BenchSci

Swag bags packed ✅
Activities planned ✅
Fun times ahead ✅

Over the next two days, our team will be stepping away from their daily routines for BenchBreak!

It's an opportunity for our team members to meet one another in person, build connections, and participate in exciting activities around Toronto—from the EdgeWalk at the CN Tower to cooking classes, and everything in between.

As we celebrate , we asked Alana Bennett, one of our Product Marketing Managers, to share what Pride means to her.

“Pride to me is feeling footloose and fancy-free, covered in glitter at a daytime disco, surrounded by my chosen family. It’s a celebration of community that I do not take for granted. I benefit from those who came before me, especially the BIPOC 2SLGBTQIA+, who championed the rights that make it legal for me to love the person that I do today.”

With a passion for world travel, Alana is getting ready to head to Canada’s East Coast and various Greek islands. “I’m taking advantage of BenchSci’s amazing Roam Like You’re Working From Home program, which will give me the opportunity to spend the summer enjoying Pride events throughout Europe.”

At BenchSci, we’re committed to building an inclusive workplace so that all of our team members have the opportunity to thrive at work. “Queer people like me don’t just come out once; it’s over and over. In meetings, at lunches, at the bank, at the gym, etc. It’s a bit of a Russian Doll episode (minus the ci******es). BenchSci’s investments in DEI facilitates an open and safe work environment where the barrier to come out was totally removed. It’s nice to feel like I can show up and contribute as my full self.”

Looking ahead, Alana says, “It’s important for more people who are traditionally underrepresented in tech to be provided upward mobility in the industry. I think that more diversity and inclusion, investment in scholarships, paid internships, and STEM education programs for youth would benefit 2SLGBTQIA+ folks in tech.”

Being a remote-first company means our team members have the freedom to work and live where they are happiest. It also means that they happen to cross paths on occasion!⁠
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“Had a great excuse to get a fab lunch in Cambridge with a colleague I had never met in person before. It was awesome to meet Matan! We had to get the traditional Cambridge shot in front of King’s College,” shared James Malone.⁠
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"Working remotely from across the globe has allowed me to see my family (who live abroad) more often and explore new parts of the world. But working remotely also means that I need to build and foster my relationships with coworkers online, which can sometimes take a bit longer. So I try to meet in person whenever possible—even if it’s just to share a slice of pizza like James and I did," said Matan Berson.⁠