Life in the Swimlane with Technical Writer, Lee Griffin

Welcome to the “Life in the Swimlane” blog series. Here we will feature interviews with Swimlaners to learn more about their experience. This series will give you a preview of Swimlane, our culture, and the people who keep us going.

My name is Lee Griffin (He/Him), and I live in Belleville, IL. A town about 20 miles east of St. Louis, MO. I currently live with two of my best friends, my two dogs (Zoey and Josie), and my roommate’s two cats. We have a great time hanging out and experiencing life together!

2. How long have you been with Swimlane?

I have been at Swimlane since April 2022. My time here has been quite a journey. This is the first place where I have worked and been out publicly as a queer and transhuman. I’ve been lucky to have the support of not only the company but Swimlaners who are truly remarkable people. People have worked to make me feel safe and included.

The company has gone out of its way to make my work environment safe and continues to work on diversity, equity, and inclusivity. An ever-growing effort, I know Swimlaners want to be the change, which I feel grateful to be a part of.

3. What does your job entail?

As a technical writer, I work in Technical Publications. We write documentation for the platforms, maintain the knowledge center, and work with engineers, project managers, and field teams to ensure that we are delivering the best possible product for customers. I also assist teams internally to document processes that help them achieve their goals.

4. What do you enjoy most about working at Swimlane?

This is definitely a tie. The work/life balance and people. I value my mental and physical health. Knowing I can put that first without repercussions is irreplaceable, which ultimately makes me a happier, healthier worker.

The people are truly all unique, and the Swimlaners who I’ve been lucky enough to work with are generous, kind, and supportive people. And as a member of the queer community, people have encouraged me to be myself, gone out of their way to be more inclusive and support my journey as a transgender human. It’s not always perfect, but I’m often reminded at Swimlane, I am not a political debate. I am human first and always.

5. What excites you most about your work? 

The challenge! If you would have told me five years ago that I would be where I am today and learning so much about cybersecurity, I would have been skeptical. Yet, here I am!

6. What do you like to do when you aren’t working?

I’m low-key boring, and I love it. Haha. I love hanging out with friends, reading, writing, hanging with my dogs, watching movies, doing word searches, and working out. Laughing is my favorite thing to do, so chilling with friends and descending into laugh fests go a long way in making life better. I’m also a weird source of random knowledge and facts. Especially about movies and animals!

7. Are there any clubs, volunteer/awareness groups, or social movements you’re passionate about?

The Metro Trans Umbrella Group (MTUG) is an amazing organization located in St. Louis, MO. They work tirelessly–and I mean tirelessly–to bring together the Trans, Gender Non-Conforming, and QTBIPOC communities and their support systems in the St. Louis metro area through equity, community, visibility, advocacy and education. 

8. What’s a fun fact about you many people may not know?

Last summer I started drum lessons! I had to stop, but I can’t wait to start again. I wasn’t half-bad 😉 You wouldn’t know it, but music is a huge part of me. Music has been: medicinal, fun, competitive (looking at you Swimlane music league), and healing. I need it every day to feel whole!

9. Your motto or personal mantra:

Not today, Satan, not today.

10. Three words that best describe you:

Witty, self-reflective, and compassionate.

11. What Swimlane core value resonates with you the most?

“Have honesty and integrity in all the things.” I try to always do the right thing for the right reasons, personally and professionally. 

12. What type of impact do you want to leave on our industry?

Helping. It sounds simple, but my desire to help others, whether it’s the company, teammates, and/or customers, is valuable to my professional goals.

13. What sets Swimlane apart from other companies?

People. The people here are some of the best I’ve ever worked with. I can truly call some friends, and I admire so many for their personal and professional qualities.