In collaboration with our community and partners, Pride at Work Canada undertook a study on 2SLGBTQIA+ senior and executive leadership across multiple industries and sectors — the first study of its kind in Canada. Lead with Pride: Best Practices for Advancing 2SLGBTQIA+ Leadership features an analysis of the career pathways and experiences of 23 queer and trans leaders, as well as the workplace practices of 13 private, public, and non-profit sector employers, to establish an understanding of the barriers, supports, and opportunities for queer and trans professionals to reach leadership positions in Canada. This study used an intersectional analysis and intentionally features the voices of trans and queer leaders who are Black, Indigenous, racialized, and disabled, and who have immigrant backgrounds.

Through conversations with 2SLGBTQIA+ leaders and private, public, and non-profit sector employers, this study found that queer and trans professionals face numerous barriers in their career journeys that slow their career progression, limit their opportunities, and obscure potential pathways to leadership levels. This study also found that while opportunities exist to improve talent retention, leadership pipeline development, and upper-level recruitment, these are largely overlooked in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.