Patrick Strawbridge on inclusion, allyship and authentic leadership at Quadient

“If you only surround yourself with people who look like you, think like you, or share the same experiences, your opportunities for growth are limited.” myGwork speaks to Patrick Strawbridge about his unconventional journey from a rural Florida cattle farm to becoming Global HR Partner for Mail Solutions at Quadient, his personal experience within the LGBTQ+ community, and how he champions inclusion, belonging, and authentic leadership.

Hi Patrick! Could you tell me a bit about your background and career journey leading up to your current position at Quadient?

My career journey has been anything but traditional. I grew up on a small cattle farm in rural Central Florida, where hard work wasn’t something you talked about, it was just part of everyday life. Between raising cattle, working in the fields, and being involved in 4-H and FFA, I learned early on the value of rolling up your sleeves, building relationships, and treating people with respect regardless of their background.

Professionally, I’ve always been fascinated by people, what motivates them, how organizations succeed, and how leaders create environments where individuals can do their best work. That curiosity led me into Human Resources and organizational development, where I’ve spent my career helping businesses navigate growth, change, talent strategy, and transformation.

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work across a variety of industries, leading talent, culture, organizational effectiveness, employee relations, leadership development, and large-scale transformation initiatives. What I’ve enjoyed most is serving as a strategic partner to business leaders, helping connect people strategies with business outcomes.

Today, as Global HR Partner for Mail Solutions at Quadient, I support leaders and teams across North America and globally as we continue to transform the business and position it for future growth. My role spans everything from organizational design and workforce planning to talent development, succession planning, leadership coaching, and change management. I have the privilege of partnering with leaders to solve complex business challenges while ensuring we continue to create an environment where employees can grow, contribute, and succeed.

When I look back on my career, there’s a common thread throughout all of it: people. Whether I was working on a farm, at Disney, or leading HR initiatives across global organizations, I’ve always believed that great businesses are built by great people. Helping individuals realize their potential, supporting leaders through change, and creating opportunities for others is what continues to energize me every day.

Can you share your personal journey with the LGBTQ+ community?

My journey is probably a little different than many others because I don’t have a dramatic coming out story or a single defining moment. Instead, my journey has been shaped by the people who welcomed, supported, and inspired me along the way.

One of the most influential experiences was working at Walt Disney World. Disney gave me the opportunity to meet people from countless cultures, backgrounds, and life experiences. It was an environment where I felt safe to learn, grow, and better understand who I was. More importantly, it introduced me to mentors who helped shape my perspective.

One of those mentors was Joel Strack, a Disney performer and one of the pioneers behind the first Gay Days at Walt Disney World. Joel helped leaders understand both the challenges and opportunities of creating visibility and inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community in the early 1990s. He inspired me not only to listen and learn, but also to find my voice and use it to support others.

Personally, I was fortunate that my coming out experience was not particularly difficult. My family was supportive, although for the first few years it was probably more of a “don’t ask, don’t tell” version of acceptance. Even so, they always treated my partner at the time as part of the family. Over time, acceptance became understanding, and understanding became unconditional love.

One of the people who had the greatest impact on me was my dad. As I became more open and authentic about who I was, he made it clear that he and my mom would always be there for me. He didn’t make grand speeches. Instead, he showed up in the everyday moments that mattered. We would have conversations about life and relationships, and he would share little pieces of wisdom that still stick with me today. One of his favorites was, “You can choose to be right, or you can choose to be happy.” As someone who has now been married for many years, I’ve found there is a lot of truth in that advice.

My husband and I have now been together for 23 years, and my family left little doubt that he belonged. The same was true with my in-laws. While they were deeply religious, they never used their faith as a reason to judge. Instead, they embraced me as their son and demonstrated that faith, at its best, is rooted in love, compassion, and acceptance.

When I reflect on my journey, I often describe myself as a fairly average American who blended in. At times, I probably masked parts of myself as I grew more comfortable within the LGBTQ+ community. I’ve never been the loudest person in the room or the face of a movement. Instead, I’ve often been the quiet force behind the scenes, helping support others, creating spaces where people feel welcome, and using my voice when it could make a difference.

What has been a standout moment in your career so far?

This may sound a little unconventional, but one of the most impactful moments of my career happened while I was working at Walt Disney World. At the time, I was friends with Aladdin at the Magic Kingdom and was greeting guests underneath the Christmas tree during the holiday season. A young boy came up to meet me, and I enthusiastically asked, “Are you excited to see Santa in the Christmas parade?”

Without missing a beat, he replied, “I don’t come to see Santa. I’m Jewish. I celebrate Hanukkah.”

I remember immediately feeling my face turn pale. There were cameras around, guests everywhere, and I realized in an instant that I had made an assumption based on my own experiences.

What happened next became one of the most important lessons of my life. Staying in character, I told him, “This is my first Christmas. We don’t celebrate this in Agrabah. Can you tell me about Hanukkah?” He lit up. We sat down on the ground together, and for the next ten minutes he excitedly walked me through his traditions, family celebrations, and what Hanukkah meant to him.

In that moment, I learned more about diversity, inclusion, belonging, and unconscious bias than any training program could have ever taught me. It wasn’t about having the right answer. It was about being curious, listening, and creating space for someone to share their experience.

We often say that the best learning comes from doing, and that experience proved it for me. Even today, I carry that lesson into my work. Whenever I’m leading teams, supporting employees, or helping organizations create more inclusive environments, I remember that young boy and the importance of approaching every conversation with curiosity rather than assumptions.

How does Quadient strive for inclusivity and provide an open space for LGBTQ+ employees?

One of the things I appreciate most about Quadient is that inclusion is not treated as a program or a single event. It is woven into our culture through the way we lead, collaborate, and support one another.

For LGBTQ+ employees, having an open and inclusive environment starts with knowing you can show up as your authentic self. Throughout my time at Quadient, I’ve seen a genuine commitment to creating spaces where employees feel respected, valued, and heard regardless of their background, identity, or life experiences.

Our employee communities, such as the Love is Love Employee Community, provide opportunities for connection, education, advocacy, and allyship. They create a safe space where employees can share experiences, learn from one another, and celebrate the diversity that makes our organization stronger. Just as importantly, our allies actively participate in these conversations, helping foster understanding and inclusion across the business.

A great example of our culture is Quadient’s Great Place to Work® recognition. While awards are always nice, what that recognition really reflects is the experience employees have every day. It highlights our focus on trust, respect, inclusion, and creating an environment where people feel valued for who they are and what they contribute.

What stands out to me is that inclusion at Quadient is supported by leaders at all levels. Whether through employee listening sessions, development opportunities, awareness campaigns, or simply encouraging open dialogue, there is a clear belief that people perform at their best when they feel they belong.

Throughout your career, have you noticed any developments in attitudes towards the importance of diversity and inclusion?

I try to be an optimist in most aspects of life, and that certainly applies to diversity and inclusion. While the current climate may sometimes feel challenging, I don’t believe it’s the norm. Over the course of my career, I’ve seen the conversation evolve from simply counting heads and measuring representation to creating environments where everyone has a role to play and feels included in the journey.

To me, that’s the real power of inclusion, both in the workplace and in life. If you only surround yourself with people who look like you, think like you, or share the same experiences, your opportunities for growth are limited. In fact, I often drive my family a little crazy because I’m constantly seeking out perspectives that differ from my own. I make a conscious effort to connect with people who don’t think the way I do because it helps me understand their “street corner” and how they see the world.

That doesn’t mean I always agree with them, but understanding someone’s perspective is incredibly valuable. I’ve seen firsthand how organizations become stronger, more innovative, and more connected when they embrace different viewpoints. In many ways, that’s where I’ve seen the greatest progress. Inclusion creates opportunities for people to learn from one another, and when that happens, both organizations and communities grow stronger together.

What immediate improvements would you like to see being made for LGBTQ+ equality in the future – both in the workplace, and wider society?

Too often, it feels like we’re responding to clickbait, headlines, and the most extreme viewpoints rather than engaging in meaningful conversations. Real progress comes when we listen first, look for shared experiences and common values, and then build from there.

I hope we can spend less time talking past each other and more time listening to each other. When we focus on what connects us rather than what divides us, we create space for lasting progress.

Ultimately, organizations and leaders must be willing to live their values and stand for what is right, even when it’s difficult. That’s how trust is built, communities are strengthened, and meaningful change happens.

Quadient is a proud partner of myGwork, the LGBTQ+ business community. Find out more about LGBTQ+ friendly job opportunities at Quadient.