2022 Workplace Summit LGBTQ+ Advocate of the Year Outie Award
Outie Awards (the “Outies”) recognize individuals and organizations who are leaders in advancing equality for LGBTQ+ people in workplaces globally. Outies are awarded at the annual Out & Equal Workplace Summit.
This award recognizes an LGBTQ+ individual who is actively advocating to improve their organization’s inclusion efforts, pushing significant adoption of best/innovative practice, benefiting LGBTQ+ employees and advancing their organizations standing as a true leader in this work. Advocates are bold and are making a difference outside their workplace to drive change and equality in their community, their country, and the world.
The 2022 LGBTQ+ Advocate of the Year Outie Award finalists are below The winner will be announced at the 2022 Workplace Summit happening October 17-20th in Las Vegas!
Finalists
LaFawn Davis (she/her), SVP, Environmental, Social and Governance, Indeed
LaFawn Davis is the Senior Vice President of Environmental, Social and Governance at Indeed and is an Advisory Board Member for both Lesbians Who Tech and Power to Fly. Indeed’s mission statement is “We Help People Get Jobs” but LaFawn takes her mission a step further to “We Help ALL People Get Jobs.” She led the work behind Indeed’s decision to remove all college requirements on their job applications, works with formerly incarcerated people on their path to employment, and creates resources and recruiting opportunities for the LGBTQI+ community. As an openly queer, Black female leader in technology, she makes it her personal mission to create more equitable cultures across the entire tech industry.
Commander Emily Shilling, USN (she/her) Naval Mission Planning System Military Deputy Program Manager, United States Navy
Commander Shilling is the Naval Mission Planning System Military Deputy Program Manager and is the senior-most out, trans identifying, line officer in the United States Navy. There are an estimated 20,000 transgender personnel actively serving in the United States Armed Forces and 5,000 in the Navy. Most of these individuals are junior personnel who lack the resources and platform to advocate effectively for themselves. Commander Shilling actively works with these personnel, Congress, high level Military Leaders, and the Defense Health Agency, to provides mentorship, advocate for inclusive military service, improve access to medical care, and create a safe environment in which transgender individuals not only serve, but thrive. She leads from the front, fighting for all transgender Sailors, Soldiers, Airman, Guardians, and Marines, because she understands her oath was to serve all the American people, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation.
John Lake (he/him), SVP, Diverse Segment Marketing, LGBTQ Segment Leader, Wells Fargo
John is the Senior Vice President of Diverse Segment Marketing and an LGBTQ Segment Leader at Wells Fargo where he directs the company’s marketing efforts for marginalized communities. He leads the strategy for LGBTQ+ focused marketing and is responsible for building partnerships and increasing LGBTQ+ philanthropic outreach. Under his leadership, Wells Fargo became the first financial institution to feature an LGBTQ+ story in a national ad campaign, and even in the midst of a national boycott, John encouraged the company to never back down. As an openly LGBTQ+ leader, he encourages employees of all levels to bring their authentic selves to work and inspires others to advocate for inclusion in the workplace.