Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are an important way Noridian Healthcare Solutions weaves culture, connection, and care across a remote workforce. These groups offer employees the chance to lead by elevating their passions, supporting one another, and espousing mission-centered values. Employees have stepped up to establish more than 10 ERGs demonstrating the ownership employees take to create a supportive culture.
The Veterans ERG is a powerful example. It was born from one employee’s professional development goal and has grown into a trusted community for Veterans and allies. Rooted in military experience, camaraderie, and purpose, the group spans time zones, service branches, and career stages. It’s a reminder that even in a virtual workplace, meaningful connection is what shapes culture and keeps mission and values at the forefront.
Origins of the Veterans ERG
The Veterans ERG began not with a formal initiative, but with a simple suggestion and a shared understanding. Two Veterans were in the process of reviewing annual professional development goals when one suggested they start a group for Veterans at Noridian.
With the support of Noridian’s corporate communications and HR teams, the idea became official in 2023. There was no grand kickoff or rigid structure. Just a team chat, a few familiar faces, and an open door. But that was enough. As word spread, the group became a space where Veterans could find each other, speak freely, and feel seen.
Mission and Guiding Values
At its core, the Veterans ERG is about connection with one another, with shared values, and with the purpose that continues beyond military service. Its mission: to foster camaraderie, support, and professional development among military-connected employees. Membership is open to Veterans of all branches and eras of service, as well as to allies and family members.
Guided by values of honor, respect, teamwork, and discipline—hallmarks of military culture—the ERG seamlessly reinforces Noridian’s own cultural commitments. And while the values are serious, the tone is welcoming. No rigid rules. No formal ranks. Just people who “get it,” supporting each other however they can.
Building Community and Support in a Dispersed Workforce
With Noridian employees spread across the country, building a community could easily feel out of reach. Indeed, it does come with challenges. But the Veterans ERG proves that it is not just possible, it is essential. Through shared experience and an insight into the unique aspects of military life, members offer each other an important support system that translates directly into company culture.
The Veterans ERG Microsoft Teams Chat is the group’s primary gathering place. It’s where members swap stories, share life updates, offer advice, and yes, trade the occasional joke about inter-service rivalries. But behind the banter, there is something deeper: the quiet commitment service members make to watching out for one another, and the way that commitment plays out far beyond the days of active duty.
When a member is dealing with a family deployment or relocation, the ERG is a source for advice and resources. When a member goes quiet, the absence is noticed, and someone is there to check in. When a new member joins, they’re welcomed warmly. Nobody is pressured to share, but everyone is encouraged to show up as they are.
Quiet Connection with a Wide-Reaching Impact
One Veteran compares the bond between service members to a scene in The Lord of the Rings, where the heroes sit together in silence after their journey, surrounded by others who can’t understand what they’ve been through. “They don’t have to say anything,” he says. “They just look at each other—and they know.” That’s the kind of connection the ERG creates.
The group also acts as a bridge between Noridian and the broader community. Many members volunteer with Veteran service organizations like the VFW or American Legion. They come back to the ERG to share what they’ve done—not to brag, but to be seen and encouraged by people who understand how hard service work can be.
Even without big splashy events or major visibility, the impact ripples outward. A Veteran describes it this way: “We’re walking the walk of Noridian’s values. We’re showing up. We’re staying connected. We’re reminding people, quietly, that this is how it’s done.”
Looking Ahead with Purpose
While Veterans make up about 3% of Noridian’s workforce, military-aligned values like integrity, calm under pressure, service, and teamwork permeate the company’s culture more broadly. As Noridian promotes those values within its culture and hires more Veterans in the future, the ERG, its membership, and its purpose will also evolve. The group’s founders see many avenues for the ERG’s future:
- Strengthening collaboration with Noridian’s talent acquisition team to support Veteran hiring and onboarding.
- Boosting visibility around observances like Veterans Day and Memorial Day.
- Exploring ways to recognize and amplify Veterans’ contributions throughout the year—not just in November.
Leadership succession is also on the horizon. While the ERG founders have been the heart of the group since the beginning, they hope to empower others to carry it forward. “This is everyone’s group,” they say. “Not just ours.”
Advice for Others: “Just Start”
Both founders offer the same encouragement to anyone thinking of starting an ERG: Just do it but be flexible. There’s no one way to build community. What matters most is creating a safe space where people feel seen, heard, and respected. The Veterans ERG didn’t grow because someone forced it to. It grew because people needed it, and because it made space for those needs to be met.
Final Thoughts
Employee Resource Groups do more than create space for connection. They strengthen company culture by aligning with mission and values, fostering inclusion, and supporting work-life balance. They encourage employees to bring their whole selves to work, which deepens trust in an employer while building loyalty and commitment.
For those who have served, the Veterans ERG is a reminder that they’re never alone. And for Noridian, it’s proof that the values of service, respect, and connection can thrive long after the uniform comes off.