PRIDE - Why Even Bother?

PRIDE – Why Even Bother? This isn’t just another corporate event about inclusion. It is a direct response to the skepticism surrounding D&I and a bold move to break down corporate isolation. We are building the Cross-Corporate PRIDE Hub – a space where Kraków’s leaders and experts move beyond silos to create a real "Come As You Are" culture. No clichés, no "rainbow washing" — just 3 power-speeches, a raw panel discussion, and action-oriented workshops. Let’s turn synergy into a tangible standard for the LGBTQ+ community in business.

In 2026, do we still need to ask why PRIDE matters in business? Yes. Because only an honest answer allows us to build the authenticity that attracts top talent and fosters true innovation.
We invite you to a meetup that redefines the D&I landscape in Kraków. Instead of operating in isolation, we are championing Synergy Over Silos. Our goal is to lay the foundation for the city's first Cross-Corporate PRIDE Hub – a platform for exchanging best practices and solving the real challenges we face as leaders and professionals.

What’s in it for you?

• Raw Perspectives: Experience lightning speech – three speakers, 7 minutes each, addressing the most pressing D&I challenges without the corporate filter.
• Crowdsourced Agenda: Your voice dictates the work. Using Slido, you will help identify the key topics for our deep-dive working groups.
• Strategic Networking: Connect with leaders and experts to ensure Kraków becomes a benchmark for inclusion.

Join us to reinforce the "Come As You Are" culture.
Whether you are just starting your D&I journey or managing a mature ERG, your presence is vital to building a community where everyone truly belongs.

OUR SPEAKERS:

• Luca Condosta | ABB - VP HR - LGBTQ+ Global Program Head / Leadership Learning Community Head | Pride at work; From Inclusion to Impact

When we talk about LGBTQ+ inclusion, we often wait for the organization to create the perfect conditions. We hope for policies, training sessions, and the right procedures. But here's the reality: inclusion isn't something you wait for - it's something you build.
Because participation didn't grow because conditions became "perfect." It grew because people started showing up-authentically, without waiting for permission.

About Luca:
Throughout his career, Luca has been driven by one question: how do we create environments where people can thrive, perform, and contribute at their very best?
With more than 20 years of international experience across finance, operations, leadership development, sustainability, and inclusion, he has built a reputation for connecting business strategy with people, culture, and capability building. Today, at ABB, he focuses on helping organizations develop the skills, mindsets, and leadership needed to navigate an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world.
A globally recognized LGBTQ+ Executive Role Model, IMD contributor, and Board Member of the European Pride Business Network (EPBN), Luca is passionate about building workplaces where people can bring their whole selves, unlock their potential, and contribute to something bigger than themselves.
Because inclusion is not about being politically correct. It's about creating environments where people and businesses can thrive together.

• Michał Knapik | Grupa KRUK – Group Diversity Equality & Inclusion Lead | From Implicit to Impact - How Pride Became a Business Factor

Just a few years ago, topics related to LGBTQ+ inclusion were pretty absent from the conversation in our company. Not because they were rejected— on the contrary, because we assumed they were already covered under our values like respect, and deep ethical approach.
But we learned that general principles are not enough. Without visibility, without open dialogue, and without targeted actions—nothing really changes. In this talk, we can see how we moved from this “implicit inclusion” to a more intentional approach—creating spaces like the Rainbow Roundtable concrete initiatives that turned inclusion into something visible, tangible, and relevant for the business.
This is a story about what triggered this shift—and why Pride, in a corporate context, is not just about values, but about people's contribution to success.

About Michał:
Michał Knapik leads Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at KRUK Group, working across European countries and with headquarters leaders. His work focuses on building inclusive environments through dialogue, employee communities, and leadership engagement. He combines his passion for inclusion with his experience from financial, creative and business services sectors.

• Kamil Stwora | Brown Brothers Harriman – Compliance Officer | Reducing the distance

Kamil will explore why Pride matters in business through the lens of the workplace, culture, and leadership. Drawing from his experiences, he will reflect on the invisible cost of growing up different, the importance of curiosity and relentless respect in organizations and why ERGs should not be seen as symbolic initiatives, but as businesses infrastructure that helps to reduce distance between people, leadership, and learning experiences. The session will focus on authenticity, trust and creating workplaces where every voice matters

About Kamil:
Kamil Stwora is an Assistant Vice President and Compliance Officer at Brown Brothers Harriman, based in Cracow. In this role, Kamil focuses on regulatory compliance, ethics and integrity, data privacy, and policy governance, with an interest in compliance innovation. Additionally, Kamil is the Co-Lead of the Poland Pride network, he also serves as a Pillar Lead within the global Pride network, contributing to cross regional collaboration. Kamil focuses on building connections between the employees, supports community engagement and create workplace where authenticity and high performance can coexist.

Event Details:
Date: June 18th, 2026
Time: 5:45 PM - 8:45 PM
Location: ABB Office, ul. Przy Rondzie 4, Kraków

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