Join us for a landmark evening as we celebrate 20 years of Workplace Pride and honour the people and organisations who have transformed workplaces through courage, leadership and action.
Icons of Inclusion
Celebrating the Past. Building the Future.
6 November 2026
Beurs van Berlage | Amsterdam
This special anniversary gala is a tribute to the advocates, ambassadors, members, partners and allies who have championed LGBTIQ+ inclusion over the past two decades. Together, we celebrate the collective impact of a global community that has helped make workplaces more inclusive, equitable and welcoming for all.
Because true icons are not defined by fame. They are defined by the difference they make.
A Night of Inclusion, Influence & Inspiration
Set within the historic grandeur of the Beurs van Berlage, one of Amsterdam’s most iconic venues, this extraordinary evening will bring together leaders, advocates and ambassadors for a celebration of progress and possibility.
Inspired by the glamour of 1920s Paris, the evening will transform the venue into a world of Art Deco elegance — featuring velvet textures, golden details, atmospheric lighting, live entertainment and the unmistakable energy of a grand gala.
Join Us
Be part of an unforgettable evening celebrating the people who shaped the past, inspire the present and will build the future.
Dress to impress.
Celebrate the past.
Recognise the present.
Build the future.
Celebrating LGBTIQ+ workplace inclusion
The 2026 Workplace Pride Global Benchmark highlights organisations leading the way in LGBTIQ+ workplace inclusion — recognising progress, sharing best practices, and inspiring continued change.
🏆 Advocate organisations
Organisations scoring above 90% achieve Advocate status, setting a high standard for LGBTIQ+ workplace inclusion.
New Advocates
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- Lenovo
Returning Advocates
- De Nederlandsche Bank
- ING
- McKinsey & Company
- PwC
- RELX
- Shell
- Sodexo
- Unilever
⭐ Ambassador organisations
Organisations scoring 70–90% are recognised as Ambassadors:
- Aegon Ltd.
- Ministerie van EZK en LVVN
- Robeco
🎉 Celebrating our Advocates & Ambassadors
All Advocate and Ambassador organisations will receive an award at the Workplace Pride Gala on 6 November.
This is an opportunity to celebrate their achievements, recognise their commitment to LGBTIQ+ workplace inclusion, and bring our community together to mark their progress.
Progress worth celebrating
The 2026 Benchmark also highlights strong progress across new and returning participants.
Eneco increased its score by more than 20% compared with 2025, demonstrating measurable progress and a continued commitment to LGBTIQ+ inclusion.
🥇 Sector leaders
The highest-scoring organisations in each sector are:
- Private Sector & Services: McKinsey & Company
- Public Sector & Public Administration: De Nederlandsche Bank
- Manufacturing: Unilever
- Healthcare, Pharma & Biotech: Kite Pharma EU B.V.
- Financial & Insurance: ING
- Information & Communication: RELX
- Transportation & Storage: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- Construction, Engineering, Energy & Utilities: Shell
- Top-scoring Academic Institution: Erasmus University Rotterdam
- Top-scoring Government Organisation: Ministerie van EZK en LVVN
Celebrating the Icons Who Changed the Workplace
For 20 years, Workplace Pride has championed LGBTQ+ inclusion and helped organisations turn commitment into action.
This evening recognises those who made progress possible:
🏆 Volunteer of the Year
Short List Nominations 🏆
Laura Coman
Laura Coman has made a lasting impact on inclusion at Lenovo through her leadership across the Pride and People with Disabilities (PwD) communities. She helped coordinate IDAHOBIT celebrations across 23 Lenovo offices, contributed to conferences and workshops, supported Bucharest Pride, and helped her team secure the RDCC Outstanding LGBTQ+ Network of the Year Award 2025. Through cross-ERG collaboration, including the PRIDE × PwD Carry the Ocean Book Club, she creates space for conversations about intersectionality, disability, neurodiversity and allyship. Beyond Lenovo, Laura advocates for disability inclusion, personally raised funds for two adaptive kayaks for teenagers with disabilities, and supports colleagues as a certified Mental Health First Aider, demonstrating empathy and a consistent commitment to turning inclusion into action.
Gul Uysal
Gul Uysal has played a pivotal role in reconnecting Unilever with Rotterdam’s LGBTQI+ community, rebuilding partnerships with Rotterdam Pride and COC Rotterdam and securing brand support, including Lipton sponsorship. She has expanded this impact by connecting employee networks across organisations such as Accenture, Eneco, Stedin, Havensteder and Allianz, creating intercompany networking events and Coming Out Day celebrations while developing a Diversity Business Club to advance workplace inclusion. Through these partnerships and community initiatives, Gul has increased LGBTQI+ visibility and strengthened collaboration between businesses and local organisations. Her determination to rebuild relationships, mobilise support and create spaces where everyone can be themselves demonstrates courageous volunteer leadership and a lasting commitment to belonging.
Krishna Ramachandran
As Chair of Polar Pride, Krishna Ramachandran has demonstrated exceptional volunteer leadership in advancing LGBT+ inclusion across Shell Canada and the wider community. He led Shell Canada and LNG Canada’s participation in the Calgary Pride Parade, bringing together more than 150 employees, family members, friends and allies in a powerful demonstration of visibility and support. His impact extends nationwide through Pink Shirt Day, International Coming Out Day and collaboration across Employee Resource Groups, strengthening partnerships and sharing best practices. Through his courage, dedication and collaborative approach, Krishna has built meaningful connections, fostered belonging and helped create safer spaces where everyone feels valued and empowered to be themselves.
Patrick van Rosmalen
Patrick van Rosmalen, Lead of the Accenture Netherlands Pride Network, has dedicated countless volunteer hours to advancing LGBTIQ+ inclusion through educational events, Pride initiatives and community-building activities. His leadership has helped transform Pride from a calendar event into a year-round movement that fosters connection, belonging and active allyship. As a visible ambassador, Patrick represents the network at external events, builds partnerships with community organisations and clients, and shares knowledge through workshops and international conferences. Through his authentic storytelling, willingness to be vulnerable and courage to address challenging conversations, Patrick creates safe spaces, challenges stigma and inspires colleagues to turn inclusion into action.
Nominations 🏆
Edmay Sijmons-Mehilal
Edmay Sijmons-Mehilal is a dedicated volunteer whose energy and reliability make a meaningful difference to PRIDE+ at ABN AMRO. From hands-on event support to encouraging colleagues to engage with LGBTQI+ inclusion as a PRIDE+ ambassador, she helps create welcoming spaces where everyone feels included. Her commitment extends beyond the workplace through the ABN AMRO Foundation, supporting equal opportunities for children, and Only Friends, helping young people with physical disabilities access sport. Through her visible allyship, generosity and willingness to step up behind the scenes and beyond her own community, Edmay shows how volunteering can empower others and turn inclusion into action.
Tamara de Bie
Tamara de Bie, co-founder and Chair of BAM Proud, has made LGBTQIA+ inclusion a visible strategic priority at BAM, helping improve its Workplace Pride Benchmark score by over 50% and establishing stronger support structures and more inclusive policies. When progress on an anonymous contact point stalled, she used her IT expertise to build a working solution herself, while driving Pride events, awareness campaigns and leadership engagement. She secured the launch of BAM’s official Progress Pride flag during WorldPride 2026 and strengthened external collaboration through an official partnership with Utrecht Pride. In a traditionally conservative industry where visibility takes courage, Tamara consistently challenges the status quo, creating a safer and more inclusive workplace and inspiring others through her leadership and determination.
Renée Penris
Renée Penris, Digital Marketing Manager at KLM, generously contributes her time, creativity and professional expertise to support the Over The Rainbow employee network. During WorldPride Amsterdam 2026, she helped create campaign videos featuring ambassador Envy Peru and captured KLM’s Pride activities, turning them into engaging content that significantly expanded the reach and visibility of KLM’s support for the LGBTIQ+ community. Through authentic storytelling, she amplified queer role models and gave the network and its community a stronger platform across KLM’s external communications. Renée consistently advocates for bolder representation, speaks up for inclusion even when conversations are challenging, and goes beyond expectations to ensure the community is seen, heard and celebrated.
Lianne Schmidt
Lianne played a pivotal role in delivering EQUAL Amsterdam’s largest and most ambitious program to date during WorldPride 2026, bringing together colleagues, allies and LGBTQ+ leaders across Europe and beyond. The program welcomed 50+ EQUAL colleagues for professional development and community-building, convened 30+ senior LGBTQ+ leaders from business, government and academia, and created a dedicated Trans+ gathering where participants built connections and found the confidence to share their identities openly. From coordinating international stakeholders and Firm leadership to organising office-wide celebrations and a WorldPride boat event, Lianne transformed a complex vision into a cohesive, highly visible experience. Her leadership created meaningful connections, amplified LGBTQ+ representation and made space for moments of courage and belonging that participants will remember for years.
Mira Moussa
Mira Moussa (they/them) has been a driving force for diversity, equity and inclusion at FrieslandCampina, chairing a pioneering R&D employee resource group and helping establish the global LGBTQIA+ ERG. As a visible advocate and co-developer of Workplace Pride’s Inclusive Language training, Mira has trained over 1,000 employees worldwide in three years and helped bring LGBTQIA+ awareness to senior leadership, including C-suite executives. They continue to push for more ambitious policies around transition care leave and travel safety, while using their voice in global panels to champion allyship and authentic inclusion. Beyond FrieslandCampina, Mira supports Workplace Pride’s QPOC community and contributed to its position paper on intersectional workplace inclusion, extending their impact across communities and organisations.
Marc Smulders
For over a decade, Marc Smulders has dedicated his time and expertise to advancing LGBTQI+ inclusion at ING and beyond. As a Board Member of Rainbow Lions Netherlands, he helps support a network of 650+ members and connects LGBTQI+ networks across 14 ING countries, while also championing awareness initiatives throughout the year. For five years, he has led the creative production of ING’s Amsterdam Pride Boat, bringing together 60 colleagues from over 20 nationalities to make allyship visible to an audience of approximately 400,000 people. Beyond ING, Marc supports Amsterdam Pride and has volunteered for the Amsterdam Dinner since 2014, helping lead 30 volunteers at an event that raised a record €1.54 million in 2026 to fight HIV, AIDS, stigma and discrimination—demonstrating how sustained commitment turns allyship into lasting impact.
Santiago Gomez Quero (he/him)
Santiago Gomez Quero has made a significant contribution to LGBTQ+ inclusion through his leadership in Shell’s Pink Pearl employee resource group, combining community-building with measurable impact. He helped revive Shell’s partnership with Pride Amsterdam for WorldPride 2026, coordinating volunteers, senior leaders and external partners, and helped enable the use of Shell biofuels for Canal Parade boats, contributing to an estimated reduction of 2,650 kg CO₂e. He also led an International Coming Out Day Supplier Event, bringing colleagues and suppliers together to strengthen visibility, dialogue and shared commitment to inclusion. Through his persistence, collaborative leadership and willingness to challenge established ways of working, Santiago has expanded Pink Pearl’s reach and demonstrated how volunteer action can advance inclusion both inside and beyond the workplace.
Max Griffith
Max is a passionate Workplace Pride volunteer who has transformed the Global Benchmark (GBM) into a modern, innovative online platform, helping organisations more effectively measure and improve LGBTIQ+ workplace inclusion. He invested significant personal time in gathering requirements, understanding Workplace Pride’s needs and developing a practical solution that benefits all participating organisations. Demonstrating courage and initiative, Max stepped beyond his existing technical expertise to master Power Pages and the wider Power Platform, continually adapting the solution to create a better user experience. Through his voluntary commitment, technical creativity and willingness to challenge established ways of working, Max has strengthened Workplace Pride’s visibility and created a lasting resource for advancing inclusion worldwide.
Maria Pilars de Pilar
Maria has been a dedicated Pride Network board member since 2025, bringing her go-getter mentality to initiatives that strengthen LGBTQIA+ inclusion at Accenture and beyond. She leads the Roze Zuidas collective, connecting organisations for learning, networking and advocacy, and has helped build the Microsoft collaboration through an engaging session on LGBTQIA+ terminology that encouraged open, judgement-free dialogue. As a visible Pride champion, Maria represents Accenture in external partnerships, supports new colleagues in finding a safe community and keeps inclusion visible throughout the year. She also demonstrates courage by expressing her authentic self in a traditional corporate environment, challenging expectations and serving as an inspiring queer Gen Z role model on the Zuidas.
Renée Lacroix
Renée Lacroix has transformed PridePower from an idea into a thriving community at Eneco, making LGBTQ+ inclusion a visible and meaningful part of the company’s culture. Under her leadership, Eneco’s Workplace Pride Global Benchmark score rose from 6.6% to 48% in just one year, reflecting her impact on policies, awareness and organisational change. Renée dedicates countless volunteer hours outside work to organising events, building partnerships, engaging stakeholders and empowering LGBTQ+ colleagues and allies to contribute. Through her authentic leadership, willingness to share her personal story and courage to challenge the status quo, she has inspired colleagues to be themselves and helped build a more inclusive workplace for current and future generations.
Leon Ploegstra
Leon has been a driving force behind DNB Pride, helping grow its membership from around 50 to 120 active members while delivering awareness campaigns, educational events and five Amsterdam Canal Parade participations. His contributions have driven tangible change, including confidential support for LGBTIQA+ employees, transition leave in the collective labour agreement, gender-neutral restrooms, Active Bystander training and partnerships with LGBTQIA+-friendly senior care organisations and inclusive sports charities. As former Chair and Treasurer, Leon has raised the network’s visibility through Pride events and external partnerships, while also contributing to the establishment of the AFM Pride Network. Through years of dedicated volunteering, courageous advocacy and collaboration, he has helped create lasting improvements in workplace policies, social safety and belonging for LGBTIQA+ colleagues.
🏆 Role Model of the Year
Short List Nominations 🏆
Lianne Schmidt
Lianne has become an inspiring and visible LGBTQ+ role model at McKinsey Amsterdam and across Europe, turning ideas into initiatives that strengthen community, inclusion and diverse talent attraction. In 2026, she helped launch McKinsey Amsterdam’s first Proud in Consulting Business Course for LGBTQ+ students and young professionals and played a pivotal role in organizing the first European Trans+ gathering within the community, bringing together more than 20 trans and non-binary colleagues during WorldPride Amsterdam. For some participants, the gathering offered their first opportunity to openly connect with others in the community and supported important moments in their personal journeys. Demonstrating exceptional courage, persistence and care, Lianne created a safe space for vulnerable conversations, navigated organizational complexities and ensured community needs remained central, helping colleagues feel seen, supported and empowered to be themselves.
Zoraida Martin Valiente
For seven years, Zoraida Martín Valiente has championed LGBTQ+ inclusion at ING, growing Rainbow Lions Spain into a community of over 700 followers as its founding member and Chairperson since 2019. This year, she led ING Spain’s Pride programme, bringing together 70 employees for Madrid Pride, featuring in ING’s global Pride campaign and representing ING at international events. Beyond the workplace, she has built impactful partnerships supporting LGBTQ+ youth through financial literacy workshops and promoting visibility, dialogue and education through cultural initiatives. Recognised as one of Spain’s Top LGBTIQ+ Leaders, Zoraida turns visibility into action, creating lasting belonging and positive change for colleagues and the wider LGBTQ+ community.
Nichole Pritchard
As Chair of Metso’s Pride ERG and its primary representative to Workplace Pride, Nichole Pritchard has advanced inclusion, belonging and allyship through education, community-building and strategic initiatives. In 2026, she represented Metso at the Workplace Pride Conference, contributed to industry discussions and helped develop sustainable resources, including an ERG roadmap and practical Ally Guide. Through global videos, employee stories and external advocacy, she has reached thousands of employees, with one video generating over 4,000 LinkedIn views. Demonstrating exceptional courage as an openly authentic leader in a traditionally industrial sector, Nichole challenges stereotypes, builds trust with customers worldwide and shows how inclusion strengthens Metso’s culture, employer brand, talent attraction and business performance.
Nominations 🏆
Christoph Blankenhagen
Christoph Blankenhagen is a leading advocate for LGBTIQ+ inclusion at Lenovo, turning visibility into lasting organizational change through passionate and courageous leadership. In 2026, he helped Lenovo achieve Workplace Pride Advocate Status with a record benchmark score of 93.7%, secured funding for Pride Kits in more than 20 countries, and championed LGBTQ+ self-identification in Workday. He also created opportunities for learning and engagement through Lenovo’s IDAHOBIT panel initiative, connecting leaders, employees and external partners to advance inclusive workplaces. Recognised with Lenovo’s Diversity Champion of the Year Award, Christoph demonstrates the empathy, resilience and persistence needed to drive meaningful change across cultures and communities.
Mark Mattern
Mark Mattern, CFO of Mediq Group, has become a driving force for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, securing leadership support and funding for employee-led initiatives across 13 European countries. As executive sponsor, he has helped grow Mediq’s LGBTQIA+ community from a handful of colleagues to around 60 active members and allies, while championing Workplace Pride membership and local Pride activities. As an openly gay senior executive, Mark leads by example, showing that professional success and authentic self-expression go hand in hand. His visible commitment has empowered colleagues to be themselves at work, creating lasting change through practical support, inclusive leadership and personal courage.
Alex Bakhuis (they/them)
Over the past three years, Alex Bakhuis has transformed Pink Pearl, Shell Netherlands’ LGBTQ+ employee network, into a visible and influential community supporting employees and allies across office and operational sites. As Chair, Alex has strengthened participation, engaged leaders, connected employee networks and embedded LGBTQ+ inclusion into everyday workplace practices. They also championed Shell’s involvement in Pride Amsterdam through an initiative to decarbonise the Canal Parade using Shell biodiesel, linking business expertise with LGBTQ+ visibility. By challenging barriers, building partnerships and advocating for inclusion despite resistance, Alex demonstrates the courage and determination needed to create lasting organisational change.
Pascal Pichel
Pascal Pichel, Senior Sponsor of Accenture Netherlands’ Pride Network and a board member, has used his leadership to make LGBTIQ+ inclusion a lasting business priority. He champions a safer, more equitable workplace, strengthens Accenture’s engagement with Workplace Pride and supports inclusion initiatives with employees, clients and external stakeholders. He has also advanced senior-level engagement by supporting the Global Benchmark platform upgrade and designing and hosting Executive Roundtables and Vantage Point meetings. By speaking up during uncertain times, reinforcing the importance of belonging and inspiring others to act, Pascal demonstrates the visibility, courage and accountability of an outstanding role model.
Evelien Starren
Evelien Starren has transformed inclusion from an internal ambition into a visible, shared experience through her creative leadership of the diversity exhibitions at Edge West. By bringing authentic stories into a shared workplace and involving multiple organisations, she sparks meaningful conversations and makes inclusion part of everyday working life. Her openness in sharing personal experiences creates a psychologically safe environment where others feel encouraged to speak up, challenge assumptions and share their stories. Combining creativity, courage and practical leadership with genuine warmth, Evelien creates lasting impact within APG and across the wider Edge West community, setting an inspiring example of inclusive leadership.
Wendy Kramer-Dekker
Wendy Kramer-Dekker demonstrated inclusive leadership as senior purser on KLM’s Pride Flight to Toronto in June 2026, creating a safe and welcoming environment for crew and passengers. By sharing the powerful message, “You can take off a pin. You cannot take off who you are,” she highlighted why visible support and active allyship remain essential. Through KLM’s “At home at KLM” series and her personal reflections, Wendy made inclusion relatable, encouraged meaningful conversations and inspired colleagues to support the LGBTIQ+ community. By speaking openly about her experiences and addressing difficult reactions with honesty and empathy, she shows the courage to stand up for a world where everyone can be themselves without fear.
🏆 Media Outreach Award of the Year
Short List Nominations
ING Pride Campaign
This year’s global ING Pride campaign challenged labels and celebrated the power of reclaiming them through real stories, photos and videos shared by ING colleagues, highlighting courage, self-expression and freedom. Our most visible and impactful Pride campaign to date generated over 7 million online impressions globally, more than 3 million across eleven participating countries, and over 9 million through out-of-home advertising in Amsterdam and at Schiphol Airport. By putting colleagues at the heart of the campaign, we fostered authentic ambassadorship and strengthened a sense of belonging while continuing ING’s long-standing support for the LGBTQI+ community. Twenty years after first sailing at Amsterdam Canal Pride, we returned for WorldPride 2026, bringing the campaign’s message together with the theme of “Unity”.
KLM – Ready for take off with Envy Peru
KLM’s WorldPride campaign placed Envy Peru, one of the Netherlands’ most recognisable LGBTIQ+ voices, at the heart of its message of self-expression, authenticity and belonging, championing everyone’s right to travel, work and live as themselves. The “Ready for Take Off” video became KLM’s best-performing Instagram post to date, generating 16 million views across its social channels and strong positive engagement. Supported by an integrated campaign spanning KLM’s Pride House, the Canal Parade and international LGBTQI+ scholars and activists, it extended the message to diverse audiences across markets. By putting a drag artist at the centre of its global brand storytelling, KLM demonstrated courage and a clear commitment to LGBTQI+ visibility beyond Pride events and into everyday travel and working life.
Randstad – “Unified in Pride”: International Pride Month Sunrise-to-Sunset Global Campaign
Randstad’s 2026 “Unified in Pride” campaign, led by CEO Sander van’t Noordende, celebrated LGBTQI+ colleagues and allies worldwide, promoting authenticity, connection and belonging as key to building an equitable workplace. Shared across 39 markets in local languages, the campaign achieved a 4.3% LinkedIn engagement rate, reached 30,000 people through the CEO’s message, and attracted over 4,000 employees to its live Pride event, an 8% increase year-on-year. Through a global, multi-channel approach featuring diverse voices across 12 countries and regions, the campaign amplified LGBTQI+ representation across borders. By encouraging colleagues to embrace and express their authentic selves, including in regions with varying levels of LGBTQI+ acceptance, Randstad demonstrated collective courage and reinforced its commitment to an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.
🏆 Ally of the Year
Short List Nominations 🏆
As Country Manager of ING Hubs Philippines and Executive Ally of Rainbow Lions Philippines, Hazel Delos Santos has made LGBTQIA+ inclusion a core leadership responsibility, turning allyship into meaningful action and lasting change. Through leadership conversations and her “Dear Hazel” channel, she creates direct pathways for LGBTQIA+ employees to share experiences, raise concerns and influence decisions, strengthening trust and employee voice. By consistently championing inclusion beyond Pride activities, she elevates community-led initiatives and ensures LGBTQIA+ perspectives remain central to business and leadership discussions. Hazel demonstrates the courage of true allyship by using her influence to remove barriers, open doors and empower others to lead, moving inclusion from visibility to action and lasting organisational impact.
As Executive Director of BAM Bouw en Techniek, Lidewij de Haas has made LGBTQIA+ inclusion a leadership priority through visible advocacy and active sponsorship of BAM Proud. She has helped embed inclusion in leadership discussions and strengthen a workplace culture where employees feel safe, valued and empowered to be themselves. During WorldPride 2026, she publicly defended BAM’s introduction of its official Progress Pride Flag in response to online criticism, demonstrating the courage to stand by the company’s commitment to inclusion. Through her sustained support, Lidewij has strengthened BAM Proud, encouraged other leaders to become visible allies and shown that meaningful allyship requires action, accountability and the courage to stand up for inclusion.
As KLM’s Chief People Officer and Executive Vice President HR, Miriam Kartman champions LGBTIQ+ inclusion through active leadership and her role as Executive Sponsor of Over The Rainbow, ensuring the community has a voice at the highest level. She has supported practical measures such as gender transition leave and dedicated support for transgender colleagues, embedding belonging into KLM’s people strategy and employee experience. In 2026, her visible participation in the Pride House, Canal Parade and international conferences demonstrated senior leadership’s commitment to inclusion, while inspiring colleagues to be themselves and feel they belong. By using her influence to amplify LGBTIQ+ voices and drive lasting change, Miriam exemplifies courageous allyship and reinforces that inclusion is a leadership responsibility.
Nominations 🏆
Camila Raalte-Berton Diaz
As the first straight ally on ABN AMRO’s PRIDE+ board, Camila Raalte-Berton Diaz has helped strengthen LGBTQIA+ inclusion through active advocacy, collaboration and a commitment to intersectionality. She led a straight allyship session during Learning Week in 2025, engaging colleagues beyond the existing network and encouraging open dialogue while keeping LGBTQIA+ voices at the centre. She has also strengthened external partnerships and championed greater representation of people of colour and other underrepresented groups, including in ABN AMRO’s Pride campaign. By turning her personal commitment to standing up for minorities into practical action, Camila has amplified diverse voices, broadened engagement and helped build a more inclusive workplace where everyone feels seen, heard and valued.
Amy Kelly
Amy Kelly has been a leading advocate for LGBT+ inclusion at Shell and beyond, serving as Co-Chair of Shell’s Global LGBT+ Forum and connecting employee networks worldwide. She has helped shape global inclusion policies and improve parental leave, partner benefits, adoption support and gender-affirming healthcare, contributing to Shell’s Workplace Pride benchmark score of over 96%. Through engagement with senior leaders, global Pride activities and international LGBT+ forums, Amy amplifies LGBT+ voices and encourages visible allyship. Her courage and continued advocacy challenge barriers, strengthen equitable support across countries and help create safer, more inclusive workplaces where everyone feels valued.
Roos Klaassen
Roos Klaassen has been a driving force behind LGBTQ+ inclusion at Eneco, dedicating significant time and effort to developing an inclusive leave policy that will benefit LGBTQ+ employees and their families, despite not benefiting from it personally. Through research, stakeholder engagement and a compelling business case, she helped turn the ambition into a concrete policy now being implemented. She has also helped professionalise PridePower, align its strategy with Eneco’s organisational goals and establish it as a strategic Business Resource Group that influences policy, culture and decision-making. Through her courage, persistence and selfless advocacy, Roos has driven lasting structural change and helped build a more inclusive workplace where underrepresented voices are heard and valued.
Blagica Gjorgjievska
Blagica Gjorgjievska has transformed LGBTIQ+ inclusion at Lenovo by creating Slovakia’s first LGBTIQ+ peer-support groups, offering employees a safe space to connect and share experiences, with the initiative now being considered for global expansion. Over three years, she has led more than 10 initiatives, including IDAHOBIT activities, Pride panels and Bratislava Pride participation, mobilising over 30 employees to demonstrate visible allyship. As a leader of Pride Slovakia, she embeds intersectionality across disability, gender and cultural diversity while reaching employees throughout Europe. Through courageous advocacy, continuous learning and a commitment to making inclusion visible, Blagica creates meaningful change and empowers others to build a more supportive workplace.
Lia Savva
Lia is a committed and visible straight ally who turns her support for the LGBTIQ+ community into meaningful action as an active member of the Pride Board. She supports colleagues throughout their personal and professional journeys, creating a culture where people feel safe, heard and valued. By organising Utrecht Pride and participating in events such as the announcement of Roze Zaterdag 2028, she strengthens connections with colleagues and clients while encouraging others to become active allies. Through her courage, authenticity and willingness to speak up when it matters, Lia makes inclusion part of everyday workplace culture and sets a strong example of meaningful allyship.
Rozemarijn Balemans
Rozemarijn has been a driving force for LGBTIQ+ inclusion at Accenture Netherlands, helping the Pride network deliver more than 15 Pride-focused events in FY26 and embedding inclusion into everyday workplace culture. She champions visibility and education through partnerships with Workplace Pride, Meer Dan Gewenst and Microsoft, as well as initiatives such as an LGBTQI+ terminology workshop for colleagues and allies. Her advocacy strengthens connections across employees, clients and external stakeholders while ensuring LGBTIQ+ inclusion remains a visible organisational priority. Through her courage to challenge assumptions, encourage difficult conversations and engage leaders at every level, Rozemarijn inspires action and drives lasting cultural change.
Joy Westendorp, Co-Chair, ProUd Network Benelux
Joy Westendorp exemplifies courageous allyship, stepping forward to rebuild and strengthen Unilever’s ProUd Network Benelux during significant organisational change. She helped recruit committee members, establish new governance, secure executive sponsorship and build partnerships, while delivering year-round initiatives and helping maintain Workplace Pride Advocate Status for the fourth consecutive year. Through activities including Rotterdam Pride, intercompany events and the Growing Wall of Love art project, she amplified LGBTQI+ voices and strengthened community connections, with more than 80 colleagues, friends, family members and allies participating in Rotterdam Pride in 2026. Despite shifting priorities and increased scrutiny of DE&I, Joy remained a visible advocate, using her influence to challenge indifference, foster belonging and turn allyship into lasting action.
Sebastien Lehnherr – Executive Sponsor for the SLB LGBT+Allies Employee Resource Group and Senior Vice President, Global Enterprise Solutions
Since becoming Executive Sponsor of SLB’s LGBT+ Allies ERG in 2025, Sebastien has championed inclusion as an ongoing, shared responsibility. Under his sponsorship, the ERG launched an app to capture and share practical examples of LGBTQIA+ inclusion, contributing to SLB’s 2026 Workplace Pride Benchmark score exceeding 75%, a top-quartile global position, and winning the Workplace Pride Ambassador Award. Sebastien makes allyship visible by amplifying the ERG’s achievements, championing senior leadership discussions and attending Pride celebrations in Houston to listen to colleagues’ experiences. Through his consistent, courageous leadership, he elevates LGBTQIA+ voices, strengthens engagement beyond Pride Month and helps build a workplace where everyone feels they belong.
Sjoukje Alta
As a City Director at the City of Amsterdam, Sjoukje Alta turns allyship into action by using her influence to champion LGBTIQA+ colleagues and bring their concerns into leadership discussions. She consistently supports RAN events and initiatives, ensuring inclusion remains visible and that the community is heard where decisions are made. Most recently, she funded a conference on LGBTIQA+ safety at work, bringing together around 200 municipal employees and external partners, and joined a panel alongside senior inclusion leaders and the Director of COC Netherlands. Through her commitment, visibility and willingness to invest resources, Sjoukje helps turn the experiences of the LGBTIQA+ community into meaningful organisational change.
Camila Raalte-Berton Diaz, ABN AMRO PRIDE+ board member
In just 18 months as the first ally board member of ABN AMRO’s PRIDE+ network, Camila Raalte-Berton Diaz has become a highly visible champion of LGBTIQ+ inclusion. She has delivered allyship workshops, founded a thriving PRIDE+ Ambassador community, hosted panel discussions and events, and advised senior leaders, strengthening belonging within ABN AMRO and beyond. As a woman of colour, she champions intersectionality through public speaking and advocacy, highlighting the importance of recognising diverse identities and lived experiences. Through her courage to challenge others, turn awareness into action and bring her children to Pride Walks to demonstrate activism in practice, Camila exemplifies authentic, sustained allyship.
🏆 Network of the Year
Short List Nominations 🏆
Accenture Netherlands Pride Nework
The Accenture Netherlands Pride Network has driven meaningful impact through year-round events, LGBTQI+ education and community-building, strengthening belonging for LGBTQI+ colleagues and allies while pushing the boundaries of inclusion within a US-based global organization. Its visibility grew through partnerships with Workplace Pride, Microsoft and other organizations, participation in the Workplace Pride Human Rights Conference and Roze Zaterdag, and leadership in Accenture’s largest-ever Amsterdam Pride celebration and the biannual RozeZuidas event. With strong senior leadership engagement and public advocacy, the network has amplified LGBTQI+ inclusion both within Accenture and across the wider community. Demonstrating courage by addressing complex topics, sharing authentic stories and keeping inclusion visible, its members continue to challenge norms and champion a workplace where everyone feels safe, respected and empowered to be themselves.
ING – One Voice. Greater Impact
In 2026, the LGBTQ+ ERGs at ING Hubs Poland and ING Bank Śląski united across organizational boundaries to amplify their voice and advance inclusion in a challenging social environment. Through joint Pride activities, allyship workshops, five awareness sessions and partnerships with organizations including Diversity Hub and the Campaign Against Homophobia, they strengthened education, visibility and advocacy, engaging nearly 80 employees in Pride events across Warsaw and Katowice and supporting initiatives in smaller cities. Their impact extended beyond ING through Pride marches, the Diamonds Awards and the Workplace Pride Conference in Warsaw, while their Workplace Pride Benchmark score rose from 18.9% and 20.7% in 2024 to 53.7% in 2026. Demonstrating courage through collaboration, the ERGs transformed two separate communities into a unified platform that strengthened partnerships, amplified LGBTQ+ voices and advanced meaningful organizational change.
Unilever Benelux – ProUd Network Benelux
Following Unilever’s separation from its Ice Cream business, ProUd Benelux faced significant disruption as members, allies and executive sponsors departed. Demonstrating remarkable resilience, the remaining volunteers rebuilt the network, refreshed its governance, recruited new committee members and secured executive sponsorship, ensuring LGBTQI+ inclusion remained a priority. The network retained Workplace Pride Advocate Status for the fourth consecutive year with an outstanding 94.6% score, strengthened partnerships with Rotterdam Pride and other organizations, and increased Pride March participation from around 50 colleagues and allies in 2025 to more than 80 in 2026. Through year-round events, campaigns, workshops and advocacy, ProUd maintained strong visibility and community impact, demonstrating exceptional courage and determination to sustain an inclusive workplace despite organizational upheaval and a challenging external environment.
Lenovo ERG: A Safe Harbour, Every Day
In 2026, Lenovo PRIDE strengthened its commitment to making Lenovo a safe and supportive workplace where LGBTQ+ colleagues feel seen, respected and able to be authentic. It launched IANGA (“I Am Not Going Anywhere”), a monthly peer-support space fostering psychological safety, alongside a quarterly PRIDE Book Club exploring intersectional themes of identity and belonging across cultures and geographies. Through Lenovo’s Love On volunteering framework, the network supported LGBTQI+ organizations, including volunteering at a Warsaw LGBTQ+ shelter, while continuing Pride celebrations across 23 offices, IDAHOBIT activities and support for LGBTIQ+ self-identification in Europe. Demonstrating courage amid growing challenges for LGBTQ+ communities, Lenovo PRIDE turns allyship into action, building connection, visibility and a community that reminds colleagues they are not alone.
Nominations 🏆
Lianne Schmidt – EQUAL
In 2026, Lianne helped deliver McKinsey’s first multi-day WorldPride program in Amsterdam, bringing together 50+ EQUAL colleagues from across Europe, allies and LGBTQ+ leaders. She coordinated a diverse agenda of professional development, networking, office-wide celebrations and a dedicated Trans+ gathering that created meaningful opportunities for connection and, for some, personal coming-out moments. Through her courage, persistence and leadership, Lianne strengthened LGBTQ+ visibility, belonging and community, creating a lasting milestone for EQUAL and McKinsey.
PRIDE+
PRIDE+ has become one of ABN AMRO’s most visible and impactful employee networks, expanding engagement, strengthening partnerships and ensuring LGBTQ+ inclusion remains part of strategic leadership discussions. Through its second comprehensive inclusion survey in 2026, the network generated insights that informed priorities, strengthened accountability and supported improvements in the Workplace Pride Global Benchmark score. Its campaigns, events and external partnerships have increased visibility, earned recognition as an internal best-practice example and positioned ABN AMRO as a stronger advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion. Demonstrating courage amid growing scrutiny of DEI, the board has broadened conversations to include underrepresented topics such as intersex inclusion, challenged assumptions and championed a safer, more inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves.
Wolters Kluwer Pride Network – Global Inclusion & Modern Family Pillar
The Global Inclusion Mentoring Circle has strengthened connection, understanding and belonging by creating safe spaces for open conversations about diverse family experiences, parenting, caregiving, partnerships and LGBTQ+ inclusion. It has fostered allyship, community involvement and practical peer support, building lasting relationships across functions, regions and backgrounds that extend beyond the formal mentoring sessions. By sparking ongoing conversations, the initiative has increased the visibility of diverse family structures and encouraged greater empathy, curiosity and inclusion across the organization. Demonstrating courage and vulnerability, circle leaders shared personal experiences and facilitated meaningful dialogue, embodying the spirit of PRide and creating a lasting impact on workplace culture and belonging.
Nichole Pritchard as a role model for the LGBTIQ+ community at Metso and beyond
As Chair of Metso’s Pride ERG and its primary representative to Workplace Pride, Nichole Pritchard has advanced inclusion, belonging and allyship through employee education, community-building and strategic initiatives. In 2026, she elevated Metso’s voice through Workplace Pride Conference speaking and facilitation, industry discussions, ERG benchmarking, a sustainable roadmap and the development of practical allyship resources. Through global videos, employee stories and external advocacy, she has reached thousands of employees and generated over 4,000 LinkedIn views, strengthening Metso’s visibility and inclusive employer brand. Demonstrating exceptional courage as an openly authentic leader in a traditionally industrial sector, Nichole builds trust with hundreds of customers worldwide, challenges stereotypes and shows how inclusion drives business value, strengthens recruitment and reinforces Metso’s reputation as an inclusive, high-performing organization.
BAM Proud
In just two years, BAM Proud has evolved into a pioneering force for LGBTQIA+ inclusion within the Netherlands’ largest construction company, challenging norms in a traditionally homogeneous industry. Its impact is measurable, with BAM achieving a 10-point increase in its second Workplace Pride Benchmark assessment, representing over 50% improvement and reflecting progress in both inclusive practices and organizational culture. Through Pride events, internal campaigns, leadership engagement, storytelling and education, BAM Proud has raised visibility, encouraged dialogue and helped LGBTQIA+ colleagues feel seen, valued and supported. Demonstrating exceptional courage and perseverance, the network continues to challenge assumptions, make inclusion part of everyday conversations and inspire lasting cultural change across the organization.
Pink Pearl NL
Pink Pearl Netherlands has embedded LGBTQ+ inclusion across Shell’s workforce, leadership, business functions, suppliers and external partnerships, demonstrating that inclusion is both a people priority and a business enabler. Through intersectional collaboration with other employee networks, supplier engagement, and initiatives linking inclusion with technology and innovation, the network expanded its reach, generated over 7,800 Pride Month views and raised approximately €7,000 for community organizations. It played a key role in Shell’s participation in WorldPride Amsterdam 2026, connecting LGBTQ+ inclusion with sustainability and stakeholder engagement while maintaining year-round visibility through educational campaigns, allyship activities and external partnerships. Demonstrating courage in a complex environment, its volunteers openly shared experiences, challenged misconceptions and represented Shell publicly, fostering psychological safety and driving meaningful organizational and societal change.
KLM – Over the Rainbow
Celebrating 15 years of advocacy, KLM’s employee network Over the Rainbow drives year-round LGBTIQ+ inclusion through education, community care, and strategic leadership engagement. In 2026, the network played a pivotal role in KLM’s WorldPride partnership—shaping Pride flights, the Pride House, and cultural community events like the Senior Pride Concert. Combining celebration with concrete policy change, their courageous advocacy helped secure gender transition leave for KLM employees. Through continuous visibility and practical action, Over the Rainbow demonstrates that true belonging requires unwavering commitment and real structural support.
Roze Ambtenaren Netwerk (City of Amsterdam, Pink Civil Servants)
The Roze Ambtenaren Netwerk (RAN) transforms lived experience into structural progress, shifting LGBTIQA+ inclusion from a niche concern into a core priority across the City of Amsterdam. Through impactful initiatives like their Safer Space Lunches and the LGBTIQA+ Safety at Work conference, RAN actively advises senior leadership, drives multi-year safety agendas, and helped secure trans leave. By intentionally bringing difficult conversations to the executive level, RAN challenges existing workplace culture and holds leaders accountable. Beyond mere celebration, RAN demonstrates the courage required to organize for lasting policy change and genuine psychological safety.
Polar Pride
Polar Pride, Shell Canada’s LGBT+ Employee Resource Group, drives meaningful inclusion by uniting over 150 employees, allies, and community members at major events like the Calgary Pride Parade. Through strategic intersectional partnerships—collaborating with Indigenous and accessibility networks—Polar Pride champions wellbeing, shared learning, and Two-Spirit advocacy year-round. Supported by executive sponsorship and enterprise-wide visibility, the network actively strengthens Shell Canada’s culture of belonging. Above all, Polar Pride demonstrates the courage to advocate publicly and foster safe spaces, living out their commitment to authentic allyship and workplace equality.
DNB Pride
Founded in 2007, DNB Pride drives structural LGBTIQ+ inclusion at De Nederlandsche Bank, securing all-gender facilities, inclusive language policies, and back-to-back Workplace Pride Advocate status in 2025 and 2026 as the first public organization to do so. The network amplified its global reach by leading the “UNIT€D BY EURO” boat at WorldPride 2026 alongside European central bank peers, while founding the cross-institutional INCLUDE network to unite financial supervisors across Europe. Challenging a traditionally neutral central banking culture, DNB Pride courageously embeds inclusion into executive policy and leverages its internal progress to advance workplace equality across the broader financial sector.
DNB INCLUDE Network
INCLUDE is a pioneering cross-border network founded by DNB Pride that unites LGBTIQ+ employee resource groups across 12 European central banks, impacting tens of thousands of employees in the financial sector. In 2026, the network demonstrated collective leadership through joint initiatives, including an international IDAHOBIT seminar on democracy and co-hosting the “UNIT€D BY EURO” boat at WorldPride Amsterdam. By connecting institutions like Banca d’Italia and Deutsche Bundesbank, INCLUDE transcends organizational boundaries to foster European-wide solidarity, elevate regional visibility, and create safe spaces for dialogue in diverse regulatory landscapes.
2026 Members’ Choice – Game Changer Award
We are pleased to announce the 2026 Members’ Choice – Game Changer Award, celebrating an initiative, programme or project that has made a meaningful contribution to workplace diversity and inclusion.
The award recognises initiatives led by our members that create meaningful societal impact for the LGBTIQ+ community and demonstrate how workplace inclusion can contribute to positive change beyond the organisation itself.
🏆 Members’ Choice Game Changer Award Nominations are…
First-ever European Trans+ Gathering for McKinsey – WorldPride Amsterdam 2026
During WorldPride Amsterdam 2026, Lianne helped turn an ambitious idea into something genuinely game-changing: the first European Trans+ gathering of its kind within our community, bringing together 20+ trans and non-binary colleagues from across Europe.
Impact: The gathering created a dedicated space for a community that had never before come together at this scale. Participants were able to meet peers, share experiences and build connections across offices and countries. For several colleagues, it was the first time they had openly connected with other trans and non-binary colleagues; for some, the gathering even became part of their personal coming-out journey. The community subsequently shared its experiences with the wider Equal community, helping create greater understanding and connection beyond the event itself.
Visibility: The gathering was embedded in McKinsey’s broader WorldPride program in Amsterdam, putting Trans+ inclusion visibly alongside Firm leadership, 50+ Equal colleagues from across Europe and wider office programming. It gave a community that can often be less visible a clear and celebrated place within WorldPride.
Courage: Creating this space required much more than organizing an event. Lianne persistently championed the idea, navigated organizational complexity and, above all, protected the trust and safety needed for colleagues to participate authentically. What makes this particularly meaningful is that Lianne drove this while returning from a challenging personal period herself. She actively chose to put diversity and community at the center of her return, leading through action and care. She has become a true role model within our community — someone who does not simply advocate for inclusion, but makes people feel that they genuinely belong.
The Rainbow Lions: 20+ Years of Pride & Progress Exhibition
The Rainbow Lions: 20+ Years of Pride & Progress Exhibition celebrates inclusion, visibility, and progress within ING. Created by Rainbow Lions in close collaboration with the ING Historical Archive, the travelling exhibition brings together more than two decades of LGBTQI+ history, milestones, and achievements across ING. Through archival materials, photographs, artifacts, personal stories, and interviews with key contributors, visitors gain a deeper understanding of how inclusion has evolved within ING and why continued progress remains essential.
The exhibition traces the journey from grassroots advocacy to lasting organisational impact. It highlights important advances in LGBTQI+ policies/benefits, many of which are now embedded in ING’s Collective Labour Agreement. It shows the importance of employee-driven change and how it can shape company-wide policy. It also reflects ING colleagues’ early involvement in creating Workplace Pride and ING’s significant progress in its annual benchmark, underscoring ING’s continued commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace. A central theme is the Rainbow Lions’ proud 20-year participation in the Amsterdam Canal Parade. Fully organised by the Rainbow Lions network, the boat has become a visible symbol of ING’s support for the LGBTQI+ community and a testament to the dedication of colleagues and allies who have advocated and celebrated inclusion over the years.
The exhibition also illustrates the evolution of Pride campaigns within ING, showing how they have grown from local employee initiatives into global campaigns that connect and engage people across countries and cultures. The exhibition was visited by ABN AMRO, KPMG, Clifford Chance, CGI, Shell, Phillips, Accenture, ASML & Workplace Pride, and was shared on ING’s LinkedIn and in an interview with Businesswise. By preserving and sharing this history, the exhibition has created a lasting legacy that educates, inspires, advances inclusion, and strengthens belonging, making its impact highly deserving of recognition.
IANGA- I am not going anywhere
In a world where many LGBTQ+ people are once again questioning whether they are safe, accepted or even welcome, we wanted our colleagues to hear four simple words: I am not going anywhere. That is why Lenovo PRIDE created IANGA, our LGBTQ+ peer-support initiative focused on connection, inclusion, mental wellbeing and psychological safety. IANGA provides regular peer-led sessions where employees can come together in a safe, inclusive and confidential space to share experiences, listen to one another and build genuine human connections.
But IANGA is more than a meeting. Across the 9 editions, it became a space where people can speak about things they may be afraid to discuss elsewhere. Where nobody needs to explain why identity matters. Where vulnerability is not weakness. We talk. We listen. We laugh. Sometimes we cry. And we remind each other that none of us has to face difficult moments alone. The sessions centre LGBTQ+ lived experiences while welcoming allies, and participation is voluntary, confidential and grounded in listening, respect and shared humanity.
Special sessions have also created space for deeply personal reflection around International Transgender Day of Visibility and IDAHOBIT. Its visibility is already reaching beyond the sessions themselves- more than 100 colleagues attending so far. IANGA was recognised as a top-three finalist in the Inclusive Employer category of the Via Bona Slovakia Awards 2025. But its greatest impact cannot be measured by an award. It is the moment when someone who feels alone joins a session and discovers that they are not. That is the promise behind the name: I see you. I stand with you. I am not going anywhere.
KLM’s Customer Experience Team
Impact: For years, KLM supported Pride through separate initiatives. In 2026, the Customer Experience team took a decisive step forward. It connected customer experiences, employee involvement and community partnerships in one visible programme. Working with KLM’s Over The Rainbow employee network, Delta Air Lines, WorldPride and teams across KLM, the team brought Pride into the customer journey. The programme included KLM and Delta’s WorldPride partnership, the KLM Pride House and support for WorldPride’s international scholarship programme. The Pride House offered a safe base for six international LGBTIQ+ activists, including people from places where safety and equal rights cannot be taken for granted. They shared experiences with colleagues, connected with KLM buddies and grew their international networks. From June to October, passengers could watch LGBTIQ+ films on board. A special Pride edition of Holland Herald also carried LGBTIQ+ stories around the world. KLM and Delta joined the Canal Parade with a boat designed as an aircraft, uniting both brands around the message ‘Fly as you are’. At Pride Village, an interactive booth created meaningful conversations with visitors.
Visibility: The programme was visible on board, in Holland Herald, on social media and at the Pride House, Canal Parade and Pride Village. It brought LGBTIQ+ stories to an international audience, including people who may not usually engage with Pride.
Courage: KLM flies to countries with very different laws and attitudes towards LGBTIQ+ people. After years of cautious visibility, the team chose to step forward clearly and publicly. It moved beyond sponsorship and made inclusion part of KLM’s customer experience. Its message captured this ambition: “Keep the party loud and the protest proud. Pride is a home away from home. And on behalf of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, we are proud to take you there.”
Make Room for Love: Everyday Allyship at Ingka Group, IKEA
At Ingka Group, we believe that when we make room for love, we make room for people to be themselves. Make Room for Love: Everyday Allyship is our global LGBT+ inclusion initiative, turning this belief into action by helping create workplaces where everyone feels respected, valued and able to belong. Activated annually for IDAHOBIT, the initiative invites approximately 160,000 co-workers across 32 countries to take meaningful action year round through four pillars:
• Building confidence in everyday allyship – Our Everyday Allyship Guide offers co-workers, leaders and customers practical ways to use inclusive language, respect names and pronouns, challenge stereotypes and bias, and uplift diverse voices in and beyond the workplace.
• Turning global intent into locally relevant action – Experiences from IKEA Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, India, Slovakia and the US are shared and help co-workers and leaders explore how LGBT+ inclusion can be advanced across different cultural, societal and legal contexts.
• Creating visible workplace and customer engagement – Each year, more than 400 units raise the Progress Pride Flag as a symbol of belonging, solidarity and support. In 2026, over 3,000 co-workers participated in 43 Pride events worldwide. Co-worker-led STORSTOMMA rainbow bag displays in stores also create opportunities for customer conversations about allyship.
• Supporting communities and co-workers – Since 2024, proceeds from STORSTOMMA rainbow bag sales during a defined campaign period have supported local LGBT+ organisations. Internally, inclusive benefits and policies are reinforced by continued focus on inclusive language and trans inclusion. At a time of increasing global polarisation, Make Room for Love turns allyship from intention into everyday practice.
Through learning, locally relevant action, visible engagement and community support, it challenges stereotypes, reduces barriers and creates more inclusive experiences for LGBT+ co-workers, customers and communities.
Important deadline
Voting closes on 2 November 2026 at 18:00 CET.
Getting to Beurs van Berlage
Beurs van Berlage is located in the heart of Amsterdam at Damrak 243, just 300 metres from Amsterdam Central Station — around a 5-minute walk.
By Train
Amsterdam Centraal is the easiest option.
From the station:
- Exit towards Damrak / city centre
- Walk along Damrak
- The Beurs van Berlage is approximately 5 minutes away
If travelling from Schiphol Airport, direct trains to Amsterdam Centraal take approximately 15–20 minutes.
By Metro
You can travel to Amsterdam Centraal by metro and walk approximately 5 minutes to the venue.
If travelling on the North–South Metro Line, get off at Rokin. From Rokin, the Beurs is approximately a 5-minute walk towards Dam Square/Damrak.
By Tram
There is a tram stop directly opposite the Beurs on Damrak.
There are also tram stops around Dam Square, approximately 5 minutes from the venue.
By Bus
Bus stops are available near De Bijenkorf and around Dam Square, both within a short walking distance of the Beurs.
By Taxi
You can give the driver:
Beurs van Berlage
Damrak 243
1012 ZJ Amsterdam
The venue advises that taxis can access the area around the Beurs. From Schiphol, a taxi journey takes approximately 25 minutes, depending on traffic.
By Car
Driving into central Amsterdam can be challenging, particularly because of ongoing roadworks and restricted access.
The nearest parking garage is Q-Park Bijenkorf. The venue recommends Parking Centrum Oosterdok, which is approximately a 15-minute walk from the Beurs and offers EV charging facilities.
♿ Accessibility
The Beurs van Berlage is accessible to visitors with disabilities and has adapted facilities, including elevators and accessible restrooms.
Tip: For the most up-to-date tram, metro and bus routes on the evening of the event, check the GVB Journey Planner before travelling, as routes and services can change.
Nomination Criteria: Celebrating Excellence and Inclusivity
In the spirit of fairness and transparency, the criteria for the 2026 Workplace Pride Impact Awards have been designed to ensure uniformity across all awards. We kindly request all nominating members to address each criterion in their submissions. These same criteria will be rigorously employed in the selection process to uphold transparency and integrity. Below you will find the criteria breakdown.
Impact (50%)
Nominees should vividly showcase the measurable and tangible significance of their contributions to either LGBTIQ+ or the broader LGBTIQ+ community. How has their endeavour made a substantial difference? Highlighting quantifiable outcomes is essential.
Visibility (30%)
Visibility serves as a barometer of influence. Nominations should shed light on how the nominee’s efforts were within their organisation and beyond. The extent to which their work transcends boundaries matters.
Courage (20%)
Nominate those who dared to challenge the status quo. Highlight the extent to which nominees pushed existing boundaries to achieve their goals. Courageous actions often pave the way for groundbreaking change.
NOMINATION PROCEDURE
1. Submitting Nominations
Any individual or grouping from Workplace Pride member organisations can submit nominations (including for yourself!) via the link below. Please note that submissions must be no more than 300 words and adhere to this format to be considered.
2. Selection Process
Three nominees from each category that best fit the established criteria (above) will be pre-selected by a jury consisting of Workplace Pride representatives and published on the Workplace Pride website. The LGBTIQ+ 2026 Members Choice – Game Changer Award will be voted on by the members after the nominations have been received.
3. Announcement Winners
The winners will be selected by Workplace Pride Advisory Board Members and be announced at the Impact Awards Gala at Beurs van Berlage in Amsterdam on Friday, 6 November, 2026.
Submission Deadline
All nominations must be received by 4 October, 18:00. This deadline ensures that every deserving candidate gets their rightful chance to be recognised.
