Welcome to Roll Call, a series where we’ll introduce members of the Class team from around the world. Class is made up of diverse, authentic, caring, and humble people who all have one thing in common; they want to change the way the world learns!
This week, we’re excited to introduce you to Riley Soter, our Senior Director of Product Support, based out of New York City.
Get to know Riley a little more!
Q: What has been your proudest moment working at Class?
This year I coordinated a digital drag show to ring in Pride month 2022. We’re a distributed company, meaning we have no physical office and our team lives all over the world. It was so special to be able to celebrate Pride as a company, and I was honored to have a part in bringing everyone together!
Q: What was your first job?
My first job was mowing lawns and sweeping sidewalks at an apartment complex, followed by a long stint working at Jamba Juice. Living in NYC I don’t have a lawn to mow anymore, but I definitely still make smoothies.
Q: What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a movie star. I happily settled for working in Product Support.
Q: If you could give a piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?
Don’t sweat the haters out there. They hate because they’re boring. And never forget to call your mom and dad.
Q: How can companies build an inclusive culture?
Companies can start building an inclusive culture by never stopping the dialogue around inclusivity and equity, even when it gets uncomfortable. Progress never comes easily and is almost always born out of discomfort. And after you start with dialogue, the next step is to identify action items, designate owners of those items, and hold those owners accountable.
Q: What is an important thing companies can do to support and celebrate their employees during Pride month?
Pride is so much more than a rainbow plastered over a logo for one month a year. While that gesture is a big step forward from the lesser recognition the LGBTQIA+ community was given a decade ago, companies can, and should, do more. Companies can celebrate their LGBTQIA+ employees, customers, and partners during pride month by supporting them year-round with equal pay, equal protection, and equal opportunities. And by remembering that BLACK TRANS LIVES MATTER, 365 days out of a year, every year.
Interested in joining the team?
Visit class.com/careers to learn more.
