line from “Born This Way” isn’t just a pop anthem—it echoes the spirit that runs through GoTo’s very core value: Be Real. Here, authenticity isn’t just welcomed; it’s actively celebrated. Recognition goes deeper than job titles or screen names. Being seen means you’re empowered to show up fully and inspire others to do the same, building a culture where everyone can thrive.Here’s what our Pride@GoTo advocates and leaders had to say about what it means to be seen, to show up as your authentic self, and how this shapes our company.
“Inclusion isn’t just policy—it’s our engine.”
Scott Romesser, Chief Customer Officer and executive sponsor for PRIDE@GoTo, sees real belonging as a business imperative:
“Everyone deserves to work in a place where they feel safe, accepted, and respected for exactly who they are. That’s not negotiable. No one should have to hide a part of themselves to succeed—ever. As leaders, we owe it to our people to build that environment. When every employee, especially our LGBTQ+ community, is valued and supported, we see people step up, contribute bigger, take creative risks—and that lifts the whole company.”
Scott Romesser
“We champion a culture where everyone is empowered to bring their entire self to work. That’s where innovative ideas spark, teams collaborate, and we connect with our customers and each other on a whole new level.”
Listening, Paying it Forward, and Making People Feel Seen
Mike Robert, Social Media Director, knows the impact of simple actions:
“When you can bring your whole self to work, you do your best work—plain and simple. When I think about the best leaders, what I remember most isn’t the exact words that were said, but how they made me feel. Listening and genuinely caring—that sticks with you for years. I try every day to pay that forward because those moments made all the difference for me.”
For Mike, the PRIDE@GoTo community is more than a safe space—it’s a reminder that our best work comes from a foundation of support and connection.
“We’re here for each other, and that encouragement spills across countries and teams, making GoTo feel like home.”
Mike Robert
Authenticity Across Borders
Jorge Ixcot, Project Coordinator, has felt firsthand the power of visibility:
“Coming from Guatemala, where sharing your full identity isn’t always safe, finding a place at GoTo where I can show up as myself without fear is empowering. My work gets recognized, and so does the person behind it. That makes me more confident and lets me truly connect with my colleagues.”
Jorge Ixcot
Even with most collaboration happening remotely, Jorge is committed to showing others they’re seen:
“I reach out, I make time for conversations, especially for those who might feel isolated. Small gestures really do matter.”
Community That’s More Than a Checkbox
Jess Holman, Senior Technical Writer, sees GoTo’s inclusive culture in action every day:
“At GoTo, inclusion isn’t just a policy. The support and space we have as a community—especially through PRIDE@GoTo—is real and present. People feel free to share who they are without judgment. That authenticity creates loyalty, collaboration, and fresh ideas that make our work better and our lives richer.”
Jess Holman
Jess knows that in a remote-first world, connecting authentically takes effort—and care:
“Communities like ours keep us from feeling isolated and let us share our perspectives honestly. That sense of belonging powers everything we do.”
Allyship in Action
Keely Respass, Partner Renewals Representative, knows allyship is active:
“PRIDE@GoTo puts me in a constant state of listening and learning. I want every LGBTQ+ colleague to know they have someone beside them, ready to uplift, protect, and advocate. It’s not just saying you’re an ally—it’s doing it with presence and empathy.”
Keely Respass
She celebrates everyone’s individuality:
“I show up with my whole self—as a proud Brown girl from Brooklyn, a Rotarian, and as someone who believes service to others matters. I look for common ground, find reasons to celebrate others, and speak up for every voice that needs to be heard. Diversity is like a rainbow—every color strong on its own, but when we all shine together, it’s beautiful.”
The Power of Openness
For Lauren “Toddy” Todd, Product Enablement Program Manager, owning her story lit the way for others:
“I sometimes still feel hesitant to share parts of my life that might seem ‘too different.’ But at GoTo, being open about who I am, has let me connect authentically and see others do the same. Just a bit of vulnerability leads to understanding and genuine team spirit. Our team’s light gets brighter the more we share and encourage each other.”
Toddy’s approach?
“By living honestly, I invite everyone to let their own light shine. That’s how we grow and build something lasting together.”
Lauren Todd
Why It All Matters—The Ripple Effect
At GoTo, authenticity is the engine that drives our teams, relationships, and shared success. Every time we make space for people to be seen and valued, trust deepens, ideas flourish, and collaboration gets stronger.
This is the GoTo difference: a place where you’re not just accepted but celebrated. When everyone shows up as their real selves, our whole company thrives.
Want to see more of our people-first culture in action? Visit our LinkedIn Life pages , and take a moment to reflect:
How could being truly seen at work change your day—and your world?
