WorkPride Opening Welcome and Our First Panel of the Day: ERGs in 2021: In the Wake of COVID-19, How Integral to Business They Have Become

Employee Resources Groups (ERGs) have become an integral part of many organizations across the globe, where employees voluntarily take ownership for working on a variety of important subjects, such as diversity, sustainability and leadership skills.

11:00 - 11:05am: Welcome from myGwork
11:05 - 11:15am: Keynote from Global Head of Inclusion & Diversity & Belonging at Booking.com, Chuck Stephens

11:15 - 12:15pm: Opening Panel

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, ERGs seem to gain an especially relevant role by facilitating topics that were affected by the shift to remote work. ERGs are an essential part of creating and maintaining connections, namely in the form of virtual events, as well as promoting awareness for important issues such as mental health and wellbeing.

This panel will cover how ERGs worldwide have adapted to the reality of the pandemic and how they are helping organizations thrive through this difficult period.

In Partnership With

Speakers:

M

Benjamin Firth

Communications and Engagement Leader, LGBT+ Network Co-Chair
EY

Ben is Communications and Engagement Leader at EY in the UK. He’s also Co-Chair of Unity, EY’s LGBT+ employee network and a trustee of the charity, MindOut. Ben has over 15 years of corporate communications experience, gained through a variety of sectors in the UK and Australia. He’s passionate about working with leaders to drive positive change, business outcomes and inclusive cultures – all through compelling communication. Prior to EY, Ben spent eight years at the Financial Services Authority and Financial Conduct Authority working in internal and change communications throughout the financial crisis and shake-up of financial services regulation. Before then, he worked in corporate PR at Sydney Opera House and the University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Born and raised in Gloucestershire, Ben regularly gets back to the Cotswolds to enjoy the countryside and see his family. He met his Partner while living in Australia. They moved to the UK in 2008 and have been living in North London since. When Ben’s not at a spin class with Psycle London or more recently doing a HIIT at home, he’s usually at the theatre or socialising with friends.

CONNECT WITH ME
Charlie Clark

Associate - Commodities and Global Markets
Macquarie Group Limited

Associate within Commodities and Global Markets at Macquarie Group and Co-Chair of Macquarie's PRIDE network. He is an advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in and out of the workplace, he is a steering committee member of Interbank (a network of LGBTQ+ networks) and a volunteer for the BeYou Project (a safe space for LGBTQ+ youth).

CONNECT WITH ME
M

Laila (She/Her) Howard

Head of Customer Success

CONNECT WITH ME
M

Chuck Stephens

Global Head of Inclusion, Diversity, & Belonging
Booking.com

I am a Labor Economist by education which allowed me to to find my calling around Inclusion. Seeing the different realities and experience of people drove me to be a "pragmatic activist". For more than 20 years I have worked with some of the top employment brands to drive equity and inclusion on a global level. Growing up in the southeast United States, I did not see many out people. I hope in someway, that by living my truth, I can create space for someone else to feel empowered to love and express themselves authentically. As a kid, I wanted to be a pilot and have always loved travel. Working for Booking.com lets me bring people together, learn from each other, and explore the wonders of the world! https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckstephensatl/

CONNECT WITH ME
Roger STEEL

Managing Director, Hong Kong and Macau
WTW

Roger leads Willis Towers Watson’s business in Hong Kong and Macau and is a member of the Asia Matrix Leadership Team. Roger has 39 years of experience in senior roles in the insurance and consulting industries. He has worked in Hong Kong for 19 of the last 24 years, in both country CEO and regional roles in life insurance, pensions and professional services. He has served on the boards of companies in Hong Kong, mainland China and Malaysia. A licensed insurance broker and an experienced consultant, role has led major projects and client relationships across the region. Roger is also Chairman of Willis Towers Watson’s Asia Inclusion and Diversity Council, leading the firm’s efforts to engage its 4,500 employees across Asia to foster inclusivity and diversity, and sponsoring Asia I&D initiatives such as inclusive leadership training, I&D Awards, and participation and sponsorship of community events such as Pride, Dive In, Pink Dot and membership of LGBT, women’s and disability community organisations and events across the region. Roger serves with the Pink Alliance in Hong Kong and is a member of Interbank Hong Kong, having been a member of the Interbank Advisory Council for 2018-2020. Roger is an active participant, supporter and donor for LGBT community organisations including the Gay Games 2022, AIDS Concern and the Out in Hong Kong GLTA Tennis Tournament.

CONNECT WITH ME
Ella Slade

Global LGBT+ Leader
IBM

Hey, I'm Ella, my pronouns are they/them, I've worked at IBM for 7 years and the past two years I've been in my dream job as the Global LGBT+ Leader within IBM's Global Diversity and Inclusion team.

CONNECT WITH ME

	Date & Time	Jun 15, 2021
	Location	Online