Last week, RAHM – The Global LGBT+ Leadership Contest & Community marked its second anniversary – this time in London.
More than 100 selected LGBT+ present and future leaders were brought together at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP to discuss about burning queer issues, expand their international network, train their leadership skills and be inspired by the other LGBT+ finalists coming from 27 different countries, representing all regions of the world.
From young talented students to Top Executives (click here to see the RAHM TOP Executive Jury 2018) selected for their incredible leadership skills, they debated on topics such as pinkwashing, LGBT+ quotas in executive boards or the added value of straight allies within the community. They came out with plenty of innovative and fresh ideas, which will help to improve and boost initiatives towards diversity & inclusion in the following year.
According to recent studies, there is a distinct lack of LGBT+ role models in the workplace and in the society. 62% of Generation Y LGBT+ graduates go back into the closet after leaving university and starting their first job.
“It is important for us leaders to be role models for those who follow and who will one day lead.”
Tom Loeffert Head of Human Resources EMEA, SAP Concur (UK)
RAHM Contest Day
Samet Akti, last year’s top 3 finalist of the RAHM Contest and marketing intern at Google, welcomed this year’s 100 finalists with a thought-provoking speech, emphasising the importance of LGBT+ representation in wider society.
“Visibility is crucial to encourage LGBT+ youth and to give them someone to relate to” says the 23-year old in his genius keynote “Why I’m gayer than I should be”.
“Visibility is crucial to encourage LGBT+ youth and to give them someone to relate to.”
Samet Akti, RAHM TOP3 Finalists 2017
Samet Akti (right), RAHM TOP3 Finalists 2017
In the late afternoon, four exchanges roundtables have been moderated by several RAHM Members:
- “The Inclusivity Journey – Let’s not leave anyone behind” by Chico Chakravorty, Managing Director, BAME Recruitment Ltd
- “Building awareness and understanding about mental health within the LGBTQ+ community” by Ultan Roe, Industry Manager – Retail, Google, RAHM Top Executive Jury 2018
- “The power of sharing stories” by Amazin LeThin, Founder of the Amazin LeThin Foundation, RAHM Top Executive Jury 2018
- “Building a strong RAHM Community – Collective brainstorming” by Bertrand Duteil, RAHM & Unicorns in Tech Project Manager, Uhlala GmbH
The TOP 10 Finalists of the RAHM Contest 2018 in London are…
This year, not 10 but 11 of the 100+ LGBT+ contestants have been elected by their peers as the most convincing and inspiring leaders. The 11th winner of the RAHM Contest 2018 in London was ranked only 0.32 points away from the 10th position and 14.8 points from the 12th (in a total of 3253 points) .
The Top10+1 finalists of the RAHM Contest 2018 in London are: (list sorted in alphabetical order)
- Alastair Mills, Business Development & Sales Manager, Siemens Transmission Solutions, Manchester (UK)
- Ciara Robinson, MSc Student, London School of Economics, London (UK)
- Connor Mahon, Account Manager, Fleishman Hillard Fishburn, London (UK)
- Diarra Smith, Operations Director, Informed Funding, London (UK)
- GM, Product Specialist, Google, Dublin (Ireland)
- Jethro DiMeo, Head of Global Talent Acquisition & Employer BrandGebauer & Griller, Vienna (Austria)
- Sorrel Rosin, Founder & CEO, Welcome Queer, Chicago (USA)
- Stephen Lehane, Staffing Services Associate EMEA, Google, London (UK)
- Tanika Morjaria, MBA Candidate, ESCP Europe, Paris (France), Madrid (Spain), London (UK)
- Vasco Bilbao, Executive Director, Sales & Account Management, Zalando, Berlin (Germany)
- Zachary Ames, APAC Regional Talent Partner, Bloomberg LP, Singapore
RAHM Top10+1 Finalists with the RAHM Top Executive Jury (www.rahm.ceo)
The Winner of the RAHM Contest 2018 in London is…
The attendee with the most convincing leadership skills has been elected through our unique crowd ranking process. The Winner of the RAHM Contest 2018 in London is:
Zachary Ames APAC Regional Talent Partner Bloomberg LP (Singapore)
“Never before have I been at the intersection of diversity, leadership, corporate responsibility and social activism in a way that was respectful, positive, and productive.”
Zachary Ames (right), RAHM Winner 2018 (London edition)
Next RAHM Contests
The next RAHM Contest will take place in Berlin (for German speaking contestants) on July 27th, 2018. In 2019, the RAHM Contests will take place all around the world. We are currently looking for hosts in London, Berlin, Sao Paulo, Hong Kong, Toronto…
Join the FB-event for all important news : www.facebook.com/events/249263329205923
The RAHM Contests and the RAHM Membership are 100% free. All young trans people (binary as well as non-binary), lesbians, bi, gays, straight allies and others with leadership talents from students to top executives are welcome to apply.
Our applicants should have a strong personality with excellent academic and/or professional or personal achievements. We welcome diversity, from students to senior executives and everything in-between.
To be part of the next RAHM Contest in Berlin or the next RAHM Contests all across the world, apply now on www.rahm.ceo.
RAHM’s proud sponsors and partners 2018
RAHM is organised by UHLALA
RAHM – The Global LGBT+ Leadership Contest & Community is organised by Uhlala, the Berlin based company founded in 2009 by Stuart B. Cameron.
Supporting women in leadership position and a better LGBT diversity in business and tech firms, Uhlala is at the origin of several projects such as STICKS & STONES – the largest LGBT+ job & career platform in Europe, Unicorns in Tech – The Global Tech Community for LGBT+ & Straight Allies, PRIDE 500 – The LGBT employer seal for proud companies and organisations, ALICE – The LGBT+ Lawyers Network and PANDA – The Women Leadership Contest & Network.
Learn more about us: www.uhlala.com
Apply now for the next RAHM Contest in 2019 here.
Follow us & share : Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Register to the RAHM Newsletter
