Organized by the association L’Autre Cercle, the “LGBTQI+ Role Models and Ally” awards ceremony honors each year individuals whose concrete actions foster a more inclusive work environment for LGBTQI+ people. The 7th edition of this major event was held on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, celebrating 126 laureates.
Hosted by Nicolas Herbeaux (journalist at France Culture) and Elisabeth Moreno (patron of the 2025 edition, well-known advocate for diversity and equal opportunities), the conference alternated between testimonial videos and panel discussions. The laureates’ journeys illustrated the wide range of initiatives being implemented to advance inclusion within companies and institutions.
Among the honorees, Stéphane Pallez, Chair and CEO of FDJ UNITED, was recognized as one of the 19 Ally Executive Role Models 2025.
Louise Guevara, Head of International Relations at FDJ UNITED, was also named among the 70 LGBTQI+ Role Models.
This double recognition highlights their ongoing commitment to promoting LGBTQI+ inclusion in the workplace and their leadership in fostering a culture of equality and respect within the company.
The event brought together numerous committed employees and executives, as well as figures from institutional, business, and non-profit sectors connected to L’Autre Cercle. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of Role Models in inspiring others, paving the way for change, and helping to combat discrimination.
Since 2021, FDJ UNITED has made sexual orientation and gender identity one of its key priorities in its fight against all forms of discrimination. The signing in 2023 of L’Autre Cercle’s LGBTQI+ Commitment Charter reaffirmed the Group’s determination to provide an inclusive work environment and ensure equal treatment for all employees, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity—thus helping to combat LGBTQI-phobia.
The commitment and strong public stance of Stéphane Pallez, Chair and CEO of FDJ UNITED, have set the direction: to be both a high-performing and socially exemplary company.
In an opinion piece published on her LinkedIn account in 2024, Stéphane Pallez reflected on the company’s commitments to inclusion and its broader societal role as an international economic actor. She emphasized the importance of setting clear, measurable goals to ensure lasting progress.
After working to advance gender equality (with nearly 40% of women in the Group and the creation of a dedicated budget to reduce pay gaps), FDJ UNITED is also committed to LGBTQI+ inclusion. This is reflected in concrete initiatives, such as a communication review framework to avoid stereotypes and childcare policies inclusive of all types of parenthood.
