Trailblazing Allyship and Inclusion in Corporate America!
In the high-stakes world of commercial real estate lending, authenticity and personal connection have long been overshadowed by cold numbers and cutthroat competition. For years, LGBTQ+ professionals in finance faced an unspoken choice: conceal their true selves or risk career stagnation. This climate of silence not only stifled individual potential but also limited the industry’s ability to innovate and truly understand its diverse clientele.
Meet Jon Tilli, a visionary leader who’s reshaping the landscape of financial services at Deutsche Bank’s Investment Bank. As Director on the Commercial Real Estate lending team and Global Chair of dbPride, Jon embodies a new era of banking—one that places human connection at its core.
“Authenticity is the cornerstone of success in finance,” Jon asserts, challenging long-held industry norms. His journey from a closeted intern to an out and proud banker exemplifies the transformative power of visibility and representation in the workplace.
His dual passion for finance and architecture led him to commercial real estate lending, but it was Deutsche Bank’s people-first approach that truly captivated him. A simple act of openness from a colleague—mentioning an ex- boyfriend at a holiday party—became the catalyst for Tilli’s own coming out at work, forever altering his personal and professional trajectory.
Now, as the Global Chair of dbPride, Jon leads Deutsche Bank’s efforts to create an inclusive environment where all employees can bring their whole selves to work. His leadership extends beyond the bank, inspiring change across the financial services industry and proving that when individuals are empowered to be authentic, everyone benefits—from employees to clients and stakeholders alike.
Through his efforts, Deutsche Bank is not just lending money; it’s building a more inclusive, innovative, and human- centered future for finance.
Let’s know more about his journey.
Deutsche Bank: 150 Years of Global Financial Leadership
Deutsche Bank, a German multinational investment bank, was founded in 1870 in Berlin to facilitate trade relations and support the internationalization of German businesses, operating in the Americas for over 150 years.
Deutsche Bank has established a significant presence on both the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange, offering a comprehensive range of financial products and services across various sectors.
The Growth of dbPride: A Global Movement for Inclusion
Over the past two years, dbPride has experienced remarkable growth, evolving from its humble beginnings in 1997, when closeted bankers met in secret in New York and London, to a global network engaging thousands of employees across multiple chapters.
This expansion is evident in the increased participation at Pride marches in countries such as Japan, Germany, the Philippines, the US, and the UK.
The organization recently celebrated its first external dbPride event in São Paulo and established new chapters in Mexico City and other locations. This surge in engagement can be attributed to dbPride’s integration into the core fabric of Deutsche Bank, driven by impactful programming and the unwavering support of executive sponsors worldwide.
The dedication of passionate volunteers, who balance their advocacy work with regular job responsibilities, has also played a crucial role in this growth. By fostering an inclusive environment, dbPride continues to empoweremployees and promote diversity, solidifying its position as a leader in LGBTQ+ advocacy within the financial services sector.
Welcoming New Joiners: Celebrating Inclusivity at Deutsche Bank
Deutsche Bank hosts an annual welcome lunch for new employees to showcase its commitment to an inclusive culture. This event highlights dbPride’s initiatives and emphasizes the bank’s dedication to supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
By fostering connections among new employees, the lunch encourages them to bring their authentic selves to work and provides access to a supportive network of out-and-allied colleagues.
This initiative not only helps new hires feel welcomed but also strengthens the overall sense of community within the organization, reinforcing Deutsche Bank’s values of diversity and inclusion.
Celebrating Intersectionality: dbPride’s Impactful Events
dbPride has made intersectional programming a cornerstone of its initiatives since 2016, beginning with a collaboration with Deutsche Bank’s Black Leadership Forum to host an event centered on the Academy Award- winning film Moonlight, moderated by Whoopi Goldberg.
However, the most impactful event occurred last year in partnership with the Universal Hip Hop Museum, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop in New York City. This event highlighted the intersection of music and activism, showcasing the shared experiences of the queer and hip-hop communities in the 1970s.
It featured panel discussions with hip-hop legends and culminated in a vibrant NYC Pride March, where participants marched under the banner of Queer Joy, emphasizing the importance of hip-hop and dance in expressing identity and community.
Celebrating Queer Joy: Jon’s Leadership at the NYC Pride March
Deutsche Bank first joined the march in 2016 as a response to the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida. He held a moment of silence at 60 Wall Street to show solidarity with the victims and support for the LGBTQ+ community, which fueled the momentum to participate in the march.
Since then, Deutsche Bank has partnered with various non-profit organizations each year. In 2016, he and his team collaborated with Broadway for Orlando and featured the late Chita Rivera in their contingent to raise funds for the victims. More recently, they partnered with GLSEN to highlight their efforts to support queer youth.
He finds the NYC Pride March, the largest event of its kind, deeply inspiring as he witnesses volunteers, employees, and the entire community come together to celebrate their queer joy.
Championing LGBTQI Inclusion in Finance: Jon’s Leadership at OPEN Finance
As co-chair of OPEN Finance, Jon learned to manage a volunteer organization and build consensus among diverse stakeholders, skills that have enhanced his leadership at Deutsche Bank.
OPEN Finance provided a valuable platform for networking with like-minded individuals, connecting with new non- profit partners, and learning from other companies’ initiatives. Many of the partnerships formed during his tenure remain crucial to Deutsche Bank’s work, particularly the collaboration with Outright International.
The biggest challenge he faced was the varying approaches and willingness to share information among member firms. However, this diversity of thought is what makes OPEN Finance a powerful force for change. Since his departure, the organization has become an excellent avenue for his colleagues to develop leadership skills and expand their professional networks.
By sharing best practices and fostering unity across the financial services industry, OPEN Finance, under his leadership, has made significant strides in promoting LGBTQI inclusion and creating a more equitable workplace for all.
The Vision Behind the OPEN Finance Forum
The OPEN Finance Forum was a long-held aspiration to unite the collective strength of the organization for a one- day summit dedicated to sharing best practices and engaging with non-profit organizations.
The first Forum event became possible due to two key factors: an enthusiastic member of the host organization secured the venue and funding, and Stuart Lewis, the former Chief Risk Officer of Deutsche Bank, agreed to participate, inspiring other senior sponsors to join.
The realization of the forum was the result of thousands of volunteer hours dedicated to its success. The original vision was to harness the power of the financial services sector in New York to advocate for LGBTQ+ equality.
Jon expresses immense pride in witnessing the Forum’s continued success, as he fosters collaboration and dialogue among LGBTQI leaders and allies, driving meaningful change within the industry and beyond.
Commitment to LGBTQI Equality: Involvement with UN Free & Equal Standards
Jon’s involvement in the early drafting of the UN Free & Equal Standards was inspired by his mentor, who encouraged him to participate and advocate for Deutsche Bank’s adoption of these crucial guidelines.
Having attended numerous LGBTQ+ events at the United Nations, he was motivated by the collaboration between a multinational organization like the UN and businesses to promote LGBTQ+ equality.
He recognized the importance of this work and felt a personal responsibility to contribute to the ongoing efforts for inclusion and representation.
Advancing LGBTQI Inclusion at the World Economic Forum
Jon’s dedication to integrating LGBTQI perspectives into the World Economic Forum’s systems work was ignited by a pivotal moment. This moment occurred when then-Vice President Biden hosted a luncheon for LGBTQI+ business leaders during the Forum’s annual meeting in Davos.
Recognizing the potential for collaboration, he was brought into the project, where Deutsche Bank became one of the initial signatories to a letter to Professor Klaus Schwab advocating for LGBTQI+ inclusion in the Forum’s initiatives.
This effort ultimately led to the establishment of the Partnership for Global LGBTI Equality (PGLE), enabling Deutsche Bank to support ongoing LGBTQI+ initiatives. He is proud to witness the Forum’s continued commitment to LGBTQI+ inclusion, notably the launch of the Open For Business Investor Guide to LGBTQI+ Inclusion, which underscores the positive impact of inclusion on corporate performance.
Reflecting on a Legacy of LGBTQI+ Advocacy: Jon’s Proudest Moments
Looking back on his work with dbPride, OPEN Finance, and global initiatives, Jon is most proud of the progress made in creating inclusive workplaces where LGBTQI+ individuals can thrive. He is particularly inspired by the younger generations, who are more outgoing and proud than ever, free to choose any profession without fear of hiding their identity.
He has witnessed a remarkable transformation on Deutsche Bank’s trading floors, which have evolved from less inclusive spaces to vibrant workplaces where open conversations and rainbow flags are the norm. This progress motivates him to continue his advocacy efforts, as he hopes to foster similar environments for all LGBTQI+ individuals worldwide.
Despite the challenges, he remains steadfast in his commitment to advancing equality and creating a world where everyone can bring their authentic selves to work.
