In line with the Drinks Association’s commitment to broadening its ambition for diversity and inclusion beyond gender equality, we are pleased to announce the newly formed Industry Resource Group (IRG): Pride in Drinks.
Pride in Drinks currently consists of representation from eight companies and will be the voice of the LGBTQ+ employees and beyond. With the objective to “champion inclusion and diversity through education, advocacy and awareness so that everyone can be their best authentic selves”, the new addition is a complement to the current Embrace Difference workstreams: See Difference and Create Difference.
Pride in Drinks was formed by a group of passionate individuals in the drinks industry who have identified the opportunity to continue to drive visibility of the LGBTQ+ community.
The team is extremely excited to be part of the continual evolution of the Drinks Assocation’s Embrace Difference Council and will be a complement to the great work that the Embrace Difference Council has already achieved. We will continue to champion inclusion and diversity through education, advocacy and awareness so that one day everyone can be their best authentic selves.
From the legalisation on marriage equality back in 2017 to Sydney hosting the first World Pride in the Southern Hemisphere next year, LGBTQ+ community has been on a positive upward trajectory throughout the past decade. However, recent Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) survey has revealed that there are more opportunities in this space: 1 in 5 LGBTQ+ employees are not out at work and only 1 in 3 employees considers themselves as active allies.
Like ERGs, IRGs can play an important role in driving a better work environment and employee morale. According to a 2018 Bloomberg study, companies with dedicated ERGs have reduced their turnover and increased performance and productivity. As Embrace Difference continues its journey in driving diversity and inclusion, dedicated ERGs are likely to form in the near future
The following companies (in alphabetical order) are currently represented in the Pride In Drinks ERG: Asahi, Bacardi, Brown Forman, Campari, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Diageo, Lion, Pernod Ricard and Taylors Wine.
If you are interested in becoming part of Pride in Drinks, please reach out to Kylie Le Lievre or myself.
Pictured above: The first Pride In Drinks Strategy Day held at the Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Sydney Office on Thursday, 8 September with 14 attendees from seven companies: Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Brown-Forman, Bacardi, Campari, Lion, Asahi and Drinks Association:
Back row (L-R): Tammy Heuych (Asahi), Sarah Abbott (Lion), Kylie Le Lievre (Drinks Association), Delphine Lambert (Brown Forman), Cassie Macnamara (Brown Forman), Zane Gibbs (Bacardi), William Wong (CCEP), Kahli Morrison (Lion), Harry Whelan (Lion)
Front row (L-R): Ruben Da Silva (CCEP), Shanshan Liu (Brown Forman), Alex Bailey (Lion), Jamila Diamonon (Campari), Claudio Spahiu (Campari)