By Brian Grim
With more than 100,000 team members in 65 countries, American Airlines strive to create a supportive environment for all. The company supports 20 different Employee Business Resource Groups (EBRGs), including faith EBRGs.
Today, I had the honor of giving the keynote at the annual gathering of the presidents of Christian EBRG (CEBRG) chapters across the U.S. and world. Each chapter shared latest developments in their areas and identified ways they can collaborate across sites.
This year is the CEBRG’s 30th anniversary of leaning into the airline’s purpose — to care for people on life’s journey. Today, leaders shared how CBERG chapters are not only caring for passengers but for their team members. Among the various initiatives was a a push for all to do “random acts of kindness” for their teammates.
Fr. Greg McBrayer, who serves as CBERG’s global lead, is an Anglican priest serving as Chief Flight Dispatcher at American Airlines. As part of the gathering, he offered communion and shared about the partnership the airline has with the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation.
Combining his ministry — serving as a chaplain for the workforce — with his work has real business impact. “Management started seeing fruitfulness. They realized people were being more attentive in their jobs, it seemed like there was just a whole different feeling in the office. Attendance improved.”
Senior leaders from American Airlines also attended and expressed deep appreciation for how the CEBRG helps people live out their faith by creating a supportive and caring community for people of faith in the company. For them, “to care for people on life’s journey” is not merely a slogan but a mission and life purpose.
