Courage as a Catalyst
The 2026 Pride & Purpose Summit centers on Courage as a Catalyst—the idea that authentic leadership begins with the bold decision to be visible, to speak, and to lead with integrity. Through immersive storytelling, research-informed leadership strategies, and intergenerational dialogue, the summit equips LGBTQ+ professionals and allies to transform personal bravery into collective impact.
Connecting emerging leaders with seasoned executives and grounding conversation in scholarship and lived experience, the event fosters resilient leadership that challenges systems, advances equity, and builds inclusive cultures. Set during Boston Pride, the summit is more than a gathering—it is a catalyst for courageous action that drives meaningful change across organizations and communities.
Empowering LGBTQ+ Professionals & Allies in Business, STEM, and Higher Education
Pride + Presence
Learn the power of authentic storytelling for change, amplifying your unique voice to inspire and motivate others to action.
Resilience + Leadership
Grow resilient leadership strategies that will foster individual & collective well-being to support longevity and build community at the intersections of identities.
Science + Practice
Practice the language of research to drive data-based interventions in your organization.
Allyship + Mentorship
Gain insights into allyship behaviors and mentorship practices to support and advance the next generation of LGBTQ+ leaders.
LGBTQ+ professionals bring powerful insights, creativity, and resilience to the workplace—fueling innovation and advancing cultures of inclusion. This LGBTQ+ community learning event is designed to celebrate and strengthen that impact.
- Gain practical, evidence-based tools to navigate today’s workplace dynamics
- Develop resilient leadership strategies to support personal & collective well-being
- Engage in immersive, community-building experiences
- Elevate their voices and ignite the shared capacity to lead change
Whether you're a seasoned advocate or new to this journey, this event offers a powerful opportunity to grow your skills, foster inclusive cultures, and build lasting networks that will uplift and empower all.
Lead Authentically, Inspire Inclusivity!
A Community Learning Event
2026 Schedule TBD
Workshops
Speakers & Facilitators
Faculty Director, Pride & Purpose
Dr. Mateo Cruz (pronouns: he/him) is a nationally recognized teaching-scholar at Bentley University. His primary research focuses on diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice (DEIJ), and change in groups & organizations. His recent research examines stereotypes of gay and lesbian managers; job demands & resources experienced by trans & nonbinary employees; the dynamic relationship between trans & nonbinary employees and their cisgender allies; and ways organizations can respond to recent anti-trans executive orders.
Since 2010, Dr. Cruz has taught a wide range of courses including organizational theory, group & team dynamics, interpersonal relations, and applied research. His teaching spans across undergraduate, graduate, executive, military, and education leadership audiences. He has received two “Innovation in Teaching” awards, the Joseph M. Cronin Award for Academic Advising and Mentoring, and the Dr. Earl L. Avery MLK Leadership Award. This summer, Dr. Cruz will receive the national “New Educator Award” from the Management & Organizational Behavior Teaching Society (MOBTS), a prestigious recognition of his classroom impact and groundbreaking research on teaching and learning in business education.
Dr. Cruz views his work as a bridge between scholarship, leadership development, and social advocacy. He serves as Faculty Advisor to Bentley’s Center for Women and Business and sits on the National Board of Directors for GLSEN, the leading LGBTQ+ education advocacy group in the US. In 2024, he was selected as an inaugural recipient of Bentley’s Presidential Fellowship which provides resources for him to direct Bentley’s first leadership summit for LGBTQ+ professionals and allies.
Dr. Cruz holds a Ph.D. in social/organizational psychology from Columbia University and a B.A. in social work and psychology from the University of Portland.
Advancing LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Business AND Education
LGBTQ+ individuals are highly educated, innovative, and influential leaders, yet opportunities tailored to their unique experiences remain limited in both academic and professional settings. This dual cohort model bridges that gap by offering an undergraduate program for 25 first-year LGBTQ+ students and an executive program for 25 LGBTQ+ change leaders. Together, these initiatives foster leadership, mentorship, and community, empowering undergraduates to thrive as future leaders while providing executives with the tools to amplify their impact and drive meaningful change. By connecting students and professionals, this program creates a powerful network of LGBTQ+ innovators committed to shaping inclusive workplaces and driving progress.
Bentley Invests in Advancing LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Business, Education, & STEM
In 2024, Bentley University selected Dr. Mateo Cruz as a Presidential Faculty Fellow for his proposal: Pride and Purpose: Investing in the Potential of LGBTQ+ Student Innovators and Change Leaders. The goals of Mateo’s proposal were (1) to establish a cohort-based model for undergraduate LGBTQ+ student innovators and, in tandem, (2) design a series of leadership development programs for LGBTQ+ professional and allies. Both initiatives aim to address barriers to advancement for LGBTQ+ individuals in the workplace through business education and leadership growth.
Learn more about Bentley’s Presidential Faculty Fellows
A Letter to Supporters
Dear Colleagues and Community Members,
After an incredibly successful inaugural Summit in 2025, I’m excited to announce the 2nd annual Pride & Purpose Summit at Bentley University on Thursday, June 11th 2026.
This year’s Summit focuses on the role of courage in how we show up for ourselves and for each other in the face of threat. It doesn’t take long to scroll through the news and see that we are in a time of crisis. Yet the stories that capture me are those about individuals, organizations, and entire communities who put themselves on the line for one another. In that spirit, this year’s event aims to highlight courageous individual and organizational actions that make a difference in the lives of LGBTQ+ professionals and allies.
Events like this matter because LGBTQ+ professionals continue to navigate real barriers to safety, voice, advancement, and authentic connections at work. At the same time, many allies and leaders want to help but need shared language, practical tools, and trusted community to do so. The Pride & Purpose Summit is designed to strengthen that collective capacity which is why we call it a Community Learning Event. Our goal is to learn, connect, and translate values into action across workplaces and industries.
In that spirit, this year’s Summit will feature:
- Keynote sessions with inclusive thought leaders
- Interactive workshops with expert facilitators
- Roundtable discussions sponsored by Pride ERGs
- Innovative networking opportunities across sectors
Building on last year’s focus on storytelling as a vehicle for change, the Summit will also include a special evening event featuring community storytellers. This gathering will be held in honor of our dear colleague, Prof. Wiley Davi, whose life and legacy helped build the foundation our work rests on today.
Whether you’re a seasoned advocate or new to this journey, the Pride & Purpose Summit offers a transformational space to grow, connect, and build a lasting network committed to uplifting LGBTQ+ professionals and allies.
Your voice matters - now more than ever. We can’t wait to welcome you to Bentley in June.
In solidarity,
Mateo Cruz, Ph.D.
Faculty Director, Pride & Purpose
Pride in Purpose, Power in Action
Showcase Your Expertise
Pride & Purpose Summit Sponsors
Supporting our Community
Pride & Purpose Scholarship
There are a limited number of attendance waivers, please inquire for more info!
Summit Dates
June 11th, 2026
12-5pm | Conference
7-10pm | Networking Reception in Watertown, MA
Summit Cost
Attendees:
- Conference Only: $160
- Reception Only: $60
- Conference & Reception: $200
Register by May 1st, 2026 for a complimentary ticket to the post-conference reception at Ritcey East in Watertown, MA
Conference Registration includes full access to the Summit, breakfast, lunch, snacks and beverages
Sponsors:
Advocate Sponsor - inquire for more info about sponsor benefits
Champion Sponsor - inquire for more info about sponsor benefits
Visionary Summit Sponsor - inquire for more info about sponsor benefits
Discounts
Bentley Alumni, Non-profits, and Job-seekers in Transition: Inquire to receive your 50% discount code.
Bentley Employees: Inquire about your discount.
Group Discounts: Empower your leaders to learn together and grow together with a 35% group rate discount to companies that send three participants or more.
Refund Policy
Bentley University will grant a full refund for cancellations received at least 30 days before the program start date. A 50% refund will be given for those cancellations made prior to fourteen days of the program start date. No refund will be granted for those cancellations received after that time. Unused registrations can be transferred to another person.