Creating a Culture of Care: Dataminr’s Commitment to Employee Wellness

Wellness is more than a buzzword; it’s a commitment to empower employees to thrive in every aspect of their lives. At Dataminr, our people are our greatest asset. We strive to not only empower our employees, but to create an environment where they can thrive, both personally and professionally. 

As Dataminr’s Chief People Officer, building and nurturing a workplace culture that prioritizes employee well-being is of utmost importance to me, both personally and professionally. With more than 20 years of experience in Human Resources (HR) leadership at various companies, I wholeheartedly believe that a culture centered on employee wellness and well-being not only supports individuals but also drives organizational success. 

In this blog, I’m proud to share how Dataminr fosters a culture of care to support the holistic well-being of our team members and why this commitment is vital to the success of our business.

Creating a Culture of Care: A Workplace with Balance and Belonging

In order for employees to achieve a sense of balance in the workplace, they need an environment that fosters both personal and professional well-being. It starts with understanding the challenges employees face today. Geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, and global challenges, such as social issues, all contribute to rising levels of stress and burnout. According to Indeed, they are among the top external stressors that affect businesses. 

It’s no surprise that many employees feel the weight of these stressors, and their well-being often becomes intertwined with their ability to perform their best. At Dataminr, we recognize that this requires more than surface-level solutions; it demands deep care and intentional action.

The Importance of Employee Well-Being in the Modern Workplace

Employee wellness is a key driver of organizational success. When employees feel supported in all areas of their lives, they are better equipped to focus, collaborate, and innovate. Research consistently shows that organizations with robust wellness initiatives see improvements in employee retention, stronger engagement, and higher productivity. 

In fact, enhanced employee health and well-being could create up to $11.7 trillion in global economic value, according to a new report from the McKinsey Health Institute. The report also stated, “This estimate includes the impact of reduced attrition, absenteeism, and presenteeism, as well as improved employee productivity, attraction, and retention…The literature demonstrates…a correlation between employee well-being interventions and productivity improvements of between 10% and 21%.”

Dataminr’s Resources and Programs to Support Wellness

Building a culture of care demands actionable programs and a commitment to continuous improvement. At Dataminr, our approach to wellness spans physical, mental, and social well-being. As Chief People Officer, my team is focused on creating an engaging, inclusive experience throughout the entire employee lifecycle, including customized initiatives and programs designed to meet the needs of our people and foster a sense of balance and belonging.

No. 1. Physical Wellness

Physical health is foundational to overall well-being. At Dataminr, we encourage healthy lifestyles through initiatives and benefits like fitness challenges, wellness reimbursements, and comprehensive health insurance. Programs like our annual May Wellness Fitness Challenge, sponsored by our Balance@Dataminr Employee Resource Group (ERG), or Menopause Awareness learning forums, hosted by our Women@Dataminr ERG help, ensure that we’re responsive to employee needs.

Work-life balance remains the foundation of wellness. By offering remote and hybrid work options and flexible schedules, Dataminr and other organizations can empower employees to set healthy boundaries and structure their days in ways that promote both productivity and personal time. This fosters a sense of trust and mutual respect, ultimately strengthening company culture and the second aspect of employee wellness: mental health.

No. 2. Mental Wellness

Psychological safety is at the heart of making employees feel whole, supported, and valued. Dataminr provides comprehensive mental health resources, including Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), stress management workshops, mindfulness training, and counseling services.

“Strong, solid mental health benefits are essential to the employee experience, directly supporting well-being, engagement and productivity,” said Samantha Hatz, Dataminr VP of People Operations. “Access to comprehensive mental health resources, like counseling, therapy, and flexible support, empowers our people to manage stress, anxiety, and life’s challenges on their own terms. Prioritizing mental health signals to our employees that they are valued as whole people, which strengthens our culture and organizational success.”  

Additionally, our transparent communication practices ensure that employees feel heard and informed, creating a workplace environment where trust thrives. The mental well-being of our employees is critical, and we actively work to destigmatize conversations around mental health while proactively offering the resources to support it.

No. 3. Social Wellness

Building a sense of community at work enhances collaboration, emotional connection and purpose. At Dataminr, our employee resource groups (ERGs) play a pivotal role in creating inclusive spaces for employees to celebrate and connect with each other in meaningful ways. 

The value of ERGs is tremendous. Among the participants in a recent Headspace report, nearly 60% of “those involved in an ERG said they feel a greater sense of belonging and psychological safety within their company, and 45% have found a community and built connections within ERGs.”

“We have eight strong, passionate ERGs that serve as long-standing culture carriers and ambassadors for inclusivity,” said Robin Strup, Dataminr VP of Organizational Engagement and Internal Communications. “Our ERGs empower employees to tap into the strength of their shared experiences and interests to increase employee engagement, build relationships with local communities, and use the force of their commitment for social good.” 

ERGs are a cornerstone of our efforts to boost holistic community engagement. They are core to who we are at Dataminr and the important work that we do in the world. ERG activities and events are open to all employees and include: 

• Annual United@Dataminr ERG sponsored Black History Month events exploring the support and unity in the workplace
• Women@Dataminr ERG Watercolors and Conversations, and Speed Networking events
• Pride@Dataminr ERG Spring gatherings, and Pride History and Playlist Parties
• Parents@Dataminr ERG infant death support meetings, and Bring Your Child to Work Days
• Wellness and resiliency speaker series hosted by the Balance@Dataminr ERG and Service@Dataminr ERG
• Virtual and in-person volunteer mentoring opportunities with organizations like Dress for Success and the University of East London
• Green@Dataminr ERG-sponsored clothing drive and swap

These programs help ensure every team member feels seen and valued, strengthening our collective culture of care, in which everyone contributes not only to individual fulfillment but also to a stronger #TeamDataminr.

In addition, community-focused events give individuals the chance to give back. They also create impactful ways for employees to engage outside of their daily work. Employees thrive when they sense a connection between their work and the world around them.

Professional Development as a Path to Wellness

At Dataminr, we believe that when employees feel empowered to grow professionally, they experience greater fulfillment and confidence. According to the Headspace report, employee-sponsored team and culture building, as well as professional development and upskilling, are the top factors for employee retention. 

This is why we strive to create an accessible learning environment in which all employees can develop their skills and grow in alignment with their career aspirations, while contributing to Dataminr’s success. 

“I believe professional development is a key driver of employee well-being, empowering individuals to continuously grow and expand their skills, which builds confidence and a sense of accomplishment,” said Veronica Tucker, Dataminr VP of People. “When organizations invest in their people’s learning and development, employees feel valued and recognized. Not just for what they do, but for their potential. This support fosters deeper engagement, motivation, and connection to both their work and colleagues.”

To support this, we offer robust Learning & Development (L&D) programs tailored to employee needs and goals, including live training, e-learning platforms, curated recommendations via LinkedIn Learning, and more. This emphasis on professional growth not only strengthens individuals but also enhances broader team capabilities. In 2024, we saw incredible employee engagement with our L&D programs:

• More than 90% of employees signed up for LinkedIn Learning
• Employees watched 606 hours of LinkedIn Learning
• 175 people managers and team leads enrolled in the Manager Development Program, which is designed to support and develop Dataminr people managers
• 59 mentorship matches in the Mentorship program, which pairs mentees and mentors together over a period of 9 months to promote skill development, continuous learning, coaching, and a culture of mutual support
• 30 participants in the Emerging Leaders Program, which focuses on cultivating our leadership philosophy and exposes our rising talent to a diverse range of leadership skills, meaningful connections, and specialized development experiences that align with our Dataminr Career Path.

Our Commitment to Employee Wellness

Creating a culture of care doesn’t happen overnight, but it begins with intentional, strategic initiatives. Our dedication to doing so is an ongoing process that requires constant listening, adaptability, and improvement. Conducting two-way feedback through employee surveys and focus groups is vital to building a healthy workplace culture. Understanding employee concerns and acting on feedback supports mental wellness by addressing stressors before they escalate, and instills trust in leadership’s commitment to a positive employee experience.

For all organizations, well-being should not just be an HR objective; it’s a leadership priority. It’s clear that a workplace where employees feel whole and balanced leads to more innovation, greater success, and stronger human connections. 

Wellness isn’t just an initiative at Dataminr; it’s part of who we are. By focusing on the physical, mental, and social dimensions of well-being, combined with robust professional development opportunities, we aim to make Dataminr not only a workplace but a community.

To learn more about Dataminr’s extensive employee benefits, visit https://www.dataminr.com/careers/