Out Professionals’ Executive Director, L. Genevieve Finn, Champions LGBTQ+ Economic Empowerment at United Together Business Summit

L. Genevieve Finn Leads the Charge for LGBTQ+ Economic Empowerment

On September 19, 2025, the United Together Business Summit drew LGBTQ+ professionals, entrepreneurs, and allies to John Jay College in New York City for a day of networking, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing. At the heart of the event was L. Genevieve Finn, Executive Director of Out Professionals, whose vision and leadership have been instrumental in amplifying LGBTQ+ representation and opportunity in the business sector .

Summit Overview and Finn’s Role

The summit, organized in partnership with the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce New York, provided a platform for diverse professionals and LGBTQ-owned businesses to connect, learn, and access resources crucial for growth. The program featured keynote addresses, breakout sessions on branding and finance, an exhibition hall highlighting queer-owned companies, and a networking mixer for informal connection .

As Executive Director of Out Professionals, Finn played a pivotal role in shaping the summit’s inclusive agenda and ensuring that its programming welcomed transgender people, nonbinary individuals, and all LGBTQ+ identities. Her opening address emphasized the importance of economic empowerment as a pathway to broader equality, stating that LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs “are not just building businesses—they are building community, resilience, and a future where everyone has an equal shot at success” .

Fostering Intersectional Inclusion and Visibility

Finn’s leadership was evident in the summit’s deliberate approach to intersectionality, inviting participation from allies and professionals across industries. Out Professionals, under Finn’s guidance, has consistently prioritized diversity and access, with events in the past year engaging over 11,300 professionals across ten cities . This commitment to inclusion has helped strengthen networks for LGBTQ+ people of color, transgender entrepreneurs, and business owners with intersecting marginalized identities.

The summit’s programming addressed not only business strategy but also the lived realities of LGBTQ+ professionals, including sessions on supplier diversity, advocacy, and best practices for cultivating corporate allyship. Finn highlighted the importance of these conversations, noting that eight out of ten Gen Z LGBTQ+ individuals are hesitant to join companies without clear, consistent support for LGBTQ+ rights—a trend that forces employers to rethink their approach to diversity and inclusion .

Economic Impact and the Future of Queer Business Leadership

The significance of the United Together Business Summit extended beyond the day’s events. Recent data shows that about 9% of Americans—roughly 25 million adults—identify as queer, with a collective spending power of $1.4 trillion in the U.S. alone . LGBTQ+ business leaders and founders like Finn are increasingly recognized as influential drivers of innovation and growth across major sectors, including technology, fashion, and entertainment.

Finn’s advocacy is rooted in the belief that visibility and mentorship are key to unlocking this economic potential. By providing a space where LGBTQ+ professionals can connect, find mentors, and access resources, the summit contributes directly to closing opportunity gaps and inspiring the next generation of queer business leaders. The event’s evening mixer, co-hosted by Out Professionals and nglccNY at Industry Bar, further fostered a sense of community and celebration among attendees .

LGBTQ+ Perspectives and Broader Implications

The summit’s atmosphere was marked by affirmation and shared purpose. Attendees described the event as not only a business opportunity but also an affirmation of identity and resilience—a space where transgender people, nonbinary individuals, and all members of the LGBTQ+ spectrum were welcomed and uplifted . Finn’s leadership was central in shaping this ethos, ensuring that the summit’s impact would extend into the everyday lives of LGBTQ+ professionals and their companies.

As the business world continues to grapple with generational shifts and demands for authentic inclusion, leaders like Finn exemplify how advocacy, visibility, and strategic investment can drive both economic and social progress. Out Professionals’ ongoing programming and the continued success of the United Together Business Summit signal a promising future for LGBTQ+ economic empowerment and leadership.

Conclusion

L. Genevieve Finn’s stewardship of Out Professionals and her role at the United Together Business Summit have positioned her as a key figure in the movement for LGBTQ+ business inclusion. By fostering spaces where queer professionals can thrive openly and authentically, Finn and her colleagues are not only advancing economic opportunity but also shaping a more equitable future for all.