In this edition of I Am Merkle, we are honoring Pride Month by featuring two dentsu team members who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. Keep reading to discover their inspiring stories, professional journeys, interests, and what makes them proud to live out loud.

1. Tell us about yourself; Can you share a bit about your journey to understanding and embracing your identity within the LGBTQ+ community?  

Stephanie Siabatto (SS): I was born in Bogota, Colombia, and I’ve been keeping my cultural heritage alive while living in Chicago for the past decade. I was a member of a Colombian folkloric dance company, and sometimes I preferred the male dancers' routines over the female dancers' because of how powerful they looked. This allowed me to explore femininity and masculinity. Being surrounded by many LGBTQ+ community members within the dance company provided me with a safe space, which ultimately helped me come out. 

Emma Callahan (EC): I’m a lifelong Bostonian. I’m proud to have been born and raised in Dorchester, one of the most culturally and socioeconomically diverse neighborhoods in Boston. I haven’t strayed far since. I’m a ‘late bloomer’ and finding myself as the ‘L’ in LGBTQ+ has been the most beautiful and transformative part of my life project to date. It’s never too late to get to know your true self!

2. How have your personal experiences and values as a member of the LGBTQ+ community shaped your career path?

SS: It has motivated me to say "yes" to more things in the hope of gaining visibility. I have signed up for panels, pitches, and everything in between as a way to share my perspective and intersectional views and inspire the community to explore different paths. 

EC: Seeing people like me represented in leadership and across many different roles fuels my ambition. I’ve been lucky in my search for a team and work culture where I’m celebrated and enabled to succeed alongside my colleagues. It makes it easy and enjoyable to do great work!

3. To date, what has been your biggest learning or teaching moment?

SS: My biggest learning moment professionally was during my first pitch at a previous agency. It showed me how to maintain my usual workload but find creative happiness in pitches and motivated me to continue exploring creative avenues in my everyday routine. 

EC: Your integrity is everything. How you honor and exercise your integrity will follow you. Your integrity may cause riffs and waves in an environment that isn’t for you. You’ll find that the right environment encourages and enables your integrity, and you will thrive!

4. What is a moment in your life that defined or shaped who you are today?

SS: Moving from Bogota to Chicago created a split life for me. I often wonder if I am still Colombian enough, or if I have fully assimilated into the culture in the U.S. Being part of the LGBTQ+ community has helped ease those thoughts, showing me that we can have range and be multifaceted. 

EC: Staying with the late bloomer theme, I was diagnosed recently with multiple learning disabilities. Finally understanding how and what I need to learn has created a period of rapid growth for me both personally and professionally over the past 2 years.

5. What inspires you about Merkle’s workplace culture and how does this align with your values?

SS: Representation and support are the reasons I push myself to be more visible at work. You can see this throughout our workplace as well, which gives me ease when I’m in a meeting and share my they/them pronouns or a story about my partner freely. 

EC: Our workplace culture demonstrates daily that we value diversity of thought and diversity in practice. From how teams of various backgrounds are assembled by strengths, to the way we respect and encourage each other’s holidays and time, it makes work a great place to be!

6. What does Pride Month mean to you personally? 

SS: It reminds me of the wide range that exists within the community. It offers a chance to learn something new about the community each day and appreciate all the beauty that is highlighted during the month. 

EC: Pride is a protest. Pride Month is our reminder that in the year 2024, LGBTQ+ people are still fighting for basic human rights here in the United States of America, and all around the world.

7. How can allies best support the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month and beyond? 

SS: By sharing positive stories from the community and uplifting people. 

EC: Echo us loudly when we say our rights aren’t political. Challenge what you believe, who you believe, and why you believe. Learning is (r)evolutionary. Question everything. Allies should exercise their ability to stand behind us, next to us, or in front of us. Make your allyship visible and bold!

8. In LGBTQ+ culture, symbols and representations hold significance. Is there a symbol or aspect of LGBTQ+ culture that resonates with you? 

SS: The transgender flag on social media pages instantly puts me at ease. I love knowing I'm supporting the trans community and know the content I’m going to consume will be top-tier. 

EC: I love making myself more visible to my community by flagging with the classic and most sapphic double Venus. Short, sweet, and instantly recognizable!

9. Are there any unique traditions or events within the LGBTQ+ community that hold special meaning for you and contribute to your sense of belonging during Pride Month?

SS: One of the first communities that I felt seen at was during the Puerto Rican parade in Chicago. It was the first time I saw so many Latinx wearing the rainbow. So, when the Gay Pride parade happens, I always look out for the Puerto Rican flags too. 

EC: I’m always moved by our community’s ability to hold space for and honor those who’ve protested before us and who’ve lost their lives for us while balancing the magnificent, overwhelming beauty and joy in Pride celebrations.

10. What are some favorite Pride Month traditions or events you look forward to?

SS: Seeing older couples during the Pride parade in Chicago. I think it’s extra special knowing the life they’ve shared or lived and still being prideful. 

EC: All year, Pride in Our Workplace keeps me informed. Boston Pride for the People’s pride parade and festival and Massachusetts Youth Pride by BAGLY set the tone for a happy Pride. I’m lucky to have amazing friends who host BB-Queer, Pride kickoff + sendoff parties, and sponsor other local events!

11. Rapid fire:  

SS:

• Favorite food? Bandeja paisa. 
• Favorite book? 100 Years of Solitude
• Favorite podcast? ¿Quién Tú Eres? - Pabel Martinez
• Favorite TV show/movie? Yellowstone
• Favorite hobby/activity? Salsa dancing
• Guilty Pleasure? Scrolling on TikTok
• Favorite quote? “Our great goal in life is to love. The rest is silence.” - Paulo Coelho
• Best advice or mantra to live by? “Why not you?”

EC:

• Favorite food? A perfect pistachio macaron
• Favorite book? The Giving Tree
• Favorite podcast? LeVar Burton Reads
• Favorite TV show? What We Do in the Shadows
• Favorite hobby/activity? Getting lost in nature on a beautiful day
• Guilty Pleasure? Fountain Sprite - extra ice, extra crisp
• Favorite quote? “Nature held me close and seemed to find no fault with me.” - Leslie Feinberg
• Best advice or mantra to live by? Give yourself permission to fail. Give yourself grace when you pick yourself back up. Reach for yourself with accountability. You will pick yourself up faster and find a stronger, better, smarter version of yourself every single time. Grit is the ultimate form of resiliency, and you will become empowered when you develop yours!

About the Contributors

Stephanie Siabatto | Associate Director, Paid Social – dentsu

Encouraging their classmates to upgrade their social pages with music and graphics sparked Stephanie’s love for content creation, social media, and making a coin while doing so. Since then, they've developed teams to build brand loyalty and first-to-market media opportunities. Their passion for advertising is fueled by their desire to advocate for the representation of historically excluded communities in media. Stephanie’s media-fueled creativity and creative mindset help them implement strategies that deliver results, and their early adoption allows them to stay one step ahead in the social media realm.

Emma Callahan | PMO Manager – dentsu

Emma Callahan drives business transformation programs and projects as part of the Business Platforms Americas PMO. Emma has previously founded and built the frameworks for grassroots business resource groups to scale for growth, define best practices, and design governance for long-term corporate DEI success.