Pride Business Forum Hero Award
Recognise those who do more
There are people among us who work hard to make sure everyone in the company or organisation is treated fairly and feels safe. And they do it beyond what is expected of them. The Pride Business Forum Hero Award is for these special people. It is given every year to heroes and heroines whose work deserves recognition. Will you tell us who should receive the award this time?
Who you can nominate
Heroes and heroines can be anywhere, for example:
- Leaders in top management
- Members of your LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group (ERG)
- HR professionals
How to nominate somebody
To nominate someone, just fill out our form. Please give clear details, including a short biography, a photo, and your reasons for why you think they deserve the award.
Make sure the person agrees before you send the nomination.
Pride Business Forum Hero Award 2026
Pride Business Forum Hero Award acknowledges individuals and highlights the role of members of the top management of organizations / companies, members of employee resource groups, or employees in HR who actively advocate for equal conditions for LGBTQ+ employees in their organizations / companies, or work towards improving the status of LGBTQ+ people in society, all beyond their professional agenda.
This award represents special recognition for those individuals who excel in promoting equal opportunities for LGBTQ+ employees. It is focused on heroes who dedicate their energy and commitment to creating an inclusive work environment for LGBTQ+ colleagues in their organizations, going above and beyond their professional duties.
The Pride Business Forum Hero Award aims to emphasize the key role of these individuals in supporting equality and diversity in the workplace. This may include not only the implementation of specific measures and projects but also active leadership in dialogue and awareness for the rights of LGBTQ+ people, both within the organization and in society.
Category: Top management
Theresa Necker, Škoda Auto
As executive sponsor of the Škoda Proud employee group, Theresa Necker helps connect employee voices with Board-level decision-making and drives meaningful change across the company.
In 2025, she actively supported Prague Pride initiatives, Pride Month activities, the Elroq Respectline project, and promoted inclusive leadership both within Škoda Auto and at external industry events.
Veronika Ben Mansoura, Medtronic
As Medtronic’s lead for inclusion, diversity and equity, Veronika Ben Mansoura ensures long-term support for these efforts by securing and managing the budget for inclusion initiatives.
Beyond strategic leadership, she leads by example through her personal involvement. In 2025, she took part in the Pride flag-raising ceremony, helped build the Pride Village booth, volunteered at Pride events, and regularly participated in educational activities. Her hands-on approach and visible advocacy make her a true role model.
Martin Orgoník, T-Mobile
Martin Orgoník has been a driving force behind diversity and inclusion initiatives in his company. Thanks to his determination, the company joined Prague Pride, expanded its public support for LGBTQ+ inclusion, and became a Charity partner of the Pride Business Forum Fund.
In 2025, he helped strengthen cooperation with In IUSTITIA, promoted activities addressing hate speech, and worked closely with colleagues across the region to uphold the company’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and respect.
Category: HR professional
Dita Urbanová, Medtronic
As an HR Business Partner at Medtronic, Dita Urbanová has helped turn inclusion from a commitment into concrete policies and everyday practice. In 2025, she played a key role in finalizing the equalization of internal policies, ensuring fair and inclusive benefits for LGBTQ+ employees.
Through her leadership, she strengthened employee engagement and communication, promoted inclusive practices, and actively supported Pride initiatives, including Prague Pride and the annual flag-raising ceremony. Her strategic mindset and genuine commitment make her a strong advocate for inclusion.
Lenka Bočková, Škoda Auto
A long-standing ally of LGBTQ+ employees, Lenka Bočková helps shape a workplace culture built on equal treatment, psychological safety, and respect. In 2025, she initiated a working group on LGBTQ+ topics, contributed to guidance for supporting trans employees, facilitated educational workshops for HR colleagues, and actively participated in reverse mentoring initiatives.
Through her work, she brings LGBTQ+ perspectives into HR policies and everyday practice while continuing to inspire new allies across Škoda Auto.
Savanah Catalina, MSD
As an HR Business Partner at MSD, Savanah combines professional expertise with a deep commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion. As Co-Lead of the Rainbow Alliance employee resource group, she helps translate inclusion goals into meaningful action, strengthening employee wellbeing, policy alignment, and psychological safety.
In 2025, she supported Pride and key awareness initiatives, advanced diversity and inclusion goals, and helped ensure that policies, processes, and communications reflected the company’s commitment to inclusion.
Category: Member of LGBTQ+ employee resource group
Eva Krajčovičová, Vodafone
Beyond her role as a Finance Partner, Eva Krajčovičová has become a visible advocate for transgender and LGBTQ+ inclusion. Drawing on her own experience of coming out and transition, she has helped make workplace support more practical, accessible, and meaningful for others.
In 2025, she spoke on the Pride Business Forum panel “Trans Voices at Work”, supported fundraising for Trans*parent, volunteered at Prague Pride, and remained an active member of the employee resource group, helping create a safer and more inclusive workplace.
Markéta Matějová, GasNet
Markéta has been a consistent advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion throughout her professional life, driving positive change even in environments where such efforts are not always easy.
She founded and led GasNet’s first LGBTQ+ employee resource group, developed workplace guidance for transition, delivered training on coming out at work, and helped secure support for both the Pride Business Forum Fund and the sbarvouven.cz counselling service.
Rohitraj Pandey, SAP Services
Rohitraj has been a driving force behind diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts at SAP, combining strategic leadership with deep personal commitment. In 2025, he helped safeguard support for LGBTQIA+ employees during a period of increasing uncertainty, while continuing to advance key initiatives such as reverse mentoring, Coming Out Stars, inclusion events, and community support programmes.
As a speaker at major international conferences in Seattle, London, New Delhi, and Prague, he has helped strengthen the conversation on inclusion both within SAP and across the global business community.