25 Years of dbPride

It was a happy coincidence when my friends at Out Leadership reached out to write a letter on Deutsche Bank’s Pride network and our leadership and advocacy in the LGBTQ+ community. This year we proudly celebrate 25 years of dbPride, marking a quarter-century of unwavering commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion, advocacy, and progress. What began as a grassroots movement has flourished into a global force – shaping policies, fostering belonging, and championing the power of authenticity in the workplace and beyond. As we honor this milestone, we are not just reflecting on how far we’ve come-we are looking ahead, building bridges that span continents and deepening our impact across industries.

What makes dbPride truly special is its dedication to fostering an environment where everyone can bring their full, authentic selves to work. For over a decade, Deutsche Bank has been at the forefront of LGBTQ+ equality, not just through policies, but through action—driving meaningful change within the bank and across the financial industry. Last year’s “This is Us. This is Deutsche Bank” campaign was a powerful reflection of this commitment, amplifying the voices and stories of our LGBTQ+ employees and allies worldwide. It was more than just a celebration; it was a bold statement that inclusion is not just what we do—it’s who we are. As we mark 25 years of dbPride, we remain dedicated to shaping a workplace and a world where diversity is embraced, equity is pursued, and every individual is empowered to succeed.

Deutsche Bank has long been a pioneer in advancing transgender inclusion, from hosting the first-ever Transgender Economic Empowerment Forum with Laverne Cox to driving industry-wide conversations and opportunity. Building on this legacy, this year, we’re expanding our reach with the Trans-Atlantic Summit, a groundbreaking initiative in partnership with Out Leadership, designed to bring together voices from both sides of the Atlantic in a shared mission of empowerment and equity. At its core, this summit is driven by a simple yet profound belief: we are stronger together. By locking arms across borders, industries, and experiences, we can tackle the challenges ahead with collective strength, resilience, and unwavering solidarity. Together, we are not just advocating for change—we are building a future where transgender and non-binary individuals can thrive, no matter where they are in the world.

This year holds profound significance for the LGBTQ+ community, as we find ourselves facing renewed challenges that echo the very barriers Todd and I encountered when we first stepped into the financial services industry. The hard-fought progress we have made is under threat, reminding us that equality is never guaranteed—it must be defended with unwavering resolve. That’s why collaboration across organizations is not just necessary but essential. By locking arms and standing together, we can push back against discrimination, amplify our voices, and drive meaningful change. In unity, we find strength, and in collective action, we forge a future where every individual, regardless of identity, can thrive without fear.

Sincerely,

Jon Tilli
Chair, dbPride Global

Yesterday we hosted our Third Global Town Hall featuring the brilliant Kenji Yoshino, Chief Justice Earl Warren Professor of Constitutional Law at NYU School of Law and Faculty Director of the Meltzer Center of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging.

This was an extremely relevant and topical discussion concerning LGBTQ+ discrimination, civil rights, and the urgent need to strengthen workplace inclusion, especially in the midst of the current administration’s attacks on our community.

This conversation is especially timely, as this week, the current American President is on a personal vendetta toward the law firms that went after him– which also happen to be the same ones protecting inclusion efforts.

If you didn’t have a chance to tune in, you can watch the recording below. Please share it with your coworkers, peers, friends, and family as well.

The world’s first and only Transgender and Nonbinary Leadership Summit in history is making history again—this time happening simultaneously in New York and London! We’re officially Trans-Atlantic!

Out Leadership, with the support of our incredible partner Deutsche Bank, and our stellar co-chairs Mila Jam, Devin Norelle, and Hannah & Jake Graf, are excited to celebrate Trans+ joy, visibility and strength at our 2nd annual Summit on March 31, Trans Day of Visibility! We have an incredible group of speakers this year who are dynamic, fearless, and full of heart, and more are being added as the event gets closer. This is shaping up to be a truly unforgettable day.

At a time when the Trans+ community is coping with waves of legislative threats and cruel attacks, this welcoming and upbeat gathering brings together trans and nonbinary business leaders, artists, cultural visionaries, LGBTQ+ supporters, and allies in a supportive and empowering atmosphere! Keep an eye out for exciting content from this inspiring, one-of-a-kind convening.

The Out to Succeed 3.0 survey is here! Help shape the future of LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion by sharing your experiences.

This 15-minute survey is open to LGBTQ+ professionals and undergrad/graduate students. Your anonymized insights will contribute to a global report analyzing workplace trends and guiding businesses on how to attract, develop, and retain top LGBTQ+ talent.

This year, we’re diving deeper into global intersectionality—examining how diverse identities influence workplace experiences across different regions and industries.

Take the survey today and share it with your ERG, colleagues, and networks! Read Out Leadership’s Out to Succeed 1.0 and 2.0 reports to learn more.

We had a FABULOUS time at the OutWOMEN+ Breakfast last week, in celebration of Women’s History Month! Thank you so much to Citi for partnering with us to make this event come to life.

We were blown away by the insights of our incredible speakers Kerith Jane Conron, Maria Paula Tenorio Useche, and Devin Norelle, as well as our rockstar moderator Karen Carter.

The panel went into detail on the importance of allyship in the workplace, focusing closely on unexpected mentors, fostering solidarity, and addressing the challenges of women and queer professionals today.