In honor of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, the Chamber is proud to shine a light on some of our LGBTQ+ members and their vital contributions to the strength, vitality, and growth of our region.
Follow along and join the conversation as we honor these leaders on our social media channels by following the hashtag #DiversityPHL on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
What does diversity mean to you and why should it be celebrated?
Chamber Board Member
Jeff Guaracino, President & CEO, Visit Philadelphia
“Building diverse, equitable, and inclusive teams is essential to crafting culturally fluent strategies and campaigns that accurately reflect the consumers of our diverse city and nation. It’s absolutely essential in the tourism and hospitality sector where the biggest sin is to make someone feel unwelcome.”
Kathleen Padilla, Deputy Director of Aviation for Diversity and Inclusion, Philadelphia International Airport
“The business case for diversity is overwhelming. The benefits from a diversity of thought and backgrounds are well understood by now. … But more importantly, it is simply the fair and right thing to do. Ensuring diversity covers all communities and protects all of us.”
Chamber Board Member
Steve Rosen, Managing Director, Aloysius Butler & Clark
“I think of diversity, equity, and inclusion as a beautiful noise. Beautiful because it’s the result of people with different life experiences coming together to create something new and better. Noisy because the magic lies in the lively and honest discussion and debate that occurs when folks with different perspectives collaborate as truly equal partners. Ultimately producing something richer, smarter, more human, and more meaningful.”
How has your identity impacted and helped shape you into the leader you are today?
Jason D. Evans, Supplier Diversity Manager, Penn Procurement Services, University of Pennsylvania
“Growing up at the intersection of being both Black and gay, I often felt I needed to keep those identities separate as I often faced discrimination with both identities. Now I have learned that living at an intersection like being Black and gay has given me greater access to do the work, show there is strength in diversity, and lead by example.”
Anne E. Geary, Senior Program Manager, Research Project Management Office, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
“Being a member of the LGBTQ+ community has made me more aware of all minorities that are disenfranchised or targeted for harassment and discrimination. As a leader, this has influenced me to seek diverse candidates for open positions, engage more frequently in conversations related to diversity, equity, and inclusion topics, and to strive for greater empathy through all aspects of my life.”
Scott Gray, CEO, Clincierge
“I was fortunate that my youth was stable, including a loving family, housing, food, clothing, and encouragement to learn – and this support instilled in me a confidence to be who I am, without apology. So, that’s the way I persevered; I plowed ahead to become what I dreamed of, never embracing the warnings of the doubters.”
How can our region continue to strengthen and support the LGBTQ+ community?
Chair of the Chamber’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
Marc Coleman, President & CEO, The Tactile Group
“Buy from our businesses … Learn our history and support our cultural centers like William Way. Take particular care to center BIPOC, Latinx, and AAPI members of LGBTQ+ community. Speak up for us when we’re not in the room.”
Emma Hamm, Brand Advertising Production Specialist – Marketing, Subaru of America, Inc.
“At Subaru, the Out+Ally group proudly partners with local LGBTQ-serving organizations who make a big impact. It can be difficult to comprehend how a company can actually make a difference … However, we’ve witnessed the power of presence and conversation. From this comes meaningful dialogue and new unexpected opportunities to use our talents to better serve our community.”
Celena Morrison, Executive Director, Office of LGBT Affairs, City of Philadelphia
“It is important continue to recognize and elevate the voices of those who face ongoing systemic and structural oppression: trans and non-binary individuals, people of color, immigrants, elders, people with disabilities, youth, and those who live at the intersections of these identities. … Here are five ways that you can show support – not just during Pride Month, but all year long:
- Donate to LGBTQ+ organizations,
- Support those doing the work to minimize violence against Black trans people,
- Provide care, resources, and opportunities for Black LGBTQ+ people to thrive,
- Create spaces of gender self-determination where trans identities are not stigmatized,
- Adjust hiring practices to alleviate unconscious bias.”
The Chamber positions diversity, equity, and inclusion as critical for business maturation and growth. Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiative drives economic competitiveness, highlights diverse employee populations, and promotes inclusive growth throughout the Greater Philadelphia region.
