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My name is James Rausch (he/him) and I am a gay leader and executive co-chair of RBC Capital Markets Pride Employee Resource Group (ERG) in Toronto. I was first introduced to Out Leadership by my team and am highly encouraged by their OutNEXT programming and education in support of young leaders, particularly the encouragement for community members to find and use their OutVantage.
RBC is a 10-plus year member of Out Leadership and a six-year global sponsor of OutNEXT. Last year, we hosted Toronto’s debut event, an OutNEXT salon that was met with overwhelming demand and strong engagement. For that reason, we are thrilled to bring Out Leadership back for a full Canadian Summit in Toronto later this month.
As Canada’s largest public company, RBC’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is more than one of our values – it is our strength. We believe our workforce should reflect the communities in which we serve and foster an environment where employees feel comfortable bringing their authentic selves to the workplace. By supporting our employees in this way, we can drive greater innovation, productivity, and individual well-being. This goes beyond providing diversity and inclusion training. RBC also provides all colleagues with a wide variety of resources and benefits, many of which can help meet the unique needs of LGBTQ+ individuals and their families. |
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| Pictured above: The 2023 OutNEXT Salon in Toronto, hosted by RBC Captial Marketrs |
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When I entered the workforce around 30 years ago, there were no organizations like Out Leadership. There were very few LGBTQ+ public figures I could connect with as role models, which made it difficult to bring my authentic self to the workplace. Today, it brings me tremendous joy when I see my LGBTQ+ staff comfortable enough to be out at work, and I am honoured every time I hear from someone that I’ve inspired as an out, gay, senior leader.
While I am lucky enough to work for a company and live in a country that believes that we should be measured not by who we love, but how we perform and treat others, there is still so much work to do. Out leaders are still underrepresented in the executive ranks and on corporate boards, and I am troubled by the rollback of diversity initiatives globally.
Together, whether we are a member of the community or an ally, we have the privilege and responsibility to drive the conversation. I encourage you all to be proud of your true selves and get involved. Thank you to Out Leadership for leading this conversation and I welcome you all to Toronto for Out Leadership’s first Canada Summit.
Warmest regards,
James Rausch
Managing Director and Head, Global Transaction Banking
RBC Capital Markets
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Here’s what you need to know this week…
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#1
Out Leadership Embarks on Global Tour to Advance LGBTQ+ Inclusion
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Out Leadership will embark on a series of international events this fall, bringing together business leaders, allies, and changemakers to drive LGBTQ+ equality through the power of business.
The tour begins in Sydney from October 21 to 24 with the Australia Summit, marking nine years of Out Leadership’s presence in the region. The event will feature cutting-edge research, high-profile speakers, and networking opportunities aimed at advancing LGBTQ+ leadership across industries.
The tour continues in Toronto on October 29 and 30 for the inaugural Canada Summit, building on Out Leadership’s global models to explore sustainable progress in equality. This gathering will bring senior leaders, allies, and activists together to strategize on driving long-term inclusion. On November 12, Out Leadership Founder & CEO Todd Sears will join global leaders at the Reykjavík Global Forum – Women Leaders, a cross-sector event focused on advancing gender parity and inclusive leadership.
The tour culminates at the London Stock Exchange on November 14 with a major announcement on board diversity, related to Out Leadership’s OutQUORUM initiative. The event will explore how LGBTQ+ representation in boardrooms drives better decision-making and long-term business value.
Through these global events, Out Leadership reaffirms that equality is not just a goal but a strategy for growth and innovation. |
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#2
Todd Sears to Speak at Reykjavík Global Forum, Advocating for Inclusive Leadership
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Out Leadership’s Founder and CEO, Todd Sears, will take the stage at the Reykjavík Global Forum – Women Leaders, joining an influential gathering of leaders from politics, business, civil society, arts, and academia. Since its launch in 2018, the forum has fostered cross-sector collaboration to drive gender parity under the theme “Power, Together.”
Sears’ participation underscores Out Leadership’s commitment to the intersection of gender and LGBTQ+ inclusion. Out Leadership’s OutWOMEN+ initiative, a global network for LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary individuals, aims to cultivate authentic leadership, increase visibility, and build meaningful connections.
Through OutWOMEN+, Out Leadership works to ensure LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary leaders have influence in shaping the future of business and society. Out Leadership research demonstrates that advancements for LGBTQ+ equality drive intersectional impact, increasing representation for women and other demographic groups.
Sears’ presence at the Reykjavík Global Forum signals Out Leadership’s ongoing efforts to engage with global changemakers, furthering conversations that champion intersectional leadership and promote meaningful inclusion across industries.
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#3
Out Leadership to Launch New Initiative on LGBTQ+ Board Diversity Alongside Latest OutQUORUM Report
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| Pictured above: Jane Barry-Moran (Managing Director, Programs & Research, Out Leadership), Susan Angele (Senior Advisor, Board Governance, KPMG’s Board Leadership Center) and Sally Sussman (Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Pfizer) at the 2023 OutQUORUM Summit Board Fit Workshop in New York, hosted by KPMG. |
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On November 14th at the London Stock Exchange, Out Leadership will introduce a new initiative advancing LGBTQ+ inclusion in corporate boardrooms, set to debut alongside the annual OutQUORUM Board Diversity Report. This effort builds on OutQUORUM’s work tracking LGBTQ+ directors and companies that include gender identity and sexual orientation in their board diversity metrics.
The initiative will further develop the pipeline of board-ready LGBTQ+ leaders through talent programs and provide companies with guidelines for inclusive board recruitment. The full announcement will be made on November 14th, underscoring Out Leadership’s commitment to aligning diversity with business impact and corporate accountability.
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#4
Chinese LGBTQ Activists Face Rising Repression, Report Warns
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A new report from the China Rainbow Collective, in partnership with China Rainbow Observation and Outright International, highlights the growing challenges faced by LGBTQ activists under China’s increasingly repressive environment. Titled “You Are on Our List: Urgent Support Needed for Chinese LGBTQ Activists at Risk,” the report draws on interviews with 16 activists, detailing legal restrictions, intensified surveillance, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced activism online amid tighter censorship.
The report outlines how recent laws like the Charity Law and the Counter-Espionage Law have restricted international funding and criminalized civil society efforts, leaving organizations without resources or legal protection. Activists also face extensive government surveillance, harassment, and intimidation targeting both their personal lives and social networks, fostering fear and mistrust within the movement.
Even in exile, activists encounter challenges, including transnational repression, language barriers, and exclusion within host countries’ LGBTQ communities. Despite these difficulties, many continue their advocacy while navigating cultural and social adjustment.
The report urges the international community to strengthen financial and advocacy support for Chinese LGBTQ activists, both within China and abroad, warning that without global solidarity, the space for activism will continue to shrink.
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#5
Select spots remain for the Australia Summit this week. Register now to secure your spot!
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Australia Summit 2024
21-24 October, 2024 | Sydney
Registration Open!
Events are filling up fast, ensure your team completes registration soon
Out Leadership’s Australia Summit is a must-attend annual event for LGBTQ+ leaders from C-Suite professionals to emerging talent. This is our 14th year in Australia and we are excited to share our cutting-edge research, showcase world-class speakers, and create inspiring networking opportunities. Add these dates to your calendar. Registration is open!
OutNEXT Salon & Reception
Monday, 21 October, 2024
2:00-7:00 PM AEST
OutWOMEN+ Breakfast
Tuesday, 22 October, 2024
9:00-11:00 AM AEST
CEO Dinner
Tuesday, 22 October, 2024
6:00-9:00 PM AEST
OutQUORUM Dinner
Wednesday, 23 October, 2024
6:00-8:30 PM AEST
VIP Celebration
Thursday. 23 October, 2024
6:00-9:00 PM AEST
Member allocation: 3-5 per member company; CEO Dinner is invite only
We have spots remaining for some of the events, which are reserved exclusively for our member firms and their invited client guests. If you would like to join, please register below. (We do have a waiting list for partner organizations as well as non-member firms who we will invite if those spots are not claimed.)
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