On Thursday, March 20, 2025, the Federal Cross of Merit on Ribbon was presented to Albert Kehrer, CEO of PROUT AT WORK, at a ceremony at the Ministry of Social Affairs in Munich. Albert Kehrer was honored for his long-standing and tireless commitment to queer diversity and equal opportunities in the world of work.
The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (Federal Cross of Merit) is the highest recognition awarded by the Federal Republic of Germany for services to the common good. It is awarded to German and foreign citizens for political, economic-social and intellectual achievements as well as for all special services to the Federal Republic of Germany, for example services in the social, charitable and humanitarian fields.
“This award is a great honor – not only for me personally and for the PROUT AT WORK Foundation, but for everyone who is committed to queer diversity and equal opportunities in the world of work. It shows that the commitment and work of PROUT AT WORK is seen and appreciated. Diversity is not a marginal issue, but a strength of our society – and as a board member of PROUT AT WORK, I will continue to work with full conviction for an open and non-discriminatory working world,” says Kehrer.
Albert Kehrer’s career and commitment
Albert Kehrer founded the “LGBTIQ employee network” at IBM back in 2003 and managed it for several years. This network serves as a point of contact for queer employees and their supporters, offers confidential support and sensitizes managers to diversity issues. His commitment promoted the visibility and acceptance of diversity in business and society.
He later worked at KPMG as Head of Diversity & Inclusion for Germany, where he implemented programs for all diversity dimensions. Since 2010, Albert Kehrer has been working as an independent diversity expert, coach and consultant, with a focus on managers. He is listed as an expert by various organizations and has continuously promoted the topics of diversity and queer diversity in the workplace.
Albert Kehrer has also been active on a voluntary basis: he was a board member of “Völklinger Kreis e.V.”, the federal association of gay executives, and founded an initiative for queer employee networks together with Jean-Luc Vey in 2006. This initiative led to the founding of PROUT AT WORK in 2013.
“Through his many years of commitment, Albert has made a valuable contribution to the establishment and further development of queer networks in companies. The award is a strong and important signal that diversity and inclusion must also be seen and promoted in the workplace.” – Dr. Antonia Wadé, Chairwoman of the PROUT AT WORK Foundation Advisory Board
Impressions from the award ceremony
Copyright: StMAS/Schäffler