Bloom Pride: Meet our Inclusion Group Leads
We get to know Nina and Bronte, leaders of Bloom Pride
First can you tell us a bit about yourselves?
Nina: I have worked in comms my whole career in media, events and tech sectors. Most recently I led corporate comms for Ascential plc, home of Cannes Lions and other brilliant events. Prior to that I worked in stakeholder relations at Channel 4. DEI has always been a part of what I do - from setting up LGBTQIA+ networks to developing strategy - so it’s a very personal passion of mine. Outside of work I have two young kids and a demanding dog so life is full-on!
Bronte: I’m just another Aussie import in London, sorry, I know you’re sick of us! I’ve worked in media agencies and sales for just over a decade now - starting as “coffee girl” at 17, to working on the largest FMCG portfolios as an Investment Director, to pivoting entirely to Tech Sales for AI Contextual Audiences. I’ve always been very active in the external LGBTQIA+ community and despite never being ashamed or quiet of my sexuality at work, there hasn’t been opportunity really to champion and shed light in a more encompassing and meaningful way - so I’m super excited to bring some of this to the forefront.
How long have you been involved in Bloom Pride?
We are both new this year! Excited to be involved with supporting women in our industry and there is so much enthusiasm for the network already. Our community’s challenges are distinct but can sometimes be eclipsed by broader female-specific issues - so we are here to make sure our community gets the support it needs.
What are you aiming to achieve with Bloom Pride this year?
We’re still making plans. We’ve just issued a short survey to make sure we are building our plans based on what our community wants. Ideally we would focus on a couple of initiatives that really support LGBTQIA+ women in our industry to get ahead. That’s why we’re all here! We will share our ideas later this summer.
For those directly involved in organising Pride events, what's one thing about the process that would surprise someone who isn't involved?
Nina: If anyone has ever been involved in organising events of any description you’ll know how stressful it can be!! Pride in London is run by a team of volunteers who make it all happen and they are brilliant.
From your perspective, what does a truly inclusive and welcoming workplace look like? What are the foundational elements?
Nina: For me there are two key things: leadership support and policies. The first is key because without enthusiastic leaders who are willing to be vocal allies (or - even better - visible role models) nothing sticks. Role modelling values at the top of an organisation is key to making it a reality for everyone who works there. And policies are absolutely foundational because they aim to make everyone’s experience of work fair and equitable as it can be. And a final third point which is data - if you don’t know who is in your workforce how can you understand if you are truly building diverse teams?. Inclusion is easy if everyone is the same!
Bronte: Everything Nina said! I think often senior leadership use the phrase “culture starts from the bottom up” as a crux for limited accountability and knowledge - without their allyship, visibility and/or commitment, nothing will actually change and the divide between the worker bees and the leaders will grow even further.
What’s your advice to people looking to drive change in their workplace?
If the right space doesn’t exist, create it. Find pals to help you. Start small and ask the most lovely, most senior person you know to sponsor what you’re doing. It doesn’t need to be perfect but you have to shout about what you want to do and why it’s important.
We’re getting ready to welcome our mentees for the year. What’s one piece of advice you’d give?
Bronte: There are so many options and solutions to challenges you may be facing, be open to growth in places you may not expect, but also seeing failure and learning as a path of growth is integral.
Nina: Try and get as clear as possible on how your mentor can help you. Specific asks are easier to action.
Nina Preston-Smith
Bronte Mahoney
Co-Leads, Bloom Pride
