Our names are Clayton Bush & Karlo Andrei Antalan, and we are two of Out Leadership’s 2024 Summer Interns. As our internships come to a close, we reflect on a transformative summer, soon to walk away with immense gratitude and renewed hope for LGBTQ+ equality.
From day one, we were fully immersed in Out Leadership’s mission. Assisting with the Member Council Meeting for the US Summit at Paul Weiss gave us an insider’s view of the organization’s vital role in connecting and empowering LGBTQ+ professionals across industries. This experience highlighted the tangible impact of OL’s work in shaping a more inclusive business world.
This internship has enabled each of us to leverage our unique skills and passions to advance the cause of LGBTQ+ equality championed by Out Leadership. Ayana has conducted her own research aimed at enhancing Out Leadership’s performance by analyzing our many product offering to our members. Clayton has created graphic design work, social media content, and written communications materials. Karlo has developed crucial one-pagers, restructured initiatives, and supported the executive team. Joey has assisted with essential research and data collection analyses. As interns, we have been hard at work.
Staffing the OutWOMEN+ reception hosted by Selendy Gay was a highlight, demonstrating the value of recognizing intersectional identities within the LGBTQ+ community. This event provided senior-level LGBTQ+ women in finance, law, and tech the opportunity to connect and mentor others, underlining the importance of representation at the highest levels of business.
As we prepared for our first events at the US Summit, sorting through name tags of LGBTQ+ professionals, we realized each name represented a unique story of resilience and success. This simple task crystallized our commitment to creating inclusive spaces in our future careers, reminding us of the crucial nature of the initiatives spearheaded by OL. Because of these experiences, we’re filled with optimism about the future of LGBTQ+ equality in the corporate world.
The connections we’ve made, stories we’ve heard, and work we’ve contributed to have reinforced our belief in the power of visibility and advocacy. We’re deeply grateful for the opportunity to have been part of the Out Leadership team this summer, which has not only enhanced our professional skills but strengthened our commitment to being agents of change.
Thank you for your leadership and for creating a space where young LGBTQ+ professionals like us can learn, grow, and envision a more inclusive future for all.
With gratitude and pride,
Clayton Bush & Karlo Andrei Antalan
Out Leadership Summer Interns, 2024
Meet the Interns….
#1
Clayton Bush
Pictured above: Clayton’s graduation from the University of Florida!
Clayton is a recent graduate from the University of Florida and is working with the Marketing, Communications, & Creative Team here at Out Leadership!
Throughout his time at the University of Florida, he has been able to utilize his skills and passions to champion inclusivity and representation. From assuming leadership roles and active service within his campus’ community to gaining invaluable experience through internships on Capitol Hill, Clayton has remained steadfast in his mission to ensure that every voice is heard.
Looking ahead, in the fashion of his childhood hero and icon — Elle Woods, Clayton’s aspirations extend towards obtaining a law degree to further equip himself in the pursuit of fostering an inclusive and equitable society. What, like it’s hard?
While heavily inspired by Ms. Woods, his interest in law and policy doesn’t simply stem from the early 2000’s icon, instead it comes from his deep-rooted desire to translate lived experiences into impactful change, advocating for the voices of the many intersectional identities within the LGBTQ+ community and society as a whole.
Connect with Clayton on LinkedIn here.
#2
Ayana Hori
Pictured above: Ayana at the Venetian Glass Museum in Hakone, Japan!
Although Ayana prefers to spend her time in nature, whether that be camping or fishing, Ayana Hori is a talented professional both inside the office and out with a wealth of experience in enterprise sales and program management in the tech industry. Right now, she’s sharpening her skills at Columbia Business School, focusing on organizational strategy and consulting projects. In May, she joined Out Leadership through the Social Enterprise Summer Fellowship Program, thanks to the support from The Tamer Institute for Social Enterprise and Climate Change at Columbia University.
Before this, Ayana spent over five years at Microsoft, where she thrived in enterprise sales, working with Fortune 500 companies, and gained valuable experience in program management. She’s also passionate about diversity and inclusion, shown by her active role in Microsoft GLEAM Japan, a group supporting the LGBTQIA+ community.
A massive congratulations to Ayana for her recent engagement! Ayana proposed to her partner this summer in Venice, Italy!
Connect with her on LinkedIn here.
#3
Karlo Andrei Antalan
Pictured above: Karlo with the penguins in South Africa!
Karlo Andrei Antalan, often found singing around the office, is a rising senior at Princeton University working with the Executive Team at Out Leadership!
Passionate about social impact, Karlo has experience working with nonprofits in the Bronx and healthcare organizations in New York and South Africa. His work focuses on amplifying individual voices while advocating for broader industry and policy changes. Passionate about social impact, Karlo aims to leverage his diverse background to drive meaningful change at the intersection of nonprofit and corporate advocacy. He is committed to developing innovative, cross-sector solutions that promote equity, inclusion, and sustainable progress.
Looking forward, Karlo aspires to pursue further studies in business administration, healthcare administration, and public health. Inspired by his healthcare hero, Dr. Anthony Fauci, he hopes to one day drive systemic reform in the United States through enterprise initiatives, policy creation, and investments, all in the hopes of providing compassionate and high quality care to all.
Connect with Karlo on LinkedIn here.
#4
Joey Seo
Pictured above: Joey with his sustainability consulting professor Rachel Kowal in front of the largest volcano in Costa Rica!
Joey is a rising senior from New York University and is working with the Programs & Research Team here at Out Leadership!
While at NYU, Joey has created and assisted numerous start-ups that gave him the skills and passion to help out leaders strategize ways to curate an inclusive business culture. After recently working at a fashion management consulting firm, Joey wants to bring his experience in strategizing teams and growth to Out Leadership to ensure clients are moving towards a more equitable future.
In the style of one of his industry heroes, Freddie Mercury, Joey wants to create a production studio that focuses on film, music, and fashion that helps push diversity in art culture. He has noticed the lack of representation in mainstream media and aims to shift what is considered the norm. His mission is centered around highlighting voices and stories of communities that rarely have their stories told. He hopes to create art that can humanize the artist and inspire a better understanding of one another and our communities.
Connect with Joey on LinkedIn here.