Sofia Pride Business Forum 2026: Leadership When It’s Not Easy

This year we move the conversation beyond social commitments and visibility – toward quiet leadership, strong internal culture, and long-term organizational resilience.

Together we will explore one strategic yet practical question: How do we continue supporting our people and stay true to our values when inclusion becomes harder to navigate publicly?

Organized by the GLAS Foundation and the Work It OUT business network, this half-day event is dedicated to companies committed to building human-centered, inclusive work environments.

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Date: June 12, 2026
 Time: 9:30 – 14:00
 Location: Grand Hotel Millennium, Da Vinci Hall, 89B Vitosha Blvd, Sofia, 1463
Register now, spots are limited: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeeKr6NxYHovuLwYVIq6ajdwTNqow0aQ2AHRJX8_lDEMn0JZg/viewform 

 Please note: The event will be conducted in English.
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• 9:30 – 10:00 Registration & Welcome coffee
  
• 10:00 – 10:45 Opening & Inspiring keynotes

Simeon Vasilev
Chairman of GLAS Foundation

Nathaniel Copsey
British Ambassador to Bulgaria

Christophe Margaine
Vice-Chair and Treasurer of European Pride Business Network (EPBN)
Member of L’Autre Cercle

Lenka Nedbalova
General Manager, BNP Paribas Bulgaria

Simon Reeves
Director Global Technology Services, EBRD
Member of the EBRD Executive Diversity Steering Group

Milena Mihaylova
Service Delivery Manager and Pride Champion, Accenture Bulgaria

Plamen Makaveev
Country Manager, Manpower Bulgaria

Tatyana Dobreva
Senior Career Products Consultant, Marsh McLennan Bulgaria 

• 10:45 – 11:30 Panel discussion: Quiet Leadership: Navigating Inclusion in Uncertain Times
  
  Nikolay Garnev
  Managing partner, EY Bulgaria and Southeast Europe

Ivona Gavrilova
Senior Director, Global Talent Acquisition for Product, Tech & Operations, Paysafe

Daniel Vladimirov
Director of Global Operations, Telus Digital

Moderated by:
Sofia Lyateva
Co-founder, Nisha
Project expert, WorkItOUT and GLAS Foundation

• 11:30 – 11:45 Role Model Awards: Celebrating individuals who have contributed to and advocated for LGBTQIA+ inclusive workplaces in their organizations.

Antonio Stoichkov, Accenture Bulgaria
Dimitrina Vasileva, EY
Todor Totev, Progress
Violeta Karanacheva-Tsvetanova, IBM

• 11:45 – 12:00 Break
• 12:00 – 13:00 Belonging bootcamps – Interactive workshops

Two practical sessions designed to provide actionable tools and fresh perspectives. Choose yours below when completing the registration:

✔ Beyond Words: Building Connection Through Values

a LEGO® Serious Play® experience focusing on values-driven culture using hands-on thinking

Biliana Bogdanova
WorkItOUT business lead, GLAS foundation
LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Certified Facilitator
Design Thinker & Practitioner

Lyubomira Stanoeva
Technical Teams Consultant, Hewlett Packard Enterprise
LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Certified Facilitator

Nikoleta Doumanova
EMEA QMS Lead and Associate Facilitator, Hewlett Packard Enterprise
LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Certified Facilitator

✔ Transcending barriers: Promoting trans inclusion at the workplace

an immersive session exploring trans* and non-binary inclusion through role-plays, storytelling, and psychological approaches

Galina Georgieva
Queen Bee, WorkNomads
Psychologist, community builder, activist and volunteer for GLAS Foundation

• 13:00 – 14:00 Networking lunch

Connect and exchange ideas with forward-thinking professionals committed to building thriving workplaces

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE 

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