General Session Speakers
Keynote Speaker
Opening General Session - Thursday, 5 July
Martina Navratilova
A champion both on and off the court, Martina Navratilova is a tennis legend and cultural icon. Born in Prague in 1956, Navratilova is the most dominant tennis player ever to set foot on the court. She is the only player in history to win Grand Slam titles in four different decades, including a curtain-closing US Open victory in mixed-doubles at age 49. Navratilova’s resume boasts 59 Grand Slam titles, a record 9 Wimbledon singles championships, and an unrivaled 344 tournament victories.
Off the court, Martina has led an equally bold and successful life. She has been a lifelong champion for individual freedom and a pioneer for human rights. At age 18, Navratilova left communist Czechoslovakia and sought political asylum and freedom in the United States. After receiving her US Citizenship in 1981, Navratilova publically acknowledged that she is gay at a time when such announcements came at great personal cost to public figures. Outspoken, forthright, and unapologetic about her sexual orientation, Martina is a vocal advocate for equality and diversity and is passionate about her philanthropic work within the LGBT community.
Martina is an accomplished author and speaker. When not at her home in Aspen, Colorado, she is providing on-air commentary for the Tennis Channel, serving as AARP’s Fitness Ambassador, playing in numerous exhibition matches, and tirelessly promoting all of the issues that are close to her heart.
Opening General Session - Thursday, 5 July
Martina Navratilova
A champion both on and off the court, Martina Navratilova is a tennis legend and cultural icon. Born in Prague in 1956, Navratilova is the most dominant tennis player ever to set foot on the court. She is the only player in history to win Grand Slam titles in four different decades, including a curtain-closing US Open victory in mixed-doubles at age 49. Navratilova’s resume boasts 59 Grand Slam titles, a record 9 Wimbledon singles championships, and an unrivaled 344 tournament victories.
Off the court, Martina has led an equally bold and successful life. She has been a lifelong champion for individual freedom and a pioneer for human rights. At age 18, Navratilova left communist Czechoslovakia and sought political asylum and freedom in the United States. After receiving her US Citizenship in 1981, Navratilova publically acknowledged that she is gay at a time when such announcements came at great personal cost to public figures. Outspoken, forthright, and unapologetic about her sexual orientation, Martina is a vocal advocate for equality and diversity and is passionate about her philanthropic work within the LGBT community.
Martina is an accomplished author and speaker. When not at her home in Aspen, Colorado, she is providing on-air commentary for the Tennis Channel, serving as AARP’s Fitness Ambassador, playing in numerous exhibition matches, and tirelessly promoting all of the issues that are close to her heart.
Opening General Session - Thursday, 5 July
Dawn Nicholson / Special Commentator interviewing Martina Navratilova
In a career spanning nearly 30 years, Dawn Nicholson has worked for three of the biggest brands in the world. She started her career in personal tax at Arthur Andersen in 1985, having completed a degree in English and American literature at the University of Kent. Nine years later she left Arthur and went to work in the HR Department at Morgan Stanley. In a career lasting almost 16 years,
Dawn became a Managing Director in HR, responsible for a number of people areas across the Europe, Middle East and Africa.
In June 2010 Dawn left Morgan Stanley to return to the world of professional services as a Partner at PwC. She now consults to a number of financial services clients on a range of HR and people related issues and is often quoted on the subject of diversity. Dawn lives in Kent with her civil partner, their two English cocker spaniels and their 19 year old cat.
Dawn Nicholson / Special Commentator interviewing Martina Navratilova
In a career spanning nearly 30 years, Dawn Nicholson has worked for three of the biggest brands in the world. She started her career in personal tax at Arthur Andersen in 1985, having completed a degree in English and American literature at the University of Kent. Nine years later she left Arthur and went to work in the HR Department at Morgan Stanley. In a career lasting almost 16 years,
Dawn became a Managing Director in HR, responsible for a number of people areas across the Europe, Middle East and Africa.
In June 2010 Dawn left Morgan Stanley to return to the world of professional services as a Partner at PwC. She now consults to a number of financial services clients on a range of HR and people related issues and is often quoted on the subject of diversity. Dawn lives in Kent with her civil partner, their two English cocker spaniels and their 19 year old cat.
Keynote Speaker
Opening General Session - Thursday, 5 July
Liz Bingham, Ernst & Young
Liz Bingham joined Ernst & Young in the restructuring business in 1986, having started in the profession in 1981. Liz has enjoyed a varied career, serving clients in many parts of the world, and including a variety of leadership roles. In May 2011, Liz accepted her current role as Managing Partner for People and was appointed to the UK’s Leadership Team. Liz is passionately committed to creating an environment where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
Opening General Session - Thursday, 5 July
Liz Bingham, Ernst & Young
Liz Bingham joined Ernst & Young in the restructuring business in 1986, having started in the profession in 1981. Liz has enjoyed a varied career, serving clients in many parts of the world, and including a variety of leadership roles. In May 2011, Liz accepted her current role as Managing Partner for People and was appointed to the UK’s Leadership Team. Liz is passionately committed to creating an environment where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
Keynote Speaker
Opening General Session - Thursday, 5 July
Harry van Dorenmalen, IBM
Harry van Dorenmalen was appointed chairman of IBM Europe on October 1, 2010. He represents IBM to European institutions and other authorities such as NATO and the European Defence Agency on issues of international public policy and business regulation. In this role he also oversees the company's corporate citizenship, environmental affairs, intellectual property, standards development, venture capital and university relations activities across the region.
Harry sits on the advisory board of the Lisbon Council and the Electronic Communication Platform Netherlands, and serves as board member on the Netherlands National Council for Cybersecurity, the Dutch Employers Organisation and the Economic Development Board Amsterdam. He is also a Foundation Board member at top Lausanne-based business school IMD. Since December 2010, Harry has been Chairman of the Dutch IT industry association, ICT-Office. He holds a degree in business administration from the University of Delft. He is married and has two daughters.
Opening General Session - Thursday, 5 July
Harry van Dorenmalen, IBM
Harry van Dorenmalen was appointed chairman of IBM Europe on October 1, 2010. He represents IBM to European institutions and other authorities such as NATO and the European Defence Agency on issues of international public policy and business regulation. In this role he also oversees the company's corporate citizenship, environmental affairs, intellectual property, standards development, venture capital and university relations activities across the region.
Harry sits on the advisory board of the Lisbon Council and the Electronic Communication Platform Netherlands, and serves as board member on the Netherlands National Council for Cybersecurity, the Dutch Employers Organisation and the Economic Development Board Amsterdam. He is also a Foundation Board member at top Lausanne-based business school IMD. Since December 2010, Harry has been Chairman of the Dutch IT industry association, ICT-Office. He holds a degree in business administration from the University of Delft. He is married and has two daughters.
Keynote Speaker
Friday, 6 July
Vladimir Luxuria, Former MP, Italy
Vladimir Luxuria born Wladimiro Guadagno in Foggia, Apulia (June 24, 1965) is an Italian actress, writer, politician and television presenter. Luxuria was a Communist Refoundation Party member of the Italian parliament, belonging to Romano Prodi’s L’Unione coalition. She was the first openly transgender member of Parliament in Europe, and the world's second openly transgender MP after New Zealander Georgina Beyer. She lost her seat in the election of April, 2008.
Although Luxuria lives exclusively as a female, she has not undergone sex change surgery remaining physically and legally male. She has stated on occasion that she perceives herself as neither male nor female. In the 2006 general election, Luxuria was elected to the Chamber of Deputies by the Lazio 1 constituency in Rome. She lost her seat in the 2008 election. After the retirement of Beyer and Luxuria, there were no transgender MPs reported in the world, until 2011, when Anna Grodska was elected to the Polish parliament.
Friday, 6 July
Vladimir Luxuria, Former MP, Italy
Vladimir Luxuria born Wladimiro Guadagno in Foggia, Apulia (June 24, 1965) is an Italian actress, writer, politician and television presenter. Luxuria was a Communist Refoundation Party member of the Italian parliament, belonging to Romano Prodi’s L’Unione coalition. She was the first openly transgender member of Parliament in Europe, and the world's second openly transgender MP after New Zealander Georgina Beyer. She lost her seat in the election of April, 2008.
Although Luxuria lives exclusively as a female, she has not undergone sex change surgery remaining physically and legally male. She has stated on occasion that she perceives herself as neither male nor female. In the 2006 general election, Luxuria was elected to the Chamber of Deputies by the Lazio 1 constituency in Rome. She lost her seat in the 2008 election. After the retirement of Beyer and Luxuria, there were no transgender MPs reported in the world, until 2011, when Anna Grodska was elected to the Polish parliament.
Keynote Speaker
Friday, 6 July
Michael Cashman, MEP
Currently the Chair of the UK Labour Party’s National Executive Committee, Michael Cashman has been a Labour Member of the European Parliament for the West Midlands since 1999. Previously Co-founder and Chair of Stonewall, he campaigned alongside Ian McKellen and others to repeal Section 28, and helped bring equality for lesbian, gay and bisexual people to the forefront of British politics. His combat continues in the European Parliament, where he works on development and civil liberties issues, and co-presides the European Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBT Rights.
Friday, 6 July
Michael Cashman, MEP
Currently the Chair of the UK Labour Party’s National Executive Committee, Michael Cashman has been a Labour Member of the European Parliament for the West Midlands since 1999. Previously Co-founder and Chair of Stonewall, he campaigned alongside Ian McKellen and others to repeal Section 28, and helped bring equality for lesbian, gay and bisexual people to the forefront of British politics. His combat continues in the European Parliament, where he works on development and civil liberties issues, and co-presides the European Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBT Rights.
Keynote Speaker
Friday, 6 July
Selisse Berry, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates
Selisse Berry is Founding Executive Director of Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, the world’s largest nonprofit organization specifically dedicated to creating safe and equitable workplaces for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. Under her leadership, the organization has grown significantly with dramatic increases in attendance for the annual Workplace Summit since 1999, the expansion of volunteer regional affiliates across the United States, and many global initiatives. With her guidance, Out & Equal has also created numerous programs to advance its mission, including the annual Out & Equal Workplace Summit, the LGBT Executive Forum and Leadership Celebration, bimonthly Town Call seminars, the world’s largest registry of LGBT Employee Resource Groups, LGBT CareerLink online jobs board and substantial programming in the growing network of regional affiliates and global partnerships.
Her clear and unwavering vision has been instrumental in creating an internationally recognized organization whose philosophies reflect the importance of treating all colleagues in the workplace with respect and dignity. Since her first job as a guidance counselor, Selisse has continued her commitment to justice as a teacher and as executive director for several social service organizations prior to founding Out & Equal Workplace Advocates. She has master’s degrees in education and theology from the University of Texas and San Francisco Theological Seminary respectively. Selisse and her wife, Cynthia Martin, were married in July 2007, and legally married in 2008.
Friday, 6 July
Selisse Berry, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates
Selisse Berry is Founding Executive Director of Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, the world’s largest nonprofit organization specifically dedicated to creating safe and equitable workplaces for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. Under her leadership, the organization has grown significantly with dramatic increases in attendance for the annual Workplace Summit since 1999, the expansion of volunteer regional affiliates across the United States, and many global initiatives. With her guidance, Out & Equal has also created numerous programs to advance its mission, including the annual Out & Equal Workplace Summit, the LGBT Executive Forum and Leadership Celebration, bimonthly Town Call seminars, the world’s largest registry of LGBT Employee Resource Groups, LGBT CareerLink online jobs board and substantial programming in the growing network of regional affiliates and global partnerships.
Her clear and unwavering vision has been instrumental in creating an internationally recognized organization whose philosophies reflect the importance of treating all colleagues in the workplace with respect and dignity. Since her first job as a guidance counselor, Selisse has continued her commitment to justice as a teacher and as executive director for several social service organizations prior to founding Out & Equal Workplace Advocates. She has master’s degrees in education and theology from the University of Texas and San Francisco Theological Seminary respectively. Selisse and her wife, Cynthia Martin, were married in July 2007, and legally married in 2008.
