Investing in 2SLGBTQIA+ Leadership: Celebrating 15 Years with Loblaw

For 15 years, Loblaw Companies Ltd. has been an important partner in advancing workplace inclusion and leadership development for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities in Canada. At Pride at Work Canada, that partnership has helped us grow programs, widen access, and support leaders at different stages of their journey.

One of the clearest recent examples is Loblaw’s multi-year grant support for our leadership development programs, THRIVE and FLOURISH. Over the first three years of this commitment, that support has helped us reach 206 participants across six cohorts, including 116 participants in THRIVE and 90 in FLOURISH.

The impact goes beyond participation numbers. Through the THRIVE scholarship stream, Loblaw’s support has also helped open access for participants connected to community organizations and grassroots initiatives, with 34 scholarships awarded to date. This means leadership development is reaching not only large employers, but also the people and organizations working closest to the community.

The participants supported through these programs reflect a broad and growing cross-section of sectors in Canada, including retail, finance, government, healthcare, education, engineering, and community services. That diversity strengthens the peer learning experience and helps build a wider network of inclusive leaders.

Photo: Members of the Loblaw team during the Market Open Ceremony at the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) to celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT)

We also value that Loblaw has engaged directly in the programs it supports. To date, 30 Loblaw employees have participated in several THRIVE and FLOURISH cohorts, helping to deepen internal learning and reinforce the organization’s commitment to inclusion.

As we celebrate 15 years of partnership, we are grateful for Loblaw’s continued support and leadership. Partnerships like this make it possible to invest not only in today’s leaders, but in the long-term systems, networks, and opportunities that help 2SLGBTQIA+ professionals thrive.
We look forward to continuing this work together.