Celebrating Pride Month with the BoD Advisory Board: Gladwin Mendez

Gladwin Mendez, Data and Information Security Officer at Fisher Funds, shares how his organization is supporting and celebrating the LGBTQ+ community

We know diversity and inclusion are crucial to the success of avoiding issues surrounding AI bias etc. How do you ensure your data & analytics teams are welcoming to all, and in particular to the LGBTQ+ community?

As an LGBTQ+ ally and a leader, it’s necessary to lead by example. To create an environment of inclusiveness and diversity in all ways, where all team members can feel safe being their authentic selves.

In your opinion, what can we do within the wider data & analytics community to attract and retain top talent from all walks of life?

I think taking a stand is key – putting aside self-interest and calling out when there is a lack of diversity. For example, that may require calling out a lack of diversity within a group that you are a leader of and recommending someone else instead of yourself to lead to ensure diversity of thought and freedom of individual expression. That takes guts, but the right way is often the hardest.

Why is celebrating Pride important to you?

We all know someone or have worked with someone who is part of the LGBTQ+ community. Again, in my role and with my visibility in the wider community, I feel strongly that I should reflect the values I believe in openly and proudly. If I can make a difference to even one LGBTQ+ person this year, then it would have been worth it.

Gladwin Mendez is a member of the Business of Data Advisory Board. To find out more about how we work with data and analytics leaders from around the globe to champion all voices within the data and analytics community, visit this link.