The 2011 Executive Forum is approaching!

Preparations for the 2011 Executive Forum and Leadership Celebration--scheduled for March 28th-30th at the St. Regis in San Francisco--are well under way. Applications are currently being accepted and Executive Forum alums are encouraged to nominate both high-level and emerging lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) executives.

2010 Executive Forum participants.

In 2010, Out & Equal introduced a new class of participants, called the Emerging Executive Class, which broadened the scope of discussion to include voices from out employees on executive career tracks. In 2011, Out & Equal is proud to implement a new mentoring program within Executive Forum. Aimed at developing relationships between high-level out employees and Executive forum alums, this new program will provide opportunities to provide rising leaders with tools and training.

Selisse Berry, Founding Executive Director of Out & Equal remarked, “Each year, Executive Forum participants bring their individual expertise to the table for the benefit of the group. I am excited to reconnect with Executive Forum alumni and to welcome new voices to this ongoing discussion.”

For the 2011 Executive Forum Christie Hardwick will serve as Lead Facilitator for the fourth consecutive year. Hardwick will be joined by two Co-Facilitators: Rayona Sharpnack, founder of the Institute for Women’s Leadership and Gerry Hansen, former Charles Schwab executive. Co-Chairs for the 2011 Executive Forum are Julie Hogan, Region Vice President at Xerox and an Out & Equal Board Member, and Intuit’s Vice President of Finance Operations, Scott Beth. Biographies for all Executive Forum facilitators and co-chairs are available online.

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GLAD files amicus brief against DOMA

In its appeal against the “Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA),” GLAD (Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders) is working with the national law firm of Bingham McCutchen to prepare an amicus brief—or written statement to the court—centered on the business case for marriage equality.

As long-time advocates for this perspective, Out & Equal is encouraging businesses to sign onto the amicus brief. Business that join the amicus brief will provide a strong indication of support for workplace equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. This brief will address the realities of marriage inequality, specifically focusing on the adverse effects that discriminatory policies have on business.

Get more details from Out & Equal and from GLAD.

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China Town Call provides new perspectives on workplace equality

Out & Equal’s first-ever International Town Call on China took place on January 20th. Participants included out employees and ERG leaders from Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Australia.

Panel speakers discussed the difficulties that can occur when multinational corporations attempt to enforce progressive workplace policies in Asia. In an attempt to address such issues, Community Business, with support from Goldman Sachs and IBM launched an “LGBT Resource Guide for Employers in Hong Kong” in June of 2010. The guide, which was created to address the needs of LGBT employees and businesses alike, is available for download online.

Panelist Mark Kaplan explained that, “The whole business case for doing this kind of work is about companies being able to distinguish themselves as progressive employers. To be able to compete for the best staff, that’s really important.”

For more information on the LGBT community in China, download the full podcast, and view the entire slideshow.

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Stand out as a sponsor by promoting your company’s commitment to LGBT diversity!

Is your company looking for an opportunity to be at the forefront of the workplace equality movement locally, nationally or internationally? If so, Out & Equal invites you to consider sponsoring one or more of the following events and programs planned for 2011. Sponsor support is key to shaping the future of LGBT workplace equality. Check out the excellent sponsor benefits available for these upcoming events or programs:

•2011 Executive Forum, March 28-30, San Francisco, CA
•2011 Leadership Celebration Dinner, March 30, San Francisco, CA
•2011 Out & Equal Northeast Regional Summit, April 14, Rochester, NY
•2011 Out & Equal Workplace Summit, October 25-28, Dallas, TX
•LGBTCareerLink, online recruitment and career-search website

Please contact a member of the Out & Equal sponsor team with your questions or to sign up!
Sherrie Holmes,
Dave Bueché, or
Luis Vera.

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Out & Equal Northeast Regional Summit

Out & Equal New York Fingerlakes will host the 2011 Northeast Regional Workplace Summit on April 14, 2011 at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center in Rochester, New York. This Summit is jointly sponsored by Out & Equal Metro NY, Out & Equal Philadelphia and Out & Equal Washington DC and Gay Alliance of Genesee Valley. The Northeast regional Workplace Summit will feature a variety of speakers with both local and national perspectives and will provide networking opportunities throughout the Summit.

For more information on the 2011 Northeast Regional Summit and to register, click here.

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2011 Out & Equal Workplace Summit schedule restructuring

In a continued effort to improve the Out & Equal Workplace Summit experience, Out & Equal is announcing a revised schedule for the 2011 Workplace Summit with core programming shifted to earlier in the week. The first day of the 2011 Workplace Summit will open with a brunch plenary session on Tuesday October 25th and close with a gala dinner or Thursday October 27th with Friday October 28th reserved for leadership seminars. The new schedule will provide additional networking opportunities and overall, a more effective and exciting Summit.

For a full description of the 2011 Workplace Summit, please check out our website.

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