Vaishali Kadam, CTO Infrastructure – Head of Storage and Data Protection Platform at HSBC, has significantly advanced LGBTQ+ inclusion across HSBC Technology India, since becoming Pride Sponsor in 2024. Through her Educate, Empower and Enable approach, she helped drive a 30% increase in self-identification, reflecting greater psychological safety and trust; introduced learning experiences, including awareness sessions on Gender Affirmation Surgery; parenting sessions that provided colleagues with practical guidance, peer support and useful resources to manage parenting responsibilities and promote family well-being; and sponsored HSBC Technology’s first drag show, fostering empathy and reducing stigma. Her initiatives engaged more than 800 colleagues during Pride Month and received 96% positive feedback, while her alignment of local and global ERG priorities helped embed allyship as an ongoing practice rather than a one-off activity. Beyond HSBC, Vaishali also sponsored mentoring for LGBTQ+ young people, demonstrating her commitment to nurturing confidence, aspirations and opportunity for future generations.
