Tech seemed out of reach, but at Nestlé I had the opportunity to be my authentic self and fulfill my dream.
I joined Nestlé Brazil in 2022, at the early stages of my transition. I've always had a passion for mathematics, technology, and linguistics. Being Black and transgender, I often found myself wondering if I'd ever find a job I truly loved because of the lack of diverse representation and opportunities in business, particularly in tech. When Nestlé rolled out its first Data Scientist training program in Brazil, I took this opportunity and jumped at it, not knowing it would open doors for my personal and professional path.
As a Black transgender person, I used to fear that being my true self would put my career at stake. My experience at Nestlé proved me wrong.Naomi
I used to fear that being my true self would jeopardize my career. Transitioning at work is somewhat daunting, especially when introducing a new name and pronouns. It can feel like coming out every day. Dealing with being deadnamed (called by my former name) or misgendered adds to the challenges. But in my Nestlé experience, I found a reflection of Brazil: plural and diverse. I received incredible support from my leaders and colleagues. Today, I'm one of 60 employees in Brazil who identify as transgender. It brings me immense joy to be myself at work - including confidently wearing my red lipstick. Here, I can truly breathe and thrive.
Here are a few of the company actions that I learned first-hand can make the biggest difference for inclusion:
Build an inclusive workplace with employee-led initiatives
The LGBTQ+ Employee-led Resource Group (ERG) in Brazil helped me connect with inspiring peers and showed me firsthand how empowered employees can drive change and provide a safe space for open dialogue and advocacy. Local policies and benefits are important, and the grassroots leadership of employees build on those to help driving meaningful peer-to-peer resources, right here on the ground.
I always wished for a legal name that truly represents me and I was able to have it in just few months, with the help of our local network. Nestlé Brazil offers financial and administrative support to transgender employees who are in the process of legally changing their name and gender, in partnership with the Brazilian legal office specializing in LGBTQ+ rights, Bicha da Justiça.
Bring KitKat fans along the journey
It's also been inspiring to see how brands like KitKat (my current and childhood favorite!) have become strong allies, helping to drive visibility for more inclusion. I remember seeing KitKat's campaign in Brazil in 2021, which illustrated that there is no right or wrong way to eat a KitKat, just as there is no right or wrong way to live your life. It reinforced the powerful message that 'Pride Takes no Break'. With this campaign, KitKat gave a voice to our community, and the company stepped up our action by hiring transgender individuals throughout our organization. In Brazil, other Nestlé brands like Nescafé and Nescau are also supporting inclusion. I hope to see more companies and brands lead the way.
Give support and drive progress for all, all year round
LGBTQ+ employees around the world have unique and diverse experiences, so we lean on Nestlé's global foundation for inclusion, for each country team to build on locally. Global policies, trainings and reporting systems set a base, complimented by local benefits, policies, and networks. As a Data Science Analyst myself, I get the chance to support this work in another way as well - I work to address potentially biased data and suggest more inclusive alternatives, ensuring that we get an accurate picture of our consumers and their needs. By starting with insights - whether from external partners, data sources, or employees themselves - we can build a range of resources that support all employees.
One localized benefit that I've found to be important for many of us is qualified and confidential 24/7 employee counselling and advice via dedicated helplines. Even for employees outside our DE&I networks, knowing that support is just a call away can make all the difference.
We're on a journey, and our work will certainly continue. I'm proud to be part of the change, and I hope to see more spaces where everyone feels truly accepted and valued, and where we can all travel freely and safely, just like anyone else.
