LGBTI+ BUSINESS FORUM 2025
Dear friends, this year we have prepared for you the 13th annual LGBTI+ Business Forum. It took place Wednesday, November 12, 2025 from 8:30 to 13:00 at the European Union House in Bratislava . Thank you for coming!
What is the topic of the forum?
The topic of this year’s forum will be Hearts and Minds: How to Keep DEI initiatives Moving. With our speakers, we will look into how to not bow to political pressure in the current societal and political climate and what the value of DEI initiatives is for companies (not only) in Slovakia. In the second block, after a coffee break, we will focus on how companies can support mental health of their (not only LGBTI+) employees. The official program will wrap up with a panel discussion of employees and managers on the topic of LGBTI+ people’s expectations from employers. We will finish the event with refreshments and space for informal networking.
You can find the updated agenda of the event on this website and we will keep updating with further details.
Who is the Forum for?
We welcome anyone interested in and/or with the means to influence company policies on diversity, equity and inclusion. The topic of this year’s forum is primarily focused on business leaders, professionals from HR, people managers, DEI champions and ESG/CSR specialists.
The Forum is primarily held in Slovak but translation into English will be provided.
Who organizes the Forum?
LGBTI+ Business Forum is organized by Diversity Pro. Event partners are the Representation of the European Commission in Slovakia, Lenovo, the European Investment Bank in Slovakia and the European Parliament Office in Slovakia.
How to participate?
The participation in the forum is free of charge, however subject to registration. Due to capacity constraints, participation is limited to a maximum of two representatives per company. For attendees who cannot attend the forum in person we offer the option to register for video streaming.
>> Watch the Facebook Live stream here. <<
PROGRAM
Check-in for participants is open from 8:30, program will start at 9:00 a.m.
Hearts: How to keep DEI initiatives alive | 9:00 – 10:15
- Welcome notes from organizers and event partners
In the first block, our speakers will share their experiences with not giving in to pressure and keeping diversity and inclusion going in the current social and political climate. You will hear from
- Lukas Burian, President of the Austrian LGBTI+ professionals’ organisation AGPRO,
- Ivana Vagaská, Executive Director of Business Leaders Forum a ESG Team Lead, Nadácia Pontis,
- Arpád Horváth, People Partner at TESCO STORES SR, and
- Alicja Skalna, Social Impact Program Manager at Lenovo.
Coffee break | 10:15 – 10:45
Time for small refreshments and networking with the speakers.
Minds: How can companies support mental health of their (not just) LGBTI+ employees | 10:45 – 11:30
In the second block, after the coffee break, we will hear insights on how to take care of employee’s mental health from
- Andrej Vršanský, Director at Mental Health League,
- Beáta Csernák, ESG Specialist and Diversity & Inclusion Manager at Slovenská sporiteľňa, a member of the Employers’ Coalition for Mental Health, and
- Nina Izso, DEI and Wellbeing Agenda Lead at Heineken Slovensko.
Panel discussion | 11:30 – 12:15
The official program will wrap up with a panel discussion of employees and managers on the topic of LGBTI+ people’s expectations from employers, moderated by Liberty Simon.
Lunch | 12:15 – 13:00
Refreshments will be served from 12:30 and there will be a space for informal networking.
Od 12:15 bude pre účastníkov pripravené občerstvenie a priestor na neformálny networking.
Photographs and video footage will be taken during the event. By participating you give your consent to their creation and their use for the needs of the event organizer.
SPEAKERS
We’re updating details about the speakers as they become available.
Lukas Burian
President of the Austrian LGBTI+ professionals’ organisation AGPRO
Lukas is a communications and digitalisation expert, member of the Vienna City Council and Regional Parliament, and President of AGPRO as well as Co-President of Pride Biz Austria. His work bridges politics, business, and social engagement, with a strong focus on digital transformation, equality, and innovation. His approach is defined by openness, pragmatism, and a commitment to building bridges between people and ideas.
Ivana Vagaská
Executive Director of Business Leaders Forum and ESG Team Lead | Nadácia Pontis
Ivana has focused on corporate responsibility issues since 2012 when she joined the Pontis Foundation. She leads the ESG team, which includes the activities of the Business Leaders Forum, the Diversity Charter in Slovakia, the organization of the Via Bona Slovakia award, as well as corporate volunteering activities. Since the establishment of the Diversity Charter Slovakia in 2017, Ivana has been strategically working on the topics of diversity and inclusion, also providing advice to companies in this area and regular training for Charter signatories.
Arpád Horváth
People Partner | TESCO STORES SR
Arpád has been with Tesco since 2010 and currently holds the position of Operational HR Partner, where his main focus is supporting colleagues and communities. He is also an active ambassador for the LGBTQ+ community at Tesco in Slovakia. His main motivation is to fight intolerance and ensure equal treatment for all, thereby directly helping to reduce minority stress syndrome in LGBTI+ employees. He believes that empathy, understanding and acceptance are the basis for creating an inclusive and healthy work environment where everyone feels respected and welcome. In his free time, he is a co-owner and presenter of an online radio station, a successful singer of traditional Hungarian czardas songs and a volunteer in sports activities for people with disabilities.
Alicja Skalna
Social Impact Program Manager | Lenovo
Alicja is a language enthusiast, dedicated to fostering connections and bringing people of diverse cultures and backgrounds together. As a Social Impact Program Manager in Lenovo, she strives to do her small part, helping build better, more inclusive world for all.
Andrej Vršanský
Director | Mental Health League
Andrej Vršanský is the President of Mental Health Europe and the Executive Director of the League for Mental Health, both of which promote the psychosocial model of mental health, the principles of the concept of recovery and respect for human rights in mental health care systems. Through the Coalition of Mental Health Educators, he actively builds a working environment that is designed to improve mental health and respect diversity. Andrej is also a member of several working groups at the international level, a member of the Government Council for Mental Health, as well as a member of the Supervisory Board of the Global Leadership Exchange.
Beáta Csernák
ESG Specialist and Diversity Inclusion Manager | Slovenská sporiteľňa
Beáta graduated in International Law at the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom. She works as Diversity, Inclusion and Equality Manager at the largest bank in Slovakia. She is currently involved in supporting vulnerable groups in the workplace and community organising. At the bank she is part of the ESG team, where she is also responsible for monitoring and reporting on social issues. In her spare time, she is dedicated to promoting social innovation in the Austrian organisation Sozial Marie and works with the organisation Female Algorithm to eliminate gender inequalities and stereotypes in society.
Nina Izso
Senior People Specialist | Heineken Slovensko
Nina leads the DEI and Wellbeing agenda at Heineken Slovensko. She transitioned to this role after several years in HR , where she was involved in recruitment, development initiatives and close cooperation with leaders across the company. Thanks to this experience, she today has a better understanding the needs of employees and the business and connects them to initiatives that strengthen a culture of respect, understanding and belonging.
