LGBT+@Work 2024

Becca Smith

Alumni/People & Culture Coordinator FIFA

https://www.linkedin.com/in/beccasmith1/

Hi there! 👋 I'm Becca, and my mission is to create happier and healthier workplaces.

I'm passionate about understanding human behavior in the workplace through research and data. With a strong background in strategic HR and experience in various research roles, I utilize data and technology to promote well-being and belonging in organizations. Throughout my international career, spanning the United States, Colombia, Spain, and Switzerland, I've gained valuable insights into diverse work cultures. Improving organizations through driving positive change is a passion that has shaped my career - from leading global departments in the corporate world to conducting and synthesizing research on the workplace.

💜 People and their well-being are at the core of everything I do.

When I'm not working, you'll often find me spoiling my dog Zafi, watching baseball (go Rangers!), or planning my next international trip.

Brittany Pride

IE University

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittanycpride/

Brittany Pride is a seasoned Human Resources professional with over seven years of experience, having lived and worked across Asia and Europe. Known for building strong relationships across all levels, backgrounds, and cultures, she excels in influencing people to think bigger and broader for long-term success. With a dynamic and engaging approach, Brittany leaves a lasting impact on every organization they touch.

Brittany aims to disrupt the conventional ways of doing HR, focusing on the human element to serve as a catalyst for organizational change through data and strategy. In her free time, Brittany enjoys international music, spending time with their poodle, nurturing their plants, reading, staying active through creative pursuits, and coaching youth sports. Currently, Brittany is on sabbatical to pursue a Master’s in Talent Development and Human Resources in Madrid, Spain, and will return to the United States at the end of July 2024.

Christina Henkel

CEO

Skyadvisory

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-christina-h-henkel-a884293/

Denis Mochalin

People & Culture ybot

ybot

https://www.linkedin.com/in/denismochalin/

In my day-to-day job, I strive to create meaningful workplaces that unite and inspire people.

My career passion lies in the intersection of talent development, organizations, and analytics. Being a data-oriented HR person, I keep looking at my profession through the lens of humanities and social sciences. Having lived in Northern and Southern Europe and having worked in corporate, start-up, and consulting environments, I possess a diverse cross-cultural perspective, a comprehensive understanding of varying business landscapes, and a proven adaptability to excel in dynamic and ever-changing professional settings.

Emmanuel Djengue

Co-founder

Kaatch

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmanuel-d-619a5847/

Emmanuel, a master’s graduate from IAE Lille, founded, Kaatch, an HRtech company in April 2024 with a strong focus on diversity and equity in the workplace. He is also the vice-president of a young leaders' association in Insurance and a former Global Shaper of the World Economic Forum. Emmanuel has authored articles on digitization and conducted over 100 workshops and keynote speeches across Europe, Africa, and the Americas, showcasing his expertise and commitment to business advancement and community impact. He is listed as a 40u40 in Insurance and among the top 10 globally as a DE&I Insurance Champion.

Eva Diaz

Founder

Shaping The New

https://www.linkedin.com/in/eva-diaz-450125b9/

Eva is experienced in Innovation Management, Information Technology and Business Operations Management; specially on logistics, supply chain and strategy areas and in Industry, Distribution and Energy sectors. She has lead complex projects and teams getting results and applying new ways to work and think.

She is client oriented and has been focused, on his professional activity on generating results and getting the targets specified for the project.

As executive, she has the strategic vision for her company based on a deep knowledge both the client needs and the capabilities of her company. She is able to translate that vision on targets and products and services for his market.

Now she is focused on generating a new company oriented to consolidate Innovation and Digital Transformation thorough creating a network of experienced resources, worldwide experts and local service companies.

Eva Katharina Herber

Psychologist, Coach & Educator

https://www.linkedin.com/in/eva-katharina-herber-5055391/

Life transitions are my passion. When life surprises us with change most of us feel lost and overwhealmed. The good news is that we all have the internal resources necessary to turn crises into opportunities. With the right focus we can discover, honor and own them. It is my mission to facilitate growth in challenging times by focusing on the meaningful development of personal strengths.

My work is based on three main pillars: Strengths Coaching, Positive Psychology and Integrative Psychotherapy.

(1) As an accredited Strengths Practitioner and Positive Psychology Coach I work with individuals and teams to increase their wellbeing and performance through interventions that empower their mindful and strategic use of strengths.

(2) As a licensed clinical psychologist I support locals and the international community in Madrid during important life and career transitions. My personal experience in "starting from scratch" both professionally and culturally together with my training in Positive Psychology helps me create strengths-based interventions that alleviate the inevitable uncertainty of transitions while building your confidence in who you are and who you are becoming. My expertise in cognitive and integrative psychotherapy will help us navigate potential growing pains, even if the going gets tough.

(3) Last but not least, I serve as a professor and educator in different graduate and post-graduate programs with institutions like IEPP/ LaSalle (Master in Strengths Coaching), IE University (Positive Psychology), IE Business School (Stress Management) and support training companies such as Behavioral Healthcare Consulting, Headspring and The Langley Group in facilitating face-to-face, in-company and online trainings.

Francesco Sparacio

Solution Engineering

Microsoft

https://www.linkedin.com/in/francescosparacio/?originalSubdomain=es

With over 10 years of experience in cloud engineering and consulting, Francesco Sparacio is passionate about helping customers with their digital transformation journey.

As a Senior Azure Cloud Engineer at Microsoft, he leads complex cutting-edge solutions based on IoT, AI, and Generative AI while supporting Microsoft business by focusing on IP harvesting and re-use strategies.

Francesco enjoys working with diverse and talented worldwide teams, bringing innovative and accessible solutions to complex challenges. In his current role, Francesco leverages his skills to design and implement cloud solutions for various clients and industries, leading multi-disciplinary teams, participating in presales and offerings, and mentoring others.

Some of the customers he has worked with include Coca Cola, MediaPro, La Liga, Real Madrid, Enel, Endesa, Iveco, Repsol, Pescanova, London Stock Exchange, Unilever, and Alfalaval.

Francesco is always eager to learn new technologies and best practices, and to share his knowledge and learnings, enjoying public speaking as well. During his career, he founded and led the LGBT+ Employee Resource Group at Microsoft Spain for three years, leading a board of 8 members and engaging in leadership conversations on D&I. He worked on strategic plans, structured funding strategies, non-profit organization project collaborations, communication plans, awareness sessions, and supported Microsoft partners and customers on D&I topics and best practices.

Gabriel Briones

IE Masters in Big Data Student

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielbrionesloria/

He's a data professional looking to leverage the power of data quality, data science, and enterprise risk management to unlock strategic opportunities and digital transformation for businesses.

His love of data kicked off during my study of risk management and insurance, where I focused on the importance of data in mitigating uncertainties and ensuring business resilience.

He's a native English and Spanish speaker. Leading cross-cultural collaboration to build bridges and work effectively as a team is where my expertise shines. I have professional experience in Ireland and Spain and have lived in Brazil and Germany.

In his spare time, I enjoy reading, running, chess, and creating new media art, such as immersive VR experiences.

Mahmoud Assy

CEO DEI Consultancy

Eufonía

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahmoud-assy-diversity/

Mahmoud Assy, a DEI consultant, intercultural trainer, and dedicated human rights activist, brings a unique perspective to fostering inclusion and equity. 

With a journey as a refugee in Spain and an identity as a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ and Arab-Muslim communities, Mahmoud possesses a profound understanding of the challenges faced by various underrepresented groups.

Fluent in six languages, he bridges gaps in communication and cultural understanding, essential for promoting diversity. Mahmoud's experiences of marginalization have sharpened his insights into the systemic barriers that often exclude diverse voices from critical decision-making. 

Committed to guiding change-makers in organizations to identify and dismantle these barriers, Mahmoud is paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable environment. 

Marco Tardito

Mental Health & Wellness Board

Amazon

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marco-tardito-982372ab/

As a Senior Program Manager at Amazon, He specializes in people management and international process improvement for EU DSP payments operations. With a master's degree in Marketing from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, He has a strong background in business and marketing, as well as data analytics and logic skills.

In his current role, he leads an international, diverse and talented group of professionals and have successfully created, improved, automated and coordinated Fixed Payments processes for DSPs 2.0, a key program for Amazon's logistics network. By applying data-driven strategies and innovative solutions, he has increased the efficiency, accuracy, and scalability of the payments processes, while ensuring compliance with EU regulations and customer satisfaction.

He is a board member of the ES Mental Health & Wellbeing affinity group at Amazon, leading partnerships and outreach initiatives to increase mental health awareness among Amazon employees and leaders.

Maria Elena Pàmies

Confidence Coach

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariaelenapamies/

It took me a long journey of self-acceptance before reaching where I am today, and it all began with the discovery of my Queer (LGTB) identity after a life-altering divorce. Although I embraced my Kink (BDSM) lifestyle, shame didn't allow me to fully enjoy it. My critical view of others mirrored my own inner struggle, hindering my personal and professional life.

In 2020, my daughter’s identification as a transgender non-binary individual introduced me to the world of trans identity. This experience spurred me to focus my career as a life coach by training in sexuality and gender identity.

A crucial moment came when my daughter reminded me that I am more than just a mother of a trans person. This made me deeply analyze my life, and come out to myself. The outcome? A deep sense of freedom, reminding me of the high cost of self-betrayal.

During that process I realized the importance of external support, empathy, and a safe space for genuine self-expression beyond my immediate circle. And that’s exactly what I provide to my community, a safe space where crossdressers can be themselves and fully express their authenticity —especially in front of a woman— and release any guilt or shame.

When you attend my speaking engagements, expect authenticity.

I believe in deep connections as the foundation of any relationship, personal or professional. And I’m known for embracing inclusion and uniqueness, without any judgment.

Mariano Andres Gigena-Kazimierczak

IE Business School

IE Out and Allies Club President

www.linkedin.com/in/marianoandresgk

At 32 years young, Mariano is currently immersing themselves in the world of talent development and human resources at IE Business School, where their international profile shines with Argentine and Polish influences. Hailing from the vibrant city of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Mariano embodies a rich tapestry of cultural diversity and global perspective.

Currently serving as the project manager at HelloChange, Mariano collaborates closely with Paris De l'etraz, the managing director of Venture Lab at IE Business School and director of HelloChange HR tech startu, making significant strides with one of their clients in Saudi Arabia, leveraging innovative solutions to drive positive change and foster inclusivity within the organization.

With a profound love for diversity in all its forms, Mariano has already made significant strides in their educational journey, holding a Master's in Education from the esteemed University of Alberta. Their fervent dedication to DEI extends beyond academia, as they hold certifications in trauma-informed leadership, reflecting their commitment to fostering inclusive environments that prioritize mental health and well-being.

Mariano's commitment to inclusivity is exemplified by their previous work, where they led a groundbreaking capstone project focused on raising awareness of third-person pronouns among internationally educated nurses—a testament to their dedication to improving communication and healthcare outcomes for LGBTQ+ patients in Canada.

Join Mariano on their journey to transform the world—one inclusive step at a time.

Mateo Rouco Salvado

Head of Marketing & Comms

BBVA Spark

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mateorouco/

Head of Communications of Wayra in Spain and Global Shaper at the World Economic Forum. Restless mind. Optimistic by nature. Mateo Rouco Salvado am always looking for creative solutions to everyday problems.

Mela Habijan

Miss Trans Global 2020

https://www.linkedin.com/in/missmelahabijan/

Miss Mela is the first-ever Miss Trans Global, and the host/presenter (aka “Mother Sparker”) of Sparks Camp, the first queer dating reality show in the Philippines.

She is an active voice of the Filipino LGBTQIA+ community championing inclusion and equal rights. She is the National Convener of Pride PH, the organization that organized the biggest Pride March in Southeast Asia to date. Currently, she’s finishing her Masters Degrees in  International MBA and Creative Direction, Content, and Branding at IE University in Madrid, Spain.

A TV and events host/presenter, writer, actress, peanut butter maker, brand ambassador, and content creator based in Manila, Philippines, Miss Mela is fond of pop culture and pageants, desires to follow the footsteps of Oprah and Naomi Campbell, aims to spread the love Miss Mela’s Peanut Butter globally, and dreams of having a family of her own. 

Simran Patel

IE University Dual Degree MIM & TDHR Student

https://www.linkedin.com/in/patelsimrann/

Verónica Cuevas Marte

Executive Coach & Mentor

https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronicacuevasm/

HR Leader with global experience and Executive Coach, co-developed People programs, organizational effectiveness and leadership development, and cultural transformation. Creating positive workplaces through the application of appreciative inquiry and design thinking, allowing employees to co-lead the cultural and digital transformation.

Positive psychology and leading edge change management approach to create sustainable agile and effective organizational cultures. Designed and facilitated programs on performance management, leadership, employer branding, remote employee experience, talent and development, graduate programs, mentoring, and cross-training programs.

Business Psychologist and Executive Coach at IE Business School. Great interest in neurosciences, mindfulness and the human search for meaning and purpose.

Zayne Imam

Talent & Careers Exec. Director

IE University

https://www.linkedin.com/in/zayne-imam/

Passionate about building meaningful communities, curious about how GenAI applications can improve impact in both work and creative endevours