Launched in 2015, OutQUORUM is the first and only initiative advocating for LGBTQ+ inclusion on corporate boards. OutQUORUM convenes senior leaders to drive LGBTQ+ representation and disclosure on boards, and to amplify the need for dramatically increased board-level diversity.
Peter Grauer, Chairman, Bloomberg LP
Ajay Banga, Vice Chairman, General Atlantic
Jim Smith, Former President/CEO, Thomson Reuters Corp
In 2021 and 2022, Out Leadership published “Visibility Counts,” the first-ever study mapping the proxy statements of all Fortune 1000 and 33,000 NASDAQ companies to identify those that include LGBTQ+ in their definition of board diversity. Sponsored by Egon Zehnder and Ropes & Gray, the report provides the data to support OutQUORUM’s efforts to harness the power of business leaders to drive change.
In 2016, OutQUORUM, sponsored by KPMG, launched the BoardFit program, the first-ever program designed to prepare LGBTQ+ candidates to join corporate boards and to add value and be board-ready from day 1. As part of the program, OutQUORUM created the largest database in the world of board-ready LGBTQ+ candidates, with a specific focus on intersectionality, with 35% women and 12% BIPOC representation.
The case for diversity at the Board level centers on the notion that Boards must be representative of a company's key stakeholders – inclusive of all aspects of diversity such as women, people of color and LGBTQ+, and should be drawn from employees, customers, vendors and associates.
Out Leadership is a convener and long-standing member of the Diverse Directors Coalition which includes Black Corporate Directors, Latino Corporate Directors Association and Ascend Pinnacle. We work with these organizations to ensure our efforts are part of a broader push for diversity on Corporate Boards.
In March 2023 we’ll hold our 3rd OutQUORUM Global Summit, which will feature the launch of an updated research study on diversity in Board representation, and an outstanding series of speakers which in the past have included Jim Fitterling, Esther Aguilera, Charlotte Hamilton, Jill Ader and Chris Holden.
Updates from the Asia Summit and the Gay Games, Board Diversity in the Hang Seng, Nexus ERG research, and current events out of the UK
Speaker Johnson, Author of National “Don’t Say Gay” Bill, Home State of Louisiana ranked 48th in the Country in this Year’s State LGBTQ+ Business Climate Index
HSBC, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, and Swire Host 10th Annual Out Leadership Asia Summit as LGBTQ+ Progress is Made in Tokyo and Hong Kong
A recap of the Australia Summit, the upcoming Asia Summit, and current events including Nasdaq's US Appeals Court victory
Co-Founder - Council for Global Equality
Founder - Portico Media and GagaOOLaLa
Project Manager - BP
Head of Legal, Asia Pacific - Bloomberg
Updates from the Asia Summit and the Gay Games, Board Diversity in the Hang Seng, Nexus ERG research, and current events out of the UK
Speaker Johnson, Author of National “Don’t Say Gay” Bill, Home State of Louisiana ranked 48th in the Country in this Year’s State LGBTQ+ Business Climate Index
HSBC, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, and Swire Host 10th Annual Out Leadership Asia Summit as LGBTQ+ Progress is Made in Tokyo and Hong Kong
A recap of the Australia Summit, the upcoming Asia Summit, and current events including Nasdaq's US Appeals Court victory
Co-Founder - Council for Global Equality
Founder - Portico Media and GagaOOLaLa
Project Manager - BP
Head of Legal, Asia Pacific - Bloomberg