On Saturday, March 7, Quartz proudly served as a sponsor of the International Festival at the Overture Center for the Arts in Madison. As Quartz President and CEO Christine Senty emphasized during her welcome to the event, “We believe that health is shaped not just by care, but by connection — by culture, by community, and by the ways we learn from one another. Health is a journey we take together, and today’s festival is a perfect example of that.”
Throughout this celebration of the rich cultural heritage within our community, Quartz employees showcased wellness traditions from around the world at our Passport to Health Hub.
Members of our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) — employee-led communities that build belonging and connection in support of a life well-lived — led fun activities, shared wellness tips, and offered education about the cultural origins of movement, mindfulness, nutrition, stress reduction, and creativity practices with over 10,000 festivalgoers.
In her remarks, Senty highlighted the relationship between wellness, connection, and belonging. “We’re here today,” Senty said, “because this event represents exactly what we believe: that well being is strengthened when people come together, when we celebrate our diverse stories, and when we create spaces where everyone belongs.”
After the festival, Pacific and Asian Voices for Empowerment (PAVE) Co-Chair Shelly Slendebroek reflected on the value of the experience. “Volunteering at the International Festival was such a wonderful opportunity to connect with the community and see firsthand how events like this bring people together. It was especially meaningful,” Slendebroek said, “to watch our ERGs create moments of creativity and joy for all ages, and the ‘Passport to Health’ was a great reminder of Quartz’s commitment to supporting wellness in simple, impactful ways.”
As a workplace dedicated to reflecting and celebrating the diversity of the communities we serve — and fostering equity, belonging, and inclusion within our workforce — we’re so grateful to all the participants, ERG members, and community partners who made this day possible.
Festivalgoers of all ages shared their cultural traditions on our community wall.
Members of our community decorated stones with messages of kindness, love, and belonging.
Quartz ERG members guided participants through Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander hand dances.
