The Workplace Pride Impact Awards 2026 have recognised outstanding individuals, allies, employee networks and campaigns advancing LGBTQ+ inclusion worldwide. Announced during the organisation’s 20th anniversary gala in Amsterdam, the celebrations also saw co-founder David Pollard receive a prestigious Dutch royal honour, while new Global Benchmark results highlighted both progress and continuing challenges for workplace inclusion.
The winners of the Workplace Pride Impact Awards 2026 were announced at a special 20th anniversary gala on Friday 6 November at the historic Beurs van Berlage in Amsterdam, celebrating the individuals, employee networks and organisations making a meaningful difference to LGBTQ+ inclusion at work.
Held under the theme Icons of Inclusion: Celebrating the Past. Building the Future, the black-tie event brought together representatives from more than 90 organisations to recognise two decades of progress, celebrate outstanding achievements and reflect on the challenges still facing LGBTQ+ employees worldwide.
The evening featured six Impact Awards, recognition for leading organisations in the 2026 Workplace Pride Global Benchmark and a royal honour for co-founder and former Executive Director David Pollard. The winners were selected from a shortlist of individuals, networks and campaigns recognised for their leadership, visibility, allyship and commitment to creating more inclusive workplaces.
WORKPLACE PRIDE IMPACT AWARDS 2026 WINNERS
This year’s Workplace Pride Impact Awards winners, by category, include:
- Volunteer of the Year: Patrick van Rosmalen, Accenture.
- Ally of the Year: Miriam Kartman, KLM.
- Role Model of the Year: Nichole Pritchard, Metso.
- Media Outreach Award: Randstad’s Unified in Pride.
- Network of the Year: ING’s One Voice. Greater Impact.
- Members’ Choice Game Changer Award: IKEA/Ingka Group’s Make Room for Love.
The awards recognise different approaches to advancing workplace inclusion, from individual leadership and visible allyship to employee networks and campaigns that extend their impact beyond organisational boundaries. Patrick van Rosmalen was recognised for his contribution to Accenture’s Pride network, while Miriam Kartman received the Ally of the Year Award for her support of LGBTQ+ inclusion at KLM.
Nichole Pritchard was named Role Model of the Year for her work at Metso, while Randstad’s Unified in Pride campaign secured the Media Outreach Award. ING’s One Voice. Greater Impact won Network of the Year, recognising the role employee networks can play in strengthening community, visibility and organisational culture.
IKEA/Ingka Group received the Members’ Choice Game Changer Award for Make Room for Love, an initiative promoting everyday allyship and more inclusive environments. The winners highlight the importance of moving beyond statements of support towards practical action, employee engagement and sustained leadership commitment.
GLOBAL BENCHMARK RECOGNISES LEADING EMPLOYERS
The gala also celebrated the results of the 13th Workplace Pride Global Benchmark, which assesses the LGBTQ+ inclusion policies and practices of participating multinational employers. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Lenovo were recognised as new Advocates, achieving scores above 90%.
They joined returning Advocates De Nederlandsche Bank, ING, McKinsey & Company, PwC, RELX, Shell, Sodexo and Unilever. Meanwhile, SLB joined the Ambassador category, recognising organisations scoring between 70% and 90%, alongside Accenture, Aegon, Robeco and a combined submission from the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy and the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature. Eneco and SLB were also recognised for improvements of more than 40% compared with their previous scores.
However, the overall median Benchmark score declined by 5.7% compared with 2025, reflecting the challenging environment for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives internationally. Despite this decline, Workplace Pride highlighted how sustained leadership commitment, accountability and a strategic approach to inclusion can support measurable progress. The findings reinforce the importance of monitoring workplace inclusion through evidence and outcomes, rather than relying solely on policies or public commitments.
ROYAL HONOUR FOR WORKPLACE PRIDE CO-FOUNDER DAVID POLLARD
One of the evening’s most significant moments was the appointment of David Pollard, co-founder and former Executive Director of Workplace Pride, as Ridder in de Orde van Oranje-Nassau (Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau). The Dutch royal decoration was presented by Araya Sumter, Deputy Mayor of Amsterdam, with Workplace Pride Co-Chair Michiel Kolman and Advisory Board Member Graham Sparks joining him on stage.
The honour recognises Pollard’s exceptional contribution to LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion in the Netherlands and internationally over the past two decades. Since Pollard helped establish Workplace Pride 20 years ago, the organisation has grown from a Dutch initiative into an international foundation representing more than 100 member organisations, with a combined reach of 7.7 million employees worldwide.
It has also provided LGBTQ+ inclusion training to more than 5,000 people, helping organisations develop more inclusive policies, workplace cultures and leadership practices. Pollard’s nomination received support from leaders across business, government and civil society, including Edward Boeijenga, Boris Dittrich, Hans Docter, Lisa van Ginneken, Ken Janssens, Lyn R. Lee, Bianca Nijhof, Margot Slattery, Olaf Sleijpen, Lucien Spee de Castillo Ruiz and Czesław Walek. The recognition marked a significant milestone in Workplace Pride’s history and celebrated Pollard’s contribution to making LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion a visible priority for international employers.
NEW LEADERSHIP FOR WORKPLACE PRIDE
The anniversary gala also marked a new chapter for Workplace Pride, with Javier Leonor-Vicente welcomed as its new Executive Director following Pollard’s departure from the role. Reflecting on the organisation’s legacy and his new responsibilities, Leonor-Vicente said: “Tonight, surrounded by people who have spent twenty years making workplaces safer and more welcoming for LGBTIQ+ people, I was moved beyond words. I am humbled to follow in David’s footsteps.”
Leonor takes over at a time when many organisations are reassessing their diversity and inclusion priorities amid changing political, economic and social pressures. “Inclusion at work is never finished, and together with our members, partners and volunteers we can make an even greater impact,” added Leonor-Vicente.
Workplace Pride’s next chapter will focus on building on its international reach and helping employers translate inclusion commitments into meaningful workplace practices.
HONOURING TWO DECADES OF INCLUSION
The celebrations also recognised four honorary members for their contributions to Workplace Pride’s development. Co-Chair Michiel Kolman welcomed Marion Mulder, Paul Overdijk, Marion Tahapary-Keislair and Mark Emdin on stage, presenting certificates and flowers in recognition of their vision and dedication.
Guests also selected the winner of a special Best Interpretation of the Theme award, with more than 295 votes cast during the evening. Livasko received the award, while Alex from Shell, Ed Kooijman, Laura Dijkstra, Eden from Eaton and Lidewij from BAM were also recognised for their participation.
BUILDING THE FUTURE OF WORKPLACE INCLUSION
As Workplace Pride enters its third decade, the anniversary celebrations highlighted both the progress achieved and the need for continued action. The Impact Award winners demonstrate how individuals, allies, employee networks and organisations can contribute to workplaces where LGBTQ+ colleagues feel respected, supported and able to thrive.
At the same time, the decline in the overall Global Benchmark median score underlines why progress cannot be taken for granted. For employers, the challenge remains ensuring that commitments to equality and inclusion translate into leadership accountability, meaningful employee experiences and measurable improvements.
Workplace Pride’s 20th anniversary was therefore more than a celebration of past achievements. It was also a reminder that building inclusive workplaces requires sustained effort, collaboration and the willingness to challenge barriers to equality.
Check out the complete Workplace Pride Impact Awards 2026 shortlist here.
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