Meet Our Speakers (in order of appearance)
Kevin Lyons Pronouns: he/himKevin Lyons is a Senior Human Resources Manager at Pearson and a highly experienced Human Resources professional and a commentator on HR trends and topics.
He has greatly enjoyed his career in Human Resources with successful companies, and his passion is Talent, and what he sees as the key pillars of Inclusion and Wellbeing. He is fascinated by the impact of technology on HR, organisations and wider society, and as a History graduate, believes strongly in evidence-based management, championing tangible change and progress on the diversity, equity and inclusion journey. Kevin is an expert speaker and writer on neuro diversity inclusion and is neuro divergent himself.
Kevin is also a champion of flexible working, as well as a diversity ally and was recognized as a finalist for the Trans Ally Award at the prestigious Trans in the City Awards 2023.
Laïla El-Métoui,
Pronouns: she/her,
Pronounced: ‘lila el-mehtwee’
Multi-award Winning Equity Educator, Embassy Model Summit Co-founder
Laïla El-Métoui is an award-winning equity and wellbeing educator with over 30 years of experience in education and inclusion across both public and private sectors. As a facilitator and dynamic force in transforming training sessions into impactful experiences, Laïla’s work blends practicality, thought-provocation, and a deep commitment to social justice.
Laïla is the Founder of Pride in Education, Educating Out Racism, Proud London Councils, the pan-London LGBTQ+ staff network. Her dedication to inclusive spaces earned her recognition as the Stonewall Lesbian Role Model of the Year 2020, and she was named in the Top 100 Pride Power List 2021. In 2023, Laïla was a finalist for Trans Ally of the Year at the Trans in the City Awards and secured a spot on the National Diversity Power List Top 50 Honours. She was also a finalist at the Rainbow Honours 2023 for her work with SWANA Queers (formerly UK Queer Arabs), which she also founded.
Laïla’s unwavering commitment to equity and social justice continues to make a significant impact.
She's a member of UN Women UK. Despite navigating an invisible disability, she has become a leading figure in the fight for LGBTIQA+ equity and global justice movement. Laïla is a distinguished multilingual professional who speaks 10 languages.
Kamran Khan,
Pronouns: he/him
Embassy Model Summit Co-founder and Change Management Specialist
Kamran Khan is a cisgender queer organisation transformation and change consultant specializing in workforce culture. With over 10 years of experience, he focuses on delivering strategic and operational transformation in healthcare, education, government (both central and local), and the not-for-profit sectors. His expertise spans multiple areas including:
- Workforce strategy, policy, and practices (employee lifecycle and experience)
- Digital, data, and technology change
- Physical workspace change
- Operational processes and service delivery
Kamran has also led efforts to embed anti-racist practices in local government and the charity sector. He co-chaired an LGBTQ+ staff network within local government and supported Laïla in delivering Proud London Councils, the pan-London LGBTQ+ Staff Network for local authorities. He is committed to amplifying the voices of the LGBTQ+ community, especially those facing multiple marginalisations. Kamran volunteers as Co-Director for Pride in Education and Director of Logistics and Operations. He's a member of UN Women UK and rapidly becoming a leading figure in the fight for LGBTIQA+ inclusion and global justice movement.
Rasha Younes, Pronouns: she/her
Interim Director at Human Rights Watch (HRW)
Rasha Younes is the Interim Director at Human Rights Watch, , overseeing a global portfolio of research and advocacy to advance the rights of LGBT people. Previously, she served as a senior researcher in HRW's LGBT Rights Program, investigating human rights violations, including digital persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals and the criminalisation of same-sex relationships in Iraq.
Younes has authored several publications advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and worked on campaigns to make social media platforms safer for the LGBTQ+ community. She has also worked on women's rights with organisations such as the Clinton Center for Women's Empowerment and the Women's Center of Montgomery County.
Rasha holds a Master’s degree in Social Anthropology from Central European University and a bachelor’s in Cultural Anthropology from Bryn Mawr College. Fluent in English and Arabic, she also has some knowledge of French.
Taha Laroussi (He/Him)
Taha is a Research consultant with ILGA World, where he contributes to ILGA's key research projects, like Identities Under Arrest report, Laws on Us report, and the ILGA World Database, and other research projects documenting legal and social developments affecting LGBTQ+ communities. With a deep focus on the SWANA region, he conducts media monitoring, data analysis, and outreach to strengthen ILGA’s research efforts.
Beyond ILGA, Taha works on oral history and archival projects to document Queer oral histories and narratives in Morocco. Through storytelling and strategic coordination, he is committed to amplifying marginalized voices and preserving histories often erased or overlooked.
Gurchaten (Nanoo) Sandhu (he/they)
Gurchaten is the Director of Programmes at ILGA World. Born to Panjabi Sikh working-class migrant parents in the UK, Gurchaten is a widely respected LGBTI changemaker and community leader. At ILGA World, they work to strengthen and expand the organization’s programmatic efforts while managing a growing Programmes team. Prior to joining ILGA World, Gurchaten served as the Non-Discrimination Programme Officer at the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work Branch. There, they specialized in promoting social justice through decent and inclusive work for all, with a particular focus on enhancing LGBTIQ+ rights and economic inclusion. Additionally, Gurchaten was the President of UN-GLOBE, representing LGBTIQ+ personnel within the United Nations system. Gurchaten is an advisory board member of The Inclusion Initiative at the London School of Economics (LSE), a trustee for Open for Business, and a fellow of the Salzburg Global LGBT Forum. They have also served as a steering committee member of the International Family Equality Day NGO, volunteered with Sarbat LGBT Sikhs, and were a trustee for We Create Space. Gurchaten has been recognized as an OUTstanding LGBT Role Model from 2018 to 2021. They are also an Honouree of the Out & Equal’s 2021 Global LGBTQ Corporate Advocate Outie Award, a winner of the British LGBT Award for Exceptional Inclusion in 2021, and the Pink News Award for Community Role Model of the Year in 2022.
Dr. Nas Mohamed, Pronouns: he/him
Founder of Alwan Foundation
Dr. Nas Mohamed is an American-Qatari physician and LGBTQ+ activist who is widely recognised for being the first openly gay man from Qatar. He is the Founder of Alwan Foundation an organisation that provides support and advocacy for LGBTQ+ individuals from the Gulf region. Dr. Mohamed uses his platform to raise awareness about the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in the Gulf states, particularly regarding the countries’ strict laws against homosexuality and lack of LGBTQ+ rights.
He gained significant attention in the lead-up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where he publicly criticised the country’s treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals and called for greater inclusivity and equality. Dr. Mohamed currently resides in San Francisco, where he continues his activism while practicing medicine. He also serves on the Executive Board of San Francisco Pride.
Hasan Kilani,
Pronouns: he/they
Diversity and Inclusion Specialist, MENA Region
Hasan Kilani is a writer, activist, and humanitarian professional with expertise in diversity and inclusion, particularly regarding gender and sexual diversity in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. With extensive experience in training, public speaking, and project management, Hasan has worked in countries including Jordan, Iraq, Sudan, Lebanon, and the United States.
He holds a Master's degree in Transnational Queer Feminist Politics from SOAS University of London and a Bachelor's degree in Finance from Philadelphia University in Jordan. Hasan has worked as a regional director and project manager for organisations such as the International Rescue Committee (IRC), developing diversity and inclusion strategies.
An activist and writer, Hasan conducts bilingual training sessions and lectures in English and Arabic on Gender and Sexual Diversity (GSD), and contributes to platforms such as The New Arab. He is currently based in London and Amman, continuing his work on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the MENA region.
Rahim El Habachi,
Pronouns: he/him
HIV Activist, Public Speaker, Artist, and Advocate
Rahim El Habachi is a gay refugee from Morocco and a multidisciplinary playwright, actor, and belly dancer based in London, United Kingdom. He recently completed a two-year tenure as a Creative Associate with National Theatre Wales, where he contributed to groundbreaking theatrical projects.
Rahim’s work explores themes of identity, queerness, and power dynamics. As a playwright, his notable works include The Love Thief with Sherman Theatre, Touch with National Theatre Wales, and Beyond the Rainbow with Welsh National Opera.
As a belly dancer and host, Rahim has curated and performed in numerous cabaret nights celebrating LGBTQ+ communities from the Global Majority. These include events at the Wales Millennium Centre and collaborations with Glitter Pride. He also co-created and performed in the critically acclaimedXXXMAS Cabarets with Big Loop Theatre.
In addition to his creative endeavors, Rahim is a passionate HIV/AIDS activist. He is the Co-founder of Fast Track Cardiff and previously served as a committee member for the Global Network of Young People Living with HIV. Currently, he is an active committee member of Glitter Cymru, where he continues to advocate for the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals from the Global Majority.
Through his artistry and activism, Rahim strives to amplify marginalized voices and foster inclusive spaces that celebrate diversity and resilience.