Page 5 - BEQ Magazine Vol 4, Iss 4 (01032020 Final)_Active

BEQ PRIDE ADVISORY BOARD

share their recent achievements. Since they first appeared in BEQ, Loud-Hailer was
awarded their first U.S. patent for their BLE mesh networking technology. They’ve
also successfully launched their iOS and Android app called BUKI and their BUKI
platform has been successfully installed in three U.S. cities and several Southeast Asian
cities with more coming online in early 2020.
Recently, at my request, Lynn C. Reyes, subject matter expert and long-time friend LYNN C . REYES
of BEQ Pride, interviewed one of our favorite leaders and STEM professionals, Dr. Business Value Artisan
Eric Patridge. This is a conversation about talent and the future. Dr. Patridge is another IBM Corporation
exemplar of LGBTQ-excellence and part of the inaugural LGBTQ Leaders Under 40
Class of 2018. He is an example of what top STEM talent looks like in the new decade,
but how did he get here? Through Lynn’s eyes, we are taking a look at what happens
when a person can truly be who they are—without judgment. What brilliance would
they choose to bring to the world if they were able to show up and be included as their
full selves? I believe Dr. Patridge’s story and his conversation with Lynn hold clues to
the answers to these questions.
TurnOut’s first ever Queer Board Match in the San Francisco Bay Area and the KJ WARD, ED .M .
NGLCC’s 17th annual National Dinner awards gala in Washington DC are both cov- sysTemic160/ ECF Strategy
ered in this issue. Dr. Steven Yacovelli provides sage advice on positivity in the work- Writer, Editor, Communications
Professional
place and Matt Hanzlik talks about Diversity and Inclusion at Nielsen. An interesting
note on the strategic value of diversity, David Kenny, CEO of Nielsen N.V. is also its
Chief Diversity Officer.
Once again we searched and we found young leaders from across North America.
We’re thrilled to share our annual LGBTQ+ Leaders Under 40 list with 41 amazing
leaders (we had to add Mayor Pete) for you to get to know. Not only is our Class of
2020 an accomplished and learned group, but each has also shared the impact or inten-
tion they hope to create by 2030 through their generative leadership now. Their voices, ROBIN PULFORD
vocations and leadership styles are unique, but they’re all aligned in mission: Equality Supplier Diversity Manager
for All. We are extremely proud of this group of young leaders in particular for their American Airline (Retired)
willingness to be out and proud in turbulent times.
We invite you to read the special section and then visit our website at BusinessEqual-
ityMagazine.com for extended profiles on each leader. We hope you are inspired and
enjoy learning about them too.
We must stand united in support of equality for all, build on the promise of Stone-
wall and continue to lead when (or where) others wouldn’t dare.
Thank you for a beautiful 2019 and Happy New Year!

MICHAEL K . ROBINSON
Program Director,
Supplier Diversity
IBM Corporation

WATCH
BEQTV JOY WONG

BusinessEqualityMagazine.com Corporate Vice President, Supplier
https://youtu.be/eZ5J3PK9iRg Diversity/Procurement
New York Life
businessequalitymagazine.com Winter 2019/2020 | 5