Executive Connections

National Executive LGBTQ+ Allies Forum

The Forum is a means for senior champions and allies across the country to come together to discuss and to learn from each other. It is jointly chaired by Pride in Diversity and PwC Australia and meets on a quarterly basis. We have over 250 executives from Pride in Diversity’s membership involved in the Forum, with most not being members of the LGBTQ+ community but passionate about supporting their talent from that demographic. Feedback from the participants have described the value of being involved in two ways: many find it professionally developmental (especially those not from the LGBTQ+ community), and others point to the connectivity with like organisations as being extremely useful. 

If you are interested in nominating a representative for your organisation please contact Colin Hyde at chyde@acon.org.au

National Executive Leaders Network

We also hold a regular series of face-to-face networking events across the country, designed to bring together senior executives from local private sector, public sector, and not for profit organizations that are committed to LGBTQ inclusion in their workplaces.  As part of each event, we invite a special guest speaker who shares their insights and expertise on the importance of creating inclusive workplaces for LGBTQ employees. Each event is planned to run from 5.30pm to 7.30pm and light refreshments will be provided.

To find out more about the current schedule please contact Colin Hyde at chyde@acon.org.au

LGBTQ+ Trailblazers

“LGBTQ+ Trailblazer” is our new leadership event series. Part of our 2025 Executive networking program, this series showcases leaders from the LGBTQ+ community who have achieved the most senior roles in Australia. The format is a 1:1 dialogue with Pride in Diversity Director, Dawn Emsen-Hough. The goal is helping early career LGBTQ+ employees to reach their potential and achieve senior roles in their organizations, with the background of the large body of evidence globally that this lack of visible role models contributes to the poor representation of LGBTQ+ people in senior roles. Our first Trailblazer sessions featuring former Pride in Diversity Co-Patron Alan Joyce, and Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill were both a huge success.