GLAM, LGBTQ+ at McKinsey

McKinsey is a place where LGBTQ+ people thrive

GLAM is our vibrant worldwide network of LGBTQ+ colleagues who are committed to supporting one another’s success and to attracting other exceptional LGBTQ+ individuals into the McKinsey community.
We formalized our commitment to LGBTQ+ equality in 1995, when a group of colleagues created GLAM in North America. Now, GLAM members of all orientations and gender identities are present and welcomed in every region across the firm. We also have a formal GLAM Allies group in every region. We realize that our colleagues have different levels of comfort with being out, so GLAM members can classify their membership status to reflect their desired level of participation (e.g., fully out to all colleagues, out to GLAM only, not out but still receiving information about GLAM events and milestones).

What we do

McKinsey is a place that attracts, supports, respects, and retains talented lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender, and professionals of other gender and sexual-orientation identities. We create an environment where all people can bring their authentic selves and develop to their full potential.

• GLAM provides peer support to LGBTQ+ firm members and advises McKinsey on LGBTQ+ policies and benefits.

• GLAM members are connected to each other across the world through the Global GLAM conference, which takes place every 18-24 months, as well as local events and engagements, including pro bono projects for local not-for-profit organizations.

• Every April, as a firm, we observe the International Day of Pink together with GLAM Allies—our straight and cisgender colleagues—to celebrate our inclusive culture and educate against bullying, discrimination, homophobia, transmisogyny, and transphobia.

• We’re proud of being placed in the top tier for our efforts toward equity and inclusion by multiple workplace equality indexes, including Pride Index in Germany, Pride Circle in India, Work with Pride in Japan, LGBT Forum in South Africa, and HRC’s Corporate Equality Index in the United States, where we have had a perfect score of 100 since 2006, just to name a few.

• We were the first employer to actively recruit LGBTQ+ MBA students nearly 20 years ago, and one of the first employers in the world to offer benefits for domestic partners.

• We are proud sponsors and partners of multiple global LGBTQ+ conferences and events including Out on Bay Street in Canada, Out for Undergraduates in Business, IvyQ, EurOUT in Europe, Sticks and Stones career fair in Germany, and Reaching Out MBA in the United States and Brazil. In 2019, we were proud to have participated in RISE, the first LGBTQ+ conference and career fair in India. We also partner with Open for Business, a coalition of leading companies around the globe dedicated to LGBTQ+ inclusion.

As a cofounder of GLAM more than 20 years ago, my experiences at McKinsey have been nothing short of inspiring. As the leader of global recruiting, I was particularly proud to welcome diverse talent to share that experience.

Brian Rolfes Partner

Our stories

The power of LGBTQ+ inclusion allyship
– On Day of Pink, our senior partner from Hamburg, Udo, shares his thoughts on the importance of allyship and the significance of... visibility for the LGBTQ+ community.

Living my passions for human-centric design and allyship
– Mary, a product adoption expert, is tapping her understanding of human emotion and behavior to design the firm’s new tech... hub for hundreds in Atlanta.

Living 17 years of LGBTQ+ progress at McKinsey
– When Will joined the firm 17 years ago, he was already out, a decision he says has been critical to building the client relationships... that have propelled his success. Here he talks about the progress he’s seen in the years since his first day at McKinsey.

A leader of McKinsey’s LGBTQ+ community on the significance of Pride
– As several parts of the world celebrate Pride this month, we spoke to Guangyu Li, a senior partner based in Hong Kong. Guangyu... is co-leader of GLAM, McKinsey’s global network for LGBTQ+ colleagues. Here, he reflects on courage, representation, and allyship.

Leading the way in creating an inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ colleagues in Japan
– Naomi, the partner who leads our Diversity & Inclusion initiatives in Japan, discusses our path to Gold in the Pride Index... and the local activities of GLAM, our LGBTQ+ community.

To celebrate National Coming Out Day, five McKinsey colleagues talk identity and inclusion
– “Out” colleagues share their experiences and perspectives for how companies can make all employees feel comfortable to be their... true selves at work.

GLAM is family
– GLAM, McKinsey’s LGBTQ+ network, became Meghna’s family and primary support

McKinsey celebrates Pride Month – meet Akay
– Akay left her consulting role in Digital McKinsey to pursue her passion for the GLAM community (McKinsey’s LGBTQ+ network)... and became the Global GLAM manager.

What does being LGBTQ+ in the workplace look like today?
– Our first report on the topic examines the experiences of these communities—and the opportunities for progress ahead.

Meet our GLAM founding members
– Eight GLAM founders reflect on their favorite memories and what GLAM means to them

June is Pride Month – meet Grant
– Grant feels proud and empowered to increase transgender visibility thanks to McKinsey’s GLAM community

Meet our GLAM Allies
– Diversity and inclusivity is a top priority at McKinsey. See how this group of colleagues encourages each person in our community... to be themselves.

Eight messages for future LGBTQ+ leaders
– As we celebrate Pride week and the progress that's been made, we spoke to leaders across McKinsey and outside our firm to hear... what advice they’d give to future LGBTQ+ leaders.

GLAM Leadership

Matthews Mmopi
Partner, Johannesburg
Supports the leaders of biopharmaceuticals, generics, and animal-health companies to unlock enterprise-wide value creation and...
Diana Ellsworth
Partner, Atlanta
Leads McKinsey’s diversity, equity, and inclusion work; directs initiatives focused on establishing inclusive, productive workplace...
Ali Potia
Partner, Singapore
Leads the Consumer Packaged Goods and Retail Practices in Southeast Asia
William Forrest
Senior Partner, Chicago
Helps boards and C-level executives develop innovative strategies to raise top-line revenue and sustain operational improvements,...
Monne Williams
Partner, Atlanta
Brings deep expertise on organizational health and design during transformations, helping clients drive mindset and behavior change,...
Guangyu Li
Senior Partner, Hong Kong
Uses his experience in infrastructure real estate and the public and private sectors, particularly regional economic development,...
Ralph Breuer
Partner, Cologne
Ralph globally coleads the firm’s commercial medtech work and is a leader in the global customer experience sector
Maurice Obeid
Partner, New York
Advises New York based companies and governments on strategy and transformations, co-leads our social impact work, and shepherds...
Brian Rolfes
Partner, Toronto
Led McKinsey & Company global talent attraction for more than a decade and promotes diversity in the firm

McKinsey’s LGBTQ+ community, GLAM, along with GLAM Allies, is thriving all around the world with literally thousands of members and allies. It is actually one of the things that inspires me most about the firm—our unfailing and inclusive support for everyone.

Ellis Griffith Leader, People Function, Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa, and GLAM growth

Snapshots

Featured insights

Article

Being transgender at work

– Although corporate America has stepped up its public support of LGBTQ+ rights, it still has a long road ahead to foster a truly inclusive environment for transgender employees.
Podcast

LGBTQ+ inclusion in the workplace
– How to take action to support LGBTQ+ employees—not just during Pride Month, but year-round.
Video

LGBTQ+ voices: Speaking out and looking ahead
– LGBTQ+ business leaders speak about the challenges they face and what it takes to make the workplace more inclusive.
Article - McKinsey Quarterly

LGBTQ+ voices: Learning from lived experiences
– New research reveals the challenges that LGBTQ+ employees face, and six ways to help them bring their authentic selves to work.
Article

How the LGBTQ+ community fares in the workplace
– Despite visible corporate support, today’s workplace is falling short of full inclusion. Here’s what companies need to know.

More from GLAM

Global recruiting events and initiatives
McKinsey is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment. Attracting and developing exceptional talent is core to our mission.

The Alliance
Committed to advancing LGBTQ+ equality and achieving greater acceptance in the workplace and in society

Newsletter: Intersection
A weekly newsletter devoted to delivering on diversity, gender equality, and inclusion

25th anniversary of GLAM

2020 marked the 25th anniversary of GLAM, our LGBTQ+ network. What started with just a handful of colleagues in 1995 now includes thousands of LGBTQ+ colleagues and allies worldwide. Our people took a few moments to share what this anniversary means for GLAM and McKinsey.

Keep exploring

Diversity & Inclusion

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity is embedded in our firm’s history and daily practice.
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