WorkPride 2025: Day four recap and best bits

Day 4 of WorkPride 2025 featured a diverse lineup of sessions focused on understanding intersectionality, promoting sustainability, breaking socioeconomic barriers, and empowering future leaders. Attendees engaged in meaningful conversations about LGBTQ+ travel, sports and healthcare inclusion, and giving back to the community through charity initiatives. The day emphasized the importance of inclusive practices across various sectors and the value of community engagement to foster lasting change.

Here is a recap of the activities from Day Four.

11:30 AM – Day 4 Opening
The day started with an overview of the importance of intersectionality and inclusive practices across different areas of society and workspaces.

Campbell Johnstone: "Sport in general is built around the whole concept of respect. Respect is given to the opposition, your other teammates, the referee. Teams have this respect, and the respect includes all walks of life, no matter where you come from, and where you're going."

Understanding the Layers of Us: Intersectionality
This session explored the complex identities that intersect to shape individual experiences, emphasizing the importance of embracing diverse narratives in the workplace and society.

Edison Chen, Organon: “Don't wait, because you see what's going on around the world. Our rights can be rolled back in a split second, so do it now. Get on with it, and let's see where it leads us."

Sam Fresa, Entain: "You can't get everything right all the time, and not everything can be perfect... It really is just about staying curious, listening closely, and being brave enough to act."

Sustainable Work: Balancing Growth and Environment
Participants discussed how organizations can pursue growth while maintaining environmental responsibility, highlighting sustainable practices that support long-term business and social goals.

Jacqueline Dove, Standard Chartered Bank: "You can't execute a sustainable workplace unless it's inclusive and everyone is part of that solution."

Travel and Relocation: Stories from LGBTQ+ Travelers
The discussion shared personal stories and insights on navigating travel and relocation as LGBTQ+ individuals, highlighting challenges and moments of pride.

Nishtha Nishant, The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group:"Giving appropriate training to team members helps prevent discrimination. It’s essential to create safe, valued spaces where community members truly belong."

David Cubbin, Cure Capital Advisors: "Support from allies like embassies can make a difference—quiet gatherings in safe spaces offer hope in hostile countries."

Sports & Healthcare: Breaking Barriers
Attendees explored efforts to foster inclusion in sports and healthcare for LGBTQ+ communities, aiming to promote fairness and equal access.

Ebony Quow, Diversity in Retail: "Language is powerful; role modeling and good behavior in sport create safe environments where everyone can belong."

Zander Murrey, Footballer: "In hypermasculine environments like men's football, authentic allyship—like a manager openly mentioning a gay family member—can be a blueprint for inclusion."

Empowering Graduates: Building Future Leaders
This session focused on mentoring and leadership development for new graduates, emphasizing how nurturing talent today shapes future inclusive leaders.

Monica Green, State Street: "Take initiative and advocate for opportunities—courage can open doors that seem closed at first."

Brielle Winslow-Majette, Garden State Equality: "Learn from those different from you; every interaction, positive or conflict, adds to your leadership toolbox."

Charity Focus: Giving Back to Our Community
The evening was dedicated to community engagement, showcasing initiatives and discussions around giving back and supporting LGBTQ+ and broader social causes.

Dariusz Krupa, State Street: "If you'd like your charitable initiative to be effective, you should take a long-term informed and also inclusive approach, rather than acting quickly based on assumptions or short-term goals."

Dawn Shields, Jabil: "Giving people an opportunity to choose an organization or an activity they align to is where you're really going to get people who desire to do something and be more impactful."