Pride in Progress: Why Inclusion Is More Than a Value. It's a Business Imperative
LGBTQ+ professionals have contributed to every corner of the workforce: leading teams, launching businesses, driving innovation, and shaping culture. Their talent speaks for itself. Yet despite those contributions, barriers to opportunity, safety and belonging have persisted.
At Juno, we believe that who you are should never stand in the way of where you’re going. Talent deserves to be recognized for its true value, free from bias and full of possibility.
Pride month is a time to reflect on that ideal. It’s also a time to ask: are we creating environments where all people can thrive? When businesses hire inclusively, they don’t just “do the right thing.” They gain access to a wider range of perspectives, experiences, and ideas. That’s not charity; that’s smart strategy.
LGBTQ+ Changemakers Who Helped Redefine Inclusion in the Workplace
This Pride Month, we’re highlighting four individuals whose work has challenged norms and expanded opportunity, often by doing what they do best and bringing others along with them.
Angelica Ross
A Black transgender woman and tech entrepreneur. Ross founded TransTech Social Enterprises to provide job training and career development for trans individuals—creating more inclusive pipelines in tech and beyond.
Dr. Vivienne Ming
A transgender neuroscientist and co-founder of Socos Labs. Ming’s research helps companies use data-driven practices to reduce bias and build more inclusive teams.
Tim Cook
The first openly gay CEO of a Fortune 500 company. Cook’s leadership at Apple marked a turning point for LGBTQ+ visibility in corporate America. He has helped set a global standard for inclusive workplace policies and authentic leadership at the highest levels.
Mikal C. Harden
We couldn’t do this post without featuring our very own co-founder! An openly LGBTQ+ founder & executive, Harden co-founded Juno along with Vicki Sack with a vision to create a more human approach to hiring. As a leader in executive search and talent strategy, she champions inclusive leadership and equitable hiring practices. Her work helps clients build teams that reflect the diversity, complexity, and strength of today’s workforce.
We’re committed to the work of advancing diversity, equity, & inclusion within our community.
As the Ultimate Connectors we value our ability to bring many different perspectives to the table in order to enhance teams. We are committed to connecting people of every race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic status, physical ability or attribute, religion, national origin, or political belief. We recognize that this commitment requires ongoing work and sustained attention, as well as adaptation to new insights and best practices.