Out & Equal Partners with Windo to Highlight the Value of LGBTQ+ Inclusion and Belonging in the Workplace

Windō, the innovative platform for accessing, reviewing and comparing organisations’ sustainability data (environmental impact, DEI and employee well-being) has partnered with Out & Equal, the premier global nonprofit advancing LGBTQ+ workplace, equity, inclusion, and belonging. 

The DEI Landscape: Navigating a War on “Woke”

DEI is being increasingly weaponized by politicians and leaders during a significant election year for both the US and UK. The attack on DEI, which propelled the resignation of Harvard’s President Claudine Gay and the suing of VCs for investing in Black entrepreneurs, has left business leaders stuck between a rock and a hard place. 

Yet amidst the backlash against DEI, corporations continue to see that pride pays – particularly when it comes to Gen Z workers. An Open For Business report co-authored by Windō Co-Founder and Head of Social Impact Ken Janssens illustrated that the companies with the highest LGBTQ+ transparency scores are significantly more profitable, are particularly attractive to Gen Z, and have greater appeal to consumers (global LGBTQ+ consumer spending power eclipses the GDP of leading economies such as Japan).

Combining LGBTQ+ Expertise with World-Leading DEI Data

Windō and Out & Equal’s partnership will combine Windō’s extensive DEI data (covering 500+ of the world’s most influential companies, including the FTSE250, Fortune 100, CAC40, and DAX40) with Out & Equal’s expertise in creating workplaces of equity, inclusion, and belonging for LGBTQ+ people. The collaboration will enable companies globally, including the over 300 organizations partnered with Out & Equal (including over 100 Fortune 500/Global 500 companies and 13 US Government Partners) to make better-informed decisions about their DEI policies and where to increase transparency around their progress, particularly as they seek to attract and retain LGBTQ+ and Gen Z hires. 

The partnership will also see both companies working on co-branded reports to advise corporations on building inclusive spaces and analyse LGBTQ+-specific DEI trends. Accurate, comprehensive data on progress and transparency is critical to Out & Equal’s work in advising corporations and publishing relevant resources on the key issues facing LGBTQ+ workers.

This collaboration with Out & Equal marks Windō’s first ever DEI partnership. Windō will subsequently look to establish similar partnerships with other world-leading organizations, specialising in gender, ethnicity/race, disability, social mobility and veterans. 

Pride Pays: The Importance of LGBTQ+ Transparency to Gen Z

Gen Z is the most diverse generation in history: nearly 30% identify as LGBTQ+ (as opposed to 7% of the wider US population and 3% of the UK), while 48% are from racial or ethnic minorities. This generation will also make up 30% of the global workforce before the end of the decade, but what they look for in a job differs drastically from previous generations. Above all, Gen Z values impact, with 91% more likely to work for companies that prioritise their sustainability (versus 64% of millennials). 

As well as being the first generation to prioritise purpose over salary, 83% of Gen Z consider an employer’s DEI commitments when deciding where to work, and 40% of LGBTQ+ Gen Z employees have left jobs because their employer was unwelcoming to LGBTQ+ workers.

Designed to connect Gen Z with prospective employers who share their values, the Windō platform provides an accessible, standardised summary of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) metrics, with data updated as companies release reports. Partnered with over a dozen universities and more than 500 Gen Z leaders, the platform has received 30k+ unique users, with 125k+ profile visits. Windō’s Head of Social Impact, Ken Janssens, is a leading DEI advocate who spent 25 years at J.P. Morgan, co-founding its LGBTQ+ Executive Council.

Ken Janssens (he/him), Co-Founder and Head of Social Impact at Windō, states: 

“Despite false narratives painting DEI as a ‘dirty word’, it’s never been clearer that diversity, inclusion and belonging are fundamental to long-term corporate success. But for businesses to truly reap the benefits of fostering an inclusive workplace, they need clear, robust data to back it up. Younger generations, in particular, are prioritising LGBTQ+ inclusive workplaces and actively seeking them out, and at Windō we believe there’s little point in having well-defined DEI strategies if prospective employees can’t find them. We are delighted to partner with Out & Equal to assist more companies in creating inclusive workplaces and sharing their progress with pride.” 

Erin Uritus (she/her), Out & Equal CEO, adds: “Inclusive companies that value difference and belonging don’t just perform better—they are a beacon of engagement, retention, and profitability. These principles aren’t simply buzzwords or phrases, they are moral imperatives that are smart business practice. It is what we refer to as ‘The Business of Belonging.’ Through our collaboration with Windō, we will help organizations achieve even greater impact as they advance LGBTQ+ equity, inclusion, and belonging within the workplace and beyond.” 

About Windō 

Windō is a user-friendly platform for accessing, reviewing and comparing the sustainability data of organisations, spanning their environmental impact; diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI); and employee well-being plans and progress. Co-founded in London, England in 2022 by Oli Coles (BEM; CEO) and Ken Janssens (Head of Social Impact), Windō is made up of a team of 12, who span seven nationalities and four generations.

About Out & Equal

Out & Equal is the premier global nonprofit organization working exclusively on LGBTQ+ workplace equality. Through their worldwide programs, strategic corporate partnerships, and sought-after events, Out & Equal helps LGBTQ+ individuals realize their fullest, most authentic potential, while supporting organizations in creating cultures of belonging for all.