Matias Caldez has driven transformative growth in LGBTQ+ inclusion as Global Co-Chair of JTI’s PRIDE Employee Resource Group over the past two years. He shifted the focus from awareness to sustained, leadership-led impact by empowering queer leadership and strengthening ally accountability across diverse cultural and legal contexts. Matias pioneered an allyship-first strategy that prioritizes psychological safety and inclusive leadership, enabling participation in markets with limited LGBTQ+ awareness. He strengthened locally led PRIDE chapters and fostered intersectional collaboration, ensuring everyday leadership behaviors support LGBTQ+ colleagues, especially in restrictive environments. A highlight of his leadership was co-convening the Allyship Summit in Turkey, creating a safe space for peer learning and practical inclusion strategies tailored to local realities. Matias’s persistent, feedback-driven approach embeds inclusion into leadership practices, making queer leadership sustainable and authentic worldwide.
