There is no ignoring the fact that 2021 proved to yet again be a year full of challenges and uncertainty for us all, including for the communities where we live, work, and play who continue to feel the many impacts of this global disruption. This is no different for the neighborhood around our own Boston headquarters – affectionately known as our “Wayborhood’ – which has felt the absence of business from office workers, many of whom have been working remotely throughout the pandemic.

Jennifer Phillips and Kristin Filippelli never considered themselves “runners,” but when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and gyms closed, they both were in search of ways to keep themselves going. Both are colleagues on the Partner Operations team at Wayfair who partner with Wayfair’s suppliers to provide consumers with the products they love through an exceptional customer experience. When they each found out that they were training for the 2021 Boston Marathon, they joined forces to mobilize their team and amplify their impact.

With our global headquarters located in Boston’s Back Bay, we are constantly inspired and energized by the outstanding academic and entrepreneurial work being done all around us. Boston is steeped in history and education — some of its oldest institutions are its world-class universities. By comparison Wayfair is a relative newcomer, yet much like our neighbors in the academic world we’ve shared a love for experimentation and learning since the start.

November is Native American Heritage Month in the United States, an opportunity to celebrate the richness of Native and Indigenous history, culture, and traditions. WayNative, Wayfair’s North American Native and Indigenous Employee Resource Group (ERG), focuses on creating an inclusive environment that supports indigenous populations and offers a space for conversation within the community.

September 15 through October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States, an opportunity to celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of the Latinx and Hispanic communities. Stephanie Rivera Ortiz is one of the leaders of Latinx@Wayfair, an Employee Resource Group (ERG) for Latinx employees at Wayfair. We spoke to Stephanie about what Hispanic Heritage Month means to her and how everyone can get involved.

At Wayfair, members of our award-winning customer service team understand that the customer’s experience is more than just a phone call – it takes compassion, empathy, and a desire to deliver the best experience possible, every step of the way. From October 4-8, Wayfair celebrated Customer Service Appreciation Week by speaking with five of our customer service consultants across the company, from Berlin to Oregon, Utah, and Galway, about who they are and what customer service means to them.

When shopping for your home - it's personal. Home is where we unwind after a long day, where we spend quality time with family and friends. It’s where we play, entertain and, for many of us, it’s where we work. At Wayfair, we are focused on giving everyone the power to create spaces that are just right for them, and our award-winning Customer Service team plays an essential role in that. From sharing specialized product expertise for a home improvement project, or providing a delivery update for a much-anticipated crib, to being there to make it right if things go wrong, our team supports our customers every step of the way.

Matt Cabral is no stranger to transitions. After nearly eight years of service in the United States Army, he transitioned from his position as Captain to enter civilian life and faced a pivotal moment shared by many of his fellow veterans: how to translate the experiences and invaluable skills he gained during his time in service to a new kind of workforce. To help make that transition, he turned to Hiring Our Heroes.

This article is part of our "Employee Spotlight" series where we speak to and highlight some of the wonderful people who make up the Wayfair team.