How long have you worked for Maximus, and what is your job?

Loulia Miller: I joined Maximus in April 2022 and serve as an Employee Engagement Specialist. Enhancing the employee experience is my focus and I am passionate about helping to ensure people at Maximus have all the information, tools, and support they need to succeed in their roles and flourish in the organization. Part of what I do is help them connect with corporate and company resources, including all the amazing initiatives developed by the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) team and the employee resource groups (ERGs).

Why do you think it’s important for companies to invest in a DE&I strategy?

Loulia Miller: A company’s commitment to DE&I builds and strengthens a culture of belonging where employees feel seen, valued, respected, and included. Prioritizing the employee experience in this way also helps attract talent and boost engagement via increased retention rates and higher performance. A successful DE&I strategy also bolsters innovation by welcoming a diversity of perspectives around the table, which can also help companies gain a more profound understanding of the communities they serve and build genuine relationships with their partners and stakeholders.

Why did you join the Black Alliance ERG?

Loulia Miller: Listening and learning from the lived experience of my fellow employees is essential for my work to have a meaningful impact. By joining ERGs, such as Black Alliance, I can educate myself on subjects I may be unfamiliar with and advocate as best as I can for the needs of the group and my peers. What I learn in the ERGs also helps me better support the teams I work with while contributing to fostering a supportive and inclusive culture. 

What’s the most exciting experience you have had as a member of the Black Alliance ERG?

Loulia Miller: It’s so hard to pick. I loved learning about my colleagues’ alma maters during Maximus’ Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week. The Juneteenth event took my breath away with the depth of the content, the amazing panelists, and the ability to hop from one breakout room to another to experience all the different facets of the event. The experience definitely raised the bar for how a successful Zoom event should be organized. I’ve also loved how Black Alliance and other ERGs collaborated to deliver the November series of career development seminars. When different ERGs join forces, the work they do is really amplified.

What’s the biggest impact you think the Black Alliance ERG can have on Maximus and/or the community?

Loulia Miller: The Black Alliance ERG can be a powerful incubator for innovation at Maximus. By elevating the voices of employees who may otherwise not be heard and connecting people across hierarchies and other organizational silos, the group can have a direct impact on established business processes, from recruiting and career development to the creation of solutions, that delight customers and stakeholders. This ongoing interaction can have a ripple effect that grows the company’s reputational equity and provides better support to the communities that Maximus serves.