Lesbian Visibility Week: Honoring 20 inspiring lesbian leaders driving change

In celebration of Lesbian Visibility Week, we shine a spotlight on 20 remarkable lesbian leaders who are making a powerful impact in the fields of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) around the world. These champions are at the forefront of creating lasting change and opening doors for LGBTQ+ individuals and other marginalized communities.

Here, in alphabetical order, are just a few of the many trailblazers transforming the world through advocacy and leadership.

Aderonke Apata – Barrister & Founder, African Rainbow Family
Nigerian-born LGBTQ+ activist Aderonke Apata is a former asylum seeker, and qualified barrister in the UK. After surviving imprisonment and persecution in Nigeria for being a lesbian, she fought tirelessly for her right to stay in the UK. Her lived experiences motivated her to found the African Rainbow Family – a grassroots charity supporting LGBTQ+ asylum seekers and refugees. Aderonke’s work focuses on dismantling systemic injustices, offering legal support, and creating a community where safety, dignity, and belonging are paramount.

Beth Ford – President & CEO, Land O’Lakes
Beth Ford serves as President and CEO of Land O’Lakes, becoming the first openly LGBTQ+ woman to lead a Fortune 500 company. Beth’s leadership is rooted in authenticity and inclusion, with a focus on ensuring representation in both corporate leadership and rural communities. She actively mentors young LGBTQ+ professionals, uses her platform to address inequities in agriculture and technology, and advocates for policies that uplift underrepresented groups.

Char Bailey – Director, Birmingham Pride & Leadership Coach
Char Bailey is a dynamic DEI leader, coach, and Director of Birmingham Pride. Her work spans education, media, and community activism, always with an intersectional lens. Char co-founded the Queer Black Christmas dinner and leads programs that center Black LGBTQ+ mental health and empowerment. Her coaching uplifts queer youth and professionals alike, supporting them to lead with purpose, authenticity, and joy.

Dame Inga Kristine Beale DBE – Former CEO, Lloyd’s of London
Dame Inga Beale was the first female and openly bisexual CEO of Lloyd’s of London, where she championed a cultural shift towards diversity and modern practices. Post-CEO, she serves as a board member and global advisor, advocating for inclusive leadership in finance and insurance. Her trailblazing visibility at the top of a traditionally conservative industry has opened doors for LGBTQ+ professionals worldwide. Check out her full interview where she talks about being an openly bi-sexual CEO.

Dame Kelly Holmes – Olympian & Mental Health Advocate
Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes publicly came out in 2022, after decades of living in fear due to her military background. Since then, she has become a passionate advocate for mental health and LGBTQ+ rights, particularly for athletes and veterans. Through documentaries, speaking engagements, and mentorship, Kelly empowers others to embrace their truth and heal from societal pressures.

Jacqui Rhule-Dagher – Founder of Legally Lesbians, and litigation lawyer at Hogan Lovells

As well as being the founder of Legally Lesbians, an initiative which involved 25 lesbian lawyers writing about their careers and the importance of lesbian visibility. Jacqui Rhule-Dagher is a litigation lawyer at Hogan Lovells and a passionate advocate for LGBTQIA inclusion and intersectionality, as well as the firm's only Black out lesbian lawyer, she plays a key role on the UK Pride Network Steering Committee, promoting an intersectional approach to DEI.

Jacqui is also a respected consultant, trainer, and speaker on racial equity and inclusive culture, bringing authenticity and lived experience to her work across corporate, nonprofit, and education sectors.

During Lesbian Visibility Week 2023 Jacqui founded Legally Queerly, which provides lesbians and queer individuals in the legal industry, or in-house lawyers, with the opportunity to write about their careers and reflect on the importance of visibility. These inspiring pieces of personal writing are now published annually by DIVA magazine.

Read our interview with her here.

Joanie Evans – Co-President, Federation of Gay Games
Not only is she a lifelong advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport, but Joanie Evans is also co-president of the Federation of Gay Games. Starting out with Hackney Women’s Football Club, she has used her passion for athletics to promote visibility and equality for queer athletes, especially women of color. Through international programs, Joanie ensures that LGBTQ+ people feel safe, welcomed, and celebrated in sporting spaces. Check out the full interview here.

Julia Hoggett – CEO, London Stock Exchange
As CEO of the London Stock Exchange, Julia Hoggett is a trailblazer as the first openly LGBTQ+ person to lead the institution. With a background in financial regulation, Julia is committed to transforming the industry through inclusive leadership, transparency, and systemic accountability. She advocates for marginalized communities in finance, pushing for equal access and opportunity.

Krystal Lake – DJ, Filmmaker & Activist
Krystal Lake is a London-based DJ, filmmaker, and creative activist whose work focuses on LGBTQ+ visibility, mental health, and anti-racism. A proud Black lesbian, she crafts stories and soundscapes that reflect the complexity of intersectional identities. Her digital platforms offer empowerment, healing, and vibrant community for those often excluded from mainstream narratives. Check out our interview with here.

Lady Phyll (Phyll Opoku-Gyimah) – Co-founder & CEO, UK Black Pride. Executive director at DIVA Charitable Trust

Renowned for publicly refusing an MBE in the 2016 New Year Honours, Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, widely known as Lady Phyll, is currently the CEO of UK Black Pride. the first event of its kind in Europe celebrating LGBTQ+ people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Middle Eastern and Latin American descent “to promote and advocate for the spiritual, emotional, and intellectual health and well-being” of these communities. She was formerly the Executive Director of Kaleidoscope Trust, an LGBTQ+ charity that works to defend and uphold human rights. She has over 20 years’ experience as an LGBTQ+ rights activist and anti-racism campaigner. She has spent a decade advocating for the rights of workers within the largest civil service union as a lead negotiator on behalf of civil service workers. Lady Phyll now works as an excutive director at DIVA Charitable Trust. Check out our interview with her here.

Laila El-Metoui – Founder, Pride in Education & Inclusion Consultant

Laïla El-Métoui (pronounced: ‘lila el-mehtwee’) is a multi-award-winning Equity and Wellbeing Educator with nearly 40 years of experience across education, inclusion, and social justice in public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. Globally recognised for her engaging, practical, and participatory training style, Laïla blends lived experience, thought leadership, and a profound commitment to equity to inspire meaningful, lasting change.

As a former teacher trainer and global consultant, Laïla designs and delivers transformative learning experiences that are inclusive, interactive, and grounded in real-world impact. She is fluent in multiple languages and brings a deep cultural sensitivity to her work, connecting effectively with communities and organisations across continents. Laïla is the founder of several pioneering initiatives, including: Pride in Education, which provides free training and resources to promote LGBTIQA+ inclusion in schools, Educating Out Racism, a platform tackling systemic inequities in education, SWANA Queers (formerly UK Queer Arabs) which amplifies LGBTIQA+ voices from Southwest Asia and North Africa, Proud London Councils, the pan-London LGBTQ+ network for local government staff, and the Embassy Model Summit (co-founder) which drives LGBTIQA+ inclusion within global corporations focused on the SWANA region.

Her leadership has earned widespread recognition: 2025 DIVA Power List, Honoree 2025 myGwork Top 20 Trailblazing Lesbians, 2025 & 2024 UN Women UK Delegate, 2024 Top 50 National Diversity Power List, 2023 Trans Ally Finalist, Trans in the City Awards 2023, Bank of London Rainbow Honours, (shortlist) for SWANA Queers 2021, Top 100 Pride Power List 2020, and Stonewall Lesbian Role Model of the Year. Despite living with an invisible disability, Laïla remains a powerful force for inclusion, challenging systems and transforming spaces wherever she works.

Choose Laïla El-Métoui to elevate your event or training – a speaker and educator who doesn’t just speak about inclusion but embodies it.

Layla McCay – Director of Policy, NHS Confederation
Layla McCay is a leading advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion and authentic leadership in healthcare. She leads the Health and Care LGBTQ+ Leaders Network, driving national efforts for inclusive policy and leadership. Layla played a key role in the LGBTQ+ response to banning conversion therapy and champions visibility through writing, speaking, and public engagement. She also founded the NHS Confederation's LGBTQ+ staff group, improving allyship and belonging and promotes LGBTQ+ inclusion in urban planning. Layla’s latest book Breaking the Rainbow Ceiling, is about how LGBTQ+ people can thrive in the workplace.

Leanne Pittsford – Founder & CEO, Lesbians Who Tech & Allies
This visionary entrepreneur founded Lesbians Who Tech & Allies, the largest LGBTQ+ tech community in the world. Since launching in 2012, Leanne Pittsford has built a global network of over 50,000 LGBTQ+ women, nonbinary people, people of color, and allies across more than 42 cities. Her mission is to create a more inclusive and visible LGBTQ+ presence in the tech industry through mentorship, events, leadership programs, and career development. Leanne is a powerful advocate for tech equity, digital justice, and systemic change through innovation. Her work extends beyond the private sector—she also organized the LGBTQ+ Tech and Innovation Summits at the White House in 2015 and 2016, helping shape national conversations around inclusion in technology. Through her leadership, Lesbians Who Tech & Allies continues to redefine what representation and equity look like in the tech world.

Linda Riley – Founder, Lesbian Visibility Week & Diversity Awards Trailblazer
Linda Riley is a driving force for LGBTQ+ visibility and inclusion, best known as the founder of Lesbian Visibility Week and former publisher of DIVA Magazine. A tireless advocate for representation, she has dedicated her career to elevating marginalized voices within the LGBTQ+ community, especially lesbian and queer women. Linda is also the founder of the European Diversity Awards, British Diversity Awards, and Rainbow Honours—prestigious platforms that spotlight and celebrate LGBTQ+ talent, allies, and changemakers across media, business, and activism. Through her leadership, she has created spaces where inclusion, recognition, and meaningful dialogue can thrive. Widely recognized for her contributions, Linda has received numerous accolades for her unwavering commitment to equality. Her work continues to shape a more inclusive world, ensuring that the voices too often overlooked are not only heard, but celebrated.

Marie-Helene Tyack – Global Inclusion, Diversity & Belonging Manager & Chair of the Global Allianz Pride Board
Marie-Helene is a dedicated leader in DEI, with her work deeply rooted in her identity as an out, queer woman. She champions belonging, psychological safety, and authenticity through both personal experience and professional roles. She heads Inclusion, Diversity and Belonging at Allianz Commercial globally and chairs the Allianz Global Pride Board. Beyond her corporate role, she is Chair of the Diva Charitable Trust, a trustee for the Kaleidoscope Trust, and serves on the Senior Advisory Board of LINK. Her impactful contributions have earned her multiple recognitions and awards. Read the full interview here.

Megan Rapinoe – Athlete & Equality Advocate
Megan Rapinoe is an Olympic gold medallist, World Cup champion, and global icon for equality. Off the field, she campaigns for racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and gender equity. Megan's bold activism and unapologetic authenticity empower a new generation of queer athletes and leaders around the world.

Nancy Kelley – Director, Lesbian Visibility Week & Associate Director of Diva
Nancy Kelley is passionate advocate for social justice and equality. Throughout her 20-year career, Nancy has built up a diverse record of policy and leadership experience working across the third sector and in government. Currently she is the director of Lesbian Visibility Week and Associate Director of Diva Magazine. She was also Chief Executive Officer of Stonewall UK, where she has worked on research looking at public attitudes toward LGBTQ+ communities, as well as experiences of discrimination and social exclusion among LGBTQ+ people and other minority groups. She’s often described as “an outstanding leader who is ready to make sure everyone in the LGBTQ+ community gets the support they need.”

Nikki Symmons – Athlete, Speaker & STRIPES Global (LGBTQIA ERG) Head of Partnerships at PMI

Nikki Symmons, a former elite athlete for Ireland’s national field hockey team, is also an LGBTQ+ inclusion consultant with the European Hockey Federation. She advises on inclusive sport policies and mentors young athletes navigating their identities. Nikki’s work ensures the next generation of queer sportspeople can play openly and proudly. Read our full interview with her here.

Raga D’silva – co-Founder /CEO of OUTspoken Speakers Network CIC

Raga D’silva is a British-Indian author, TEDx speaker, and founder of Outspoken Speakers Network. Coming out later in life, Raga has become a champion for South Asian LGBTQ+ visibility. Her memoir and talks challenge cultural taboos and inspire queer people to live authentically at every age. She has worked in numerous geographies, including India, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore over the last 30 years in media, entertainment and advertising. Born and raised in India, Raga struggled with her sexuality, making headlines when she came out as a lesbian at the age of 50 through her debut book ‘Untold Lies’. Since then, she has been a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community and has dedicated her efforts to championing the rights of the community of all ages, particularly older queer voices. Raga is now launching Season 3 of her MyPrideYourPride Podcast, focusing on Older Queer Voices in May 2025. Read our full interview with her here.

Professor Emeritus Sue Sanders, CEO of Schools OUT and co-founder of UK LGBT+ History Month
Professor Sue Sanders is a pioneering force in inclusive education and anti-discrimination work. As CEO of Schools OUT UK and Co-founder of LGBT History Month UK, she has spent over four decades transforming the educational landscape to be more inclusive of LGBTQ+ identities. Her work has trained thousands of educators, reshaped curricula, and championed equality at every level of the system. An Emeritus Professor at the Harvey Milk Institute (2015) and long-time LGBTQ+ and disability rights activist, Sue has been instrumental in advising government bodies on hate crime policy, contributing to teacher union initiatives, and supporting anti-homophobia efforts across the UK. In 2004, she led the launch of the UK's first LGBT History Month, and in 2011, created The Classroom – a pioneering online resource offering free LGBTQ-inclusive lesson plans aligned with the national curriculum. Through her consultancy Chrysalis, writing, public speaking, and activism, Sue continues to advocate for radical, inclusive education and systemic change. Her legacy is one of cultural transformation, visibility, and unwavering commitment to justice.