Co-Chair
Jason Sloan (they/them)
“As an LGBTQ+ Network Leader, I have seen how we can influence in our organisation and actively work to ensure we are even more LGBTQ+ inclusive. Through stories told over the years by individuals who have benefitted from these improvements, I know they aren’t just limited to benchmark scores. They have real, lasting impact to people, particularly those who identify as LGBTQ+. The Proud Science Alliance is a great opportunity to ensure we are raising the bar of LGBTQ+ inclusion across our industry by lifting each other up through sharing good practice and working together to achieve more than we could if we acted alone.”
Co-Chair
Chris Sanders (he/him)
“Through the Proud Science Alliance, we have an amazing opportunity to collaborate across the Pharma and Life Sciences industry to share our own company’s endeavours in breaking down barriers; but furthermore, to stretch ourselves and our industry to become leaders in creating a culture of openness, tolerance, inclusion and diversity across the sector.
By working together will we ensure that our current and future employees are equally valued, irrespective of their gender identity or sexual orientation; so that they are comfortable to bring their true self to work every day and to be the best they can be.”
Programming Lead
Seph Van De Beek (they/them)
“Working in the health and life sciences industry for over a decade, I’ve come to realise there is a deep-rooted need for equality, inclusion, and diversity. The Proud Science Alliance works to educate companies on how to create safe and inclusive workplaces for LGBTQ+ employees world-wide. LGBTQ+ employees that can be their true, authentic selves at work will feel encouraged to speak up and be a catalyst for change. Together, we can and will create a better tomorrow for everyone.”
Operations Lead
Marine Duthil-McArthur (she/they)
“As a recent graduate who spent much of their time working with the science faculty on equality, diversity, and inclusion at my university, I have developed an intimate understanding of how young LGBTQ+ people today feel when trying to break into the life science and pharmaceutical sector. I am confident that collaboration with the Proud Science Alliance team can break down the barriers for the LGBTQ+ community by providing equal opportunities and creating a safe, fair workplace. A multi-disciplinary, multi-faceted approach is key to increasing awareness and improving inclusivity within the industry and with an intersectional approach, we are determined to make this a reality.”
Finance Lead
Molebedi Segwagwe (he/him)
“Having worked in the pharma and life sciences industry for close to a decade, I have realized the importance of creating space for LGBTQ+ people to bring their authentic selves into the workplace both in terms of day-to-day activities but also in considering how the work we do can be more reflective of the diverse needs of the community. I am convinced that the work the Proud Science Alliance is doing is an effective vehicle for education and ultimately a catalyst for positive change across the sector.”
Finance Lead
Stephen Ingham (he/him)
“In recent decades the law in the UK and elsewhere has been a powerful driver of positive change for the LGBTQ+ minorities, strengthening the framework for equality in the workplace and beyond. However, if we are to continue the progress of LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion and truly engage the full potential or this employee group, I believe we must go beyond a cultural baseline of tolerance. The inclusion goal must move to an employee culture that positively celebrates the diverse perspectives brought to the workplace by LGBTQ+ employees. A central aspect to achieving such further progress is the empowerment of LGBTQ+ employees to bring their whole selves to work. Through the shared learning of the network, the Proud Science Alliance aims to enable a work environment across the sector that ensures psychological safety and supports positive visibility for LGBTQ+ employees, so that the diverse contributions that this group brings to the workplace can indeed be celebrated.”
Engagement Lead
Annie Newman (she/her)
“I see the Proud science alliance as being a strong collective voice for the LGBTQ+ community in the health and life sciences sector. As a communications professional and member of GSK’s LGBTQ+ networks leadership team, I see the power of like-minded individuals coming together to support one another and be a catalyst for change. I truly believe through the Proud Science Alliance we can raise the bar on LGBTQ+ inclusivity and increase awareness on the issues our community face.”
Engagement Lead
Jane Finch (she/her)
“Being the parent of a young person who identifies as non-binary has taken me on a journey personally and professionally that I never expected. That journey has made me determined to make work a place where people can be themselves and know they are safe. For me, the Proud Science Alliance is a driver for the change needed in workplaces so that anyone who identifies as LGBTQ+ can know they are as safe and valued as their cis and straight colleagues. By collaborating we can show this is how the healthcare and life science sector should and must be.”
Tech Lead
Prithvi Vangal (he/him)
“In a decade spent in academic environments, I found a surprising lack of community organizations for LGBTQ+ colleagues. This is only exacerbated in small work environments, especially in science-focused work places. Although several positive developments in recent years— both cultural and legal— have improved workplace equality and inclusion, there is still more work to be done. I believe that building a community of colleagues and allies across scientific companies will aid in this goal. The Proud Science Alliance is a wonderful opportunity to build this community across the field and hopefully across the world.”
Tech Lead
Holly Rogers (she/her)
“While we’ve made real progress in LGBTQ+ support, inclusion and representation in the workplace, we still have so far to go, and we cannot take this progress for granted. One in five people still feel that being LGBTQ+ limits their job opportunities, which is unacceptable. I am passionate about building more inclusive environments, and being able to bring your whole self to work, and I am proud to give my support to this work. The Proud Science Alliance is a powerful opportunity for members of the health and life sciences community to come together and drive change for the better, for everyone.”