What we do

Proud works with firm leaders and human resources to develop policies and programs to help create and support an environment that allows professionals to be themselves. Kearney has a firm-wide non-discrimination policy based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and healthcare benefits are offered to the spouses, domestic partners, and families of LGBTQIA+ employees. Proud's activities are focused on membership, people development, and community and business development. These are some of the things we do that help enrich our current and future members and ensure that we positively impact the world:

  • Create a strong community with regular exchanges and joint events both within our offices and at international meetings 
  • Mentor actively and track careers with the help of our Proud partners
  • Attract exceptionally talented new colleagues through our EMEA Proud Academy and at local recruiting events
  • Enlist the support of our worldwide Allies network and the Proud Ambassador program
  • Create connections with industry in leadership talks 
  • Celebrate PRIDE Month with colleagues globally and reinforce the strength of our community with yearlong initiatives like Proud calendars or Proud book club meetings 
  • Publish thought leadership articles on LGBTQIA+ topics 
  • Demonstrate leadership, and work pro bono, on LGBTQIA+ initiatives, for example, in our partnership with Open for Business

Celebrating inclusion at Kearney

Kearney’s Proud Network provides professional mentoring and sponsorship, and promotes awareness and visibility for the firm’s LGBTQIA+ community globally. But the support of allies across the firm’s global offices is crucial for ensuring the network and the company can create a compassionate and joyful work life for everyone.

LGBTQIA+ members often face fears of being penalized and judged for their identity while experiencing pressure to conform to expectations and discomfort with exposure. That’s why our inclusion initiatives are aimed at not only assisting LGBTQIA+ employees, but also gathering the support of allies who can help make our workplace a safe, empowering environment.

Kearney’s Proud Network offers support in numerous ways, including:

  • Visibility. Kearney holds seminars and celebrations throughout the year in which everyone at the firm is encouraged to participate.
  • Training. During onboarding, all employees are educated on our “DIAL” values: diversity, inclusion, apprenticeship, and leadership. 
  • Ambassadorship. Allies can serve as ambassadors who represent and spearhead local Proud activities and act as a local point of contact for office employees curious about Proud or firm LGBTQIA+ policies.

The program continues to grow, embracing new ways the firm can support and engage employees around the world.

Four ways we all can help create a more inclusive workplace

We encourage all firm members to:

  • Be supportive. Reach out to community members and show them love and support. Ask them how they are doing and demonstrate you care about them. In this era of nonstop negative news stories, media stereotyping, and violence, many Proud members suffer in silence.
  • Send gentle signals. Showing and sharing your acceptance and support can be easy. Many people don’t realize that LGBTQIA+ people watch for signs from their friends and colleagues about whether it is safe to be open with them. 
  • Speak up. When there is negative news, speak out against it. When there is positive news, amplify it. Speak up when you hear derogatory or inappropriate comments.
  • Learn more and stay focused. Seek out opportunities and articles to better understand the LGBTQIA+ community. Ask questions and avoid stereotypes. Each Proud individual has their own experience, own life, and personal challenges.