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Moody’s Sustainability in Action: Ted Huang

Our employees help build a better business, support better lives, and deliver better solutions. Below Ted Huang, Moody’s Director - Business Development, shares the work he is leading to raise awareness and provide support for our LGBTQ+ colleagues and community in the APAC region.

To learn more about our DE&I initiatives and broader sustainability work, read our 2021 Stakeholder Sustainability Report.   


Q. How do you celebrate Pride Month and what does it mean to you?

Pride is a time to reflect on LGBTQ+ history and to celebrate the progress we've made towards equality and inclusion, while also recognizing that there is still work to be done. As a visible out and proud leader, I hope that the work I do with the Moody’s APAC Pride Business Resource Group (BRG) will help raise awareness amongst my colleagues of the LGBTQ+ community and the ways in which diversity helps strengthen Moody's as a whole.

Q. Who are some of your LGBTQ+ role models? 

As I start my third year in Hong Kong, I've gained inspiration from some of the locals who have advocated for LGBTQ+ equality. Recently, I had the pleasure to hear Gigi Chao speak at a virtual event hosted by one of our Hong Kong Interbank partners. She spoke about the significant work she's done to advocate for marriage equality in Hong Kong, saying how "important [it was] to break through the fear and self-censorship." I also had the pleasure of meeting Angus Leung and Michael Vidler, both of whom were instrumental in ensuring same-sex partnerships were recognized by the Hong Kong government when it came to spousal benefits and visas. Their work and advocacy inspire me and is a reason my husband and I can call Hong Kong home.

Q.  What are some ways that Moody's is creating an inclusive and supportive work environment for LGBTQ+ employees?

As Co-Chair of the APAC Pride BRG, and a previous steering committee member of the NY Pride BRG, I have seen Moody's commitment to supporting LGBTQ+ employees and their families, including the effort to continuously improve our benefits offerings. I'm proud to report that the APAC Pride BRG engaged with local HR representatives and medical benefits providers to expand coverage for medical expenses related to sexual and mental health, as well as for the cost of procedures for those seeking gender reassignment. These benefits were offered to employees in Hong Kong in September 2021 and in Singapore in January 2022.


In addition to these local efforts, Moody's global TIDE program provides LGBTQ+ employees, and other underserved groups, with the resources they need for professional development, including senior mentorship opportunities. We also partner with community organizations like the Hetrick-Martin Institute (the nation's oldest and largest organization helping LGBTQ+ youth) to support Queer Coders – a program that provides professional development and technical training to LGBTQ+ young adults aged 18-24. Our NY Pride BRG does important work to mentor these students and enhance their skills!

Q. What initiatives are you most proud of leading as Co-Chair of Moody's APAC Pride BRG?

I am very proud of the events that our BRG has held over the past two years. We have worked with employees and external partners from across the region to discuss important topics impacting the LGBTQ+ community, such as pronouns, mental health, and the glass ceiling for women in finance, and to celebrate the community's accomplishments. We also launched our inaugural Pride event in India in 2021, and continue to host signature events, in partnership with local organizations, in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, India and Sydney. This year's Pride events will focus on creating awareness and understanding of those who identify as transgender and will be multilingual to ensure that the concepts discussed are better relayed to local audiences.  

Q. What do you think people can do to raise awareness about important issues that impact the LGBTQ+ community in the APAC region and elsewhere?

My colleagues have many opportunities throughout the year to get involved with the Pride BRGs. Whether you identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community or as an ally, you can bring your knowledge to others in your circle to help guide the conversation and create a more inclusive environment for those who may not have a voice. If there's a topic that's unfamiliar, keep an open mind, be respectful, and don't be afraid to ask questions. In the end, if we give space for others to share their experiences, why not listen? You might learn something new!


As part of our commitment to sustainability, Moody's is supporting Better Lives by working to create a forward-thinking, inclusive culture for our people and communities. Read about our DE&I efforts here.


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