The Pride Business Association

About PBA

Established by Michael Glynn in 1981 as the Gay Business Association, the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Business Association (SGLBA) was the first LGBTQIA+ Business Association in Australia.

It evolved from the need for a safe place for LGBTQIA+ business people to meet like-minded professionals during a time when being their authentic selves was still a criminal offence in New South Wales.

In 1994, to reflect the increasing diversity of our member base, the name of the organisation was changed. In 1998 the SGLBA adopted Articles of Association and enhanced its professional standing by electing a Board of Directors.

The SGLBA is one of the foundational LGBTQIA+ organisations in New South Wales, along with the AIDS Council of NSW (ACON), the NSW Gay & Lesbian Rights Lobby (GLRL), the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation (BGF), and the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras (SGLMG) among others.

The SGLBA has over 250 members, ranging from sole traders, entrepreneurs, small to medium business, through to corporations with over 10,000 people connected to our community.

Curious about what's happening this year? Explore our 2024 schedule.

2024/2025 Constitution

Board Members

The Board of the Pride Business Association is a group of volunteers with a diversity of qualifications. They are all passionate about the LGBTIQ community and working with PBA members to help them succeed.

The Directors and Board Associates are committed to providing opportunities for the LGBTIQ community to develop their business interests and networks both within corporate environments and as individual business persons.

Jarrod Lomas (He/Him)

President

Leah Pieris (She/Her)

Secretary and Public Officer

Ricky Hamilton (He/Him)

VP & Partnerships

Mark Morrison (He/Him)

Member Services Director

Shane Flatman (He/Him)

Strategy Director

Immy Abdullah (He/Him)

Engagement Director

Matthew Larkin (He/Him)

Treasurer

Board Associates

Stephen Haggett (He/Him)

Events BA

Alex Tinsley (He/Him)

Events BA

Henry Burgoyne (He/Him)

Events BA

Ian Ferguson (He/Him)

Marketing BA

Jessica Bouyamourn (She/Her)

Events BA

Prasad Giribalan (He/him)

Partnerships BA

Annthony Rozario (He/Him)

Events BA

Luke McBride (He/Him)

Memberships BA

Ludovic Lavergne (He/Him)

Events BA

Jarrod Lomas

Jarrod Lomas, President

Jarrod has forged a successful career in politics, marketing, and communications, holding a Bachelor of Commerce, and has served at the highest levels of Federal Government. Most recently he was Chief of Staff to the former Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, and is regularly employed as a senior political campaign strategist across the country.

With a diverse career background, including professional work for non-government organisations, Jarrod utilises his skills and experience in grassroots organising, communications and stakeholder engagement to support and promote Sydney-based and national organisations advancing the interests of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Jarrod’s passionate about increasing visibility for the LGBTQIA+ community, creating the environment for important conversations to take place around issues facing our community and empowering people to be their authentic selves in their workplace, schools and community.

Ricky Hamilton

Ricky Hamilton, Vice President & Partnerships Director

Ricky is an accomplished marketing and events professional with over 20 years’ experience in the meetings and events industry. Ricky helps organisations amplify their brand through strategic marketing and engagement strategies. He has qualifications in marketing, sales, event operations and project management.

Ricky’s journey in partnerships began with a passion for collaboration and a deep understanding of the value that strong alliances bring to communities. Throughout his career, Ricky has worked with a diverse range of companies, identifying synergies and opportunities for collaboration, leveraging the strengths of each partner to create impactful initiatives. His approach is characterised by strong interpersonal skills, strategic thinking, and meticulous attention to detail.

Leah Pieris

Leah Pieris, Secretary and Public Officer

Leah Pieris is an Associate Consultant at Kuberno Limited. Leah has over 10 years of experience in the financial services industry, specialising in risk and compliance.

After completing their undergraduate degree, Leah Pieris pursued a career in governance, completing a Graduate Diploma of Applied Corporate Governance from the Governance Institute of Australia. Leah then went on to complete fellowships from both the Governance Institute of Australia and The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland.

Mark Morrison

Mark Morrison, Member Services Director

Mark who joined the Board in July 2020 is passionate about delivering life and delight back into Sydney’s gardens and is a member of the Australian Institute of Horticulture (AIH) and Australian Institute of Landscape Designers & Managers (AILDM).

As the Proprietor of Morrison’s Gardens, he presents 20 years’ experience across design, install and maintenance of gardens Sydney-wide providing pleasure and heightening property values to homeowners and garden enthusiasts.

Immy Abdullah

Immy Abdullah, Engagement Director

Immy Abdullah is a highly accomplished senior leader, bringing over 19 years of extensive experience across the television, production, marketing, and digital sectors. Currently, Immy serves as the Head of Content, Entertainment at Nine, where he is responsible for managing editorial schedules for Channel 9's flagship programs, including The Block and Married At First Sight.

Beyond his professional expertise, Immy is deeply committed to fostering inclusivity and driving positive change within the LGBTQIA+ community. As co-chair of Nine Pride, he actively works to build connections and advocate for LGBTQIA+ individuals and their allies. Immy's profound passion for community engagement, combined with his strategic insight in creative business, makes him an invaluable asset to the PBA Board.

Shane Flatman

Shane Flatman, Strategy Director

Shane is a strategy and growth specialist with over 15 years of experience in the investment fund and fintech sectors. Currently leading APAC strategy at Fund Recs, he has held senior roles across product, business development, and project delivery, consistently driving complex initiatives from idea to execution.

Shane is passionate about inclusive leadership and previously served in a leadership role on the Diversity & Inclusion Committee at Confluence Technologies as well as global and regional leadership roles at Broadridge’s Pride committee. He brings a strong mix of strategic thinking, operational execution, and a collaborative mindset to his role on the Pride Business Association board.”

Our Constitution

The constitution is a pivotal document. It's what drives the association and is the document we look to, to guide our decisions ensuring we are always in harmony with the rules that govern our choices and decisions.

Download the Constitution

Download Current By-Laws

Email the Secretary

Charity Status

The Pride Business Association (PBA) ABN 30 660 775 528 is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not For Profits Commission.

The PBA Education Fund, an initiative of the PBA, is a registered deductible gift recipient and all donations to the Fund are tax deductible.

Annual Reports

Our Mission: To increase corporate and business opportunities for members through regular networking, business and social events, and through the promotion of the LGBTIQ community in the wider business community.

2024/25

2023/24

2022/23

2021/22

2020/21

2019/20

2014/15

2018/19

2017/18

2016/17

2015/16