India Workplace Equality Index

As we close the curtain on this incredible year, our heartfelt gratitude goes to the visionary companies that made the 5th India Workplace Equality Index 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭 & 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 a resounding success! 🌟 𝐀 𝐁𝐈𝐆 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭: Vision Sponsor — JPMorganChase  Headline Sponsors — IBM & NTT DATA, Inc. Associate Sponsors — Deloitte, Fiserv, Intuit, Macquarie Group, Moody's Corporation, Morningstar, Northern Trust, Randstad, Standard Chartered & ZS Gala Sponsors — Diageo & HSBC Leadership Roundtable Sponsor — 𝐃𝐎𝐖 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚 Badge & Lanyard Sponsor — Mastercard Advocate Sponsor — Marsh McLennan Seating Sponsor — Micron Technology     Hospitality Partner — The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group Media Partner — ET Edge & Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd. (The Times of India) Mental Health Partner — Pride Cares Supplier Diversity Partner — Rainbow Bazaar Film Partner — 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐛𝐨𝐰 𝐋𝐞𝐧𝐬 __ 🎯 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐖𝐄𝐈 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭: workplaceequalityindex.in  📥 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐖𝐄𝐈 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓? Reach us at iwei@thepridecircle.com Together, we continue the journey of inclusion, pride, and purpose. 💜 __ Ramkrishna Sinha | Srini Ramaswamy | Nikita Shah | Lalita Tata | Ayesha Bajaj | Amrita Sandhu | Priyanka Shetty | Ananya Bora Keshav Suri Foundation | Pride Circle | Stonewall #IWEI2024 #DEI #EqualAtWork #Pride #LGBT #WorkplaceDiversity #LGBTQ #Awards #5YearsOfIWEI #IWEI #Inclusion 

🌟 Honoring the 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 at the IWEI Summit & Awards 2024! 🤝 This prestigious award was presented by Pallabi Ganguly (she/her), the Lead of Rainbow Bazaar at Pride Circle and Nikita Shah (she/her), Associate Director at India Workplace Equality Index. 🌈 Congratulations to ZS for their outstanding efforts in advancing LGBT+ inclusion! Setting a high standard in supplier diversity, ZS is guided by SA 8000 (Social Accountability) and ISO 26000 standards, ensuring ethical business practices and social responsibility. Their initiatives include LGBT+ Inclusion Training for procurement teams, enabling meaningful support for diverse suppliers, and extending best practices, training, and events to foster supplier growth. Collaborations with organizations like MIST LGBTQ Foundation, BeUnic, and Pride Circle amplify their impact, from pro-bono projects and community engagement to sponsorships. Notably, in 2023, 14% of ZS’s spend went to certified diverse suppliers, reflecting their commitment to underrepresented groups. Their mentorship programs further empower LGBT+ businesses with resources for development, networking, and strategy. 🙌 ZS Associates exemplifies leadership by embedding inclusion across procurement and beyond! __ 🏳️🌈 Learn more about IWEI: workplaceequalityindex.in   📥 For any queries, contact us at iwei@thepridecircle.com  Ramkrishna Sinha | Srini Ramaswamy | Nikita Shah | Lalita Tata | Ayesha Bajaj | Amrita Sandhu | Priyanka Shetty | Ananya Bora Keshav Suri Foundation | Pride Circle | Stonewall  #IWEI2024 #DEI #EqualAtWork #Pride #LGBT #WorkplaceDiversity #LGBTQ #Awards #5YearsOfIWEI #IWEI #Inclusion 

🌟 Honoring the 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 at the IWEI Summit & Awards 2024! 🤝 This prestigious award was presented by Ananya Bora (she/her), the Associate Director - Hiring at Pride Circle and Nikita Shah (she/her), Associate Director at India Workplace Equality Index. 🌈 A huge congratulations to Shiv Kumar,(he/him), India HR Head at Merck Group India, for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to LGBT+ inclusion. Under Shiv’s leadership, Merck India has achieved transformative milestones in fostering equity and inclusion. As a mentor and executive sponsor of the LGBT+ ERG, he partnered with Pride Circle to implement strategies that shaped policies and culture, driving impactful outcomes like 73 employees openly identifying as LGBT+ within two years. Key initiatives include the Rainbow Bazaar Mentorship Program, gender-neutral fertility benefits, and year-round panels celebrating LGBT+ stories. These efforts culminated in welcoming Merck India’s first openly LGBT+ hire, solidifying Shiv’s role as a true champion of inclusion and inspiring meaningful change within and beyond the organization. 🙌 We commend Shiv’s dedication in turning intent into meaningful action! __ 🏳️🌈 Learn more about IWEI: workplaceequalityindex.in   📥 For any queries, contact us at iwei@thepridecircle.com  Ramkrishna Sinha | Srini Ramaswamy | Nikita Shah | Lalita Tata | Ayesha Bajaj | Amrita Sandhu | Priyanka Shetty | Ananya Bora Keshav Suri Foundation | Pride Circle | Stonewall #IWEI2024 #DEI #EqualAtWork #Pride #LGBT #WorkplaceDiversity #LGBTQ #Awards #5YearsOfIWEI #IWEI #Inclusion 

🌟 Honoring the 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐄𝐑𝐆 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 at the IWEI Summit & Awards 2024! 🤝 This prestigious award was presented by Ananya Bora (she/her), the Associate Director - Hiring at Pride Circle and Nikita Shah (she/her), Associate Director at India Workplace Equality Index. 🌈 A big congratulations to NatWest Group India for their transformative efforts in driving LGBT+ inclusion! Through their LGBTQ+ Innovative Workstream, they’ve built a workplace where authenticity thrives, guided by four key pillars: Enable through Policies, Empower through Training & Awareness, Encourage through Leadership Advocacy & Allyship, and Embed through Recruitment & Self-Identification. This year, they launched impactful initiatives like the 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦, a six-month work placement that integrated 13 LGBT+ candidates into the 2024 cohort, and the 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 (𝐀𝐈𝐌) 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦, fostering understanding and allyship between LGBT+ employees and senior leaders. Beyond the workplace, NatWest employees engaged in Pride Parades, industry roundtables, and community events like “Rainbow Mixer” and “Pride Connections.” By creating safe spaces, amplifying awareness, and offering career growth opportunities for LGBT+ professionals, NatWest has truly embedded inclusion into its culture, setting a powerful example of leadership and advocacy. 🙌 Here’s to NatWest Group for leading the way and inspiring change! __ 🏳️🌈 Learn more about IWEI: workplaceequalityindex.in   📥 For any queries, contact us at iwei@thepridecircle.com  Ramkrishna Sinha | Srini Ramaswamy | Nikita Shah | Lalita Tata | Ayesha Bajaj | Amrita Sandhu | Priyanka Shetty | Ananya Bora Keshav Suri Foundation | Pride Circle | Stonewall #IWEI2024 #DEI #EqualAtWork #Pride #LGBT #WorkplaceDiversity #LGBTQ #Awards #5YearsOfIWEI #IWEI #Inclusion

🌟 Honoring the 𝐃𝐄𝐈 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 at the IWEI Summit & Awards 2024! 🤝 This prestigious award was presented by Qasim Fizza Latifi (he/him), Lead - Diversity & Inclusion at Alvarez & Marsal. 🌈 A heartfelt congratulations to Parul Dhir (she/her), Head of DEI at Acuity Knowledge Partners, and Anupama Ghanta Kothapalli (she/her), Senior Vice President at Deloitte in India, for their extraordinary commitment to advancing LGBT+ inclusion! At Acuity, Parul has been a driving force in creating a culture of intentional inclusion. She has cultivated a workplace where senior leaders act as active DEI sponsors, introducing programs like the Ally Reverse Mentoring Program in collaboration with Pride Circle, which fosters authentic allyship by bridging the gap between leaders and LGBT+ individuals. Parul has also led the rollout of gender-neutral policies, inclusive healthcare benefits, and parental leave, ensuring an equitable workplace for all. Through global initiatives, targeted workshops, and accessibility programs like the LEAP Network, Parul’s leadership has transformed Acuity into an LGBTQ+ Gold Top Employer at IWEI 2023. At Deloitte, Anupama has championed policy-level interventions and groundbreaking programs for inclusion. Under her leadership, Deloitte set ambitious DEI goals, including 75% of Partners and Managing Directors completing Reverse Mentoring on LGBT+ inclusion. Anupama spearheaded the TRANSform program, creating pathways for transgender professionals while financially supporting trans children through education initiatives. Her impact extends to supplier diversity, driving significant revenue to minority-owned businesses, and enhancing accessibility across Deloitte offices. From launching the Demystifying LGBT Inclusion e-Learning course to sponsoring India’s largest Pride Flag on Deloitte Towers, Anupama’s leadership exemplifies transformative advocacy. __ 🏳️🌈 Learn more about IWEI: workplaceequalityindex.in   📥 For any queries, contact us at iwei@thepridecircle.com  Ramkrishna Sinha | Srini Ramaswamy | Nikita Shah | Lalita Tata | Ayesha Bajaj | Amrita Sandhu | Priyanka Shetty | Ananya Bora Keshav Suri Foundation | Pride Circle | Stonewall #IWEI2024 #DEI #EqualAtWork #Pride #LGBT #WorkplaceDiversity #LGBTQ #Awards #5YearsOfIWEI #IWEI #Inclusion

🌟 Honoring the 𝐋𝐆𝐁𝐓+ 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐳𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 at the IWEI Summit & Awards 2024! 🤝 This prestigious award was presented by Manish Jain (he/him), the Senior Director, TKM, Human Resources and Priya Chakkingal (she/her), Director, Specialized Solutions Ex DTS at Acuity Knowledge Partners. 🌈 A heartfelt congratulations to Amita Karadkhedkar (she/her), Senior Vice President of Citi Global Wealth Technology and Co-Chair of Citi India Pride Inclusion Network at Citi, for her transformative contributions to LGBT+ inclusion. As a woman of transgender experience, Amita has led groundbreaking initiatives that champion diversity and inclusion. She spearheaded Citi's self-ID campaign, expanded gender-affirmative surgery coverage, and created meaningful employment opportunities for the LGBT+ community, especially transgender individuals. Beyond her role, Amita’s influence shines through her TEDx and NASSCOM talks, outreach to over 120 institutions, and the launch of initiatives like the Trans Inclusion Manifesto and Accelerating Trans Inclusion in the Workplace in India research. Her leadership extends to supporting 200 transgender entrepreneurs and implementing mandatory ally training for Citi’s senior managers, ensuring a culture of inclusivity at all levels. 🙌 Amita’s vision and advocacy continue to inspire change across workplaces and communities. __ 🏳️🌈 Learn more about IWEI: workplaceequalityindex.in    📥 For any queries, contact us at iwei@thepridecircle.com  Ramkrishna Sinha | Srini Ramaswamy | Nikita Shah | Lalita Tata | Ayesha Bajaj | Amrita Sandhu | Priyanka Shetty | Ananya Bora Keshav Suri Foundation | Pride Circle | Stonewall #IWEI2024 #DEI #EqualAtWork #Pride #LGBT #WorkplaceDiversity #LGBTQ #Awards #5YearsOfIWEI #IWEI #Inclusion

🌟 Celebrating 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐳𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 at the IWEI Summit & Awards 2024! 🤝 This prestigious award was presented by Shruti Tandon (she/her), Managing Director and Custodian DEI at Nagarro. 🌈 Congratulations to Anuradha Bhati (she/her), Assistant Vice President, HR Business Partner Infrastructure at Deutsche Bank, for her extraordinary impact on advancing LGBT+ inclusion. In just six years, Anuradha has reshaped the inclusion landscape at Deutsche Bank, building a 500+ Ally network, championing gender-neutral policies, and extending groundbreaking benefits like medical insurance and gender reassignment coverage for same-sex partners. From launching Safe Zone and Inclusive Sphere training to introducing all-gender restrooms and the Gender Transition at Workplace Guide, her leadership has set bold new standards for inclusive workplaces. 🙌 Anuradha’s passion and dedication empower employees to bring their whole selves to work and inspire change far beyond her organization. __ 🏳️🌈 Learn more about IWEI: workplaceequalityindex.in  📥 For any queries, contact us at iwei@thepridecircle.com  Ramkrishna Sinha | Srini Ramaswamy | Nikita Shah | Lalita Tata | Ayesha Bajaj | Amrita Sandhu | Priyanka Shetty | Ananya Bora Keshav Suri Foundation | Pride Circle | Stonewall #IWEI2024 #DEI #EqualAtWork #Pride #LGBT #WorkplaceDiversity #LGBTQ #Awards #5YearsOfIWEI #IWEI #Inclusion

As the 𝐈𝐖𝐄𝐈 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭 & 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 came to a close, we gathered for a night that celebrates the vibrancy of queer culture and the power of connection! A 𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐚 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 of music, DJ, cocktails, and thoughtful conversations set the stage for reflection and renewed commitment to driving LGBT+ inclusion. 🎶 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠’𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭? Stunning drag & queer performances that brought artistry and authenticity to the forefront, reminding us of the beauty of being unapologetically ourselves. Stay tuned as we share more highlights and moments of impact! __ 🏳️🌈 Learn more about IWEI: https://lnkd.in/dWYKe2D   📥 For any queries, contact us at iwei@thepridecircle.com  Ramkrishna Sinha | Srini Ramaswamy | Nikita Shah | Lalita Tata | Ayesha Bajaj | Amrita Sandhu | Priyanka Shetty | Ananya Bora Keshav Suri Foundation | Pride Circle | Stonewall #IWEI2024 #DEI #EqualAtWork #Pride #LGBT #WorkplaceDiversity #LGBTQ #Awards #5YearsOfIWEI #IWEI #Inclusion 

🌟 The 𝐈𝐖𝐄𝐈 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭 & 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 brought together inspiring changemakers who shared their journeys, paving the way for workplaces rooted in authenticity and inclusion. 💡 Here are some highlights from the day: 🎓 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐄𝐄𝐈 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲: 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 Priyanka Shetty (she/her), Pooja Chettri (she/her), and student advocate Srijita Dey (she/her) reflected on the 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐱 (IEEI) and its impact over the past year. From key 2024 findings to best practices, their session spotlighted how inclusion in higher education can inspire systemic change. Thank you for reminding us that education is the foundation of a more inclusive future. 🏳️🌈 𝐅𝐢𝐱 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐆𝐁𝐓+ 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 Pride Champions Nishtha Nishant (she/her) and R Balaji (she/her) shared deeply personal workplace challenges, urging us to address systemic gaps in inclusion. Their powerful stories highlighted the urgency of fixing these "glitches" for lasting impact. Thank you for inspiring us to act and build truly inclusive spaces. 🎬 The World Premiere of “𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞?” — a powerful short film by the talented Saanvi S. (she/they). This compelling narrative delves into the deeply personal and often unspoken challenges faced by transgender employees in the workplace. As the winner of the 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐛𝐨𝐰 𝐋𝐞𝐧𝐬 Scriptwriting Contest, Saanvi brings the lived experiences of the transgender community to life with authenticity and artistry. 📸 Relive these impactful moments as we honor pride, progress, and purpose. ✨ Stay tuned for more from this unforgettable day of leadership and vision. __ 👉 Learn more about IWEI: https://lnkd.in/dWYKe2D   📥 For any queries, contact us at iwei@thepridecircle.com  Ramkrishna Sinha | Srini Ramaswamy | Nikita Shah | Lalita Tata | Ayesha Bajaj | Amrita Sandhu | Priyanka Shetty | Ananya Bora Keshav Suri Foundation | Pride Circle | Stonewall #IWEI2024 #DEI #EqualAtWork #Pride #LGBT #WorkplaceDiversity #LGBTQ #Awards #5YearsOfIWEI #IWEI #Inclusion 

🌟 As the 𝐈𝐖𝐄𝐈 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭 & 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 draws to a close, it leaves behind a trail of inspiration and impact. This year’s event reached new heights, with industry leaders taking the stage to share their pride journeys and the transformative power of leadership in fostering inclusion. Their insights are reshaping workplaces to champion authenticity and belonging for all. 💡 Mahaveer Chand Jain (he/him), Vice President of Finance at DIAGEO India, reflected on “𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲: 𝐌𝐲 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐨’𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧.” 💡 Shubhra Sharma (she/her), Head of HR, GSC at HSBC India, explored “𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞.” 🎉 After a day of enriching discussions and meaningful connections, we’re ready to cap it off with a vibrant Gala evening—a celebration of progress, pride, and purpose. Stay tuned for more highlights and key moments from this transformative day! __ 🏳️🌈 Learn more about IWEI: https://lnkd.in/dWYKe2D  📥 For any queries, contact us at iwei@thepridecircle.com  Ramkrishna Sinha | Srini Ramaswamy | Nikita Shah | Lalita Tata | Ayesha Bajaj | Amrita Sandhu | Priyanka Shetty | Ananya Bora | Keshav Suri Foundation | Pride Circle | Stonewall #IWEI2024 #DEI #EqualAtWork #Pride #LGBT #WorkplaceDiversity #LGBTQ #Awards #5YearsOfIWEI #IWEI #Inclusion