Kite Pharma signs the Declaration of Amsterdam

Amsterdam 6 June, 2024. Kite Pharma, a pioneering leader in the field of cell therapy, have officially signed the Declaration of Amsterdam during the Pride Daybreaker event at their Hoofddorp office. This significant occasion emphasised the company’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace environment.

Chris Crowell – VP,  Operations – Site Head EU Manufacturing Kite Pharma with David Pollard Executive Director Workplace Pride.

As a proud member of Workplace Pride, Kite Pharma’s decision to endorse the Declaration of Amsterdam highlighted their dedication to equality and acceptance within their corporate culture. The Declaration calls for comprehensive LGBTIQ+ inclusion in workplaces across the globe, aligning with Kite Pharma’s values of diversity, respect, and innovation.

Chris Crowell, Vice President of Operations and Site Head EU Manufacturing at Kite Pharma, signed the Declaration alongside David Pollard, Executive Director of Workplace Pride.

“In these challenging times, it is important that employers take a visible stance on their support for LGBTIQ+ workplace inclusion. By signing the Declaration of Amsterdam, Kite Pharma is raising the bar on their commitment, not just within their own organisation, but also externally,” said David Pollard, Executive Director, Workplace Pride.

Kaneesha A. Nadal (They/Them) Cell therapy specialist I+ at Kite Pharma

The signing ceremony took place during the Pride Daybreaker event, a celebration dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion within the workplace. The event was attended by key members of Kite Pharma’s leadership team, representatives from Workplace Pride, and other inclusion groups committed to fostering inclusivity in the corporate world. It featured speeches, networking opportunities, and a discussion on the importance of LGBTIQ+ inclusion in the workplace.

Kite Pharma’s endorsement of the Declaration of Amsterdam was not just a symbolic gesture but a tangible action that demonstrated their ongoing commitment to creating a workplace where everyone could thrive. Kite Pharma hopes that this move would inspire other organisations to follow suit and prioritise inclusivity in their own workplaces.

About Kite Pharma

Founded in 2009 as a pioneer in cell therapy research, Kite’s leadership position in the immuno-oncology space was solidified with our research and development agreement with the National Cancer Institute in 2012 and when our commercial manufacturing site opened in El Segundo in 2016. Since our acquisition by biopharma leader Gilead Sciences in October 2017, our combined strength has accelerated the advancement of our pipeline, including the launch of YESCARTA® (axicabtagene ciloleucel) and TECARTUS® (brexucabtagene autoleucel), and has expanded the impact of our strategic partnerships.

As an independent operating company since 2019, we prioritise innovative R&D with the full resources, capabilities, and trust of Gilead. As a vital part of Gilead — a founding member of the Foundation for the NIH’s Partnership for Accelerating Cancer Therapies — we are devoted to advancing the understanding of cell therapy as a transformational treatment option for cancer. The combined strength of Kite and Gilead allows us to remain innovative, agile, and ambitious in our mission to keep improving the lives of people with all types of cancer.

Clifford Chance Advances Inclusivity with Declaration of Amsterdam Signing, Reinforcing Commitment to Diverse Work Environment

Ilse van Gasteren, Partner, Clifford Chance LLP with David Pollard, Executive Director Workplace Pride

In a significant leap forward, global legal solutions provider Clifford Chance  (https://www.cliffordchance.com/) signs the Declaration of Amsterdam (https://lnkd.in/eDRCG-UB), reaffirming its dedication to cultivating an inclusive and diverse workplace. The Declaration of Amsterdam represents an innovative initiative that places shared responsibility for greater LGBTIQ+ workplace inclusion on both employers and employees. For Clifford Chance, this milestone signifies a groundbreaking advancement in creating an environment where every individual can embrace their true selves, with the voices of the LGBTIQ+ community actively involved in shaping the organisation’s direction.

David Pollard, Executive Director of Workplace Pride, congratulated Clifford Chance on this milestone, emphasising the significance of the Declaration of Amsterdam as a compass guiding employers and employees toward genuine inclusivity. “Today, Clifford Chance showcases its unwavering dedication to protecting the rights and integrity of the LGBTIQ+ community in the workplace.”

Clifford Chance’s commitment to the Declaration of Amsterdam extends beyond symbolic gestures. It reflects the organisation’s genuine dedication to upholding the rights and well-being of the LGBTIQ+ community within its ranks. By embracing diversity and championing authenticity, Clifford Chance sets an exemplary standard for other law firms to follow. Their actions not only solidify their position as a leader in the legal community but also serve as inspiration for cultivating workplaces that foster free expression and inclusivity.

Today, we join together in celebrating Clifford Chance’s remarkable achievement. Let us continue to strive for inclusivity and equality, ensuring that our workplaces are genuine reflections of the vibrant and diverse world we live in.

For media inquiries, please contact:

info@workplacepride.org

#WorkplacePride #CliffordChance #InclusivityMatters #DiversityandInclusion #LGBTIQ+ #DeclarationofAmsterdam #WorkplaceEquality

TNO Takes a Significant Step Forward by Signing the Declaration of Amsterdam, Reinforcing its Commitment to an Inclusive and Diverse Work Environment


Left Image Michiel Kolman Co-Chair Workplace Pride & Tjark Tjin-A-Tsoi CEO TNO
Above Tjark Tjin-A-Tsoi CEO TNO, Michiel Kolman Co-Chair Workplace Pride, Remke Verdegem TNN, Anne-Fleur Veenstra Scientific Director TNO

TNO, a leading organisation in applied research, is proud to announce its momentous achievement of signing the Declaration of Amsterdam . This important step underscores TNO’s unwavering dedication to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.

The Declaration of Amsterdam, an innovative initiative that places responsibility for greater LGBTIQ+ workplace inclusion on both employers and employees, marks a groundbreaking milestone for TNO. By actively involving the voices of the LGBTIQ+ community, this joint effort demonstrates a significant advancement towards creating an environment where every individual can embrace their true selves.

David Pollard, Executive Director of Workplace Pride, shared his congratulations on TNO’s milestone: “Just as TNO is innovative in the field of applied research, the Declaration is innovative by giving responsibilities for greater LGBTIQ+ workplace inclusion to employers and employees. This joint effort, which ensures that the voice of the LGBTIQ+ community is included, is a great step forward in creating workplaces where everyone can be themselves.”

TNO’s commitment to the Declaration of Amsterdam goes beyond mere symbolism. It reflects the organisation’s genuine dedication to upholding the rights and well-being of the LGBTIQ+ community within its ranks. As a research body in the Netherlands, TNO’s unwavering commitment speaks volumes about its integrity and its goal of establishing a workplace where every individual feels safe, respected, and valued.

By embracing diversity and championing authenticity, TNO sets an exemplary standard for other organisations to follow. Their actions not only solidify their position as a  leader in the academic community  but also serve as inspiration for cultivating workplaces that foster free expression and inclusivity.

Today, we join together in celebrating TNO’s remarkable achievement. Let us continue to strive for inclusivity and equality, ensuring that our workplaces are genuine reflections of the vibrant and diverse world we live in.

For media inquiries, please contact: info@workplacepride.org

About TNO:

TNO’s mission is to generate innovative solutions with demonstrable impact to achieve a safe, healthy, sustainable, and digital society and boost the earning power of the Netherlands. We aim to achieve this by performing two core tasks (roles). The first is to support the Dutch government in carrying out statutory government tasks in the public interest. TNO’s second core task is to strengthen the earning power of the Dutch economy and increase employment.

Dutch Government Makes History by Endorsing Amsterdam Declaration, Paving the Way for LGBTIQ+ Inclusion in Workplaces

Workplace Pride Foundation’s Declaration of Amsterdam receives groundbreaking official endorsement

IDAHOTBIT, May 17th, 2023 – The Workplace Pride Foundation witnessed a momentous milestone as the Dutch government became the first national government employer globally to endorse the Declaration of Amsterdam. Created by the Workplace Pride Foundation in 2011, this historic endorsement signifies a groundbreaking action in advancing LGBTIQ+ empowerment and inclusion within work environments.

David Pollard, Executive Director of Workplace Pride, emphasised the Declaration of Amsterdam’s transformative potential, stating that it can bring about tangible change by establishing a framework for inclusive policies and practices. Such measures foster safe spaces where LGBTIQ+ employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work, ultimately enhancing individual well-being and driving productivity, innovation, and overall organisational success.

Christine Holtkamp of Workplace Pride conversed with Boris Dittrich, human rights

activist, writer, and politician, discussing the (inter)national developments in the field of LGBTIQ+ discrimination and emancipation. Furthermore, Christine spoke with Professor Dr Jojanneke van der Toorn of LGBTIQ+ workplace inclusion at Leiden University, about the significance of LGBTIQ+ inclusion in the workplace and the scientific research she is doing around this topic for Workplace Pride. In addition, Marjan Hammersma, Secretary General of the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science (OCW), shared her perspective on the importance of LGBTIQ+ inclusion within the government. She emphasized that there is also work to be done in the area of LGBTIQ+ inclusion in the overseas territories (Bonaire, St. Eustatius, Saba, St. Maarten, Curaçao and Aruba).

Secretary General Maarten Schurink of the Ministry of the Interior and Dutch Kingdom Relations, representing the government with its 140,000 employees, affixed his signature to the Declaration. Speaking about the significance of this commitment, Schurink stated, “Our goal is to create a comfortable work environment where individuals can be their authentic selves, with equal opportunities for all, regardless of origin, gender, or orientation. While numerous employee-driven initiatives foster inclusivity, this formal endorsement demonstrates our clear ambition and holds us accountable to our employees.”

David Pollard, Director of Workplace Pride, emphasised the far-reaching impact of the endorsement, not only within the government workforce but also nationally and internationally. This significant step sets an inspiring precedent for other governments to prioritise LGBTIQ+ workplace inclusion.

Prominent representatives from government departments, including Marjan Hammersma (Secretary General of the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science), Carsten Herstel (Director General of Social Security and Integration at SZW), and Nanette van Schelven (Director General of Customs at Fin), were present at the signing ceremony.

The Declaration of Amsterdam has already garnered support from over 50 major employers, including Utrecht, Amsterdam, and The Hague municipalities, as well as Accenture, CISCO, PWC, Shell, ASML, Philips, Microsoft, KLM, and Nike. With the Dutch government’s endorsement, the Declaration’s impact is set to resonate even further, heralding a new era of LGBTQ+ inclusion in workplaces nationwide and inspiring organisations worldwide to follow suit.