Candid Conversations

Words can be magic or poison depending on how you use them. Understanding language and how it can impact those around you can make a big difference in people's experiences. Communication and idioms can also differ between various cultures, so it's important to understand the experiences of others. Join us in a conversation that helps us understand different perspectives so we can better use language that creates more inclusive environments.

No single story can capture the range and diversity of women's experiences. However, women have multiple and intersecting identities which profoundly shape their experiences at work and at home. Despite holding more degrees than men, as well as recent gains in women in leadership positions across all industries; women hold just 25% of C-Suite positions, and only 15% of CEO positions. Women often face greater challenges and carry additional burdens, but are still more likely to drive better outcomes for all employees. Let's talk to leaders in our company who identify as Women about their own experiences in their career advancement journey. 

Let's unpack some of the ways in which our society has pervasive messages that impact the way in which we have viewed, nourished, and carried our bodies within public and private spaces. Together, we will discuss ‘what is body positivity,' how we view and properly respect an individual's body, determine personal space, and share some specific examples of hair politics that are influenced by culture and exist in the workplace.

Imposter Syndrome affects most people, particularly in the workplace. It can leave you feeling unqualified, insufficient, and questioning your achievements. Although these feelings may be strong, they may not be entirely rooted in truth. Join our Candid Conversation to hear fellow Sunrunner;s experiences with Imposter Syndrome and tips to work through these feelings.

From Canada down through the tip of Chile, and thousands of years before Europeans first came to the Americas, millions of people with countless different cultures, complex languages, and long histories lived here in the Americas. As we now know, there has been a long and complicated history between the Indigenous people who were already here and those who came after.Join fellow Sunrunners who identify as Indigenous or Native American, learn about some of the different cultures represented here at Sunrun, and discover how we can increase our understanding and respect for these cultures.

It's not always easy navigating in a work environment when your primary, or first language isn't the norm. During this conversation we'll explore the daily challenges that come with having english as a 2nd language at Sunrun. From not being asked to present during team meetings, or given assignments that don't involve customer contact, we'll discuss how we may inadvertently be expressing biased behavior towards our teammates. 

Since early 2020, we've all experienced radical change. Some of us abruptly left offices to work from home while many continued to support customers in the field but in a different way due to social distancing and wearing masks. Nothing felt normal!Since then, we've combined two full companies, welcomed new team members, redesigned many systems, processes, and teams, and welcomed a new CEO.The Company culture we once knew has changed. In this conversation, we'll reflect on what we loved about our company cultures pre-acquisition, what we've learned in the last year, and what we hope our new combined culture will look like as we move forward as a unified company. 

Transitioning from the Military into Civilian life is about the experiences of service members who've made this transition, what challenges they faced, and how they overcame them. Our speakers talk about their personal experiences and share tips with others who may be going through the same.

Relationships and love come in countless varieties, and all should be valued and respected. From same-sex marriage to interracial and intergenerational marriage; from ‘blended families' to adopted children/family - let's talk about society's shift to a new normal in love, family, and relationships.

Our Pride+ ERG hosted a Pride Panel discussion with members of the LGBTQIA+ community and Allies. Hear from fellow Sunrunners about what Pride means to them, why it’s important to continue celebrating, and how others can continue being great allies.

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we're dedicating this episode to mental health and illnesses. In this Candid Conversation, you'll learn about, and hear from fellow Sunrunners about their experiences with mental health illnesses and disorders, stereotypes and stigmas, and where and how to find help and resources that are free and available to you. 

Hear experiences from Sunrunner's who've successfully risen through the ranks, practical suggestions for day-to-day work life that can help you get recognized & promoted, and how to dig into topics and skills to set you up for career success!

There are plenty of ways—big and small—that you can take action, whether you’re a leader at your company, a people manager, or an individual contributor who wants to make a difference. In this Candid Conversation, we will discuss some of the most frequently asked questions about allyship and anti-racism including how to fight against racism in your daily life and at work. 

Our Employee Resource Groups, or ERGs, play a critical role in driving business initiatives, supporting our employees through development and engagement opportunities, and representing Sunrun in our local communities. Since the launch of our 6 ERGs in September of 2020, we’ve hosted 8 events and webinars; celebrated holidays, discussed difficult topics, and promoted opportunities. We’ve had tremendous participation and support for the programs hosted so far, and we’re excited to explore what’s ahead.

One in four American adults live with a disability, so chances are you have a close relationship with someone with a disability - whether at work or at home. For this candid conversation, you will hear about Sunrunner’s personal experiences with their disability or their roles as caregiver for a loved one. The panelists will discuss visible and invisible disabilities, how to talk about disabilities, the wide ranges of disabilities one can have, and how simple accommodations can lift all boats. Join the livestream to hear from your coworkers, and gain further understanding about how to be an ally and a supportive coworker to those with disabilities.

Spending time with family during the holidays can be stressful. This year we’re battling a global pandemic, civil unrest, and to top it all off, it’s an election year! It’s safe to assume that some difficult conversations might be unavoidable. We all want to feel heard and valued, and when you’re catching up with old friends and family, you probably want to have these critical conversations in a productive way, and without damaging relationships. Join us for this Month’s Candid Conversation: Home for the Holidays. We will discuss ways to keep your cool during these stressful times, participate in conversations with an open mind with honest intentions, and set boundaries for your physical and mental health.

Hosted by the Latinx ERG, we’ll hear about what Sunrun is doing to make solar affordable and accessible to everyone. From Policy initiatives to working with new partners to volunteering efforts, we have a lot to be proud of and a lot more work to do! We’ll be hearing from some of our very own Sunrunners, with time for an open Q&A at the end.

Join us for a conversation about microaggressions, those seemingly innocuous statements that can be quite damaging. Led by members of Sunrun’s Employee Resource Groups we’ll have a discussion about how to recognize microaggressions, talk about the damage they cause, and explore ways to become a better ally for someone who is the subject of those statements.

Join us for our very first Candid Conversation! We will have an open and very important discussion about ‘Being Black in Corporate America’ brought to you by the Sunrun Black+ Employee Resource Group (ERG). During this Candid Conversation, we will discuss important topics that impact all Sunrun employees and specifically the Black Community. Topics will include-A behind the scenes look at the experience of Being Black in Corporate America during a time of societal unrest and beyondBenefits of having diversity in leadership to mentor and support future leadersSome of the challenges and misconceptions that people have regarding Diversity and Inclusion specifically regarding the Black CommunityWhat Sunrun is doing and could be doing in order to drive more diversity in leadership at Sunrun