The Foundation
The People Behind
executive board
Albert Kehrer (he/him)
CEO
“I know from personal experience what it feels like to be able to develop your full potential in the workplace. Too many people still do not have the confidence to be themselves. My contribution as the CEO of PROUT AT WORK is to work precisely on this with companies and organizations, in order to come closer to the goal of a non-discriminatory and inclusive working environment.”
Eva Kreienkamp (she/her)
Executive Board
“Maya Angelou says, “Courage is the most important of all virtues, without which kindness, humanity, fairness, or generosity cannot develop.” We are challenged every day to show this courage, including in the workplace. Through PROUT AT WORK, we support queer people, allies, and companies in being courageous, and I am delighted to be able to contribute to this.”
Angela Matthes (she/her)
Executive Board
“Every person is diverse, and diversity is untapped capital in many companies. I embrace my diversity and show the world how vulnerability and authenticity give me strength to simply be colorful and human, and how companies can use the power of vulnerability to become more resilient in turbulent times.”
Dr. Thomas Meiers (he/him)
Executive Board
“I am delighted to be able to support the PROUT AT WORK Foundation with my work. As part of the LGBTIQ+ community, I know how important role models are. PROUT AT WORK helps companies, as well as out employees and allies within these companies, to become more visible both internally and externally. This is something I am committed to.”
Dr. Phonemano (Mano) Thiravong (all pronouns)
Executive Board
“We all have so much going on in our lives – with competing strains and stresses sometimes pushing kindness to one side, in favor of what is urgent now. According to the Mental Health Foundation, by taking the time to be kind to others, we can experience emotional rewards. It really does make a difference, especially for people who are vulnerable or struggling. Small changes can make a big difference. During challenging times and the uncertainty and turmoil going on in the world, now is the time to come together and help make a kinder society for ourselves, our customers and the people we serve.”
team
Frauke Bareiss (she/her)
Project Lead
“Work that improves equal opportunities for LGBT*IQ just makes sense. Since I feel privileged in many ways, I see it not only as a personal concern to work for more equal opportunities and against discrimination. For me, it also means taking responsibility, contributing to a better society and actively change.”
Quinton Binder (they/them | he/him)
Working Student
“After working as an openly queer person in a less diverse company for a year and a half in another working student job, I came across PROUT AT WORK while looking for something new. It was immediately clear to me – I wanted to be part of it. I had had exactly the kind of experiences that the foundation focuses on, so I am delighted to now be able to effectively help shape solutions and improvements for queer working and living realities.”
Christian Boß (he/him)
Project Lead
“Working for LGBT*IQ equal opportunities is a matter close to my heart. Through my work, I want to make LGBT*IQ topics more visible, by drawing attention to existing inequalities. In the best case, it stimulates reflection and rethinking of existing views and structures and thus promote honest and sustainable change in the world of work.”
Indira Buck (she/her)
Working Student
“During my studies, I dealt intensively with gender and diversity issues, which has significantly shaped my perspective on social structures and dealing with diversity. I therefore see it as natural to contribute my knowledge and my voice as an ally in order to show solidarity and create spaces together in which everyone can develop their own diversity safely and freely. At PROUT AT WORK, I can help to promote an inclusive (work) culture that focuses on recognition and respect for everyone.“
Enea Cocco (he/him)
Project Lead
“Luckily, many people are already talking about queer issues with great openness, and many straight people are now showing themselves appreciative and accepting – that’s something. Nevertheless, the concerns of LGBT*IQ have not yet become part of invisible normality and it is important to me to make a practical contribution in solidarity.”
Jonas Fischer (he/him)
Office Manager
“Even though queer people make up a considerable part of our population, it is quite hard to spot them in most companies. Frequently, this issue can be attributed to queer people being afraid of outing themselves, since they might have already experienced too much discrimination in their lives.
In fact, employees who are able to act freely and openly and do not have to hide while at work tend to perform more efficently and lucratively.
I am proud of working at a foundation that commits to improving queer rights in the business world. The kind of diversity we have already established in our team is the kind that should be common in each and every company.“
Julian Gebhard (he/him)
PR-Referent
“LGBT*IQ equal opportunity concerns us all. Everyone has a responsibility to treat their fellow human beings with respect – both in everyday life and in the workplace. Only then can we create an open (work) environment in which LGBT*IQ people do not have to hide or pretend, but can speak openly about their gender identity or sexual orientation. For this, we need more role models who represent our diverse society and especially encourage young LGBT*IQ people to accept and love themselves.”
Donna von Hösslin (she/her)
Project Lead
“For me, working for LGBT*IQ equal opportunities means standing up for an open-minded workplace that is characterized by acceptance for all people. It is important to me, that everyone can come to work as the person he_she is.”
Felicia Kuckertz (she/her)
Project Lead
“Queer equality must not be an abstract ideal, but should be a lived reality in the (working) world. The opportunity to help shape the (working) world of today and tomorrow as a queer person and to make it a safer space for all members of the queer community motivates me. Because queerness is not an obstacle, but a wonderful way of being – at work, in public, and in private.”
Jo Labecka (no pronouns)
Corporate Relationship Manager
“With my work, I would like to contribute to the visibility of LGBT*IQ people. Everyone deserves to be respected and to be able to show themselves as their true selves. However, very many people still don’t dare to do so, which is why we absolutely need more role models who show that it is possible. Together with companies and organizations, we can create a safe environment where differences are valued as potentials and not seen as hurdles.”
Sy Legath (he/they)
Project Lead
“Diversity is a buzzword. But it’s not enough to talk about diversity – you have to live it. Authentically, courageously and with solidarity. If we want to make our society and the workplace fair for everyone, we have to take action together. For me, working for LGBT*IQ equal opportunities therefore means taking responsibility, sharing privileges and initiating change.”
advisory board
Martin Behle
METRO AG
Karen Beier
Senior Expertin Diversity & Inclusive Culture im D&I Office
RWE AG
Fiona Briscoe
Commerzbank
“For me, diversity and inclusion are not just tasks, but a deeply rooted attitude. As Head of Diversity, Inclusion and Health Management, I have the extraordinary opportunity to further develop and strengthen our corporate culture on a daily basis. In doing so, we never lose sight of our common goal: to promote a corporate culture that enables every individual to contribute their unique skills in the best possible way.”
Corina Christen
Geschäftsführerin
Charta der Vielfalt e.V.
“Promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace is very important to me. My commitment to equal opportunities for queer people in the workplace is based on the fundamental principle that every person should have the opportunity to develop free from discrimination. An atmosphere in which individual authenticity can be lived without fear not only promotes the well-being of the individual, but also strengthens the entire team.”
Torsten Grewe
Leiter betriebliches Gesundheitsmanagement
Pfizer Pharma GmbH
“For me, equal opportunities for queer people in the workplace is a question of justice. Everyone should have the same opportunities, regardless of their identity. Through an inclusive work environment, we can promote not only individual growth, but also the diversity and creativity that lead to innovative solutions and a successful company.”
Tobias Xaver Gruber
Otto GmbH & Co. KGaA
“For me, diversity and the protection of minorities is not only a personal concern, but I am firmly convinced that this is a prerequisite for successful business and a better working environment. With our queer network MORE*, I have been campaigning for the interests and visibility of queer people and for an unprejudiced approach to sexual identity beyond the Otto Group’s borders for many years.”
Dennis Heuer
Partner
White & Case
“I am committed to PROUT AT WORK, because the professional environment plays a central role these days and more diversity can only enrich the world of work.”
Kai-Frithjof Hülsmann
Deutsche Telekom AG
“I am deeply convinced that diversity plays a crucial role in innovation and creative thinking in our digital future and is crucial in shaping new technologies. That’s why I am passionate about equal opportunities for queer people in the workplace and shaping the diverse working world of tomorrow.”
Stefan Katt
Völklinger Kreis
“As a gay man, it is particularly important for me to advocate for equal opportunities for queer people in the workplace. As a manager, I have a responsibility to promote an inclusive corporate culture in which diversity is valued and every employee has the same opportunities to progress based on performance and ability – and not be disadvantaged because of their sexual orientation. There should also be room for personal and professional development in the workplace. I am committed to equal opportunities in order to bring about positive change, not only within my own company, but also in the world of work as a whole. Unfortunately, there is still a lot to do, true to the motto: Be Proud – Be Yourself – Be Ambitious.”
Vanessa Katz
SAP SE
“I am committed to a working world in which diversity counts as a strength and equal opportunities are guaranteed for all people. Especially in the current turbulent times, I think it is particularly important to take a clear position and to communicate this to the outside world in order to actively contribute to an inclusive and fair (working) world.”
Kornelia Liebert
Wirtschaftsweiber e.V.
“Equal opportunities are important to me, because these opportunities for people with a different sexual orientation are still unevenly distributed and discrimination continues to exist in companies.”
Susanne Nezmeskal-Berggötz
Deutsche Post AG
Alice Oehninger
Boehringer Ingelheim
“Fairness, compassion and mindfulness are fundamental principles for me, and I am committed to promoting them. As a trainer and learning coach, I serve as a role model for young adults. I am very aware of the responsibility and privilege of being a visible example of how gender roles and lifestyles can look beyond the heteronormative* family. I believe that my biography has sensitized me to the particular challenges faced by POC and refugees.”
Claudia Peiser
Google
“Only those who can develop freely in the workplace can work successfully and happily and use their own potential to the full. To ensure that no one forgets this, you have to remind some people of it from time to time. And this requires people who point this out and demand it, even if it is sometimes uncomfortable. In the end, we all benefit from it.”
Esther Richter
BASF SE
“I am committed to the LGBTQ+ community because I firmly believe that everyone has the right to live and love authentically, without fear of discrimination or prejudice. Diversity strengthens our community, each and every individual and our economy. It moves us forward and I want to help create a (working) environment in which prejudices are broken down and everyone feels welcome and valued.”
Andreas von Rosen
Senior Programm Manager
Accenture
“When I came out to my employer 20 years ago, it was preceded by weeks of worrying and various panic attacks about how it would be received. Fortunately, thanks to the tireless work of many fellow campaigners and colleagues, we are now much further along, but it is still often a difficult process. And not every company can already call itself LGBTIQ friendly. It is therefore very important to me that we do not let up in our efforts to demand and promote genuine equal opportunities and acceptance for LGBTIQ people. I want to work towards this.”
Mathias Schreiber
Partner
PwC
“As a Partner at PwC and Co-Chair of Shine, I firmly believe that diversity and inclusion are critical success factors for any organization. My involvement with the PROUT AT WORK Foundation reflects my belief that everyone should work in a safe and respectful work environment. An inclusive culture promotes the full potential of all employees. In my role as an advisory board member, I am committed to making LGBTIQ+ employees more visible and better supported. Working with PROUT AT WORK gives me the opportunity to further this mission and have a positive impact on the world of work. Together, we can break down barriers and use diversity as a strength.”
Barbara Thiel
thyssenkrupp AG
“As an advisory board member of the PROUT AT WORK-Foundation, I am involved because I am convinced that diversity and inclusion in the workplace are not just values, but real drivers of innovation and (economic) success. It is a personal concern of mine to make a contribution to ensuring that people can work authentically and without restrictions, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation or gender identity. With my work, I want to help create a working environment that encourages, breaks down prejudices and promotes genuine equal opportunities.”
Paul Tophof
Noerr
“I know from my own experience how important it is to advocate for equal opportunities for queer people in the workplace. We must not rest on our laurels – we must continue to work towards a diverse and unprejudiced working environment. I would like to contribute to this with my commitment.”
Antonia Wadé
Diversity Management
Audi AG
“Being queer is still associated with prejudice.
In my company, I’m working towards a future were being queer is considered as normal.”