A grandmother’s love influences leader’s compassion, future
Everyone needs support when dealing with challenging moments in life. For most people, family gives an unconditional sense of belonging, love, empathy and acceptance. And that’s what Jeffrey Beisler-Snell, Ph.D., Synovus director and head of international banking, hoped to experience.
Beisler-Snell had one of his most nerve-racking moments at age 17 when he decided to open up about his identity to his family. He quickly learned his family wasn’t as accepting as he’d hoped, but he knew he always had one person in his corner – his grandmother. Tapping into her deep love for her grandson and ever-present matriarchal power, Arlene Brame set the stage for the family’s acceptance.
Beisler-Snell always had a close relationship with his grandmother. Her support meant the world to him and laid the foundation for one of his life’s missions to share love and acceptance for others in LGBTQIA+ communities.
More than 20 years after that pivotal moment with his family, Beisler-Snell leads the Synovus Prism Employee Resource Group (ERG). Prism educates, inspires and supports LGBTQIA+ team members and their allies. The ERG is open to all team members across the company, and Beisler-Snell has set a goal to double membership in Prism by the end of his leadership term. The ERG prides itself on also serving as a safe space for team members to speak openly and learn from each other.
“Being part of an organization where team members are comfortable and confident expressing their full selves at work is amazing. They’re showing up authentically because they see the support from team members throughout the bank.”
“Being part of an organization where team members are comfortable and confident expressing their full selves at work is amazing,” Beisler-Snell says. “They’re showing up authentically because they see the support from team members throughout the bank.
Prism spearheads many activities, including National Pride Month awareness. Engaging team members in a clothing and toiletries drive for Lost-n-Found Youth, and Atlanta-based nonprofit, is one way the ERG honors Pride. “It’s overwhelming the support we receive from Synovus,” the father of two says. “It’s awesome to see.” Lost-n-Found Youth is a street outreach organization for LGBTQIA+ youth ages 18-25 that closely identifies with the purpose of Prism. The organization focuses on ending homelessness for unsupported LGBTQIA+ youth and helping them develop skills so they can live independently.
His heightened empathy for young members of LGBTQIA+ communities and leadership in Prism reflects his dedication to lending a hand, ear and shoulder for those seeking compassion, acceptance and resources to reach their full potential.
“It takes a village to do the work that Lost-n-Found Youth does, and we’re grateful for the support of corporations that recognize that need and support our mission,” Randall Burks, director of development for Lost-n-Found Youth, shares. “The Synovus support helps us continue to feed, house and educate an underserved community.”
Ultimately, Beisler-Snell turned the tables and became the supporter he witnessed in his grandmother for young people in LGBTQIA+ communities and those not new to living openly. In 2015, at the age of 94, grandmother Brame passed away. But her legacy of acceptance lives on through his work of inclusion.
Learn more about how Synovus is enabling people to reach their full potential.