Proud

This Pride Month, I found myself reflecting on something that happened a year ago while I was still working out of our Toronto office. I’ve waited this long to write about it, not because it wasn’t impactful, but because I didn’t want to risk turning a powerful moment of visibility into a self-congratulatory story. Being an ally isn’t about attention—it’s about making space, amplifying voices, and showing up consistently, even when no one’s watching.

After a year of reflection, I realize it’s also important to talk about the value of Pride in the modern workplace, and the role we all play—especially those of us in leadership—in helping create cultures where authenticity is protected, not just permitted.

In 2023, Dyson made its first-ever appearance in the Toronto Pride Parade—a huge milestone for our team, our culture, and our commitment to visibility. I was honored (and a little stunned) to be asked to drive the float, supporting two amazing members of my team who co-chair Dyson’s LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group (ERG).

Watching their leadership, advocacy, and purpose throughout the month made it clear just how vital ERGs are in building inclusive workplaces from the ground up.

There were learning curves. (For instance: it turns out you need a lot of magnets to securely attach parade signage to a moving vehicle—especially on a hot day in June.)

There was also anticipation. Sitting in the queue, waiting for the parade to start, I felt a strange mix of excitement and nervous energy. But the moment we rolled out onto the route, all of that transformed into something else: pure joy. Music, cheers, and waves of color surrounded us. The energy was electric. And then all of a sudden — a section of the crowd began chanting “Airwrap! Airwrap! Airwrap!” It was surreal, hilarious, and somehow perfect. A reminder that what we create as a business can intersect with joy, identity, and pride in ways we don’t always expect.

I’ll admit—I was hesitant to share this story at all. Because being an ally isn’t about shouting “Look at what a great ally I am!” True allyship is quiet more often than it’s loud. It’s about using your position to hold the door open, not walk through it on someone else’s behalf.

This experience wasn’t about me. It was about the people who made it happen—the ERG leaders who put in the hours, built the partnerships, and created something meaningful. It was about the LGBTQ+ community at Dyson who got to see themselves represented at one of the biggest Pride celebrations in the world. It was about visibility, and belonging, and joy.

Why Workplace Pride Still Matters

Celebrating Pride at work still matters—deeply. Because for many LGBTQ+ employees, the ability to bring their whole selves to work is still hard-won. Authenticity shouldn’t be a luxury—it should be the baseline. When people feel safe in who they are, they lead better, collaborate better, and thrive.

I’m proud to work at a company where identity isn’t taken for granted, and where representation is prioritized, where ERGs are empowered, not sidelined, and where leadership understands that inclusion isn’t a campaign—it’s a commitment.

To everyone who marched, danced, organized, led, or simply showed up at Pride last year: thank you. And to my team—thank you for letting me be a small part of something so much bigger.

Dyson Canada LT showing up in full force for Toronto Pride 2023, along with the majority of the office team.