Our Vision Forward

My name is John Bankhurst, and I am honored to introduce myself as the new President of Out in Finance. Having served as a Director of the organization for the past five years, I’ve had the privilege of actively participating in many of our events, particularly our insightful panels where members of our community and industry have generously shared their career narratives, personal challenges, and triumphs.

Every career journey is unique, but as members of the LGBTQ+ community, we navigate a distinct set of circumstances within the workplace, striving to be our authentic selves. At one of our recent events, I had the opportunity to hear an inspiring story of a finance leader who embraced their true gender identity in their 60s, finding a surprisingly supportive environment during their transition at work. On the flip side, our members have also heard from someone who, despite initial fear, shared the joy of being in a same-sex relationship, only to face marginalization from their boss. From both of these events, speakers and attendees were so happy to have these stories brought out into the open so that we could all re-commit to making our teams, offices, and companies more welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community. These stories underscore the importance of our community and the support Out in Finance can provide, especially in an industry that may not consistently welcome or support LGBTQ+ individuals.

For years, many LGBTQ+ finance professionals have concealed their true selves to fit into the perceived ‘in crowd’ or ‘boys club’ at work. While coming out remains an individual choice, I firmly believe that every person deserves the freedom to be their authentic self at work without facing any repercussions for who they love, their gender identity, or their gender expression. Despite considerable progress over the last decade, there is still much work to be done, particularly for non-white and gender non-conforming members of our community.

This is where Out in Finance steps in – we partner with companies and organizations to drive policy and cultural changes within our industry. Our focus is to uplift marginalized voices, share stories, and dispel the misconception that financial services are not a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ individuals. Our overarching mission is to drive LGBTQ+ inclusion and equality within the industry.

Looking ahead, I am excited about expanding Out in Finance in-person programming to more locations, especially in cities where LGBTQ+ acceptance may not be as prevalent as in Chicago or San Francisco. While progress has been made, our community still faces the ‘rainbow ceiling’. Out in Finance is committed to being a strong voice in breaking through this barrier, enabling each of us to reach our full career potential.

I appreciate your ongoing support and commitment to our shared mission. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the landscape of LGBTQ+ inclusion within the financial industry. If you haven’t already, please sign up for our mailing list to become a member; I look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming events!

John Bankhurst
Pronouns: He/Him/His
President