Out Leadership

Out Leadership
Name	Out Leadership
Type	Nonprofit organization
Founded	2007
Headquarters	New York City
Region served	Global
Key people	Adam R. Macy, Jennifer Park, (others)

Out Leadership is a global business network that works with senior executives, multinational corporations, and public figures to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion across workplaces and markets. Founded in 2007, it convenes leaders from finance, technology, law, and media to drive strategic change through mentoring, events, research, and advocacy. Its programs connect corporate executives with policymakers, civil society, and entertainment figures to accelerate equality in major cities and industries worldwide.

History

Out Leadership was established amid rising corporate engagement with LGBTQ+ issues in the late 2000s, paralleling movements by organizations such as Human Rights Campaign, Stonewall (charity), and GLAAD. Early activities intersected with initiatives from Deloitte, Goldman Sachs, and JPMorgan Chase on workplace diversity, while responding to legal developments like the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act and the evolving jurisprudence in cases such as United States v. Windsor and Obergefell v. Hodges. The organization expanded its presence from New York City to global hubs including London, Hong Kong, San Francisco, São Paulo, and Sydney, aligning with multinational events like World Economic Forum meetings and collaborating with institutions such as McKinsey & Company and Boston Consulting Group on research. Over time Out Leadership engaged with cultural partners tied to Academy Awards, Cannes Film Festival, and media outlets including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal to elevate workplace inclusion narratives.

Mission and Programs

The stated mission focuses on accelerating LGBTQ+ equality by mobilizing senior leaders from corporations such as Apple Inc., Microsoft, Amazon (company), Facebook, JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, HSBC, Unilever, and Procter & Gamble. Core programs include executive mentorship, policy briefings, and industry task forces similar in scope to efforts by Out & Equal Workplace Advocates and The Trevor Project. Signature offerings have ranged from CEO roundtables and private dinners to large conferences with speakers from Barack Obama, Ellen DeGeneres, and business figures like Tim Cook and Sheryl Sandberg. Research and benchmarking have often drawn on data practices comparable to Stonewall (charity) indices and corporate scorecards used by Glassdoor and Fortune (magazine). Regional initiatives target legal and social contexts shaped by developments in jurisdictions such as Brazil, India, South Africa, and Russia.

Leadership and Governance

Governance has brought together prominent executives, board members, and advisors from firms including Morgan Stanley, BlackRock, KPMG, PwC, and Ernst & Young. Leadership teams have engaged former public officials and diplomats linked to institutions like the United States Department of State, European Commission, and United Nations Development Programme. Advisory councils and boards often feature figures from Harvard University, Stanford University, Columbia University, and London School of Economics, as well as legal experts with ties to American Civil Liberties Union and Lambda Legal. Event steering committees have included executives from Netflix, Warner Bros., and Disney to bridge corporate, cultural, and policy realms.

Partnerships and Corporate Engagement

Out Leadership partners with multinational corporations, trade associations, and philanthropic entities such as Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Ford Foundation to launch targeted initiatives. Corporate partners have included Google, Intel, Salesforce, Visa, Mastercard, Citi, Barclays, and Deutsche Bank, leveraging employee resource group models popularized by firms like Accenture and IBM. Collaborative programs have intersected with legal advocacy groups like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International around decriminalization, non-discrimination, and benefits parity. Engagements have taken place alongside global fora including United Nations General Assembly side events, G20 discussions, and regional summits hosted by Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

Impact and Initiatives

Initiatives have targeted measurable improvements in corporate policies on nondiscrimination, trans-inclusive healthcare, parental leave, and supplier diversity, reflecting standards promoted by International Labour Organization and comparators such as DiversityInc. Public campaigns and leadership moments have featured celebrities and politicians from Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex to Justin Trudeau to amplify messages at events like World Pride and Pride Month observances. Out Leadership’s convenings aim to influence corporate procurement, workplace data collection, and global mobility policies in ways that echo reforms pursued by European Court of Human Rights rulings and national legislatures in countries such as Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia. Reported outcomes include CEO commitments, expanded LGBTQ+ benefits, and cross-border advocacy on legal reform.

Funding and Financials

Funding streams historically combine corporate sponsorships, membership dues from firms like McKinsey & Company and Goldman Sachs, philanthropic grants from foundations including MacArthur Foundation and Open Society Foundations, and revenue from paid events. Financial governance aligns with nonprofit reporting practices observed at organizations like Red Cross and United Way, with transparency subject to donor privacy and corporate confidentiality. Fiscal partnerships have enabled program scaling into markets across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America.

Category:LGBT rights organizations Category:International non-profit organizations