Start Proud proudly celebrated Canada’s trailblazing 2SLGBTQIA+ professionals at the 2025 Leaders to be Proud Of Awards Gala on April 11, recognizing outstanding leadership, advocacy, and impact across sectors. Hosted at TD Centre and presented in partnership with TD, Deloitte, and Fasken, the evening brought together community champions to honour 23 remarkable honorees whose work is shaping a more inclusive future.
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Start Proud proudly celebrated Canada’s trailblazing 2SLGBTQIA+ professionals at the 2025 Leaders to be Proud Of Awards Gala on April 11, recognizing outstanding leadership, advocacy, and impact across sectors. Hosted at TD Centre and presented in partnership with TD, Deloitte, and Fasken, the evening brought together community champions to honour 23 remarkable honorees whose work is shaping a more inclusive future.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 14, 2025
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Toronto, ON – On April 11, 2025, Start Proud hosted the highly anticipated Leaders to Be Proud Of Awards Gala in Downtown Toronto, celebrating the remarkable achievements and journeys of 2SLGBTQIA+ leaders across Canada, affirming Start Proud’s mission to empower the next generation of 2SLGBTQIA+ leaders in their pursuit of professional success.
Held with the support of our sponsors TD (lead sponsor), Deloitte, and Fasken, at TD Centre in Toronto, the event brought together leaders, allies, and champions from various industries to honour rising stars and experienced professionals with decades of remarkable accomplishments.
President of Start Proud, Mathias Memmel, expressed immense pride in the success of the ceremony, stating:
"We are thrilled to celebrate the outstanding contributions of outstanding 2SLGBTQIA+ Canadians who continue to inspire and drive progress within their communities and industries. Leaders to Be Proud Of is a testament to the resilience, dedication, and excellence of these professionals. Their leadership transcends boundaries, fostering a more inclusive and equitable nation for all."
The event featured remarks by Toronto City Councillor Jamaal Myers as Master of Ceremonies, a formal land acknowledgment delivered by Shiv, and welcoming addresses from Start Proud President Mathias Memmel as well as remarks from Al Ramsay, Vice President, 2SLGBTQ+ and Black Customer Experience at TD Bank Group, Rachel Jurgens, National Leader of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) Services at Deloitte, and Marc Rodrigue, Partner in Fasken’s Labour, Employment and Human Rights group.
The ceremony recognized a total of 23 honorees across nine distinct award categories, the recipients of three of which were nominated by peer organizations of Start Proud: Dignity Network Canada, Canadian Association of LGBTQ2S+ Lawyers, and Pride at Work Canada. Honorees included leaders from business, law, STEM, and advocacy, each recognized for their profound influence and commitment to advancing 2SLGBTQIA+ issues.
Brian Rolfes, External Senior Advisor and former Partner, McKinsey & Company
Recognized for his global impact on LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion, Brian Rolfes co-founded McKinsey’s LGBTQ+ network, GLAM, and led the firm’s LGBTQ+ Leadership Masterclasses and The Alliance executive network. He currently serves as Chair of the Board of the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto.
Brian Rolfes was nominated by Dignity Network Canada. Doug Kerr, Executive Director of Dignity Network Canada, presented the award.
Jason Bett, Visiting Senior Advisor for 2SLGBTQIA+ Inclusion, Canada School of Public Service
As the Government of Canada's Pride Champion, Jason Bett implemented key policy initiatives advancing inclusion for thousands of 2SLGBTQIA+ public servants across the country. He also founded the Public Service Pride Network in 2018.
Jason Bett was nominated by Lucas Kilravey and the Canadian Association of LGBTQ2S+ Lawyers. Shana-Kay Wright presented the award on behalf of the Canadian Association of LGBTQ2S+ Lawyers.
Roz Macey, Valuation Analyst, Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC)
Roz Macey co-led MPAC’s EDI and Anti-Racism Champion Team and currently serves as Co-Chair for Ontario’s 2SLGBTQIA+ PaWC Ambassador Program. They also are an ERG Advisor to Canadian organizations, and a corporate public speaker and panel participant.
Roz Macey was nominated by Pride at Work Canada. Colin Druhan, Executive Director of Pride at Work Canada presented the award.
Japneet Kaur, Senior Manager, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, TD Bank Group
Japneet Kaur is responsible for TD's 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion strategy and has significantly supported Start Proud’s post-pandemic revitalization. She is also Chair of the Board for the Inside Out Film Festival.
Japneet Kaur was selected by Mathias Memmel, President of Start Proud, who presented the award.
These awards recognize exceptional performance and leadership across legal, business, and STEM disciplines:
Tyler Fleming, Vice President, Employer Services, Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)
Tyler Fleming was the first openly gay Executive Management Team member at the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC), where he founded their Pride ERG. He is a past Chair of The 519 and continues to support 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion through sectoral leadership and mentorship.
The Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, Government of Canada
As Minister, Marci Ien led the development of Canada’s first Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan and continues to champion inclusive policy and representation through her service in Parliament.
Recognizing outstanding early-career professionals (within the first 10 years of their careers) demonstrating notable leadership:
Katherine Dudtschak, President & CEO, HomeEquity Bank
Before becoming CEO at HomeEquity Bank, Katherine spent more than 30 years at RBC in several senior executive business and functional roles. She is the founder of the Incluvest Foundation, promoting inclusive innovation and human-centered leadership. She currently sits on the boards of United Way Greater Toronto and the Canadian Human Rights Museum and is recognized globally for her commitment to equity and sustainability.
Start Proud extends it's sincere appreciation to its 2025 lead sponsor, TD and presenting sponsors Deloitte, and Fasken. The organization also thanks its impartial Selection Committee, chaired by Shiv, with members Charmaine De Silva, Michael Went, Albert Lam, and Rachel Jurgens.
Special recognition is extended to the volunteer leadership team, including Sean McIver, Krishiv Patel, Mathias Memmel, Ksenia Kussner, Shiv, and Owen Berry, whose contributions were instrumental in delivering this year’s gala.
Start Proud supports 2SLGBTQIA+ students and young professionals as they transition from school to career by providing networking, mentorship, and professional development opportunities. Through programming such as the Leaders to be Proud Of Awards, the organization highlights the contributions of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in business, law, STEM, and public service.
To learn more about Start Proud or to get involved, please contact info@startproud.org
Looking to feature this article or request attributable quotes for inclusion in an external report? Please contact our Communications Team at: communications@startproud.org
Please note: Our team will be sending a follow-up communication to all attendees with the official media package once we receive the final assets from our photography and videography teams.
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