Celebrating Pride at Vend

The morning kicked off with a company-wide panel streamed across all our Nordic offices. Panellists Theologos losifidis, Alessia Porazzi, Mariana Leone, and Krzysztof Pogwizd shared stories from their own LGBTQ+ journeys. Then our CTO, Maria Sandgren, and Head of People & Communications, Antonia Brandberg Björk, joined to add powerful leadership reflections.

Later that day, teams gathered in local offices for low-key after-work hangouts, an easygoing way to keep conversations going and simply enjoy each other’s company.

More than a day

For many at Vend, Pride Day wasn’t just a one-off. It reflected something deeper about how we show up for one another, every day.

“Vend is the first workplace where I’ve felt completely comfortable being open about who I am,” says Theo.

That kind of openness doesn’t just happen; it’s built over time, through kindness, trust, and signals from leadership that inclusion isn’t just a project, it’s part of how we work.

During the panel, people shared honest and moving stories. One colleague said she cried more than once during the session, simply from hearing others speak so openly. The space felt safe, supportive, and open. It wasn’t just a conversation; it was people showing up with empathy, care, and a willingness to listen.

Mari, one of the panellists, put it like this: “It wasn’t just about what was said, but how it was said. Being up there, as both employees and leaders, we set a tone. The panel was as much about visibility as it was about policy. At Vend, inclusion comes to life in the small, everyday interactions; in how people treat each other, in how open the environment feels.”

The panellists spoke with openness and honesty about their experiences, both positive and more challenging, and their stories deeply moved the audience. They emphasised the importance of allyship, how it can be demonstrated, and the crucial role that words play in LGBTQ+ inclusion. By offering examples of inclusive words and phrases, the panellists helped colleagues understand how even small changes in the way we speak can create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all.

Asking the right questions

We also opened an anonymous Slido during the panel, giving space for anyone to ask what was on their mind.

The questions were bold, thoughtful, and honest. Some challenged assumptions. Others asked how we can do better. All came from a shared desire to make Vend more inclusive, more open, and more human.

It was clear: people care, and they’re paying attention to what is said, and, perhaps even more importantly, to what is actually done. When individuals share their diverse perspectives authentically, it makes inclusion more real, more accessible, and far less intimidating. It encourages others to ask the right questions and engage in meaningful ways. 

Looking ahead

Pride Day was just one moment, but it left people thinking. The panel sparked ideas about what we might want to do more of, whether that’s creating space for more conversations, sharing stories, or simply keeping inclusion part of our day-to-day work.

There’s a sense that visibility matters, and that when people speak openly, it helps others feel seen too.

Now it’s time to work on sustaining that momentum, not through big changes necessarily, but in the small things: how we communicate with each other, how teams are formed, and how we make room for diverse voices.

Nothing’s set in stone, and we’re figuring it out as we go. But that openness to keep learning together — that’s something worth holding onto.

“One of the biggest things I’ve unlearned when it comes to LGBTQ+ allyship in the workplace is the idea that good intentions are enough. They’re a start, but allyship requires action,” says Enna Kursukangas, Country Manager Finland & Senior Manager, Strategy & Culture.

June might be wrapping up, but Pride doesn’t end here. The stories, the conversations, the way we’ve shown up for each other — none of that needs a date. We’ll keep the spirit going.