Dear Leaders,
Greetings from Tokyo, where last night Edward Weeks, the CEO of HSBC Japan, and I hosted the first CEO Dinner to discuss LGBTQ+ rights in Japan’s history! We were joined by 19 other CEOs from across the business community here, and I could not have been more excited about the energy in the room. The commitment to driving LGBTQ+ equality – including expanding the collective business push towards marriage equality in Japan – was palpable. And just like our CEO Dinner in Australia last month, the leaders here are going to reconvene next quarter to keep up the momentum from last week’s announcement that Tokyo will allow registration of same-sex partnerships!
This gorgeous dinner at the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo was an incredible way to kick off Out Leadership’s 9th LGBTQ+ Leadership Summit in Asia (be sure to check out our social feeds for photos soon)! I’ll write more next week about our exciting Return on Equality: Asia Insurance Event, hosted by Greg Hingston, CEO of HSBC Global Insurance & Partnerships, with four other CEOs to discuss changing the face of insurance. This event will build off our success in 2018 helping HSBC launch the first-ever policy for same-sex couples in Hong Kong!
In early December, we will also host two OutNEXT emerging LGBTQ+ Talent events, welcoming the best and brightest young leaders across Asia to our learning modules, world-class speakers, and live virtual mentoring sessions. It’s going to be an exciting couple of weeks!
Meanwhile, back in the US (where my dog Wylie is patiently waiting for my return home), we’re still awaiting the final results of this critically important election. However, it is already clear that much of our country rejected hatred, bigotry, and lies – something I’m seeing and hearing around the world as well. No matter the final outcome, I’m heartened by and optimistic about the Out Leadership business community around the world – who will never back down, will never regress, and will always advance.
Thank you for being a part of it.
Forward,
Todd G. Sears
Founder and CEO
Out Leadership