Month: June 2023

Employee spotlight: 
Marisa Vivoda

Posted on | by lpadmusr

Life at LoopMe

What project or event has been your favorite to work on at LoopMe?
While being here at LoopMe, I have loved the sales offsites that we have at the beginning of each year. Since joining LoopMe in Covid and being mostly remote, it’s a great way to meet the people I work with frequently and get to know them a bit better. Typically, it’s a jam-packed few days of sharing knowledge between teams, celebrating successes and learning from mistakes that leaves everyone highly motivated for the year ahead!

Why did you decide to work in this industry?
I remember being on a field trip for my Environmental Sciences class senior year of high school, we went to Whole Foods. Part of the assignment while we were there was to look at the coloring of the walls in each section of the store and think about why the colors were chosen and how they affect the consumer journey. This assignment sparked my interest so much that I promptly went home that day and changed my prospective major at University of Dayton to Marketing instead of Physical Therapy. Go Flyers!

What motivates you to come to work?
My team! I get to work with the best people who support each other and work hard. We love to see each other succeed and are constantly learning from one another. I have made some of my best friends here at LoopMe and I am very thankful for that!

Who are you?

Tell us a bit about yourself
I am from the Chicago suburbs, now living in Chicago. The youngest child with three older brothers, I am a bit of an “oopsie” baby but definitely gave my parents the least trouble, so a blessing nonetheless!

Do you have any hobbies?
I consider myself a pretty crafty person! This year my craft of choice has been crocheting, I am so bad at it but it’s really fun! So far I have knit a beanie that is far too big to fit on anyones head and half of a baby blanket that is extremely uneven. By the end of the year my goal is to have something made that is somewhat usable.

Who would you consider your main role model and why?
My main role model was my grandma, Helen. She was very educated and intellectual, as a mom of 5 she got her masters in philosophy and worked in a lab doing cancer research. She instilled in us that it was very important to use your voice and advocate for yourself, and she did just that! Not to mention, she has a killer chicken cacciatore recipe.

We stand with Ukraine

Posted on | by Dan Wilkin | Leave a Comment on We stand with Ukraine

LoopMe stands with Ukraine, our colleagues and their families, as they continue to navigate the devastation of the Russian invasion. Following the recent increase in hostilities, missile attacks and the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant dam, we collectively condemn the invasion of and continuous aggression against Ukraine. LoopMe will always stand by Ukraine. We hope for victory and everlasting peace.

Our primary focus has always been the safety and wellbeing of our team in these difficult times. LoopMe is committed to supporting Ukraine:

  • Having set in motion an action plan from early invasion, LoopMe opened an office in Krakow, Poland followed by a second office in Lviv and supported all team members who wished to relocate
  • LoopMe has raised $240,000 through donations and fundraising activities, supporting a number of charities to directly help individuals affected by the war including winter clothing and heating support
  • We have provided humanitarian and financial support for Ukraine-based LoopMe employees
  • LoopMe will continue to raise awareness and prioritize the wellbeing of our colleagues

We salute the resilience and dedication of our Ukraine team.

LoopMe logo in white on a background made up of the colours of the progress pride flag

Celebrating Pride and the power of community

Posted on | by lpadmusr | Leave a Comment on Celebrating Pride and the power of community

By Rachel Blank, Senior AE, Measurement

2005 was the year I witnessed the power of community. The previous year my friend, Dan and I formed the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA), at our high school, Pikesville High, in Baltimore, Maryland. We attracted over 80 highschoolers in our introductory meeting. Our launch was an incredible success. 

Next Fall, we planned our own Pride week. Students who identified as LGBTQIA (A is for asexual) and/or allies were encouraged to dress up in ways that would echo the week’s daily themes. The night before our week kicked off, I received a call from a private school friend whose mom was in PFLAG, (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). 

The PFLAG meeting was centered around the surprising news that a local university’s radio station, in addition to a church group, were planning to stage a boycott at our public high school. Supposedly, Oprah, the Oprah Winfrey had called our principal and expressed interest in filming, and the Westboro Baptist Church was rumored to be there too. 

Our goal was to do everything we could to spread the word and organize a counter-protest. 

At the end of the next school day, our counter-protest took form on the front lawn following the last period. We completely outnumbered the protestors. And while our principal turned down my one and only opportunity to speak to Oprah, the news stations caught our relentless joy on camera, and we left the day empowered, knowing that our Pride week was a success. Kids from all over the state attended. 

Although our event was a hit, the LGBTQIA community still faces unfair scrutiny. The individuals who wanted to put a stop to the GSA’s Pride week are just one example of the growing list of folks who spew hatred and enforce their beliefs upon others.  While I am not a member of the LGBTQIA rainbow, my friend group has always consisted of a diverse crowd. It’s hard for me to fathom why people concern themselves with the personal lives of others and why hatred towards marginalized groups exists within this country. While some states are challenging the freedoms and safety of the LGBTQIA community, there are many organizations like the HRC and NAACP who are fighting to protect the community. 

Minority groups have always been resilient— they’ve had to be.  While I am certain that the tide will eventually turn, we need to encourage everyone to be vocal in their support of all marginalized communities.  

To any Looper in the DMV area, my theater company Stillpointe is hosting an event to kick off pride week in Baltimore aptly called, “Queerscape” on June 22nd. Queer-scape “UNDRESSED” a pun on Baltimore’s famous “Artscape”. We will feature visual artists, performers, and organizations tied to the community. 

Lastly, if you’re an ally who wants to support the community, but doesn’t know where to turn  check out the Trevor Project, who’s (thetrevorproject.org) mission is to end suicide among LGBTQIA youth. If you love drag and find joy in the art of drag then please help preserve their right to perform their art by donating https://action.aclu.org/give/support-drag-defense-fund.

16 year-old Rachel rocking a pink striped shirt during the GSA counter protest, (Fall, 2005).