26 June 2024

17:30 - 19:30

110 Kippax St, Surry Hills NSW 2010

Join Levyl and Out For Australia for a transformative evening dedicated to advancing LGBTQIA+ hiring practices, focusing on substantive changes beyond symbolic gestures.

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This event will explore how inclusive hiring practices can create supportive environments for LGBTQIA+ individuals, from early-career professionals to executives.

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This event will be filled with:

• In-depth Discussions: Learn about tangible policy changes, inclusive policy design, and targeted LGBTQIA+ inclusion training.
• Networking Opportunities: Connect with progressive HR leaders and professionals focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Live Q&A: Engage with our panelists through a live Q&A session, where you can ask your most pressing questions on LGBTQIA+ inclusion.

Have a question for the panelists? Submit it here

Meet the Panelists:

Rachel Mead

​Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leader , HR Leader and Board Director at Out For Australia

Rachel is currently a Non-Exec Director at Out for Australia and People Lead - Group Transformation at Woolworths Group. Formerly Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Woolworths Group, Rachel’s contribution to progressing LGBTQ+ inclusion was recognised in 2020 when she was named one of the Outstanding 50 LGBTI+ Leaders by Deloitte.

Rachel is passionate about creating a culture of inclusion and belonging, where people feel valued. She believes you can only unlock the value of diversity by fostering an environment where people are free to be themselves, have equitable access to opportunities and can contribute their best.

Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn

Abbie Jane

Founder of The Rainbow Shoelace Project, LGTBQIA+ Advocate and Change Maker

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Abbie Jane founded the Rainbow Shoelace Project in 2022 when she was just 12 years old and living in the remote town of Broken Hill. What started with Abbie giving away free rainbow beads for people to wear on their shoelaces to show their support for the LGBTQIA+ community is now a global movement, with more than 250,000 packets of beads given away in Australia alone.

 In 2023, Abbie attended World Pride in Sydney to represent the Rainbow Shoelace Project, was awarded the Regional Entrepreneur of the Year at the Teens in Business Awards, and presented at the Pride in Practice conference in Sydney. Abbie was named "One to Watch" at the NSW Women of the Year Awards 2024.

Now 14, Abbie is a change-maker and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community. Her ability to cultivate support for issues that affect her community and passion for driving change make her a real force for the future.



Connect with Connect with Abbie on LinkedIn

Hugo Welke

Head of Product Design Ops at Canva and Leader of Canva Global LGBTQIA+ Collective (ERG).

​Hugo is a seasoned Product Designer with 20 years of experience in the tech industry - currently leading the Global Pride Collective (Canva's ERG). He has worked in diverse companies across Brazil, Ireland, the US, Germany, and Australia and has been instrumental in establishing and leading LGBTQIA+ affinity groups and ERGs in major organisations such as HubSpot and Canva.

Through his work, Hugo has gained deep insights and expertise in fostering LGBTQIA+ pride both organically and in structured environments within organisations. Committed to authenticity and inclusivity, Hugo is passionate about sharing his knowledge and advocating for bringing one's true self to work.

Connect with Hugo on LinkedIn

Heather Preston

CEO at Out For Australia

Out For Australia is dedicated to empowering LGBTQIA+ people to thrive at work. Through running Australia’s largest LGBTQIA+ mentoring program, as well as regular networking events, OFA works to foster connections within the broader LGBTQIA+ community and its allies.

As a firm believer in the magic of empathy, Heather leads teams and organisations with a heart-first approach, championing collaboration and growth every step of the way.

Heather will co-host the panel with Sarah and provide insights on LGTBQIA+ hiring and share Out For Australia's vision to cultivate a confident and empowered LGBTQIA+ community who are confident being their authentic selves in every workplace.

Connect with Heather on LinkedIn

Sarah Bolitho

Founder and CEO of Levyl

Levyl is a specialised People & Culture recruitment firm, dedicated to reshaping DEI practices across industries. Sarah is a highly regarded Australian talent expert with fourteen years of experience leading and establishing successful recruitment firms both locally and abroad. Her expertise, network, and strategic insights are in high demand within the People & Culture market.

Sarah will host this panel and offer valuable insights into how global DEI trends and leadership strategies are being shaped by events like the US election, and how organisations can implement meaningful changes to their DEI initiatives.

​Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn