To celebrate Pride Month, the audit, tax and advisory firm KPMG hosted its second annual “Be Free, Be You, BRG” [Business Resource Groups] Pride celebration June 20 at the company’s downtown Chicago office.
Among the speakers were GenderCool Project Co-Founder John Grosshandler; GenderCool Champions Marc and Sky; and Out in Finance Vice President Riti Sobilo.
GenderCool Project describes itself as a positive change-focused inspiring disrupter trans and non-binary youth led organization who work to educate the wider population about gender identity via multiple avenues of communication.
Grosshandler said he attended this event last year as a guest and thought it would be great to be a part of program in 2024. He shared how GenderCool got started six years ago, and gave details about both their advocacy work and accolades.
Marc said he was drawn to GenderCool because of its “focus on creating positive change and that it is for trans youth and by trans youth,” while Sky said the project “is important because it really gives us trans youth a platform to speak and educate people about our stories and to give a little insight into who we are as humans and our journeys.”
According to Sobilo, Out in Finance is five years old; its mission is “to spread LGBTQ+ inclusion in the financial services industry, and that includes non-financial professionals in financial institutions and financial professionals in non-financial institutions.”
Additionally, an LGBTQ+ executive panel at the event focused on how LGBTQ+ people and allies can use their voices to make a difference in the community. Panelists included Goodman Theatre Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Lewis Warrick, Hinshaw and Culbertson LLP Partner Vince Rizzo and Northern Trust Web Publishing Technology Vice President Denise Bowker. KPMG LLP Corporate Affairs-Community Impact Manager and Pride BRG Co-Lead Chris Way served as the event moderator.
Way asked the panelists to share something about their professional life and their favorite LGBTQ+ concert experience.
Bowker said she has been with Northern Trust since 1987 and came out as trans at work about seven years ago and said it has been “an interesting journey.” She added that she could not think of her favorite LGBTQ+ concert experience but if she could go back in time she would like to see Paul McCartney and Wings in concert.
Rizzo said his practice is focused on employment law and he is also a LAGBAC board vice president. His favorite concert was Kylie Minogue when she performed at Pride NYC.
Warrick said he previously served as Center on Halsted’s (the Center) CFO for 12 years and is currently the GenderCool board treasurer. His favorite concert was Alex Newell when he performed at a previous Chicago Pride Fest.
Way asked how each of the panelists have personally been involved with the LGBTQ+ community and used their voices to make a difference.
Bowker emphasized that for her it means being an “open, radical, positive and happy” out trans person in the wider community, and she specifically cited her involvement with the boating community in Chicago as one of the ways she does this outreach.
Rizzo spoke about his work with LAGBAC and the networking opportunities they provide, especially for LGBTQ+ law students and newly hired lawyers.
Warrick said he “had to work on being the best and so when I became the best I went and gave back.” He added that living an intersectional life as a Black gay man that presents its own challenges and opportunities, including his involvement with his church alongside his partner which he calls “a very big deal” and added that he is also the church’s choir director.
Finally, Way asked what advice they would give to attendees who want to get involved in the community.
Bowker said, “Don’t be scared, don’t be a wallflower,” and suggested reaching out to organizations that share your interests. Warrick pointed out resources needed by non-profits, and recalled qualities in people the Center looked for to fill out their roster of volunteers. Rizzo said to ask other senior members of the LGBTQ+ community who are currently involved in queer/trans organizations for recommendations.
KPMG Global Communications Associate Director and Pride BRG Co-Lead Darek Lambert closed out the event.
