Jeiz Robles

📢 Community Business Inclusion Action Toolkit – now open for all to download!

Thrilled to share this resource, thoughtfully anchored in Asia’s culture and local nuances to support organizations on their inclusion journey.

At the start of the year, the Community Business network came together to identify practical toolkits that would help organizations continue driving workplace inclusion across Asia. This is one of the results of that collaboration.

I’m proud to have contributed to curating something that anchors the inclusion journey in workplaces while respecting and adapting to local cultural nuances.

The best part? This toolkit is available complimentary—no matter the size of your organization.

👉 Download it here and join us in making inclusion a reality across Asia.

New Free Inclusion Resource for Organisations Working Across APAC
Inclusion Action Toolkits: Inclusion in the Context of APAC Culture

APAC is home to extraordinary cultural, linguistic and religious diversity — and this deeply shapes how people work, communicate and lead. For organisations operating across multiple markets, understanding these cultural nuances isn’t optional. It is essential to building inclusion that truly works.

This Community Business Network toolkit explores how APAC cultures differ and how they are similar, and the impact these nuances have on teamwork, leadership, communication and belonging.

Why this matters for corporate organisations and DE&I leaders:
• Build culturally informed and locally relevant DE&I strategies
• Strengthen cross-market understanding and decision-making
• Support psychologically safe and inclusive multicultural teams
• Improve engagement in markets where hierarchy, harmony and indirect communication are deeply valued
• Ensure global inclusion goals are successfully adapted for APAC

Toolkit Highlights:
• Key cultural themes across APAC
• Regional nuances across South East Asia, Australasia and North Asia
• Practical tools and guidance
• A case study from Northern Trust Philippines (Ability Anchors)

📘 This comprehensive resource is FREE and publicly accessible, thanks to the support of Northern Trust. This resource is open to everyone, whether you’re a DE&I professional, business leader or simply passionate about inclusion in APAC.

👉 Learn more about the cultures of APAC and download the toolkit today: https://communitybusiness.org/latest-news-publications/inclusion-action-toolkits-inclusion-context-apac-culture

📢 Open for Business briefing for The Economic Case of LGBTQ+ is now out!

💡 The economic case is clear.

The lack of LGBTQ+ protections could cost Hong Kong up to HKD 22.6 billion annually, over HKD 251 billion in the next decade, due to brain drain of top talent.

❤️ The human story matters most.

Behind those figures are individuals. Colleagues, friends, loved ones who feel unseen, unprotected, and uncertain about their future in Hong Kong. That uncertainty erodes personal well‑being, workplace morale, and communal trust.

There’s definitely been momentum but without legal protections and inclusive policies in the workplace, we risk falling behind—both economically and ethically.

Findings show that LGBTQ+ inclusion can:
• Help reduce brain drain 🧠⬅️
• Boost tourism ✈️🏳️‍🌈
• Strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem 🚀
• Help close Hong Kong’s “innovation gap” 💡

📥 I encourage leaders, businesses, and allies to download the briefing, absorb the data and stories, and take meaningful action: https://www.open-for-business.org/our-reports/hongkong

Congratulations on this piece of work to close out the year, Steph Galera-Robles, Liz Jacobs, Emma Appleby, Ken Janssens and Open for Business Team. It's been great collaborating with you and Jerome Yau and Yiu-tung SUEN (He/him/his), DPhil on the same and I look forward to the expanded work in East Asia in the coming year.

Yesterday, I took part in APCOM Foundation's commemoration of Human Rights month hosted by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Thailand and talked about the evolving landscape of LGBTQ+ inclusion in the workplace and beyond.

Representing Open for Business as part of its Program Advisory Boards, I brought with me insights from The Economic Case of LGBTQ+ Inclusion and in this conversation, I shared observations on progress 1 year after Marriage Equality came into effect and how now equity and LGBTQ+ partnership recognition is now a matter of compliance for all workplaces.

In addition, I also shared about what Thailand workplaces are still missing, informed by my experiences in facilitating and participating in regional and global workplace LGBTQ+ indexes like that of Community Business. Benefits is only one part of it and there's still so much to do.

Finally, we closed by talking about practical takeaways on what's next and cited, as part of Open for Business' report, considering learning from Iloilo's Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs that allowed the community to be part of not only deploying legislation but creating facilities and programs that increased LGBTQ+ participation in the economy. You can read more about that here: https://lnkd.in/gv8i-3BF

It was a pleasure sharing the stage with you, Nikki Natthineethiti Drew B. Mallory, Ph.D., Senator Pornchai WITAYALERDPAN, and Waranon (Warren) Vanichprapa. Thank you to H.E. Remco Van Wijngaarden, Midnight Poonkasetwattana, Naphat K, Steph Galera-Robles and everyone involved in creating this space and inviting me to contribute.



Edit: Official photos here https://photos.app.goo.gl/hNvyeDbPJQMNiRrh6

𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐭 Community Business.

Shifting from corporate work to the non-profit sector has been an enriching experience. Working on social impact meant operating with limited resources compared to the corporate world, but it also meant truly connecting with people, driving real sustainability for the organization, and contributing to meaningful social change.

This experience has taught me how critical it is to sustain diversity, equity, and inclusion work in Asia, regardless of global narratives, because here, we are living the reality of inequity, exclusion, and systemic barriers every day.

Over the past 18 months, I’ve had the privilege of working with an incredible team and connecting with so many inspiring individuals. From engaging with companies across diverse industries about their aspirations for inclusion, to collaborating with strategic partners and contributing to the growth of CB’s portfolio, this journey has been nothing short of transformative. It has deepened my understanding of the challenges people face and reinforced the urgency of creating spaces where everyone can belong.

I’ve learned so much about social impact work and, most importantly, built relationships that I will always treasure.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this chapter. I’m deeply grateful for the conversations, collaborations, and shared commitment to creating a more inclusive world.

Here’s to continuing the work of driving positive change wherever we are. 💙

At the APCOM Hero Awards 2025.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬

When I first connected with Community Business as a corporate partner, I was inspired by its mission to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion across Asia. Years later, stepping into the role of Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion gave me the privilege of driving campaigns that truly mattered, - each one rooted in advocacy and impact.

One of my favorite initiatives has been Community Connections, where we built bridges between the corporate world and the communities that need their support most. We stayed true to our purpose: creating spaces for dialogue, collaboration, and change.

I’m proud of how we developed research that speaks to local realities, shaping strategies that resonate in Asia’s unique cultural contexts. And through our LGBTQ+ Mentoring Programme, we touched lives in ways that go beyond the workplace, empowering individuals and fostering inclusion where it matters most.

As we navigate this transition, I carry immense gratitude for the people, partners, and stories that made this journey so meaningful. The legacy of Community Business isn’t ending. It lives on in every conversation, every policy, and every person who continues to champion DE&I.

Important Update from Community Business.

After years of passionate work advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), we share this message with deep gratitude and reflection: Community Business will be winding down its operations in the coming weeks. We aim to complete the wind-down process by 31 March 2026, subject to legal and operational requirements.

This decision follows a period of significant challenge. The economic climate and shifting public discourse around DE&I have made it increasingly difficult to sustain our mission. Despite the tireless efforts of our team and the unwavering support of our partners, we’ve reached a point where continuing is no longer financially viable.

To everyone who has walked this journey with us—thank you. Your belief in our mission and our work has made a lasting impact. Though this chapter is ending, the values we’ve championed live on in the work you continue to do.

For more information, please read our official statement here: https://communitybusiness.org/latest-news-publications/official-statement-important-update-community-business

At Open for Business’ Hong Kong Leadership Dinner, I had the privilege of facilitating a discussion anchored on Community Business’ latest LGBTQ+ Inclusion Index results.

At our table, we explored some exciting progress:

✅ Every participating company achieved Index Standard this year, with Corporate Culture emerging as the strongest category.

✅ Recognition of Rainbow Families has grown significantly since the last iteration.
However, we also acknowledged that trans-inclusive benefits remain a key opportunity area, and it was inspiring to hear senior leaders emphasize the need for consistency to support the full spectrum of the LGBTQ+ community.

✅ We also connected these conversations to product diversity and market expansion, reinforcing how inclusion drives innovation and growth.

A special thank you to Edward Chan, Gitanjali Kumar, Anthony Lin, and David Jacquemard, Andrew A., for their authentic engagement and curiosity to explore what more can be done on the ground to create meaningful change. Your openness and commitment made the discussion truly impactful.

Other tables tackled equally critical topics:

- Ken Janssens and their ongoing work on the Economic Case for LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Hong Kong.

- Jerome Yau discussed the impact of inclusion on retention and engagement.

- Aaron Chan on the current legal landscape for LGBTQ+ rights in Hong Kong.

Engaging decision-makers in these dialogues is essential—not only to advance inclusion but to highlight its tangible impact on talent and business performance.

Thank you, Open for Business, Steph, Liz, Emma, Ken, for making this evening possible and for creating space for these important conversations.

O̳c̳t̳o̳b̳e̳r̳ ̳i̳s̳ ̳M̳e̳n̳t̳a̳l̳ ̳H̳e̳a̳l̳t̳h̳ ̳A̳w̳a̳r̳e̳n̳e̳s̳s̳ ̳M̳o̳n̳t̳h̳.̳

Mental health is not a linear journey—it’s a spectrum of extremes, and everything in between. This is what living with bipolar has thaught me.

There are hypomanic phases—when energy surges, ideas flow, and we feel unstoppable. We take on everything, inspire others, and push through limits. But that comes with a cost: sleep disruption, overextension, and the eventual crash.

Then there are days when depression feels like gravity has doubled—when even getting out of bed feels like a monumental task. Motivation disappears, bodily rhythms falter, and the world feels muted, or sometimes too loud. These episodes can last for weeks, and yet, many of us continue to lead, care, and contribute—often invisibly.

This is the reality of bipolar. It’s not just about mood—it’s about regulating emotions, managing physical health, medications, other accompanying chronic illnesses, and navigating a world that often misunderstands what we are going through.

✔️ That’s why visibility matters.
✔️ Awareness matters.
✔️ Fighting stigma matters.

If not for one's self but for those who do not have the privilege and platform to do so.

Mental health deserves the same attention, empathy, and structural support we advocate for in every other area of inclusion.

To those living with bipolar or any mental health condition: your experience is valid. You are not alone.

𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒕 “𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉” 𝒐𝒓 “𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒆𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉.”

You are human—and worthy of care and space to thrive. It is possible. If everyone around understands and know how to support you.

I am not at all an artist but when self-regulating sometimes I paint. Made in the middle of an episode, I called this piece "Fight or Flight", from 2 years ago.