At Radius, we help the world’s most inclusive employers to leverage the power of their ERGs to drive inclusion & belonging.
As the global leader in employee network and ERG development - working with companies such as EPAM - we see this firsthand. By creating an environment where employees feel valued and included, ERGs build belonging across different territories, as senior leaders at EPAM have discovered.
In this case study from our 2025 Global ERG Impact Report, Alex Chudner, Head of ESG, Social Impact & Inclusion, and Alena Dashkevich, EPAM Employee Groups (EEG) Manager, share their story.
One of the world’s largest software engineering and product development companies, EPAM has 52,000+ employees in more than 55 countries worldwide. The innovative global technology business has long supported EPAM Employee Groups (EEGs) and has a strong commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.
EPAM’s EEGs cover a wide range of diversity strands including gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, and more. Globally, these are structured to ensure local relevance while aligning with EPAM’s overarching diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategy.
Based in San Diego, California, Alex Chudner is EPAM’s Head of ESG – Social Impact and Inclusion. Alex says that EPAM’s EEGs are fundamental to helping the company achieve its DEI ambitions.
“Our EEGs are integral to delivering our DEI strategy. They provide valuable insights into the needs of diverse employee groups, enabling us to tailor our DEI initiatives more effectively. By fostering a culture of inclusion and participation, EEGs ensure that our DEI strategy is not just a top-down mandate but a grassroots movement within EPAM.”
This bottom-up approach to DEI has delivered significant impact for EPAM, as Alex further explains. “Internally, EEGs improve morale, enhance employee engagement, and bring diverse perspectives that drive innovation. Externally, they strengthen EPAM’s reputation as an inclusive employer and a responsible corporate citizen. The impact more effectively” Alena Dashkevich, EPAM of EEGs at EPAM is profound, contributing to a culture of authenticity, innovation, and continuous improvement.
As a world-leading technology f irm, innovation is a key driver for EPAM, and employees from various backgrounds help the business to innovate, by bringing diverse perspectives to problem solving and product development.
EEGs play an important role in helping employees to innovate, by encouraging them to bring their authentic selves to work. A powerful example can be found in EPAM’s ParentSmart EEG, which supports parents and caregivers across the organisation. EEG Leader, Alena Dashkevich, explains more.
“The motto of ParentSmart is: ‘Parenting is the best school of management.’ Our strategy is to help working parents excel in both their professional and parental roles by leveraging skills from each area to enhance the other. We believe that parenting can make individuals better managers, even if they are managing themselves, and that professional expertise can bring innovative approaches to parenting.”
Operating across multiple territories, EPAM’s regional ParentSmart EEGs are driving many important initiatives around the world. ParentSmart’s goal is to support parents to thrive in the workplace and at home, while making an impact for the future. Recently, the Vietnam EEG partnered with a company that produces recycled bags to host an Environmental Protection workshop for employees and their kids
“ParentSmart is an incredibly active community within our organisation, partnering with other EEGs and participating in global projects to support employees and the communities we operate in”, says Alena. “We run a number of educational programmes such as a summer camp to help kids learn while parents work. Other signature programmes such as E-Kids and Pathway to Tech Future see ParentSmart members volunteer their time to educate kids worldwide, focusing on tech and soft skills.”
ParentSmart community members also contribute to the development of digital solutions for kids with special needs. “With the reach and opportunity to engage with over 52,000+ employees globally, ParentSmart is making a significant impact not only within our community but also in the broader communities in which we operate. This includes providing essential support to kids in need and those from underrepresented communities”, says Alena.
EPAM’s EEGs regularly partner with community organisations to support underrepresented groups, underlining EPAM’s commitment to social responsibility and community engagement. The company has won multiple awards for its achievements in this space, and EEGs play a key role in making this happen.
Looking ahead, Alex Chudner is excited about EPAM’s EEG potential. “As we continue to grow, I see our EEGs evolving to address emerging DEI challenges and opportunities. They will increasingly focus on intersectionality and global collaboration, ensuring that diverse voices are heard and represented at all levels of the organisation”
Celebrating their impact to date, Alex says that they are integral to EPAM’s DEI efforts. “EEGs are at the heart of EPAM’s culture, driving meaningful change by fostering an inclusive environment where every employee can thrive. They amplify diverse voices, promote allyship, and encourage authentic self-expression, which enhances employee engagement and innovation. By bridging the gap between business needs and community values, EEGs ensure that EPAM remains a dynamic, inclusive, and forward-thinking organisation.”
Radius is the global leader in employee network and resource group development. The 2025 Radius Global ERG Impact Report shines a light on the impact ERGs are making for businesses all over the world.
Download the full report here and look out for our 2026 report, coming soon.
