Diversity in our workforce

• Name: Gaby
• Title: Software Engineer
• Office: New York
• Hometown: Camargo, Chihuahua Mexico
• Education: University of Texas at El Paso, MS in CS University of Portland in Oregon, BS in CS

• What do you like most about working at Google?
  I like working at Google because it is a place where I am constantly learning and growing. I like that Google as a company supports education not only for its employees but through the many initiatives, scholarships, and grants that it awards every year. I also like the freedom and support we get to start projects that are interesting to us.

• Name: Cynthia
• Title: Strategic Partner Development Sr. Associate
• Office: Mountain View
• Hometown: Hong Kong
• Education: B.S. Management and Technology, Wharton School & B.A.S. Systems Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania

• What do you like most about working at Google?
  I am fascinated by technology and Google's forward-thinking, boundary-pushing, user-focused culture. I was also heavily involved in the school newspaper at college so the company mission - to organize the world‘s information and make it universally accessible and useful - spoke to my inner journalist. For all the geeks out there who want to make an impact: I speak from experience, Google will multiply your efforts thousand-fold.

• What has been the most amazing experience or day you've had at Google thus far?
  Without a doubt, the most amazing experience I've had so far at Google was working with our benefits team to equalize benefits for our LGBT employees. We landed on the front page of the New York Times' business section and had the opportunity to share our learnings with many other companies.

• Name: Alana
• Title: Learning and Development Specialist
• Office: Mountain View
• Hometown: Yonkers, New York
• Education: I have a BA in History from Columbia University in New York

• What do you like most about working at Google?
  Googlers! I am so lucky to have the opportunity to work with such talented individuals. I appreciate that we apply diverse perspectives, on highly collaborative teams and projects.

• Name: Ross
• Title: Apps Edu Evangelist
• Office: Dublin
• Hometown: Naas, Ireland
• Education: I went to Shannon College and studied Hotel Management and Business

• What do you like most about working at Google?
  Google is fun and free, and you can be yourself with out any fear. You also can really make a deference regardless of what area you work in with projects like Google Serve and not only that but Google rewards your participation in it!

• What do you personally do to get involved with diversity at Google?
  I have worked on Dublin pride for the last 3 years where we have seen Google involvement increase 6 fold in that period. I also attended the first ever ERG conference in MTV where we all worked out how we could learn from each other.

• What has been the most amazing experience or day you've had at Google thus far?
  Looking back over all the marchers at Dublin pride and seeing a sea of Googlers!

• Name: Sean
• Title: Diversity Programs Specialist, Veterans and Disabilities Outreach
• Office: Mountain View
• Hometown: Birmingham, Alabama
• Education: BS in Business Administration from Colorado Technical University

• What do you like most about working at Google?
  It provided a great opportunity for me to graduate my experience and knowledge from the Marine Corps into a high tech start up environment.

• What do you personally do to get involved with diversity at Google?
  Diversity in all aspects of life has been a passion of mine. Google has provided the opportunity for me to work and develop my passion both internally and externally for Veterans and persons with Disabilities.

• What cool projects have you worked on at Google?
  I initiated and collaborated on the development of the Military Academy Internship program for Cadets. I am also working on developing the Veterans and Disabilities initiatives

• What has been the most amazing experience or day you've had at Google thus far?
  Being a part of an organization that truly believes in the bottom up approach through sharing and developing new ideas, caring for its employees, access to its leadership, innovation, and overall support.

• Name: Salvador
• Title: US Hispanic Account Strategist
• Office: Mexico City
• Hometown: Chicago
• Education: I have a Bachelors Degree in History and a Minor in French from Harvard University.

• What do you like most about working at Google?
  I was part of the first Google BOLD Internship Program and had an amazing experience as an intern. I loved the culture, the work, and the people, so I decided to return as a full time!

• What cool projects have you worked on at Google?
  I work for the US Hispanic sales team, which in itself I think it´s a great project. We work with major advertisers on their US Hispanic digital marketing initiatives. It is great to see our work specifically targeted towards US Hispanics online in Spanish such as YouTube Spanish channels and Spanish campaigns across the Google Display Network.

• Name: Ego
• Title: Technical Program Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa
• Office: Ghana
• Hometown: London
• Education: University of Liverpool - Masters in Business Administration (MBA)

• What do you like most about working at Google?
  From the very first day I have been impressed by the people, culture, diversity, knowledge, experience and real positive energy at Google. At every location, everyone is fully engaged and committed to the best they can. This environment brings out the very best in each and everyone at Google.

• What has been the most amazing experience or day you've had at Google thus far?
  Although I have been involved in high visibility internal projects over the last 6+ years, the coolest has to be getting involved in the 1st ever african Doodle for Google in Ghana

• Name: Camille
• Title: Family Programs Specialist
• Office: Mountain View
• Hometown: Savannah, Georgia
• Education: Master of Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education Bachelor of Science in Education, Georgia State University

• What do you like most about working at Google?
  Most of all, I like coming to work with the amazing people here. I like being part of the cutting edge. Google’s innovations go so far beyond technology. I am proud of the work that is being done. I am proud of being a part of a company where we are encouraged to ask questions, create new solutions, and think outside the box.

• What do you personally do to get involved with diversity at Google?
  I am a member of BGN (Black Googler Network). Through BGN and other cross ERG events, I have learned about opportunities to get involved at Google. I mentor new employees and summer interns. When I am managing a project, I make it a point to get BGN and other ERG members involved.

• What has been the most amazing experience or day you've had at Google thus far?
  Traveling, with BGN, to New Orleans to build houses and work in the communities still recovering from Hurricane Katrina has been the most amazing experience. It was also a truely awesome day when I got to host and introduce Raphael Saadiq when he performed on campus.

• Name: Verne
• Title: Small Business Marketing Manager
• Office: Sydney
• Hometown: Broken Hill, NSW Australia
• Education: I studied a BA majoring in PR and politics from RMIT University, Melbourne.

• What do you like most about working at Google?
  When I stand back and look at the different things our company is doing and how my work fits into the picture, my pulse gets faster. It's that simple.

• What do you personally do to get involved with diversity at Google?
  I'm the Australian lead for Gayglers, Google's global LGBT employee group. We organise social events, internal activities like hosting external speakers on LGBT issues and we also participate in LGBT community groups and events.

• What cool projects have you worked on at Google?
  I worked in our sales team before I joined marketing. I've managed some of Google's biggest accounts and it's amazing to work with other complex, fast-paced businesses. The marketing team works on awe-inspiring projects, including a recent initiative to give 50,000 Aussie businesses a free website and the YouTube Symphony Orchestra in Sydney.

• What has been the most amazing experience or day you've had at Google thus far?
  I would have to say marching in the 2011 Sydney Mardi Gras Parade with 100 other Googlers was amazing. We were cheered on by a crowd of almost half a million people. That's an experience I'd recommend to anyone!

• Name: Sarah
• Title: Senior Technical Account Manager
• Office: Birmingham, Michigan
• Hometown: Birmingham, Michigan
• Education: The University of Michigan, Bachelor of Arts, Sport Management and Communications. The University of Michigan, Master of Arts, Kinesiology Wayne State University, Master of Business Administration

• What do you like most about working at Google?
  I appreciate the opportunity to work with people that come from a different background and have had different life experiences than I have. Working in small teams would never generate the next great idea if all the team members thought the same way. It is our different backgrounds and experiences all coming together that makes us such a strong company.

• Name: Dontae
• Title: Property Partner Manager
• Office: Mountain View
• Hometown: Lynwood, California
• Education: I attended Stanford University and graduated in 2007 with a BA and MA in Sociology.

• What do you like most about working at Google?
  I've made lifelong friends, brainstormed with executives and worked on products used by millions of people around the world. It's refreshing that a company that plays such an integral part in today's world can remain flat and allow people of all backgrounds to come together in pursuit of the greater good for our business and our users. This is what excites me about coming into the office everyday!

• What do you personally do to get involved with diversity at Google?
  My involvement with the Black Googler Network provides me with a great outlet for getting involved with diversity related matters in the workplace. I also love to give time to mentoring visiting students and interns.

• What cool projects have you worked on at Google?
  I got my start working with Google AdWords. This was an amazing opportunity to get a firsthand understanding of our company's life blood. Since then, I've worked on projects related to Android Market and the Nexus One. I'm currently working on numerous cool projects being driven out of Google's Commerce division.

• What has been the most amazing experience or day you've had at Google thus far?
  From YouTube's commitment to showing the experiences of Iranian protesters to giving Egyptians a chance to be heard via voicemails and texts to the company's response to crises in Haiti and Japan. Google always reminds me that it's about more than money. It's about the human condition and the importance of free-flowing information. Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. It inspires me each time I see this guiding principle in action.

• Name: Brian
• Title: Account Manager
• Office: Chicago
• Hometown: Douglasville, Georgia
• Education: I went to the University of Georgia, Athens and majored in Advertising & Mass Communications, and a minor in Sociology

• What do you like most about working at Google?
  I like working at Google because I LOVE coming to work. I have an amazing balance of both work and personal life. I feel as though I have a voice at Google and my voice is heard.

• What do you personally do to get involved with diversity at Google?
  I am the main point of contact for the Gaygler and Mosaic ERGs in the Chicago office. I've sat on panels to discuss being Out in the Workplace. I represented the Chicago Gayglers at Dining Out For Life and Bar AIDS (09 - present) for AIDS Care Chicago/Edge Alliance. I have organized the Sum of Google for Chicago office in 2009 and 2010.

• What cool projects have you worked on at Google?
  I have had the pleasure of organizing the Chicago Pride float for the Chicago office since 2009. This is the highlight of my year - I LIVE for this event each year.

• What has been the most amazing experience or day you've had at Google thus far?
  Being recognized by the OC for my involvement with equal benefits was a big moment for me. This recognition would be appreciated by anyone, but considering that it was for LGBT equal benefits made this that much better.

• Name: Tammy
• Title: Software Engineer
• Office: Mountain View
• Hometown: Starbuck, Manitoba, Canada
• Education: I have a Bachelor's in Math from the University of Waterloo, a Master's in Statistics from the University of Cambridge, and I studied Math and Physics at the University of British Columbia, and left a PhD program to come to Google!

• What do you like most about working at Google?
  I really care about my project, it's damn hard, and I can impact it directly and dramatically. So I'm both intellectually and emotionally invested in my work. This makes it stressful, but if your job can't make you both laugh and cry, what's the point? Not everyone here gets to have such a relationship with their work, but aside from the work itself, the environment at Google is wonderful. Between the people and the amenities, it's just a really great place to be. Every day here, I meet interesting new people (and eat great food).

• What do you personally do to get involved with diversity at Google?
  I've been a mentor and an intern host, and I'm a member of Gayglers. I was included in Google's video for the It Gets Better Project, and I was interviewed by Human Rights Campaign about the impact of HRC's Corporate Equality Index on the workplace.

• What cool projects have you worked on at Google?
  I started in the Platforms group, where I worked on machine health analysis and datacenter energy conservation. Now I work in renewable energy R&D for Google.org.

• What has been the most amazing experience or day you've had at Google thus far?
  The day I learned to use a vacuum lifter was pretty rad. But overall, my most amazing experience at Google has been the gradual realization that what I do here, both at my desk and away from it, really matters. I can create new things that will make the world a better place, and I can touch people's lives using the tools that my colleagues create.

• Name: Sharon
• Title: Recruitment Specialist
• Office: London
• Hometown: London
• Education: I went to 9 different schools (my parents relocated a few times!). I studied Psychology (BSc Hons) in Cheltenham, UK.

• What do you like most about working at Google?
  I LOVE working at Google - the pace, energy and desire to make things better. Aim High!

• What do you personally do to get involved with diversity at Google?
  A bit of everything for the Diversity team here, but VetNet has been close to my heart (ex MoD, Kuwait, Falklands, Iraq, Kosovo etc)

• What cool projects have you worked on at Google?
  CV Clinic for the LGBT, Blind in Business - hosted the event in London (amazing!)

• What has been the most amazing experience or day you've had at Google thus far?
  Working with the Royal British Legion to collect for Silence in the Square, then working with the facilities team I arranged a themed menu in the cafe - it was amazing!

• Name: Dan
• Title: Head of Online Media Sales - TVAds, YouTube Ads, Google Affiliate Network
• Office: Mountain View
• Hometown: Santa Monica, California
• Education: BS in Political Science from the U.S. Naval Academy, and MBA from the Anderson School at UCLA

• What do you like most about working at Google?
  There are several things I like most about Google, like the great culture and the strong emphasis on collaboration and innovation. We set high expectations and standards for all employees, and we're afforded the freedom to take initiative, think and act independently.

• What do you personally do to get involved with diversity at Google?
  I am an active leader of the Google Veterans Network. Diverse backgrounds lead to diverse and innovative ideas. Innovation is one of the key elements of our success. Furthermore, our company starts every strategy by focusing on the end-user. Our user base is incredibly diverse. How can we serve a diverse customer base if we're not representative ourselves?

• What cool projects have you worked on at Google?
  I got involved with several veteran's outreach and hiring projects, and one summer I ran the MBA internship program for Online Sales

• What has been the most amazing experience or day you've had at Google thus far?
  Introducing Senator John McCain at a Google Fireside Chat during his presidential campaign.

• Name: Dale
• Title: Finance Manager
• Office: New York
• Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
• Education: Wesleyan University- Bachelor of Arts in Economics Wharton School of Business at University of Pennsylvannia

• What do you like most about working at Google?
  The people are smart, and driven. I feel pushed to be my best pretty much everyday. The company also takes care of its employees. The awesome perks don't hurt either! Also, diversity means a lot to me and Google gives me the platform to contribute in so many ways.

• What do you personally do to get involved with diversity at Google?
  I am very much involved as a leader in the Black Googlers Network (BGN), and I proactively mentor interns and candidates, like our BOLD interns, and hosting students from Prep for Prep for a visit to our NYC office. Everyone deserves an chance and an opportunity to be their best. So many people supported me in my growth, and I want to be sure that I reciprocate.

• What cool projects have you worked on at Google?
  One of the coolest projects I participated in was the Google sponsored BGN community Service trip to New Orleans. I also lef reconstructing the Sales Finance infrastructure for Sales Reporting, and I developed business plans with Sales & Operations for an organization that was responsible for 64% of Google's revenue.

• What has been the most amazing experience or day you've had at Google thus far?
  Being surprised by my team and business partners with a pre-wedding celebration. It showed how much the people I worked with cared about me and the most important decision I will ever make-- who my lifetime partner will be.

• Name: Blake
• Title: Advertising Account Executive
• Office: Cambridge, Massachusetts
• Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
• Education: Yale University, History & International Studies double major

• What do you like most about working at Google?
  Working in advertising and sales at Google, I'm on the front lines of a thrilling new industry. Online advertising is changing rapidly and influencing the way the entire world does business. Text ads, display ads, video ads - these formats offer customized approaches for advertisers looking to reach consumers. As technology becomes more accessible to different generations and cultures, Google will continue to shape this world. I'm happy to not only be along for the ride but I'm empowered by Google to make a significant difference.

• What do you personally do to get involved with diversity at Google?
  Google recognizes that a diverse environment offers employees personal satisfaction. The promotion of diversity is the ultimate recognition of embracing innovation. Since I was able to bring my whole self to work, I'm willing to take risks, open myself up to feedback, and be candid with my teammates and managers. As a member and lead of Gayglers, Google's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender diversity group, I've been able to influence how we support our GLBT employees at Google. But most importantly, I've been able to influence how we support GLBT consumers, businesses, and the companies looking to reach the GLBT audience.

• What cool projects have you worked on at Google?
  I launched Project Lambda, Google's first Gay & Lesbian advertising initiative. Our primary goal is to provide advertisers looking to reach the gay & lesbian audience with customized marketing solutions - as we would for any other demographic. I organized Google Boston's sponsorship of Boston Pride and our participation (of 50+ employees!) in the Pride Parade, and I worked on initiatives against Proposition 8, a referendum to ban marriage equality in the state of California, and helped influence Google's official position against Prop 8

• What has been the most amazing experience or day you've had at Google thus far?
  One of the best experiences I had at Google was when a departing teammate of mine emailed me to thank for me for being so passionate, honest, and outspoken with regards to diversity issues. I got married in the fall and she was witness to all my wedding planning and pre-nuptial excitement. However, she also saw my frustration and disappointment with regards to the daily struggles that gays & lesbians face when it comes to the fight for marriage equality. She wrote, "I learned so much from you and learned to care a lot more about a whole host of issues that I was pretty limitedly aware of before." It was a great feeling - and reminder - that my commitment to diversity did not go unnoticed.

• Name: Desmonique
• Title: Head of Industry, B2B
• Office: New York
• Education: Syracuse University, BA - Political Science & Spanish Literature American University, Ph.D - Political Science (Comparative Politics & Political Theory)

• What do you like most about working at Google?
  I love working here because I learn something new every single day. The challenges are never-ending...we have the chance to take ideas and turn them into projects and programs for our own company, for our teams and for clients. It's very cool to feel that empowered about change being a part of every day life. I also love the Googlers that I work with each day and the ones that I continue to meet across all of our teams. It's inspiring to be surrounded with this much talent on a daily basis!

• What do you personally do to get involved with diversity at Google?
  The ERGs really contribute to our overall Google culture and I enjoy being a part of that experience. They do really awesome things from speaker series to socials and everything in between. I've been working with our Hispanic Googler Network in NY for the past 4 years. It's given me more opportunities than you can imagine to grow my leadership skills, meet talent across the industry, represent Google in other venues and more.

• What cool projects have you worked on at Google?
  I've worked on some really great client programs for J&J leveraging our YouTube platform over the years. Creating communities on YouTube with Johnson & Johnson was really a highlight for me. It takes the work and dedication of everyone on our teams to bring them into fruition and it's nice to see these programs come to life.

• What has been the most amazing experience or day you've had at Google thus far?
  My first day at Google - unforgettable, overwhelming, exciting! I had 5 plates of food on my tray (I don't do that anymore)! Nothing beats all of Google descending in one place for our Annual Sales Conference. I love seeing the product teams unveil what Google is creating...you sit there in awe and say "Wow - I work for an awesome company that changes life as we live it"! The day we acquired YouTube - that was beyond cool and opened up new ways to communicate and build programs with our clients.

• Name: Evan
• Title: Display Advertising Specialist
• Office: Cambridge, Massachusetts
• Hometown: Palmhurst, Texas
• Education: BA in Political Science and International Studies from Yale University

• What do you like most about working at Google?
  First and foremost the people are amazing. Googlers as a whole are brimming with exciting ideas and passions. Secondly the company demonstrates a genuine interest in the development and retainment of its employees. And finally it is simply a fun place to be!

• What do you personally do to get involved with diversity at Google?
  I am one of the co-leads for Mosaic, Cambridge's umbrella ERG. Mosaic offers professional development series for current Googlers, organizes volunteering opportunities, celebrates inclusion and diversity, and assists with recruitment of diverse and talented individuals.

• What cool projects have you worked on at Google?
  Along with a few other Googlers in Ann Arbor, San Francisco, and Mountain View I helped revamp our "Noogler" on-boarding process as part of our "20% project." We redesigned our "buddy" program which pairs an experienced Googler with a new hire. The program was a success and has been rolled out to all of our sales new hires.

• What has been the most amazing experience or day you've had at Google thus far?
  Mosaic organized and sponsored a global one-day Fast-A-Thon in order to show solidarity with Googlers who abstained from food and drink for cultural and religious reasons. In the process we raised over $50,000 for hunger prevention! At the end of the day all Fast-A-Thon participants gathered to break fast together at a special dinner. There was something very powerful about a group of diverse individuals affirming the value of each other's communities and in the process creating a new community with shared values and experiences.

• Name: Carrie
• Title: AdWords Strategist
• Office: Ann Arbor, Michigan
• Hometown: Green Bay, Wisconsin
• Education: I studied English at Marquette University

• What do you like most about working at Google?
  I love the fact that Google cares about the well-being of its employees as human beings and not just from a business stand-point. I love the fact that there are so many opportunities within our company for me to grow as a business person and as a human being. And I love working for a company that is making such a positive impact around the world, whether it's promoting democracy through the Internet or aiding in disaster response efforts.

• What do you personally do to get involved with diversity at Google?
  I'm engaged with both Gayglers, our LGBT group, and the Google Veteran's Network here in Ann Arbor. Both groups are engaged with the Ann Arbor community. Gayglers has for several years sponsorred Out Night at the Ann Arbor Film Festival, which is always a good time. And this last year for Veteran's Day, I lead a group of Volunteers at the local VA Hospital to visit hospitalized Veterans and participate in their Veteran's Day ceremony.

• What has been the most amazing experience or day you've had at Google thus far?
  There's been a lot of amazing days at Google. But the one that sticks out the most was the weeks following the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. We had a celebratory happy hour right after the repeal which was a joint effort between Gayglers and VetNet. For weeks aftewards, I had Googlers who couldn't make the happy hour coming up to me to contragulate me. It felt really good to know I have so much support from my co-workers as both a veteran and a Gaygler.

• Name: Jason
• Title: Administrative Assistant
• Office: London
• Hometown: Athlone, Ireland
• Education: National University of Ireland, Maynooth, B.Sc in Psychology

• What do you like most about working at Google?
  Its incredible. So many talented and fun people. I love working in a company that all my family from my 6 year old Nephew to 81 year old Grandfather instantly recognizes. Google is really at the forefront of Internet advancement and I love being part of it.

• What do you personally do to get involved with diversity at Google?
  I was co-Chair of the Gayglers in the Dublin office for over a year and most recently became chair of the Gayglers in the London office. I think its important to let people know there is a support and social group for them at work. No matter what office I visit I am always amazed at how inclusive everything and everyone is. Being a Gaygler (gay Googler) I never feel alone or isolated even when visiting foreign offices as I know there is always someone prepared to hang out with you and show you around.

• What cool projects have you worked on at Google?
  I lead the quartely Cybermentors training where we train 40-60 young people between the ages of 9 and 18 to be online mentors and support for their peers who are being bullied through digital Media.

• What has been the most amazing experience or day you've had at Google thus far?
  Meeting the Scissor Sisters at the London office and meeting Lady GaGa at the Mountain View Office was pretty amazing. Personally, I love my quarterly CyberMentors training days which I run with BeatBullying organisation.

• Name: Mario
• Title: Software Engineer
• Office: Mountain View
• Hometown: I was born and raised in the town of Matamoros, Mexico, which is on the border with Texas.
• Education: I did my undergraduate studies at the University of Texas at Brownsville & Texas Southmost College, where I pursued a Bachelors degree in Computer Science. I decided to go "north" and moved to Austin to pursue a Masters degree in Computer Science (with a minor in Public Affairs) at the University of Texas.

• What do you like most about working at Google?
  I feel that Google allows everyone to be themselves, no matter how unique one's background or interests. I felt that my interest in non-profits, telecommunications and public policy could not fit in the "software engineer" stereotype. Luckily, after arriving at Google I've been fortunate to work in these and many other, perhaps disparate, areas.

• What do you personally do to get involved with diversity at Google?
  I am one of the leaders for the Hispanic Googlers Network, working on various projects including the “Perspectivas Speaker Series”, where we bring Hispanic leaders to Google to speak.

• What cool projects have you worked on at Google?
  I work for the team at Google that interconnects all of the computers in our datacenters at super fast speeds. There are a lot of computers!

• What has been the most amazing experience or day you've had at Google thus far?
  Through Google, I have been able to fulfill my dream of showing role models to kids so that they can "dream big" and reach their full potential. One such day was helping organize the first Latino NASA astronaut to give a talk at Google and posting it on YouTube for everyone in the world to see.

• Name: Kristin
• Title: Engineering HR Program Specialist
• Office: New York
• Hometown: Piscataway, New Jersey
• Education: BA in Public Policy & International Affairs, Princeton University

• What do you like most about working at Google?
  I'm constantly impressed by the scope and impact of the work being done here. Our products touch billions of people every day and we're constantly looking for new ways to improve them and help more people. Additionally, Google is a place where anything goes. What I mean by that is, anyone (no mater what level, job, background, etc.) can think up a great idea, propose it to others, and get the support and resources they need to bring it to life. Some of our best, most impactful products came from one person saying "Hey, what if we tried...." and I think that's amazing.

• What do you personally do to get involved with diversity at Google?
  I'm a member of the Black Googlers Network (BGN) which has been a great network and support group for me and has provided me with an outlet to work on things that are personally important to me (diversity, K-12 education, etc.). I also volunteer as much as I can both within Google and in the greater community. I'm a firm believer that the best ideas come from a variety of people, from different backgrounds and with different experiences, coming together to tackle a problem and I'm happy to know that this belief is shared by my company.

• What cool projects have you worked on at Google?
  Working in HR, many of the cool projects I get to work on are not known externally but they're pretty awesome nonetheless! I've supported some of Google's diversity-focused scholarships and programs including the Anita Borg Scholarship and the Google Academic Prize. I've also worked on a variety of projects supporting Google's recruiting efforts, internal mobility challenges, and HR recognition systems. Currently, I'm working on some pretty cool projects around Google's promotion process, compensation programs, and performance management programs.

• What has been the most amazing experience or day you've had at Google thus far?
  Definitely the most amazing experience I've had at Google was meeting Barack Obama when he visited Google in 2008 on his campaign trail. Due to the work I've done with the Black Googlers Network, I was able to meet the President and shake his hand. It was definitely a once in a lifetime experience and one of those crazy things that only happens at Google!

• Name: Miriam
• Title: HR Business Partner
• Office: Mountain View
• Hometown: Kampala - Uganda & Union City, California
• Education: UCLA - Business Economics with a minor in Accounting University of Virginia (UVA) - Masters in Accounting Harvard Business School - MBA

• What do you like most about working at Google?
  I love how fast everything moves at Google (I'm never bored!), I continue to be amazed by the quality of people (makes me smarter!), and I'm inspired by how committed Google senior management is to our users AND our employees. In my experience, great businesses generally get the importance of an unwavering commitment to users (or consumers)... very few businesses really make good on an unwavering commitment to employees. A common saying at Google (that I frequently say myself) is... I simply don't know where I could work after Google. In other words, there is no other company I can imagine that would treat me better, as an employee.

• What do you personally do to get involved with diversity at Google?
  Supporting diversity at Google is important to me because I know it makes us better problem solvers. When you bring together talented people, who can see business challenges and opportunities through multiple lenses, you begin to build the capacity to see the world, it's problems and potential solutions, in a very rich way.

• What cool projects have you worked on at Google?
  I'm super excited about one of my current projects which is about how we manage our talent across the company. The sorts of fascinating problems I (get paid! to) think about include how we help each of our Googlers feel like they are developing their skills and growing their careers in such an exciting way that they could potentially see themselves staying at Google their whole career?

• What has been the most amazing experience or day you've had at Google thus far?
  The day I hosted a group of at risk high school students at Google was a really great day for me. My objective in hosting them was to let them see how fun Google was, and then drive the message home that going to college and doing well in college, would give them the opportunity to work at a place like Google. During one of the Q&A sessions, after the boys had been dazzled listening to an engineer from our Self-Driving Car team, one 13 year old boy raised his hand and asked me earnestly: Miriam...do I have to go to college to work here one day? I felt certain Google really impacted his perspective on college that day. My best days are those when it's crystal clear to me that my work has made that kind of a difference.

• Name: Meredith
• Title: Strategic Planner
• Office: New York
• Hometown: Sleepy Hollow, New York
• Education: Yale University, B.A. in Political Science

• What do you like most about working at Google?
  I work on a dynamic team that brings high energy to work every day. We work with cross-functional teams and Fortune 500 clients on a daily basis filling our workdays with executive meetings, strategy brainstorms, and moments of pride. It's possible though, that someone might want a new challenge and in this case Google provides its employees with opportunities to grow beyond our current roles with international rotations across the globe for however long we like: 1 month, 3 months, a year, or indefinitely. I have yet to pursue this, but I love knowing that I don't have to leave the company when I decide I'll benefit from expanding my career globally. Overall, I love that the opportunities within Google seem never ending.

• What do you personally do to get involved with diversity at Google?
  I am a member of the Black Googler Network (BGN) and through this organization I participate with student panels, partner with local organizations, and volunteer within the local community. I also proactively work with our University Programs recruiting team every summer to mentor our BOLD summer interns. I love working with our recruiting team to ensure we bring in the best and brightest employees no matter which college they attend, their personal history, or their personal passions.

• What cool projects have you worked on at Google?
  I've worked on a number of them, running the spectrum between fun and driving impact for our business. Perhaps the most unexpected cross-functional collaboration was when I worked with our Executive Chef for a client summit and put together a lunch menu featuring Ketel One Penne Alla Vodka, Red Stripe Beer Battered Onion Rings, and Grilled Delmonico Steaks with Johnnie Walker Whiskey Sauce. The day was a hit for our guests and the entire NYC office.

• What has been the most amazing experience or day you've had at Google thus far?
  I have traveled to New Orleans twice with the BGN on our Annual Service trip, embracing the opportunity to provide community service to the region through strategic partnerships with local non-profit organizations. This year I served on the trip's Steering Committee which planned the trip, developed the community partnerships, and crafted the content presented throughout the week. The experience was invaluable and rewarding on its own, but was also lauded internally.

• Name: Will
• Title: Strategic Partner Manager
• Office: Mountain View
• Hometown: Tunica, Mississippi
• Education: I went to Princeton University for undergrad, studied History. I have a Masters in International Relations with a concentration in Strategic Studies and International Economics from Johns Hopkins' School of Advanced International Relations (SAIS), and I have an MBA from the Wharton Business School of the University of Pennsylvania. I am also a graduate of the US Army's Command and General Staff College.

• What do you like most about working at Google?
  Everyone here is extremely bright and competent, no matter where you look. And among all of these bright competent people, egos are kept in check. It's an incredibly supportive environment. On top of that, it's exciting to work at a place that is making such a positive impact on people's lives in so many ways.

• What do you personally do to get involved with diversity at Google?
  I know first hand how much Google benefits from supporting diversity. I served about five years on active duty in the Army and another 14 years in the Army Reserve. The military draws tremendous strength from its diversity, and I've learned a great deal from the wide range of people I worked with there. They scoop up a wide swath of the world (not just American citizens) that is diverse in countless ways: geographic, socioeconomic, racial, sex, sexual orientation, you name it. Google appreciates diversity in similar ways and similarly draws strength from it.

• What cool projects have you worked on at Google?
  I have been able to help out with the work of Google Ideas on a very cool project, providing insight from my past experience working in government and the military in areas of the world such as Turkey, Haiti, and Afghanistan.

• What has been the most amazing experience or day you've had at Google thus far?
  Closing a strategic partner renewal a month early right before the end of the year. It was a lot of work, involved quickly getting a number of people within Google on the same page and pulling in the same direction, and was just an awesome day once it was done, providing a tremendous sense of accomplishment.

• Name: Ben
• Title: Associate Manager, Enterprise Sales
• Office: Mountain View
• Hometown: San Francisco, California
• Education: University of Colorado at Boulder, Leeds School of Business, Finance and Management

• What do you like most about working at Google?
  Where do I start? I wake up every day, jump on a wi-fi enabled luxury shuttle, workout in amazing facilities, eat a gourmet breakfast, and then dive into a job that I love. However, all of the above pales in comparison to the people that I work next to, laugh with, and am inspired by on a daily basis.

• What do you personally do to get involved with diversity at Google?
  Equity, inclusion, and diversity are not only essential to Google's core principles, they are essential to mine. I find that engaging people with different backgrounds, experiences, skills, and perspectives leads to better decisions. I'm on the steering committee of VetNet, the Google Veterans Network, where I work on growing awareness of the meaning and value of service through various initiatives like volunteering at local schools and through local military organizations.

• What cool projects have you worked on at Google?
  Being a part of launching the Nexus One, supporting monetization and payments for dozens of products, catching fraudsters, and building the next billion dollar business at Google.

• What has been the most amazing experience or day you've had at Google thus far?
  I feel myself saying that I had the best day ever quite frequently, but this one sticks out: flying on a private jet down to Costa Rica to do work with a non-profit in the middle of the rain forest.

• Name: Steve
• Title: Global Credit Risk Manager
• Office: Mountain View
• Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
• Education: B.S. in Finance , University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; MBA in Management; University of Toronto, Rotman School of Business

• What do you like most about working at Google?
  I enjoy the fact that at a company of this size, everyone has a voice and open interaction to the senior managers is open and encouraged. The founders, VP’s, and other company leaders continue the tradition of speaking directly to the employees on a regular basis and take direct questions from anyone regardless of their level.

• What do you personally do to get involved with diversity at Google?
  I've served as an informal mentor to current employees and formally mentored summer interns. I hosted student groups of high school and university students and provided tours around Google’s Mountain View campus. I’ve also attended events hosted by the Asian Googler Network, Black Googler Network and the Hispanic Google Network. All Google employee resource groups are open to all employees to become members and participate in activities.

• What cool projects have you worked on at Google?
  Some of my coolest project occurred while working on cross functional project teams that use Google developed internal tools to identify and stop fraudsters. The teams have worked both internally and externally with others in our industry and law enforcement agencies across the globe. I’ve also led teams to develop policies that encourage and drive electronic commerce from small businesses and emerging markets.

• What has been the most amazing experience or day you've had at Google thus far?
  My most amazing day changes each time Google has a new speaker visit one of the offices. The last few I attended were visits and talks by Lady Gaga, Magic Johnson, Carlos Santana and countless others. The access to key figures in academia, sports, and entertainment and social activities is extraordinary.

• Name: Tiffany
• Office: Mountain View
• Hometown: Born in Ridgefield Connecticut, but raised in Cobham, England, until I went to Smith at 16!
• Education: Smith College, Computer Science and Economics

• What do you like most about working at Google?
  This is vibrant, unconventional campus, full of world-class talent. I am drawn to the open-mindedness and radical inclusivity. We're free to propose wild ideas, question judgment, take smart risks, and generally express ourselves in whatever way we want. I think we have to wear clothes. I dont think anyone's ever specified exactly what type of clothing. And I have blue hair now. In fact, if I decided to skydive into work every day and travel between buildings by rhinoceros, everyone would pretty much be okay with that. Googlers are so supportive, they'd probably clap.

• What do you personally do to get involved with diversity at Google?
  I stay connected with our VetNet group, by giving talks on my career or participating in our Veteran's Day events. It's also very important to me to share our company culture with the outside world. I've lost track of the dozens upon dozens of times I have hosted members of other organizations, the government, public figures, etc, in an effort to communicate our philosophies and help them become more open.

• What cool projects have you worked on at Google?
  I work on the coolest projects at Google, including our strategic NASA relationship, the Google Lunar X PRIZE, and the Singularity University.

• What has been the most amazing experience or day you've had at Google thus far?
  Since I have been at Google, I have been written up by the New York Times, joined an science expedition to a remote meteor impact crater in the Arctic, made the cover of the Smith College magazine, emailed the Space Station, been on TV multiple times, found out there is an oddly accurate Wikipedia article on myself (that I didnt write,) met everyone from Henry Kissinger to Richard Branson, asked James Cameron for a favor and GOT it. And I get to work with the best and brightest in both government and commercial space exploration, thanks to our relationship with NASA and the Google Lunar X PRIZE.

• Name: Ben R.
• Title: Head of User Operations, YouTube
• Office: San Bruno
• Hometown: Santa Barbara, California
• Education: MBA, Dartmouth Master of Public Administration - JFK School of Government, Harvard University Master of Science, Global Leadership - University of San Diego Bachelor of Arts, Business Economics - University of California, Los Angeles

• What do you like most about working at Google?
  In the military, everyone believes in driving causes and missions larger than the individual - Google also tackles big issues at scale. Everyone around me is passionate about what they do, committed to achieve success, and does so with a "team first" attitude that is very supportive and a ton of fun.

• What do you personally do to get involved with diversity at Google?
  I serve on the steering committee for the Google Veterans Network - the employee resource group for veterans, ex-servicemembers, families, friends, and supporters of veterans.

• What cool projects have you worked on at Google?
  At YouTube, I'm working on cutting edge discussions around free expression on the Internet balanced against protecting YouTube/Google users. For the Google Veterans Network, exploring how to use our technologies to improve veterans' issues is always exciting and meaningful.

• What has been the most amazing experience or day you've had at Google thus far?
  I sat in a small meeting with a senior member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on behalf of our company last year. When I looked around the room at the other participants, I realized what a unique opportunity it was.

• Name: Josh
• Title: Head of Enterprise Channels, APAC
• Office: Singapore
• Hometown: New York, New York
• Education: BA from Harvard College, MBA from UCLA Anderson School, focused on Entrepreneurship and High Tech Marketing

• What do you like most about working at Google?
  The people at Google are amazing. I also like knowing that Google is working on some of the most cutting edge technologies that are shaping the world for the better. For example, when I was able to help dogfood the first Android device, that was pretty cool. Also, the level of innovation and teamwork to deliver results is non-stop. Now in my role as Head of Channels for Asia Pacific, I get to travel all over Asia and recruit new partners to sell our various Google Enterprise products, such as Apps for Business, Search Appliance, Maps and Google Earth.

• What do you personally do to get involved with diversity at Google?
  As the former chair of the Asian Google Network. I recruited committee chairpeople, organized events, invited prominent speakers, and co-ran our Mentoring program, where we matched mentors and mentees with each other. I really believe that it's important for Asian American professionals (actually all professionals) to get mentoring. I also had the opportunity to speak at a few national conferences on diversity, to share with other companies what Google is doing in this area.

• What cool projects have you worked on at Google?
  In my first role as the Head of the Entertainment and Media vertical for AdWords North America, I led the project to re-structure our whole AdWords North America division from email, phone and chat support teams into industry aligned teams. This involved working closely with many of the AdWords Directors and fellow managers to implement the re-org.

• Name: Stefanie
• Title: People Programs Specialist
• Office: Mountain View
• Hometown: San Francisco
• Education: BA in Political Science and BA in Communication from the University of California, Davis

• What do you like most about working at Google?
  I thrive when I get to solve problems, and I can do that all the time at Google. I've been on the same broader team since I started at Google, but my role has evolved based on gaps I identified and started filling. Some of these projects have become huge productions that a lot of people depend on. The people never cease to amaze me. Even the most simple tasks are completed with full commitment like I've never seen at any other place. I'm inspired all the time by the people around me and I feel lucky to come to work every day and work with them (even if I'm currently the butt of team jokes)!

• What do you personally do to get involved with diversity at Google?
  Throughout my Google life, I worked with others to build the BOLD Diversity Internship Program, lead our first visits to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, mentor interns and new hires, host a diversity leadership summit, volunteer for numerous events, scholarship programs, and student programs, and make some pretty rad t-shirts! I think I have at least 35 Google t-shirts in my closet, half of them related to the numerous diversity programs I've been involved in!

• What cool projects have you worked on at Google?
  Some of the coolest projects I've contributed to are Google's first trips to Historically Black Colleges and Universities; building the mentorship program within the BOLD program; writing parts of Google's Fortune "Best Places to Work" application; beta testing stealth products; and, most recently, onboarding and training new recruiters all around the world.

• What has been the most amazing experience or day you've had at Google thus far?
  Besides seeing Lady Gaga in the flesh, getting a photo with Barack Obama, or seeing an epic performance by John Legend and a Googler? My whole experience has been amazing and surreal.

• Name: Harry
• Title: Senior Policy Counsel
• Office: Washington, D.C.
• Hometown: Washington, D.C.
• Education: U.S. Naval Academy, Bachelor of Science (Naval Science, with Honors in English) Yale Law School, Juris Doctor

• What do you like most about working at Google?
  The range of issues, the constantly shifting set of challenges and (most of all) the opportunity to make a real difference in people's every day lives makes this a great place to work. As part of an externally facing team, it is so nice to mention that I work for Google and have people immediately say how much they use and love our services.

• What do you personally do to get involved with diversity at Google?
  I volunteer for events that support our VETNET efforts, like the WinterHaven project in Washington DC that gives special GoogleVoice accounts to homeless veterans looking to connect with potential employers, friends and loved ones. I also support efforts by the Accelerate team, as well as doing outreach on Capital Hill with the Congressional Black Caucus, Hispanic Caucus and Asian and Pacific American Caucus. I have also done community outreach on STEM education.

• What cool projects have you worked on at Google?
  One cool project was joining a team of Googlers on a trip to Iraq (Turkish region and Baghdad) that included a trip outside of the green zone to speak to computer science students and faculty at the University of Baghdad, as well as several meetings with local telecommunications providers to determine the state of the Internet in Iraq.

• What has been the most amazing experience or day you've had at Google thus far?
  Hosting John Lewis' visit to the Google Atlanta office and watching him tell a crowd of my fellow Googlers about his efforts in the struggle for civil rights in the 1960s. After talking about being clubbed by a police officer (and how they reconciled years later), he remarked that he wanted to see the world put down the tools of war and pick up the tools of connection that Google provides. It was inspiring.

• Name: Yvette
• Title: Test Engineer
• Office: Seattle
• Hometown: Rhinebeck, New York
• Education: Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science from Dartmouth College

• What do you like most about working at Google?
  It's a choose your own adventure! New problems crop up every day and I'm forced to personally choose the best path for the product and make sure I talk to all the right people to make that decision. Googlers don't shy from complexity - the harder a problem the more I want to figure out how I can really tackle it.

• What do you personally do to get involved with diversity at Google?
  I'm a member of Google Women Engineers, and I mentor and host students and visit classrooms to teach them about computer science.

• What cool projects have you worked on at Google?
  I started at Google in working with Ads Optimizations which is a subset of AdWords. I'm now working with Geo on Map Tiles.

• Name: Judi
• Title: Staffing Lead
• Office: Mountain View
• Hometown: York, Pennsylvania
• Education: Georgetown University - International Relations - undergrad Cornell University - Industrial and Labor Relations - graduate (didn't complete)

• What do you like most about working at Google?
  The unbelievable opportunities to make an impact not only in my own team but also across Google. I have had the pleasure of traveling to many countries in the world and working with many cultures. I love the passion and drive of Googlers everywhere.

• What do you personally do to get involved with diversity at Google?
  Have always been highly engaged in building inclusive environments, from the days of the civil rights movement and fight for equal rights for women to my work now on behalf of the Greyglers and working with the other ERGs at Google.I'm on the Steering Committee for the Greyglers Employee Network

• What cool projects have you worked on at Google?
  Building teams, facilitating GoogleEDU classes, HRBP for DotOrg

• What has been the most amazing experience or day you've had at Google thus far?
  Holding recruiting events for growing markets in EMEA, India, Japan, China, and leading the LatAm G&A recruiting team.