'These lists demonstrate that you can be successful and out at work'
A leading LGTBQ+ advocate has issued a global call for more diversity and inclusion in businesses.
INvolve revealed that there’s just four ‘out’ LGBTQ+ CEOs in Fortune 500 firms – a fact they’re hoping to change.
INvolve is calling for businesses to publish their data on LGBTQ+ leadership in order showcase transparency, in the hopes of turning the tide.
INvolve’s OUTstanding lists help challenge dangerous stereotypes and change perceptions of LGBTQ+ employees.
“These lists demonstrate that you can be successful and out at work, but most importantly also inspire the next generation of LGBT+ leaders to reach these senior positions,” added INvolve’s founder and CEO, Suki Sandhu OBE.
“It must be made a top priority that LGBT+ inclusion does not fall behind other areas of inclusion but instead joins the general call for accountability and action. This is why INvolve are also calling for targets to be set to improve LGBT+ representation.”
This year’s list includes Beth Ford, president and CEO of Land O'Lakes, Moriaki Kida, regional COO at EY Japan, and Angela Darlington, UK Life CEO at Aviva Plc.
Speaking on her nomination, Darlington added: “It’s a tremendous honour to have been included on the OUTstanding LGBT+ Role Model List in each of its eight years.
“The positivity I have received at being an out gay woman CEO has been fantastic and over the last decade the increasing energy, belief and enthusiasm I’ve seen across our LGBT+ community in business has been incredible. But there are still real challenges for our community and in these difficult times the role model list is an important showcase of the extraordinary LGBT+ talent succeeding in businesses globally.”
