Out & Equal

Out & Equal Out & Equal is the premier organization working exclusively on LGBTQ workplace equality. Out & Equal is the global leader in LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion.

For decades, we’ve helped companies build cultures of belonging that enable thriving business. We build strategic Partnerships, lead cutting-edge learning programs, and host global convenings, including our world-renowned Workplace Summit. With these resources, we equip companies and changemakers with the tools and insights to transform culture, retain talent, and lead with intention.

✨ Thank you for showing up in 2025. ✨This year asked a lot of leaders and workplaces. Across moments of uncertainty and ...
12/30/2025

✨ Thank you for showing up in 2025. ✨

This year asked a lot of leaders and workplaces. Across moments of uncertainty and change, our Partners continued to lead with care, clarity, and commitment to their people.

We’re grateful to have walked alongside you – offering guidance, community, and connection when it mattered most.

Here’s to what we built together in 2025, and to continuing the work ahead, together, in 2026.

We’re deeply grateful to all who contributed to elevate the attendee experience at this year’s Out & Equal Workplace Sum...
10/24/2025

We’re deeply grateful to all who contributed to elevate the attendee experience at this year’s Out & Equal Workplace Summit. These contributions created comfort, accessibility, connection, and hospitality – the kinds of details that make inclusion tangible.

Thank you to:
Apple – Accessibility and wellness support
Constellation – Charging stations across the venue
Experian – Attendee tote bags, bag inserts, and relaxation lounges
Fidelity Investments – Partner Appreciation Reception
GEICO – Water stations for sustained hydration
Liberty Mutual Insurance – Summit Event App
GSBA + Seattle Pride – Night In Community
 
Your support helped create an environment where people not only gathered, but also felt cared for, resourced, and welcomed. Thank you for helping build a space where belonging could thrive.
 

We’re already counting down until we’re all back together; learning, connecting, celebrating, and building workplaces wh...
10/23/2025

We’re already counting down until we’re all back together; learning, connecting, celebrating, and building workplaces where everyone belongs.

🗓️ Save the Date: October 12-15, 2026
📍 Seattle, WA
✨ 2026 Workplace Summit

Until then, keep the momentum going! The change you make between Summits is just as powerful as what happens here.

We can’t wait to see you back in Seattle. 💜

The U.S. legal landscape for workplace inclusion is shifting at breakneck speed — which is why Chief Programs Officer De...
10/21/2025

The U.S. legal landscape for workplace inclusion is shifting at breakneck speed — which is why Chief Programs Officer Deena Fidas (she/her) launched Out & Equal’s new Law, Policy & Research team earlier this year, led by Senior Vice President and noted legal expert Sarah Warbelow (she/her).

This team is bringing in the best legal minds to help our community navigate the moment and build what comes next.

This week, renowned scholar and Chief Justice Earl Warren Professor of Constitutional Law Kenji Yoshino (he/him) joined us on the mainstage for a keynote and dialogue with Deena and Sarah on his forthcoming book, ‘How Equality Wins.’ He emphasized the opportunity in front of us: to bring more people into the inclusion conversation, embrace emerging communities, and prepare for next-gen workplace readiness.

Each year at Workplace Summit, we honor the individuals and organizations driving measurable, meaningful progress for in...
10/20/2025

Each year at Workplace Summit, we honor the individuals and organizations driving measurable, meaningful progress for inclusion in workplaces around the world.

These changemakers remind us that belonging isn’t just a value — it’s a practice. 💜

✨ Congratulations to our 2025 Outie Award Winners:
🏅 New ERG Chapter of the Year:
OUT: Operations United Together – Morgan Stanley
For building community, accelerating impact, and creating space for LGBTQ+ employees to lead boldly from day one.

🏅 Ally Changemaker:
Agnieszka Zaklada (she/her), Poland Head of HR, AXA XL, Poland
Janna McNeil (she/her), Senior Director, Sales Operations, Labcorp
For showing what true allyship looks like — courageous, consistent, and transformational.

🏅 Employee Resource Group of the Year:
Pride @ Kantar
For fostering a culture of visibility, connection, and advocacy across regions and identities.

🏅 LGBTQ+ Corporate Advocate:
Jon Tilli (he/him), Director, Investment Bank & Global Chair, dbPride, Deutsche Bank
For championing belonging at every level — from policy to practice to people.

Join us in celebrating these leaders, teams, and organizations shaping the future of work — where everyone can belong, thrive, and rise.

Who is missing their fellow attendees already? Because we sure are! ❤️ Luckily, our Workplace Summit is not the only pla...
10/18/2025

Who is missing their fellow attendees already? Because we sure are! ❤️

Luckily, our Workplace Summit is not the only place we can connect as a community. So, let’s stay in touch until we convene again very soon. 🤝

And keep sharing your photos and stories with us. We can’t wait to hear them all!

What a week. 💜Day 3 of Workplace Summit 2025 brought laughter, inspiration, and a deep sense of community as we wrapped ...
10/17/2025

What a week. 💜

Day 3 of Workplace Summit 2025 brought laughter, inspiration, and a deep sense of community as we wrapped an unforgettable experience of learning, connection, and belonging.

🎧 DJ Hannah Rad (she/her) kicked off the morning with the perfect energy — setting the tone for a day that celebrated joy and authenticity.

Then Harper Steele (she/her) — acclaimed comedy writer and producer — shared a powerful and deeply personal reflection on identity, courage, and storytelling.

💬 Carson Tueller (he/him) — speaker, coach, and writer — moved the audience with a vulnerable, inspiring testimony that reminded us what resilience and visibility can achieve.

🏆 The Outie Award for Employee Resource Group of the Year was presented by Michael Cox (he/him), retired HR Executive from Boeing, and Amanda R Simpson (she/her), Founder & CEO of Third Segment LLC — congratulations to Pride@Kantar for leading with impact and purpose!

🌍 Ken Janssens (he/him), CEO of Open for Business, and Major General (Ret.) Tammy Smith, DM (she/her) presented the Outie Award for LGBTQ+ Corporate Advocate to Jon Tilli (he/him), Director at Deutsche Bank and Global Chair of dbPride — a powerful example of advocacy in action.

💼 Deena Fidas (she/her), Managing Director & Chief Programs Officer at Out & Equal, and Peggy Harris, MHA, CDM, FACHE (she/her), Area Vice President at Atrium Health, then presented the Outie Award for Workplace Excellence & Belonging, honoring deep and sustained commitment to inclusion.

🔥 The morning’s momentum reached new heights when Janelle Monáe (she/they) — artist, actor, author, and cultural force — joined Theresita Richard (she/her), Chief People & Culture Officer and Global Head of Justice & Belonging at Patagonia, for a dynamic fireside chat on creativity, justice, and the courage to lead with authenticity.

💜 Closing the plenary, Out & Equal CEO Erin Uritus (she/her) took the stage one last time — reflecting on the power of our community, the progress we’ve made, and the work that still lies ahead.

🌟 The energy in Seattle was electric — the kind of energy that builds movements, transforms workplaces, and inspires action long after the Summit ends.

See you next year, Seattle. 👋

Nearly every change—from the first ERG to workplace protections—began because someone shared their story. It’s not just ...
10/16/2025

Nearly every change—from the first ERG to workplace protections—began because someone shared their story. It’s not just about hearts and minds; there’s science and strategy behind the impact of our stories.

At this year’s Summit, Out & Equal’s Chief Programs Officer Deena Fidas (she/her),Sarah Warbelow (she/her), Senior Vice President for Law, Policy & Research, and Jean-Marie Navetta (she/ella), Vice President of Learning, led a Mainstage conversation with three remarkable leaders who reminded us that vulnerability, courage, and small acts of “yes” can create lasting change.

✨ Donna Payne-Hardy (she/her) — Strategist, Author, Leader in the LGBTQ Civil Rights Movement
“History makers say yes to the small moments that become big moments as time goes on.”

✨ Ben Needham (he/him) — National Electoral and Advocacy Strategist | Needham Strategies
“Change can happen anywhere when we have the courage to show up and fight—even when we’re scared, even when it’s messy, even when it costs us something.”

✨ Stephanie Battaglino (she/her) — Owner/Founder, Follow Your Heart
“Your vulnerability is not a weakness; it is the most powerful asset you have. It opens the doors, not only for your own liberation but for the humanity of those around you.”

Inclusion begins when someone chooses to speak—and when others choose to listen. 🏳️‍🌈



What an incredible second day of Summit! Look at all these beautiful faces! ⭐️ be sure to tag us in your photos so that...
10/16/2025

What an incredible second day of Summit! Look at all these beautiful faces! ⭐️ be sure to tag us in your photos so that we can unite this community even further! 💖

Here’s to day 3!

Day 2 of Workplace Summit 2025 brought reflection, action, and a renewed sense of purpose. The energy in the room was el...
10/16/2025

Day 2 of Workplace Summit 2025 brought reflection, action, and a renewed sense of purpose. The energy in the room was electric! A community rising together in allyship, history, and hope. 💜

🏆 Next, Cindy Wong (she/her) of HSBC Bank USA and Ashley Siegel (she/her) of Morgan Stanley presented the Outie Award for Ally Changemaker — honoring two incredible leaders building bridges across communities:
✨ Agnieszka Zaklada (she/her), Head of HR, AXA XL Poland
✨ Janna McNeil (she/her), Senior Director of Sales Operations, Labcorp

💬 The plenary then turned toward a powerful series of conversations on allyship, movement history, and collective leadership, featuring:
🔹Sarah Warbelow (she/her) – SVP, Law, Policy & Research, Out & Equal
🔹Deena Fidas (she/her) – Chief Programs Officer, Out & Equal
🔹Jean Marie Navetta (she/ella) – VP, Learning & Development, Out & Equal
🔹Donna Payne-Hardy (she/her) – Strategist, Author, LGBTQ Civil Rights Leader
🔹Ben Needham (he/him) – National Electoral and Advocacy Strategist
🔹Stephanie Battaglino (she/her) – Speaker, Author, Career Coach

Together, they reminded us that the movement for workplace equality is not just history — it’s a living legacy carried forward by every ally, advocate, and leader in the room.

🏅 Closing the plenary, Erin Uritus (she/her) and Robert Guidice (he/him) presented the 2024 Arne Sorenson Vanguard Award to three pioneers whose courage has transformed hearts and workplaces alike:
💜 Bob Witeck (he/him), President, Witeck Communications
💜 Judy Shepard (she/her), President, Matthew Shepard Foundation and Dennis Shepard (he/him) Co-Founder, Matthew Shepard Foundation.

With one more day to go, the spirit of Workplace Summit is stronger than ever.

We’re learning, celebrating, and rising — together. 🌟




Thank you for sharing your magic moments with us! ⭐️ please continue to tag us in your posts so that we can build this c...
10/15/2025

Thank you for sharing your magic moments with us! ⭐️ please continue to tag us in your posts so that we can build this community stronger than ever. 💖

Address

1901 Harrison Street Ste 1100 PMB 7324
Oakland, CA
94612

Website

https://outandequal.org/become-a-partner/

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