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Role Model Lists
Our Empower, Outstanding, Heroes and Enable Role Model Lists showcase and celebrate global business leaders who are driving change in the workplace and inspiring the next generation of diverse talent.
The Empower Role Model Lists showcase business leaders who are breaking down barriers at work and working hard to smash the ceiling for people of color across the world.
The global Heroes Women Role Model Lists showcase leaders who are championing women in business and driving change for gender diversity in the workplace.
The global Outstanding LGBTQ+ Role Model Lists showcase LGBTQ+ business leaders and allies who are breaking down barriers and creating more inclusive workplaces across the world.
The Enable Role Model List, sponsored by Dow, showcases leaders who are using their personal experiences of disability, neurodiversity, or mental health to advance inclusion for others in the workplace.
MEET OUR #1 ROLE MODELS
IJE NWOKORIE
CEO, Dr. Martens
Ije is the number 1 Executive on our Empower Role Model Lists 2026. As CEO of Dr. Martens, Ije has built a global career spanning brand, innovation, and business transformation. Previously Chief Brand Officer at Dr. Martens, Senior Director at Apple Retail, and Worldwide CEO of Wolff Olins, he also champions inclusion through long-standing board roles with charity: water, Malaria No More UK, Chineke! Orchestra, and the Institute of International Visual Arts.
KAREN S. CARTER
Chief Executive Officer, Dow
Karen is the number 1 Executive on our Heroes Role Model Lists 2026. As Dow’s first woman CEO, Karen champions opportunity, talent, and an inclusive, high-performing culture. She mentors emerging leaders, supports Dow’s Women’s Inclusion Network, and advances workplace equity through Catalyst. As co-executive sponsor of the LPGA Dow Championship, Karen also helps elevate women in sport. Her leadership has strengthened representation, with women comprising 43% of Dow’s Executive Leadership Team.
TRISTAN PINEIRO
Chief Marketing Officer, Grindr
Tristan is our Outstanding Role Model Lists 2026 number 1 Executive. Tristan Pineiro is an openly gay CMO and advocate for LGBTQ+ representation. With experience at Netflix, Bumble, King and Grindr, he brings queer perspectives into senior leadership. At Grindr, he launched Grindr Presents, championing queer culture, health and history, and led I WOOL SURVIVE, increasing donations to queer-rights groups by 1,820%, demonstrating how authenticity can drive creativity and leadership.
NEHA DHAUN
Head of Consumer & Competition Law, Sainsbury’s
Neha is the number 1 Future Leader on our Empower Role Model Lists 2026. Neha founded Superwomen of Colour to amplify and empower women of colour in law and regulation. She leads a 12-person leadership team, connecting hundreds of professionals, launching the sector’s first all-women of colour panel, and increasing diverse representation through a speaker platform. As a Trustee of the Birth Trauma Association, Neha also champions trauma-informed workplaces and women returning to work.
AKUA OPONG
Senior EUC Engineer – I&C User Services, LSEG
Akua is the number 1 Future Leader on our Heroes Role Model Lists 2026. Akua is a Chartered IT Professional and advocate for inclusion across technology and financial services. Alongside her role at LSEG, she champions gender equality, accessibility, neurodiversity, mental health, and social mobility. Through mentoring, volunteering, fundraising, and providing technology to charities, Akua connects colleagues, communities, and young people with opportunities and support. Her impact has been recognized with 28 awards.
ETHAN SALATHIEL
Director, KPMG
Ethan is the number 1 Future Leader on our Outstanding Role Model Lists 2026. Ethan Salathiel leads KPMG’s Trans & Gender Diversity workstream and is the firm’s first openly trans Director. Through storytelling, education, and firm-wide initiatives, he builds understanding, allyship, and meaningful LGBTQ+ inclusion. Beyond KPMG, Ethan advises clients, reverse mentors senior leaders, and contributes to national conversations, creating lasting change by empowering others and embedding inclusion into everyday organizational culture.
JON HOLT
Group Chief Executive and UK Senior Partner, KPMG
Jon is our Empower Role Model Lists 2026 number 1 Advocate. As Group Chief Executive and UK Senior Partner at KPMG, Jon Holt has made inclusion and accountability business priorities. He sponsors the Career Advancement Network for high-potential Black Heritage Directors, champions development programmes, and supports employee networks. Through transparent reporting, partnerships, and the Black Entrepreneur Awards, Jon drives measurable progress, expanding opportunities for people of colour within KPMG and beyond.
DAMIEN MOONEY
Head of Asia Pacific, Fidelity International
Damien is the number 1 Advocate on our Heroes Role Model Lists 2026. As Head of Asia Pacific at Fidelity International, Damien Mooney champions gender equity through sponsorship, recruitment, and transparent talent processes. He creates opportunities for women to gain senior exposure and career-building experience, strengthening the leadership pipeline. A committed male ally and Board Member of The Women’s Foundation Hong Kong, Damien also advocates for greater accountability and gender equity across society.
ANNE ASLETT
Chief Executive Officer, Elton John AIDS Foundation
Anne is the number 1 Advocate on our Outstanding Role Model Lists 2026. Anne Aslett, CEO of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, champions global HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ+ advocacy. Under her leadership, the Foundation has expanded LGBTQ+-focused grants, strengthened access to HIV testing, treatment, and PrEP, and protected frontline services through the Rocket Response Fund. Her innovative funding and advocacy advance LGBTQ+ equality, improve access to care, and drive lasting systemic change worldwide.
TRACY LEE MITCHELSON
Training, Disability and Accessibility Director in Workplace, Real Estate and Facilities (Workplace Experience Team), GSK
Tracy is the top Role Model for disability inclusion on our Enable Role Model Lists 2025. As GSK’s Training, Disability, and Accessibility Director, Tracy drives global disability confidence and inclusion. A veteran with lived experience, she founded and co-leads GSK’s Global Disability Confidence Network, uniting nearly 1,000 members across 28+ countries. Tracy has delivered training, events, and accessibility policies, mentoring colleagues, and transforming workplace culture to foster belonging and empower others worldwide.
MARK GOLDSTEIN
Partner, Reed Smith
Mark is the top Role Model for mental health inclusion on our Enable Role Model Lists 2025. Mark is a leading voice for mental health and neuro-inclusion in law. He co-launched the firm’s global Mental Health Task Force, driving policies, resources, and flagship initiatives, including Mental Health Summits and Winter Wellness programs. Through global speaking, published work, and sharing his own journey with depression, Mark inspires support, reduces stigma, and advances cultural change across the profession.
LIZ BAILEY
Data Analytics Director, Barclays
Liz is the top Role Model for neurodivergence inclusion on our Enable Role Model Lists 2025. Liz has driven major advances in disability, neurodivergence, and mental health inclusion. As former Co-Chair of Reach, she tripled membership and launched a UK mentoring scheme for disabled and neurodivergent colleagues. She founded Barclays’ Neurodiversity Centre of Excellence and leads discovery sessions, accessibility reviews, and mentoring, all inspired by her lived experience and commitment to empowering authentic, inclusive workplaces.
JAS SINGH
CEO, Consumer Relationships, Lloyds Banking Group plc
Jas is the top Advocate Role Model on our Enable Role Model Lists 2025. Jas champions disability and neurodivergence inclusion as Executive Sponsor. He created a cross-group Senior Working Group, launched the ‘This Is Me’ e-module, and expanded benefits to include neurodivergence diagnosis. With commitments such as the Lilac Review and strengthened workplace adjustments, Jas drives meaningful cultural change and ensures disabled and neurodivergent voices shape strategy and impact.
