​​​​​​​​​​​​Meet Wafae: A M​usic Fan, E-Commerce Leader, and ERG Chapter Lead

Wafae is an e-commerce manager for HARMAN's B2B-to-C business, based in Amsterdam. She's part of the Direct E-Commerce team in the EMEA region, but her contributions go far beyond job titles. Before joining HARMAN, Wafae was already a fan of our products. ​

Her passion for our products hasn't faded. Whether she's recommending HARMAN Kardon smart speakers for a home setup or packing her JBL gear for a day in the park, Wafae brings that same enthusiasm to her role.​

​​​The Power of Bringing Your Whole Self to Work

For Wafae, the concept of workplace authenticity is fundamental to professional success. As a leader, she embodies what it means to integrate all aspects of identity in the workplace. Her journey showcases why HARMAN careers attract professionals who value both excellence and inclusion. "I can bring my whole self to work," Wafae shares. "I'm fortunate to work at a place where that is also welcomed and actually encouraged."​

This philosophy extends beyond personal comfort. When asked about the importance of bringing her whole self to work, Wafae's response reveals the deeper impact.​

​Employee-Led ERGs: Where Belonging Takes Shape

The Pride ERG at HARMAN exemplifies how ERGs (Employee Resource Groups) create meaningful change when driven by passionate individuals rather than top-down mandates. As a chapter lead, Wafae doesn't just participate but actively shapes the experience for colleagues across the EMEA region. 

Last year, Wafae organized HARMAN's first spectator boats during Amsterdam Pride, bringing together ERG members, allies, and community supporters. The initiative began with an office event featuring a pub quiz and drinks on Amsterdam’s office’s rooftop terrace,  followed by watching Amsterdam's canal parade from a dedicated spectator boat. "It warms my heart immensely to see the joy that everyone expressed on that day. I was actually quite proud to be able to organize that for this group of people," she remembers.​

​​The Deeper Meaning of Pride Month

For Wafae, Pride Month rep​resents both celebration and necessity. While acknowledging Pride's origins in the Stonewall demonstrations, she emphasizes its continued relevance in today's global landscape.

"Pride month, to me, means essentially celebrations. I think it's very important to celebrate who we are, how we are, and also how we interact with each other," she explains. ​

Her perspective showcases how these employee-led initiatives create lasting impact and how workplace ERGs serve as safe havens where employees can find support and community. Through authentic experiences, ERG leaders like Wafae build bridges between different communities within the workplace.

​​Building Your Circle of Influence​

Wafae's advice for creating inclusive workplaces centers on authentic action within your immediate sphere. "I always speak of your own circle of influence, and that's where everything starts," she notes. This grassroots approach to inclusion demonstrates how individual actions become cultural transformation. When employees feel empowered to bring their authentic selves to work, they create a ripple effect that benefits entire organization​​s.​

"If you are able to influence and just kind of show your direct surroundings: Hey, you know what? It doesn't really matter what the identification is. This is still the person behind all of those layers."

Wisdom for New Team Members

For those exploring HARMAN careers, this integration of professional growth with personal authenticity represents what makes jobs at HARMAN uniquely fulfilling. Through employee-led initiatives like Pride ERGs, HARMAN taps into what Wafae calls "the true power of what one can bring to their work." ​

When companies encourage unapologetic authenticity—regardless of how employees identify, where they're from, or what they look like—they unlock innovation, engagement, and belonging that drives business success.