Today, more than 130 senior LGBT and Ally business leaders from Australia and the Asia-Pacific region will convene for the first Out Leadership Summit in Australia, hosted by HSBC Australia.
Out Leadership Summits convenes a select group of senior executives to engage in the global conversation at the intersection of LGBTI and business – and to emphasise the opportunity that LGBTI equality presents as a driver of business value and competitive advantage.
The Out Leadership Summit will be hosted by Tony Cripps, CEO Of HSBC, and moderated by Todd G. Sears, Founder and Principal, Out Leadership.
Guest speakers at the Inaugural event include:
- Anthony Venn-Brown, CEO of Ambassadors & Bridge Builders International
- Catherine McGregor AM
- Kieran Moore, CEO, Ogilvy PR
- The Honourable Michael Kirby, AC CMG
- Paul Zahra, Global Retail Advisor
- The Honourable Senator Penny Wong
- Peta Granger, Director, LUSH Australasia
- The Venerable Rod Bower, Archdeacon of the Central Coast. Anglican Priest
- Tiernan Brady, Political Director, Yes Equality
- Tom Snow, CoChair, Australians for Equality and Director, Canberra Airport
- Wendy McCarthy, OA
- Zalman Kastel, National Director, Together for Humanity
Speakers will discuss Australia’s progress towards a more equal society for LGBTI people, and how business has been involved moving forward. Facilitated panel discussions will touch on religion, business and LGBTI equality and CEOs taking the lead on global LGBTI equality.
“HSBC has been a long-standing member of Out Leadership, and as an organisation we are proud to continue to champion equality and inclusion for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community at all levels and areas of our business,” said Tony Cripps, CEO of HSBC Australia.
“In Australia, legal rights for the LGBTI community, such as marriage equality, are yet to match up to the expectations of the broader community – a disparity we hope to see change in the near future. This current disparity is all the more reason for business leaders like us to keep striving for LGBTI equality within our organisations and across our networks.”
“When it comes to advancing LGBTI rights, there’s no more powerful force than the business community,” said Todd G. Sears, Founder & Principal, Out Leadership.
“In the United States, business led the way towards marriage equality – the more than 900 companies who have stood up for it here in Australia are in good company. When business leaders stand up and speak out for LGBTI rights, governments tend to listen.”