Ardent Mills ERG Spectrum is committed to celebrating inclusivity and growing community

In 2020, Curtis Rainey, Ardent Mills Technical Services Manager, and a group of seven other team members were witnessing the success of other Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) like Women of Wheat (WOW) and Black Excellence at Ardent Mills (B.E.A.M.) and realized there was a growing need for an ERG that could serve Ardent Mills’ LGBTQ+ team members and their allies. Those eight founded Spectrum, Ardent Mills’ ERG focused on fostering a community where all are welcome—including LGBTQ+ team members, their allies, and beyond.   

“We started with a few ideas—to build community, help educate our organization and promote allyship,” said Rainey. “In our professional lives, it’s easy to sometimes feel isolated and long for community, especially if you aren’t going to an office every day, are in a smaller community or work at a location where people are organized by shifts. Having a way to build those bridges and network is important,” he added, noting that when he first began his career, he didn’t know of other queer people and felt somewhat alone. “I knew that if I felt like I was having a novelty experience that there were many others who may have also wanted the same type of help I was seeking.” 

Spectrum held its first meeting in 2021 and since those early days now has an active membership of nearly 130 members, with many additional Ardent Mills team members attending their events and supporting their causes.  

“We want people to feel like they have the resources and the community to be successful and feel connected,” added Rainey. Like all ERGs at Ardent Mills, Spectrum has grown its impact and influence over time. “We started very much inside the walls of Ardent Mills,” added Sarah Waller, Ardent Mills Customer Experience Director. “Now, we’re continuing to be focused on creating community for Ardent Mills, but we’re also looking outside of the organization and bringing our shared experiences to events and organizations like Denver Pride and Cultivating Change.” Cultivating Change is dedicated to fostering a more inclusive agricultural community for LGBTQ+ people.  

“In addition to our members wanting to be out in the community to help build this inclusivity, we also have the full support of senior leadership to become a part of these outreach organizations,” Waller said. “It’s been truly satisfying to see Spectrum have impact internally and now see that growth externally as well.”  

Beyond outreach, Spectrum has also played a part in contributing to best practices at Ardent Mills, like creating safe and inclusive facilities and spaces for all team members and providing guidance for how (and why) to add preferred pronouns to email signatures so that language and communication are inclusive.   

Today, Spectrum is focused on its ability to pivot as needed to truly represent its members. “We started out with a more conventional structure,” said Rainey. “Now we’ve adapted to be a living, breathing community where interactive events, panels and experiences lead the way.” One such event is the Team Member Pride Panel, which will take place on Friday, June 26. This interactive company event brings together LGBTQ+ and ally panelists who talk about their experiences both professionally and personally. “We bring co-workers together to share a mix of stories, including talking about coming out, what made each person’s experiences unique, personal reflections and professional insights,” added Waller, who also noted that there are typically more than 100 attendees from across North America for the Pride Panel. “It’s truly an amazing event where LGBTQ+ folks and allies come together to learn from the experiences of other people—to learn how to apply this vulnerability to your own life or career or how to be an ally.” 

With Pride month kicking off June 1, Spectrum knows it's the ideal time to grow membership and gain traction. And some of that growth comes from the next generation of Ardent Mills talent, who see ERGs like Spectrum as a key differentiator for the organization. “When I was researching organizations for internships, Ardent Mills’ commitment to inclusivity was definitely a selling point,” said Jaden Cottorone, Ardent Mills Intern. “The fact that the company has stayed committed to its ERGs and to inclusivity when other organizations have stepped back shows how much it truly matters to Ardent Mills.” 

Cottorone started as an intern with the Ardent Mills Insights team in 2024 and joined more than one ERG in her first week. Now, she actively contributes to the ERGs she’s a part of and participates in multiple activities. “The Team Member Pride Panel means a lot to me,” she added. “The first time I was part of it, I remember leaving feeling really seen. That had never been part of my professional experience—to see a company elevating shared stories, highlighting how identity can be a strength and not just a potential challenge. I also love that Spectrum is engaged with service events. Our Minnesota team does volunteer events with a local shelter for queer youth who’ve been kicked out of their homes. Giving back like this matters a lot to me.” 

Rainey, Waller and Cottorone all acknowledge that what each person takes away from Spectrum and all the ERGs is highly personal, but they all agree on one thing—Spectrum is about connection. “For me, I was surprised at just how welcome I feel in our ERGs. The authenticity of these experiences is unexpected to me,” Cottorone said. “Something that starts as a corporate initiative becomes first and foremost really human. It deeply improves morale—people are feeling connected and want to improve the company. It makes you invested in the future. It’s not just a work thing; it’s a people thing.” Cottorone also noted that the annual Pride Cake Bake Off is another event that highlights the ongoing support at Ardent Mills and brings family, friends and co-workers together.  

What’s the Pride Cake Bake Off, you ask? It’s an annual Pride month contest where Ardent Mills calls all bakers to show their skills with cakes that celebrate Pride. Anyone who bakes a cake can win prizes for Most Pride, Best in Show and Nailed It! 

“All of our Pride events are designed to bring Ardent Mills together to share in the joy of Spectrum and to learn from shared stories,” said Waller. “There are things to do within Ardent Mills and ways to support out in our communities.”  

What does the future look like for Spectrum? “We want to continue to listen to our members, to bring everyone together and to show up for ourselves and for others,” added Rainey. “We want Spectrum to be a safe space for our members – and everyone – to realize that none of us is alone. Our experiences are our own, but they are often not singular.” 

ERGs at Ardent Mills 

Ardent Mills has long been committed to ERGs, believing they are vital to fostering a culture of inclusion and empowering team members to share and exchange ideas. Our ERG vision is to create a work environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging and is supported by an informed network. Through ERGs, we expand opportunities for team members to engage, collaborate and develop innovative approaches to business challenges, leading to tangible improvements in both membership and organizational impact. To learn more about Spectrum and the other ERGs at Ardent Mills, you can read our Fiscal Year: 2025 ESG Report Nourish: Intention and Impact.  

Here's how Spectrum is celebrating Pride at Ardent Mills: 

 Pride Cake Bake Off
 Team members cast their votes and compete for prizes all across North America by posting photos of their decorated baked goods on Ardent Mills'   internal social community.

Team Member Pride Panel
Spectrum's most attended virtual event of the year, LGBTQ+ team members and allies answer questions and share their perosnal stories and professional experiences. 

Denver Pride 5K
Ardent Mills is a sponsor of the Denver Pride 5K and invites team members to walk, run or sashay during Pride weekend in Denver.

Virtual 5K/Pride Step Challenge
Using our internal wellness app, folks can join log their steps and join in the 5K fun from anywhere.