Ambassador with impact

Ambassador with impact: Dr Michiel Kolman on pride, progress and the Beurs van Berlage

Every quarter, we interview one of the ambassadors of the Beurs van Berlage. This time, we were delighted to speak to Dr Michiel Kolman. He is Senior VP and Academic Ambassador at Elsevier, and has held various publishing positions in Amsterdam and Tokyo. He is also co-chair of Workplace Pride, which supports LGBTIQ+ integration in the workplace internationally. On 14 November 2025, the Workplace Pride Impact Awards Gala took place at the Beurs van Berlage. Together, we reflect on his role as ambassador for the Beurs van Berlage and the impact he is making with his commitment to the LGBTIQ+ community.

You have an international career, including at Elsevier, and you have been committed to LGBTIQ+ inclusion for many years. How do you incorporate that experience into your role as ambassador for the Beurs van Berlage?

I organised a workshop on Diversity & Inclusion for the Beurs van Berlage to give the Beurs an extra boost in the area of D&I. I also suggested that the Beurs could fly the rainbow flag on its tower during Amsterdam Pride. This was taken up enthusiastically: now, during every Amsterdam Pride in July and August, a special Rainbow Progress flag with the silhouette of the Beurs is proudly hoisted.

What does being an ambassador for the Beurs van Berlage mean to you personally?

I was born and raised in Amsterdam and am a great admirer of Berlage, so it is very special for me to be associated with this iconic building and organisation as an ambassador. Over the years, I have experienced impressive events at the Beurs, such as the Requiem of Theresienstadt. I have known the Beurs for decades and have fond memories of beautiful galas, including an anniversary party in the 1990s with my colleagues from Elsevier.

On 14 November 2025, the 2025 Workplace Pride Impact Awards Gala took place at the Beurs van Berlage. Why do you think this location is so well suited to this event about inclusion and equality?

Workplace Pride and the Beurs have enjoyed a good working relationship for many years. The international Workplace Pride conference took place at the Beurs, and our annual gala has also been organised there for a long time. The Beurs is an ideal location because of the size of the gala, the good support for performances and the excellent catering.

Next year, the Beurs will also be the venue for an important event: World Pride, to which Workplace Pride is contributing to the programme. Our annual international conference will also take place during World Pride week.

Which moments or speakers did you find most impressive during the previous edition of the gala? And why?

During the Workplace Pride Gala, we celebrate the successes of LGBTIQ+ inclusion in the workplace. It is usually the large companies that score highest in the Workplace Pride Benchmark and take home the awards. But last year, two things really stood out: first of all, several universities also won awards, with Erasmus University Rotterdam scoring exceptionally well. We also had a new programme component: personal stories from employees of Workplace Pride members from around the world about what it is like to be LGBTI+ in places such as Taiwan or the Philippines. These stories from the heart were incredibly impressive.

What makes this edition different from last year’s? And what do you hope the guests will take away from this evening?

It will not have escaped anyone’s attention that the political climate and public opinion are less open to diversity and inclusion this year, and that some politicians are taking a decidedly negative stance towards the LGBTIQ+ community. That is precisely why it is now even more important to celebrate the successes of LGBTIQ+ inclusion in the workplace and to inspire each other. Some Workplace Pride members are already way ahead, such as the highest scorers in the Workplace Pride Benchmark – and that deserves recognition. Others have made great strides forward. In addition, there are awards for the best Game Changer and the best volunteer, among others. The Beurs is also the perfect venue for a fantastic evening with performances, excellent catering and great networking opportunities!