The 2004 BGLAD Network Conference, "Envisioning BGLAD's Role in the World's Most Dynamic Science Company" concluded recently in Wilmington, Delaware. Keynote speaker Sally Susman, a senior vice president of communications at the Estee Lauder companies, spoke of her personal journey and career in both government and in global companies--"Life Lessons from Beyond the Corporate Closet". Equally powerful was her insight that fundamental to the marketing excellence of the Estee Lauder Companies and their retaining the best and brightest is a culture that celebrates equality and individual respect, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.  DuPont leaders in attendance included: DuPont Chairman and CEO Chad Holliday; Tom Connelly, senior vice president and chief science and technology officer; Jim Borel senior vice president – DuPont Global Human Resources; Mathieu Vrijsen president - DuPont Europe, Middle East, and Africa Willie Martin president - U.S. Region and vice president - Diversity & Work/Life and Human Resources Development for Operations, reaffirmed DuPont's global commitment to workplace equality, workforce diversity and DuPont's Core Value of respect for people. Issues discussed during the two day Conference included: the state of DuPont, its Corporate Values and diversity in a multinational corporation (Chad); the significant contribution of DuPont Diversity Networks; transgender awareness in Fortune 500 companies through their nondiscrimination policies (Riki Wilchins, GenderPAC); the $500 billion BGLT market opportunity (John Butler Jr., Witeck-Combs Communications); diversity as a requirement to DuPont's successful innovation and future (Tom Connelly), and BGLT awareness and support in the E/M/A countries where DuPont seeks a customer competitive advantage (Mathieu Vrijsen). Special thanks to the DuPont Diversity Choir for their inspirational message.

Remarks from Chad Holliday, CEO

"Respect for all people is one of our Core Values and it will not change.  It means that when every one of us comes to work, we feel highly valued.  To me it means that no one ever feels not fully a part of the company because of their sexual orientation, their race, their gender, where they were born, how they look.

I want to be very clear: I think we have made good progress, but I don't think we're there.  I don't think we are where we need to be in valuing everybody all the time, and that's a step we have to take."

On Domestic Partner Benefits: "We are not going to tolerate everybody not being valued equally. Hopefully, with the next advancement, we will be on the leading edge and not the trailing edge, as we were here.  Sexual orientation is a critical factor in making sure we are valuing all people appropriately."

Remarks of Jim Borel, Senior VP - Human Resources

"I extend my thanks to the BGLAD Network for organizing this Conference and for taking the time to educate and remind all of us, as the leaders and employees of DuPont, that by our actions together we strengthen the Company and make it possible to succeed in our mission to create sustainable value to our customers and for our shareholders.

As the leader of Human Resources globally, I am proud of the fact that in DuPont we are not afraid to talk about differences in our workforce and that we lead by our actions. Only through honest discourse can we honor our Core Values.   Personal achievement by our workforce becomes business success for the Company when we seek every opportunity to hire, retain and develop the most talented employees, including gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered employees. Our diversity networks, including BGLAD, are a key strength in helping us achieve this goal. "

Remarks of Tom Connelly, Chief Technology Officer, and BGLAD Network Sponsor

"The mission of BGLAD is to help our members to be more successful, in the context of a more successful DuPont.  This year's conference took this mission to a new level in terms of the energy and specificity it provided.  Important progress is being made within DuPont to allow gays. lesbians and transgendered DuPonters to contribute to their fullest potential."

Remarks of Willie Martin, VP - Diversity, Work/Life & U.S. Labor and Employee Relations and President - U.S. Region

"The BGLAD conference provided an opportunity to feel the power of networks and the value of diversity in action. The ability to harness the power of networks means sharing information with colleagues, learning their points of view and making use of their experience. The conference offered us these opportunities. Using and developing networks is essential to our core mission of sustainable growth and aligned with our Core Value of Respect for all people.

My congratulations and thanks to all who had a hand in delivering this exciting event and those who participated in every capacity."

Remarks from Mathieu Vrijsen, President - Europe, Middle East, Africa

"I am supportive of BGLT people. My best friend in high school was gay. I want to work with DuPont's BGLT employees to better understand what I can do, as leader of DuPont EMEA, to make the work environment be a place where they are comfortable to come out.  I commit to have BGLT equality high on the agenda for DuPont EMEA, but need help and input on the key things that we need to do."

Remarks of Craig Binetti, VP/GM - P&IP

"This conference provided for me what the value of diversity is all about. I had a chance to learn about the needs of BGLAD and had a chance to dialogue with a very important customer, Estee Lauder to better understand their needs, industry trends and how DuPont could help them grow. Diversity is about providing an opportunity for all of us to contribute to our full potential and to be able to relate to our diverse customer base. Growth occurs when all of us are utilizing our the full power of our Company and our people."

Remarks of Mark Vergnano, VP/GM - Nonwovens

"The path to becoming a dynamic science company is through attracting and retaining innovative, vibrant, highly motivated people who will challenge each other every day.  The BGLAD Conference is a wonderful showcase of the diversity that lives within the people of DuPont.  For our company to thrive, we need to continue to foster an atmosphere and culture that accepts and nurtures each and every person who is an active contributor to our company's vision."

Remarks of Kathy Forte, VP-Public Affairs

"This year's BGLAD conference broke new ground in both the breadth and depth of the meeting content and the interaction among participants.  Education has evolved into discussion and dialogue, and sharing has evolved into understanding and, for many, acceptance.  The ongoing efforts of BGLAD have moved to a new level -- one that will reap benefits for all DuPonters."

. . . AND BY OUR COLLEAGUES

 "I believe that our conference was a "coming-out" for the BGLAD Network.  We showed senior leadership, the other networks, and our own membership that we are a strong dynamic network quite capable of taking BGLT issues into the next millennium."

Joy Schroeder, BGLAD International Steering Committee

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"We don't discuss BGLT issues at our network, and I am sure there are G&L in our community; me for one" – from a member of one of DuPont's ethnicity diversity networks, who came out as a BGLT at the BGLAD conference on National Coming Out Day

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"This year's BGLAD conference opened my eyes to many issues that face this community in DuPont, from how to sell into the GBLT market (where there is lots of discretionary income!) to becoming more inclusive of transgendered persons.   I learned about DuPont's innovation focus, and the impact of not being out in the workplace might hinder my ability to be a contributor.   The conference left me feeling very good about DuPont and how we will become a more inclusive global company in the months and years ahead."

Gay BGLAD member

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"From the highest corporate level DuPont's vision  is to lead the way to a respectful workplace for all employees; from a transgendered employee in the work force at Washington Works, DuPont's vision is being realized. Thank you for my life."

Jane Marie Rosenbohm

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"I am so proud of DuPont and BGLAD to see the progress on DPBs and the attendance and energy for the entire BGLAD conference has certainly put us on new ground in terms of helping DuPont with its mission and helping BGLT employees feel more a part of the company."

Gayle Gibson, BGLAD Network Liaison

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"The fact that Chad introduced the session was very significant, giving the conference a boost of visibility, credibility, and importance for greater corporate recognition.  I was especially pleased to hear Chad's endorsement of domestic partner benefits and his acknowledgement that such benefits were long overdue in DuPont."

from a BGLAD Ally.

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"I also found it encouraging that my supervisor had forwarded a copy of the conference invitation to all of his direct reports, encouraging everyone to attend the conference and praising the work of the BGLAD network.  The word is spreading and progress is being made.  Keep up the good work."

Bill Collins, BGLAD Ally, DuPont Safety Resources

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"I was only able to attend the keynote address, but was blown away by the choir and Ms. Susman, and was quite proud that our CEO gave his time as well (so much so that I actually sent him an e-mail thanking him for his support of diversity in the Company and the Domestic Partner Benefits program - the first time I've ever written him!).  You folks rock -- Keep up the great work!!!!"

Tina Scaran, BGLAD Ally, DSRB

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"The conference renewed my hopes for greater success for DuPont through purposefully and directly engaging with the best and brightest people - straight, bi, gay, lesbian, or transgender. If we focus on building the right work environment, it will impact who we can employ, who we can better sell to and how we work together.  I was particularly impressed by Mathieu Vrijsen's comments about the proactive stance he intends to take in Europe, MEA."

Bryan Daggett, BGLAD Ally

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"The recent BGLAD conference helped to cement in my mind a real urgency to use the DuPont networks to help DuPont GROW.   It is imperative for our business and marketing colleagues who did not attend these sessions to understand that all networks are very willing to assist where it makes sense.  We need more unconventional, out of the box, solutions; networks create a safe, mental space for the creative process."

Deborah L. Grubbe, P.E. and BGLAD Straight Advocate since 1991

In case you missed it . . . the Conference Schedule . . . click here