Afonso Russell has significantly advanced LGBTQ+ inclusion across Portugal’s business landscape through his leadership at Sonae and REDI Portugal. As co-founder and ERG Lead of Sonae’s first LGBTQIA+ Employee Resource Group, he expanded its influence as a platform for visibility and education, notably organizing a 2025 Sonae Talk on LGBTQ+ inclusion that engaged over 230 colleagues. He also co-organized Sonae’s Innovators Forum 2025, integrating LGBTQ+ issues into a major business event with more than 1,400 participants. Beyond Sonae, as Vice President of REDI Portugal, he has helped grow the network to nearly 50 member organizations, fostering collective efforts for workplace inclusion. Afonso’s approach emphasizes creating spaces for open dialogue, connecting organizations, and advocating for inclusion as a core leadership and competitiveness priority, demonstrating that impactful change can come from early-career professionals committed to amplifying diverse voices.
