out & equal Workplace summit 2026
It was great to see you at the Out & Equal Workplace Summit 2026! It was an amazing few days of connecting, learning and growing as LGBTQ+ leaders. A huge thank you for all who attended our session, From ERGs to Leadership Pipelines : Building LGBTQ+ Talent Labs. We’ve included the session materials for you do download below.
I’d love to talk further about how we could create a Talent Lab or bring Think Like A CEO!, Lead With Your Brand! or one of my other professional development programs to your company.
From ERGs to leadership pipelines : building LGBTQ+ talent labs
Presented Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Session Downloads
Session Overview
At the 2026 Out & Equal Workplace Summit, I had the opportunity to partner with a corporate leader to share something I'm passionate about: how LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) can become strategic partners in talent development and drive real business impact. We took attendees behind the scenes of a successful LGBTQ+ Leadership Lab and walked through the six-step methodology we used to bring it to life: Listen and Identify the Need, Define Your Talent, Define Success, Design the Experience, Build the Ecosystem, and Design for Transfer.
One of my biggest messages was that a great leadership development program isn't a one-time event—it's a journey. We explored how to create that journey through five interconnected stages: Prepare, Connect, Develop, Apply, and Reinforce. From personal branding and executive networking to manager engagement and peer accountability, we shared practical strategies for designing meaningful experiences that build leadership capabilities and create lasting connections. We also discussed how to build, buy, and borrow resources to make this approach work within your own organization.
My guiding philosophy throughout the session was simple: "Design for transfer, not applause." And the early results brought that philosophy to life! All 10 managers who responded to our pilot evaluation observed stronger employee career advocacy, while nine reported improved leadership readiness and contributions to team effectiveness. For me, that's what makes this work so exciting. When we intentionally connect employee development to business priorities, we don't just create great learning experiences - we build stronger talent pipelines, elevate the strategic value of ERGs, and create meaningful organizational impact.
Keep the 2027 momentum building! Join us for a free ERG planning workshop!
Join Jayzen for a high-energy, 60-minute virtual workshop designed exclusively for ERG leaders, executive sponsors, and inclusion champions who are ready to build a results-driven 2027 blueprint that inspires members and makes a measurable impact on the business.
