Award-winning Gender Diversity Speaker, Writer & Consultant
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Gender Diversity Speaker, Writer and Consultant
Helping Create More Inclusive and Thriving Organisations at the Intersection of Human Rights, Sexuality, Gender, and Privilege.
Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (D&I) are often seen as two separate initiatives. However, I believe that they are inextricably linked.
A truly inclusive organisation is one where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued. This includes people of all genders, races, sexual orientations, and abilities.
I have over 20 years of experience in the corporate world and have seen firsthand the challenges faced by people of marginalised groups. I am committed to helping organisations create more inclusive cultures.
I use my unique lens of one leader, two genders of experience to help organisations understand the complexities of gender and how it intersects with other identity markers. I also help organisations develop intentional cultures where everyone feels like they belong.
Some of the topics I help organizations with include:
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What is gender?
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Language matters
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How gender impacts women
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Understanding the transgender experience
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Views from the C suite on diversity, culture, and more
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Understanding gender-based and white privilege
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Developing intentional cultures
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Psychological Safety and transgender people in the Workplace
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Facilitating/Hosting diversity-related events
I believe that every organisation has the potential to be a more inclusive and thriving place. I am here to help you make that vision a reality.
Contact me today to learn more about how I can help your organisation create a more inclusive culture.
My Vision:
Together we make the world a better place to live and thrive by being the beacon of light and hope for the LGBT+ community and others who find it difficult to accept themselves. We unleash their power through love and acceptance to allow their true colours to flourish as they become their authentic self.
“Cynthia shared her own experiences, the importance of allyship, key points about DEI. For days after, employees shared how Cynthia impacted them with her words. Strongly recommend Cynthia as a well-versed in DEI that can speak to a broad audience with an ability to connect with all listeners.”
- Lead Diversity Practioner, Mimecast, USA
Award-Winning
My Story
One Leader, Two Genders
In my role as a business executive and board leader, I followed the conventional recipe for success that is commonly prescribed. However, unlike Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory, I did not experience self-actualisation through this approach. Instead, I gained clarity on the disconnect in my life. Coaching others had been my primary focus throughout my 30+ year career, but turning that focus inward proved to be transformative.
As a transgender woman with over three decades of experience in the corporate world, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by people of all genders in the workplace. My commitment is to create safe spaces that foster a sense of belonging for all genders.
Leveraging my unique perspective as a leader with experience across two genders, I work with organisations to cultivate more inclusive cultures. My belief is that every individual deserves to feel safe and respected in their professional environment.
My Mission:
We help organizations create safe spaces where people of all genders feel they belong, using our unique lens of one leader, two genders of experience.
"Cynthia was our guest speaker at The King's Fund in honour of Trans Day of Visibility 2022 and our team is still talking about the session she led weeks later. In advance of the session, Cynthia took the time to get to know the team and understand how best she could tailor her message to make the session accessible and ensure it met our objectives and expectations. On the day itself, she was a true professional - gracious and open in the sharing of her personal story and in her invitation for questions, even staying longer to make sure that our questions were answered. Cynthia was able to open a conversation that had previously felt inaccessible and used the power of connection to stimulate learning, combat misinformation and promote acceptance. I could not be more pleased with the way the session unfolded and thoroughly recommend her services. If you're on the fence and thinking about it, don't hesitate - book her today.."
- Dana James-Edwards, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Specialist
Acceptance without Understanding™
Learning Strategies For Diverse Cultures
From an early age, we are taught to ask why. Why is a question we ask to gain Understanding; therefore, as a society, we need to understand in order to accept. This is especially true when it comes to another person who has a diverse identity than our own.
Acceptance without Understanding teaches us to accept each other as human beings first. We do not need to understand each other’s journeys. We are all unique human beings on our own journey in life.
Start with Acceptance without Understanding
Grow to Acceptance with Understanding
- Cynthia Fortlage
Learning to live with acceptance will nurture your spirit, help you overcome personal challenges, and allow you to achieve your individual life goals as you learn to thrive in a diverse culture.
"Teaching others acceptance – it struck me her capacity of being extremely serious, assertive, decisive but warm & caring ... following her activity I'm amazed at seeing how powerful it can be to show your own vulnerability and experience to educate others. Cynthia is doing that, one conversation at a time."
- LinkedIn Employee at LinkedIn Internal Event
Working With the Wonderful
Partners
