Cintas is dedicated to fostering a workplace where all employee-partners feel valued and supported. A key initiative in this commitment is LEAD, a Partner Business Resources Group (PBRG) specifically designed to uplift and connect its Asian Pacific Islander (API) employee-partners and communities. LEAD, which stands for Leading & Empowering API Development, serves as a vital resource within Cintas, championing a supportive environment where API partners connect, thrive, and contribute their unique talents.
LEAD plays a crucial role in helping its members flourish professionally and personally. The group actively cultivates collaborations with universities and professional organizations, broadening recruitment efforts to attract more API talent to Cintas. Furthermore, LEAD provides essential resources and educational programs centered around API holidays and rich cultural traditions, fostering understanding and inclusion across the company.
Approaching its second anniversary as an official PBRG this fall, LEAD has experienced remarkable growth and impact within Cintas. This expansion underscores the increasing significance of API representation within the company and the value of initiatives like LEAD in nurturing a diverse and engaged workforce.
“The Asian Pacific Islander demographic is not only statistically the largest in the world but also one of the fastest-growing within Cintas,” notes Jimmy Lien, Regional Business Director at Cintas and President of LEAD. Highlighting the organic origins of the group, Lien explains, “LEAD initially emerged as two separate, informal groups in different Cintas regions. Recognizing the power of unity, we merged these groups to establish one official PBRG, amplifying our collective impact.” This unification demonstrates Cintas’ proactive approach to recognizing and supporting the needs of its diverse employee base.
The core mission of LEAD is built upon three strategic pillars: fostering a strong sense of community among API employee-partners, creating pathways for career advancement and professional development, and strengthening connections with partners both within Cintas and in the wider community. These pillars are designed to ensure that API partners connect meaningfully and have the resources they need to succeed at Cintas.
To effectively execute its mission, LEAD is structured into three key segments: Connections, Career Development, and Community Outreach. Each segment is managed by dedicated committees focused on specific initiatives.
The Connections segment, spearheaded by the Membership & Communications Committee, focuses on expanding LEAD’s reach and ensuring effective communication with its members. This committee is responsible for recruitment and onboarding of new members, ensuring a welcoming and inclusive environment from the outset. To keep members informed and engaged, the committee utilizes a variety of communication channels, including the “LEAD Feed” on LinkedIn for professional networking and updates, the “LEAD Story” quarterly newsletter for in-depth features and news, and “LEAD Line” for timely text message updates. These diverse channels ensure that Cintas partners connect with LEAD and each other through various means.
Recognizing the importance of personal touch, new employee-partners who join LEAD receive a thoughtfully curated welcome packet. This packet, presented by the leadership council, serves as a formal introduction to the PBRG and includes Asian candies and snacks, a gesture of cultural appreciation and welcome.
The Career and Development segment is driven by a committee dedicated to advancing the professional journeys of API employee-partners. This is achieved through a range of initiatives including mentorship programs, targeted workshops, specialized training sessions, and guest speaker events. The mentorship program is particularly impactful, pairing emerging API talent within Cintas with experienced API leaders who provide guidance and support. LEAD also conducts quarterly workshops, offering valuable learning resources and virtual professional training sessions. A recent workshop focused on LinkedIn, equipping partners with strategies for recruitment, personal branding, and professional networking on the platform, further helping Cintas partners connect and grow.
The Community Outreach segment and its committee are focused on extending LEAD’s impact beyond Cintas’ walls. This involves strategic partnerships with local non-profit organizations to engage in community service and support. The committee also cultivates relationships with universities and professional organizations, creating pipelines for recruiting future API talent. Crucially, this segment is committed to educating all employee-partners about API holidays, traditions, and diverse cultural narratives, promoting broader cultural awareness and inclusivity within Cintas. These efforts ensure Cintas partners connect with the wider community and contribute to social good.
LEAD actively collaborates with organizations like Ascend, a prominent Pan-Asian business organization committed to empowering and developing API leaders in the corporate world. In a unique initiative to foster community and celebrate cultural heritage, LEAD is developing a recipe book. This collaborative project invites employee-partners to share cherished meals along with the personal stories and historical context behind them, creating a rich tapestry of cultural exchange. To further promote cultural awareness, LEAD sends out calendar reminders for significant API holidays such as Lunar New Year, Ramadan, and Diwali, highlighting the rich diversity of API observances within the Cintas community.
The intentionality and thoughtfulness of LEAD are reflected in its logo. The logo features five petals converging to form a lotus, a powerful and enduring symbol in Eastern cultures. The colors chosen for the logo are drawn from the predominant colors found in Asian and Pacific flags. Each of the five colors symbolically represents a key trait of API culture: prosperity, pride, luck, wisdom, and strength.
LEAD’s mission is clear: to empower, inspire, and develop Asian Pacific Islander Cintas employee-partners to drive strong business performance while fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where API individuals can thrive. The vision is equally ambitious – to establish LEAD as the premier, inclusive community within Cintas for professional development and networking, driving business results, attracting top talent, and reinforcing Cintas’ reputation as a great place to work where partners connect and succeed.
While LEAD has achieved significant milestones in its initial years, the PBRG and its leadership council are proactively seeking opportunities to further expand their influence and reach within Cintas. This ongoing effort is aimed at strengthening support for Cintas’ diverse employee-partners, enhancing PBRGs across the organization, and contributing to Cintas’ overarching business objectives.
“LEAD has opened doors for our employee-partners to become mentors, build connections with emerging Asian Pacific Islander leaders across all divisions, and reshape our approaches to recruitment, retention, and development of our API partners,” Lien proudly states. He concludes, “I am deeply proud that Cintas genuinely recognizes, appreciates, and celebrates the unique backgrounds of all our partners, empowering us to bring our full selves to work.” This sentiment encapsulates the essence of LEAD and Cintas’ commitment to creating a workplace where all partners connect, belong, and contribute their best.
