WorkPride: Workshop - How to Be a Trans Ally

Speakers:

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  Rachel Reese

  CEO
  Global Butterflies

  Rachel originally trained as an Avionics Software Engineer working within the defence sector, later transferring to a senior position within HR. An interest in employment law led her to study for the Solicitors’ Final Examinations. As a woman with trans history she was unable to obtain a position within a law firm in the 1990s, so instead joined the University of Law working for 15 years in various senior operational roles leading up to Production Director. Rachel is founder and CEO of Global Butterflies, a company that is hugely successful in helping businesses to create trans & non-binary inclusive environments. Global Butterflies donates much of its time and profits to other LGBTQI causes and events. She was Vice Chair of The Law Society LGBT Lawyers Division Committee representing trans & non-binary solicitors and is a trans & non-binary ambassador for Aspiring Solicitors. Rachel has worked with many law firms regarding their trans & non-binary inclusion journeys. She is honoured to be a judge for the People in Law, InsideOut and OutVertising awards each year. In 2019, she wrote the acclaimed “Lloyds of London Trans & Non-binary Inclusion Guide” and also contributed to the popular “Guide to Gender Neutral Drafting” with the Government Legal Department. Rachel joined the IGLTAF trans & nonbinary board in 2021. Advising on tourism support for trans & non-binary travelers. D&I Leaders listed Rachel as one of their Inspirational D&I Leaders in 2021. In 2022, Rachel was listed as a Pride Inclusion Advocate by Pride Life Global. Also in 2022, Rachel was awarded the Chambers Crystal Award (with her wife Emma), for their visible work in trans & non-binary inclusion.

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  Emma Cusdin

  Director
  Global Butterflies

  Emma Cusdin has over 20 years’ experience in Human Resources having worked for global financial services organisations. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development. Emma is an openly trans woman, having transitioned in 2009, and she is passionate about raising awareness of trans & non-binary issues. Emma has spoken at many trans & non-binary events organised by leading private sector companies. She has been featured in the Financial Times and has written a number of blogs including for the Huffington Post and HR Zone. Emma was a Trustee for the Gender Identity Research & Education Society (GIRES) and she chaired the National Trans Youth Conference for 2 years in succession. She also was a co-founder for Trans*formation. She was delighted to receive the Positive LGBT Role Model Award at the National Diversity Awards and she appeared in the OUT at work top 50 UK LGBT Executives. In 2019, Emma was delighted to receive the Prime Minister’s Office Point of Light award in recognition for her tireless work in trans & non-binary inclusion. Emma is a Director at Global Butterflies, a company that has been extremely successful in bringing about trans & non-binary inclusion and acceptence within corporate organisations in the UK, US and Canada.

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  Nikki Phinyapincha

  Director of Media Relations & Communication
  Asialife Media (Thailand)

  Promoted as a Director of Media Relations and Communication in an international PR firm before turning 30, Nikki Phinyapincha is a communication business strategist as well as a spokesperson (VITO) for the Ministry of Tourism & Creative Economy, Republic of Indonesia for Thailand & Indochina market. With a Swiss Master degree in international tourism and professional background in corporate and branding communication, her career expands over several industries including tourism and hospitality, luxury products and international trade. Nikki is also the Chair of PRCA APAC Pride Network, Country Director of AYAN Thailand and DE&I keynote speaker advocating trans leadership and gender diverse workplace for various organizations including IBM, Hill+Knowlton Strategies TH and Karlshochschule Academy. Recently awarded The Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Professional Fellows Program (YSEALI PFP) by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Nikki also founded TransTalents, a blog with determined purpose to empower transgenders to thrive professionally and be a future leader in corporate companies no matter what barriers and limitations they face. Nothing is impossible.

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