Pride Business Forum Heroes recognizes individuals and highlights the role of top management of organizations/companies that actively promote a level playing field for LGBTQ+ employees in their organizations/companies, or proactively advocate for improving the position of LGBTQ+ people in society.
 

Category: Top management

 
 

Ladislav Kučera, Human Resources Director SAP Czech Republic and Slovakia

Ladislav Kučera, Human Resources Director SAP Czech Republic and Slovakia

Ladislav is a Prime Ally of the SAP’s LGBTQ+ community, he is a key spokesperson and amplifier to the D&I-related issues and a great support for the Pride@SAP Czech Republic. In his HR Director role Ladislav among other drives high employee engagement and creates a consistent work and cultural environment for employees to thrive with a strong focus on D&I.

 

David Lhota, Country Manager, WPP

David Lhota, Country Manager, WPP

David is an important ally and a rare example of how a CEO can change company culture with his active approach. He enthusiastically tackled the topic and brought WPP to the Pride Business Forum as a Premium Member. With his active support, an WPP employee resource group was created. The company actively approaches explaining the importance of the topic both internally and externally.

 

Martin Zelenka, Data Governance Expert ČSOB; Leader of ERG Proud

Martin Zelenka, Data Governance Expert ČSOB; Leader of ERG Proud

Martin has led the Proud Employee resource group, which unites LGBTQ+ employees at ČSOB. During his time, ČSOB received awards in the LGBTQ+ Friendly Employer competition for Employee Resource Group of the Year, Big Step Forward, and in 2021, ČSOB became a bronze employer. Martin serves as an invaluable role model for all Employee Resource Group (ERG) leaders, as he exemplifies the extraordinary accomplishments that can be attained from within the ranks of an organization.

 

Jan Kotík, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, ŠKODA AUTO a.s.

Jan Kotík, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, ŠKODA AUTO a.s.

Jan has courageously and energetically embarked on addressing LGBTQ+ inclusion at ŠKODA AUTO. Thanks to his efforts ŠKODA AUTO joined the Pride Business Forum in 2021 He was pivotal in establishing and activating the internal employee resource group ŠKODA Proud. In 2022, thanks to Jan’s unwavering commitment, the training of all HR generalists within the company was successfully conducted. Jan serves as an essential role model, which holds particular significance within the manufacturing industry.

 

Jana Vychroňová, Diversity & Inclusion Manager, Vodafone

Jana Vychroňová, Diversity & Inclusion Manager, Vodafone

Jana has been active in the area of ​​Diversity & Inclusion since 2014. Primarily thanks to her enormous and unrelenting commitment, Vodafone Czech Republic has become an inspiration in the area of ​​LGBTQ+ for other companies. Thanks to a broad range of internal and external activities, Vodafone is a proud holder of many awards. Last but not least, Jana is a role model for other straight allies.

 

Kateřina Nosek, Country Communication and Patient Engagement Head, Novartis Czech Republic

Kateřina Nosek, Country Communication and Patient Engagement Head, Novartis Czech Republic

Kateřina is the proud sponsor of One Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion ERG (OneDEI) in the Czech Republic and provides counsel, support, and guidance to the ERG Leads and Members, including Pride Czechia. Also thanks to her support and counsel the Proud @ Novartis excelled and received the Employee driven initiative award!

 
 

Pride Business Forum Fund
Chairman Award

 

Roman Samotný

Roman Samotný

Pride Business Forum Fund Chairman Award goes to Roman Samotný, the spokesperson of the Ide nám o život organization and owner of the Tepláreň club in Bratislava, where a homophobic terrorist attack took place on October 12, 2022. This award recognizes his determination and commitment to advocating for a safer Slovakia for LGBTQ+ people following the mentioned attack, which claimed the lives of two innocent individuals, Juraj and Matúš.