Brandon Bierlein | Leading with Kindness and Respect   

Pride Month is both deeply personal and profoundly communal for Brandon Bierlein, who has been with Levy for two-and-half years and currently is director of executive suites for a Chicago sports arena. 

“Pride month is a reason to celebrate love and what it means to be unique,” Brandon explained. “It is an opportunity for me to support LGBTQ+ businesses and organizations in my community.” 

That sense of community and visibility has also shaped Brandon’s professional journey. He credits mentors and leaders at one of his first jobs in Chicago and also at Levy as his north stars. One showed him “how to communicate directly and effectively, with kindness,” and another “whose eye for design and attention to detail” helped propel Brandon’s career goals and aspirations for his team. 

Brandon also emphasizes the importance of listening, active allyship in the workplace, and the role colleagues can play in creating environments where LGBTQ+ associates feel respected and supported.  

“We don’t want to be looked at as ‘special,’ rather normal,” Brandon said. “We want solidarity and unity, not division. Help us spread that message.” 

Together we can move toward genuine understanding and shared community.