Networks of Support – annual Pride Business Forum conference

Event Details

Andrea Stašek

Andrea Stašek is a researcher at the Psychology Research Institute (INPSY) and a PhD student in Clinical Psychology at the Faculty of Social Sciences, MU. Beyond their focus on LGBTQIA+ psychology and health, their research interests include video gaming, methodology, ethics, and data analysis. They are the chair of the Q-Hub, an NGO that publishes evidence-based information about queer health on www.q-psy.cz and is dedicated to the education of the public and professionals.

Czeslaw Walek

Czeslaw graduated from the Law Faculties of Jagiellonian and Central European universities. He worked in both the government sector and the non-government sector. As the Czech Deputy Minister for Human Rights, he was responsible for creating, adopting, and implementing domestic policies on human rights protection. Between 2011 - 2022 Czeslaw chaired Prague Pride, the leading organization focusing on LGBT+ rights in the Czech Republic. Until 2015 Czeslaw was the managing director of the Prague Pride festival, making it the biggest Pride festival in post-communist countries. 

In 2016 as a part of the Fulbright Scholarship, Czeslaw was a Global Fellow of Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, where he implemented a Global program of the organization. After returning to Prague, he started to manage Jsme fér, the marriage equality campaign, and Pride Business Forum, a platform focusing on LGBT+ equality in the workplace. In 2011 Czeslaw was awarded with Alice G. Masaryk Human Rights Award for his dedication to promoting human rights.

David Tišer

David Tišer is the director of ARA ART, which focuses on culture with a social overlap, education and advocacy for the Roma LGBTAIQ community. He is also teacher and theatre director. He is member of the Government Council for Roma Minority Affairs and a member of the Committee on Sexual Minority Rights. David is the founder of the European Roma LGBTAIQ movement. David is a laureate of the Museum of Romani Culture Award (2018). He is also the recipient of the František Kriegel Award for Bravery (2019), awarded by Charter 77. In 2019, he received the title of Prague Pride Marshal. He is also a new Ashoka Fellow.

Kim Dabbs

Kim Dabbs, a global leader in Belonging and Purpose, draws from her unique life journey to advocate for inclusion. Born in Korea, adopted by American parents, her experiences fuel her passion for creating spaces where everyone feels they belong. As Global VP of ESG and Social Innovation at Steelcase, she leverages her social innovation expertise to foster inclusive environments. A sought-after speaker, she has addressed audiences at Google, Microsoft, MIT, and more. Her book, "You Belong Here: The Power of Being Seen, Heard and Valued on Your Own Terms," chronicles her shift from cultural adaptation to championing self-belonging.

Lucie Neumannová

Lucie is the CEO and co-founder of Femme Palette, a mentoring platform. She lived in San Francisco for 6 years and worked in various marketing and design roles for tech startups across Silicon Valley. She experienced firsthand the impact mentoring can have on someone’s career when switching from marketing to a UX design role. In 2018 she co-founded Femme Palette to create a supportive community for women and help people grow in their careers through personalized mentoring.

Michal Pitoňák

Michal leads the Mental and Public Health Working Group for Sexually and Gender Diverse People at the National Institute of Mental Health and conducts interdisciplinary research at Charles University. His work focuses on the effects of stigma and minority stress on queer identities and mental health, as well as on the societal standing of LGBTQ+ people and the geographies of sexualities. As chair of Queer Geography, an NGO promoting evidence-based advocacy, and a member of governmental committees, he actively advocates for LGBTQ+ rights.

Tereza Kadlecová
Tereza Kadlecová is the Executive Director of the Pride Business Forum Foundation and an expert in the domains of education and human rights. She has many years of experience in managing human rights, education and awareness raising projects at Pride Business Forum, Prague Pride and People in Need. In addition to her management work, Tereza's enduring commitment lies in fostering direct engagement with individuals through leading and facilitating educational workshops, courses and lectures. Tereza takes immense pride in her role as a devoted mother of two sons, whom she raises alongside her life partner.

Violeta Luca

Violeta has been in charge of Czech Vodafone since January 2024. Before that, she was the CEO of Microsoft Czech Republic and Slovakia. And before that, she was the CEO of Microsoft in Romania. Violeta Luca has managed transformation projects in retail, banking, e-commerce, healthcare and telecommunications. She has long focused on the development of digital skills, innovation and support for start-ups; she also provides active mentoring to empower women in their professional and management careers. She has received numerous awards and was recognised by Forbes as one of the 20 most influential women in Fintech in the CR and one of the TOP CEOs in 2023. In the Manager of the Year 2022 competition, she won in the Foreign Manager category. Before joining Microsoft, she worked at companies such as Metro Cash & Carry, Dante International, Flanco Retail, Whirlpool and AIG. She graduated from the Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest, Romania.

Václav Horecký

Václav works at Škoda Auto. He focuses on corporate culture and agile mindset. In the past, he worked as a language specialist organizing programs for employees. He is a part of the Škoda Proud ERG group for the support of LGBTQ+ topics in the company.

He is also a volunteer and mentor at the Sbarvouven.cz counselling centre, where he draws from his personal life experience to work with clients. In his free time, he studies personal development, emotional intelligence, and other topics.

Date: 17/06/2024

Start time: 09:00 CEST

Venue: Marriott Prague I V Celnici 8, 110 00 Nové Město