# @elilillyco on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CfEO0FvOKl7
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/64294531-elilillyco-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/4ce4185f5d.jpg
- **Posted:** 2022-06-21T11:45:09.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Eli Lilly and Company (@elilillyco) — https://gondola.cc/elilillyco

## Caption

#WeAreLilly - 35,000 global employees #PoweredbyPurpose

"As the oldest of five children, family is truly the most important thing to me. Shortly after marrying my husband in 2018, he and I began exploring how we could build a family of our own. After lots of research and discussion, we decided that surrogacy was the right option. In 2019, we matched with our gestational carrier, who lives in northern California, and although there were twists and turns at the beginning of the process, she became pregnant with our daughter in late 2020. She delivered a healthy, beautiful baby girl for us in 2021. We were lucky enough to both be in the delivery room for her birth, and it was one of the best moments of my life.

I don't know if my younger self ever would have believed I'd be married, with a husband and a daughter. I haven't always been so comfortable in my skin. When I came out as gay in high school, I was scared. It's hard to come to terms with something that makes you feel like an outsider, something seen by some as wrong. But it is so powerful to finally share your true self with the world. I've been blessed to grow up in a family that loves and supports me no matter what. I'm also fortunate to work at Lilly, an open, accepting culture that actively works to lift people from all walks of life. Its reputation for caring and inclusion was a significant factor in my decision to join the company.

Since coming out, I've continued to feel more comfortable in my skin, and better live my purpose. I'm driven by optimism in my personal and professional life and always feel there is room for improvement. To make things better. Make myself better. I don't have a traditional career path – starting as a graphic designer, getting an MBA, working on a consumer brand in marketing, and now, at Lilly, in Global Communications. But somehow, each experience has built upon itself to make me more equipped for the next.

My purpose aligns with the Lilly purpose: to make life better for people around the world. As Lilly brand manager, I am responsible for ensuring we put forth a consistent brand image to make our purpose clear."

Brandon Ehrlich, Associate Director, Lilly Brand
#PRIDE

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 309
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 18

## Tags

poweredbypurpose, wearelilly, pride

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