LGBTQ+ Workplace Equality Heroes 2019 Awards
This is awarded to individuals and management members of companies who actively promote equality for LGBTQ+ employees – both in their companies and proactively through other initiatives.
Of the ten shortlisted, five were awarded:
Martin Hausenblas
Position: co-founder and member of the supervisory board
Company: Adler International
As an open supporter of LGBTQ+ equality, Martin serves as an inspiration for other business people. As an ambassador of diversity and tolerance, his companies encourage involvement in pro-LGBTQ+ public initiatives: Liftago partnered the Prague Pride Festival and Adler partnered the Fun and Run Against Homophobia. Last year, he participated in a discussion at the Czech Republic’s EU Representation with Commissioner Věra Jourová regarding prerequisite cooperation between companies and the public sphere.
Roman Kocián
Position: owner and CEO
Company: Primeros
As a long-term supporter of LGBTQ+ equality, Roman’s company supports many non-profit LGBTQ+ community-focused initiatives – especially the Czech AIDS Society and Prague Pride. Roman has addressed the Pride Business Forum several times, and last year personally supported the Jsme fér campaign and led his team’s involvement. Roman is an example of a leader who fearlessly leverages the LGBT topic in his company’s marcom.
Christian Noll
Position: General Manager, GTS
Company: IBM Central and Eastern Europe
Christian personally initiated, coordinated, and delivered a letter to Prime Minister Babiš in which IBM and other companies supported a proposal to legislate marriage for gay and lesbian couples in the Czech Republic. He also held a press conference in cooperation with Jsme fér and Vodafone to jointly promote this important step in mainstream media. Christian has been actively promoting LGBTQ+ rights for years by participating in the Pride Business Forum and related activities. He also supports non-profit organizations in the Czech Republic as a volunteer.
Alena Sochorová
Position: Enterprise Commercial Lead
Company: Microsoft Czech Republic & Slovakia Central and Eastern Europe
Alena is an example of long-term commitment to diversity and LGBTQ+ equality at work. Already in her previous tenure at Accenture, as an ally and member of senior management, she worked to promote the issue and involve other managers. She has also brought this commitment to Microsoft, personally committing the company as part of the Pride Business Forum initiative as well as motivating other members of the company’s management. She is a familiar presence – accompanied by colleagues as well as her son – at the Prague Pride parade.
Edita Šilhánová
Position: Legal & Corporate Affairs Director CZ, SK, HU
Company: Pivovary Staropramen
Edita advocated that Staropramen support the Prague Pride festival, as one of the first companies in the Czech Republic to publicly do so. Flying in the face of numerous shocked and negative reactions from the public and traditional beer drinkers, this support not only continued but also inspired many other companies to sign up. As a regular participant at Pride Business Forum events, Edita’s involvement sets a sterling example among production companies in our country.
The award ceremony took place on Thursday, June 20, 2019 at the residence and in the presence of US Ambassador Stephen B. King.
