Meet Robert Fisher

Robert Fisher

Class of 2023 BEQ Pride LGBTQ Leader Under 40

Pronouns: He, Him

Age: 40

Who or what inspires your leadership purpose? And why?

I’m inspired by those who’ve blazed the trail before me; providing the motivation to live and work as my most authentic self. If it weren’t for the measure of brave leaders like Marsha P. Johnson and Harvey Milk, I couldn’t have unlocked my potential as an out professional. I want to be an example and support for those yet to find themselves.

At Taco Bell, I’m devoted to continuing the development of our organization’s commitment to our restaurant team members, supporting our customers and fans; hopefully inspiring others to live and work as their most authentic, fulfilling, and most-whole selves.  ~Robert Fisher

A Statement from Robert Fisher

When I first joined the company three years ago, Taco Bell didn’t have employee resource groups (ERGs) and, moreover, no group specifically dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ+ community. I spotted an opportunity to inspire others to live authentically — as I did — at work. Since coming to Taco Bell, I just feel like I’ve found my people like this is where I can be me. Not only have I been able to be my most authentic self, but I’ve discovered that by doing that, I’ve been able to enhance further and grow my career.

Our ERG would have a real impact by organizing around three distinct pillars: educating, activating and advocating. This realization set off a yearlong search as I reached out to build a leadership team, gathered a small group of supporters and began putting together plans for what would become Taco Bell’s first ERG and group dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community: Live Más Pride.

It was exciting to see, in such a short time, how quickly things can happen. It took a year to lead up to it, but once we got going, there was no stopping us.

Since our official launch at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, our group has delivered programming that both pushed the envelope and gave refuge to LGBTQ+ employees, team members and allies looking for a community of their own. From an LGBTQ+ 101 lecture with prominent LGBTQ+ employees sharing their journeys to a Drag Storytime featuring Nina West, we were in it to make a big queer splash.

My proudest accomplishment was to bring an “outside the bun” concept to our executive and franchisee teams with last year’s Taco Bell Drag Brunch activation, a Nationwide tour celebrating Drag, the community, and the magic of joy, sparkles, and breakfast burritos! The idea behind the drag brunches came from members of our ERG, and was thrillingly embraced by our team members. To further our mission of breaking down barriers to education and to highlight and uplift the community, our Taco Bell Foundation dedicated our support to the It Gets Better Project with a grant to expand workforce readiness resources for LGBTQIA+ youth around the globe.

“We understand the importance of creating safe spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community and are thrilled to provide a unique experience that spotlights and celebrates the wonderful art-form of drag and its influence in culture with their chosen families, Live Más Pride has played a major role in driving awareness of and meaningfully supporting LGBTQIA+ communities both within Taco Bell and the communities we serve and operate in.” – Sean Tresvant, Taco Bell’s global chief brand officer, said in a release.

I’m excited to continue working closely with our Chief Equity Inclusion & Belonging Officer to further develop our company’s commitment to our team members, support our customers and fans, and hopefully inspire others to live and work as their most authentic, fulfilling, and most-whole selves.

Notes:

Robert Fisher recently completed and received the “Leading Diversity Equity and Inclusion” Certification through Northwestern University.

Live Más Pride ERG received a significant grant for 2023 operations. The grant will allow the group to engage with and consciously and inclusively give back to their local community. The group looks forward to addressing societal issues affecting youth in Southern California, as well as providing resources through new nonprofit organization partnerships. The Live Más Pride obviously takes pride in being a “good neighbor.”

To learn about more leaders recognized by BEQ Pride, visit https://businessequalitymagazine.com/MoreLeaders

To connect with this leader, visit https://LinkedIn.com/RobertFisherDesign