"Changing the system is possible, but we can only do this together."

Would you share some of your experiences as a trans woman in our industry?

We still have a long way to go. Bias runs deep – in all of us. I have had situations where people used my dead name – the name I had before my transition. Even before I came out, I was discriminated against, certainly. But I do see things moving. I will always remember a recent experience when I traveled to Europe to facilitate a training: The naturalness with which the team treated me was fascinating. They hadn’t had any DEIB-related training, they just treated me as the person I am.

What’s your tip for people who are more unsure about interacting with members of the LGBTQIA+ community? And what is an absolute no?

Have an open mind, see people for who they are and accept them. Approach us, ask questions, don’t be shy – most people from the LGBTQIA+ community are open themselves and willing to answer questions. That’s how we create change.

For me, being called by my dead name is a complete no. I reserve the right to use it myself, as it’s part of who I am. But I do not want to be addressed by it. Most people mean no harm, but it is hurtful and harmful. I am not that person anymore and it has been a tough journey to become my authentic self.

How can we as teams in global companies like Sartorius and as a global society overcome the challenges that the LGBTQIA+ community is still facing today?

Talk to us instead of talking about us. And especially talk to us when defining activities that are supposed to benefit the community. Include us in the progress, we can make valuable contributions and help make these activities profound and effective.

Then it’s a lot about self-reflection and learning about unconscious bias. You may think of yourself as a very open person, but you will still have a bias. We all do! Becoming aware of how others perceive the world and how they live their lives helps you reflect on that bias and eliminate it.

And finally, we must come together. Changing the system is possible, but we can only do this together. That’s why I’m active in the DEIB committee at Sartorius in North America and in the LGBT+Friends Alliance. I don’t want others to have to endure what I have. I won’t change the world, but I can make a dent – each and every one of us can.

And when we succeed: How will this affect our teams and society as a whole?

First, everyone will be free to live the life they want, to be the person they are. Personally, I see this as a huge improvement for millions of individuals.

In a professional context, we can already see that our teams and customers benefit from the diverse perspectives and ideas that people at Sartorius bring to the table – no matter what dimension of diversity we look at. Just imagine the innovation and problem-solving potential that remains untapped in our industries, because people are afraid to be their true selves.

And the same goes for society: I believe our societies can become stronger, more resilient, and more prosperous once we truly embrace the diversity that people bring to the mix.