Flying the flag for diversity

RMIT alumnus Björn Jahncke works as a project and change management consultant at Lufthansa Systems in Germany where he also volunteers as team lead for partnerships for Diversifly – Lufthansa Group’s LGBTIQA+ network.

Jahncke was inspired to support and celebrate diversity in the corporate world after his time as an international student at RMIT in Australia.

"When I was a student at RMIT, I volunteered with the RMIT University Student Union (RUSU) and got involved in the many events organised by the Queer Department," he said.

"It really triggered my motivation to be involved in responsibility and sustainability projects beyond my regular job.

"When I returned to Germany in 2015, I actively looked for opportunities where I could support my fellow LGBTIQA+ colleagues and use the power of communities for more diversity in the corporate world."

Applying his RMIT Master of Aviation Industry Management and Master of Engineering skills, Jahncke joined Lufthansa Systems – an information technology service provider for the aviation industry – as an aviation consultant.

"Alongside my role in project and change management, I also started volunteering for the Diversifly network – the official LGBTIQA+ employee network of Lufthansa Group, both on the ground and in the air," he said.

"My role as the team lead for partnerships is about building bridges and networks to corporate LGBTIQA+ networks, official LGBTIQA+ organisations in Germany and Europe as well as other Lufthansa Group internal networks, such as the women network or the anti-discrimination network, and our regional and subsidiary airline partners.

"The goal is to learn from each other, join forces and initiate activities together," Jahncke said.

Society and Environment

08 June 2021

RMIT alumnus Björn Jahncke in Germany

Diversifly recently ran a panel discussion with employees from the Lufthansa Group and SAP on the challenges faced by colleagues in Africa, which was organised by one of Jahncke’s colleagues in South Africa.

"Events like this are real moments of pride and major motivators for us to continue to extend and support the network," Jahncke said.

“Every achievement for the community should be valued, honoured and celebrated, no matter how small it might seem.

"Different communities and members of a community should support each other by sharing their individual experiences and learning from the mistakes or achievements of the other," he said.

"This enables empathy with others and strengthens support."

Learn more about Diversifly at Lufthansa Group or diversity and inclusion at RMIT.

Story: Karen Matthews

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Society and Environment

08 June 2021

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Flying the flag for diversity