The work of HRC’s partners in Mexico City continued this past weekend with an incredible showing of support in the pride parade route. Representatives from the U.S. Embassy were joined by dozens of top-rated CEI businesses and members of HRC’s Global Business Coalition that have formed a local consortium of LGBT-inclusive companies called Pride Connection.
Newly stationed U.S. Ambassador Roberta Jacobson marched in the parade and mingled with parade-goers throughout the day. The U.S. Embassy in Mexico has hosted the Workplace Equality Program several times and continues to further our shared goals of equality by convening corporate partners, civil society and HRC for dialogue, workshops and projects.
Following the first international launch of the Corporate Equality Index last fall in Mexico City, the Workplace Equality team returned this summer to participate in Pride Connection’s inaugural summit on LGBT inclusion. The daylong summit brought over 200 corporate leaders and experts together for a bi-lingual sharing of the latest research and executive perspectives on the business case for LGBT inclusion.
Mary Beth Maxwell, senior vice president for programs, research and training, moderated an executive panel on the lived experiences and career insights from LGBT and allied leaders, Marianne Hasold-Schilter, executive vice president & chief administrative officer, International Banking; Andrew Wilson, chief information officer, Accenture; Tony Tenicela, global leader, Workforce Diversity and LGBT Markets, IBM; and, Louis Vega, chief of staff and global director at The Dow Chemical Company.
Deena Fidas, director of HRC’s Workplace Equality Program, presented on the genesis of the Corporate Equality Index and “La Inclusión LGBT: El Caso de Negocio,” or “LGBT Inclusion: The Business Case.”
The summit comes after several years of work across HRC, the U.S. Embassy and the tremendous advocates within the Pride Connection companies, as well civil society leaders. On its own it was an achievement, but also reflects the years of partnership and expanded work ahead to move equality forward.
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