Cynthia Fortlage is an award-winning leader reshaping how organisations understand and practise inclusive leadership. With more than 25 years in senior executive leadership, including CIO roles, she brings deep commercial experience to complex questions of leadership, inclusion and human difference. Her work translates conversations around gender, identity, power and human rights into practical leadership behaviours with measurable organisational impact. Her philosophy, Acceptance without Understanding™, reframes inclusion as a leadership responsibility grounded in dignity and respect. Cynthia has delivered more than 550 engagements across 500+ organisations in over 30 countries. A former board member of Outright International, she has advocated for LGBTIQ human rights at UN level. Her work bridges human rights and business performance, helping leaders create workplaces where people can belong even amid difference, disagreement and complexity.