I’m Jesus Leon, Consulting Director in the London office. I joined RSM in 2019 as an experienced risk advisory professional and since joining, I’ve become a champion of PRISM, the firm’s LGBT+ network. Through my work as a champion, I’ve supported a number of events and initiatives, which then led me to take on the co-lead role in 2025.

Outside of work, I love spending time with my husband Alex, and our French Bulldog, Leon. I also volunteer as a role model with Diversity Role Models, helping to create more inclusive spaces for young people at schools.

How curiosity led me to consulting

I didn’t start my career in professional services. After graduating from university in the early 2000s as an industrial engineer, I explored different opportunities and got my first role as a Logistics and Supply Chain Analyst. It was during that time that I was introduced to consulting through my first logistics project, and I was fascinated by it.

That moment really shaped my career direction because I realised I wanted to help organisations improve by working closely with my clients, identifying and solving their problems, and making an impact when coming up with solutions. In 2005, I got my first big break into consulting for a Big Four firm in Venezuela. I then moved to another large professional services firm to continue my career in risk advisory services, relocating to the UK in 2010. That move was a big step for me personally as well as professionally, and it opened up a lot of opportunities.

A place to grow and be yourself: my career at RSM

With nearly a decade of professional services experience and five years of experience in practice under my belt, I joined RSM’s Corporate Internal Audit team, part of the Consulting service line. I joined as a Senior Manager and was promoted to Director in 2022. Through these changes, I’ve had the opportunity to grow while also feeling able to be myself more fully at work. I can truly say that RSM is a firm I’m very proud to be part of. That sense of belonging makes a big difference to how you perform, grow and develop.

Visibility, confidence and the power of role models

PRISM is RSM’s LGBT+ network. Our network objective is to continue to support LGBT+ colleagues and allies in creating a workplace where people can truly be themselves and excel. I recently took on the role of co-lead of PRISM and for me, being part of this network has been both personal and important. Earlier in my career, I didn’t always feel comfortable being open about who I was, which impacted my confidence and my sense of belonging. When I moved to the UK, I decided that I wanted to be part of creating a better experience for others in the LGBT+ community, where people don’t feel they have to hide or hold back.

PRISM gives me the opportunity to contribute to a space where people feel proud of who they are, while building connections, supporting colleagues and allies, and sharing our own experiences. It’s allowed me to feel more confident and authentic at work, reinforcing the importance of different perspectives, diversity, visibility and open conversations. When you feel able to contribute openly, you bring more of yourself into your work – that has a real impact on how you collaborate and perform. It’s also made me reflect on the importance of visibility. Seeing people who are open and confident in who they are has had a big impact on me, and the more we can role model that, the more it encourages and gives others permission to do the same.

Volunteering and LGBT+ inclusion: giving my time, gaining much more

Diversity Role Models is PRISM’s chosen charity and it’s an organisation that means a lot to me personally. Diversity Role Models does incredible work in schools, tackling homophobic, biphobic and transphobic language and behaviour at an early stage through their workshops.

At RSM, everyone has an annual volunteering day, and I always use mine to support Diversity Role Models. Since becoming a volunteer in 2017, I’ve delivered several workshops in schools, taken part in campaigns and videos, raised funds and supported initiatives such as Pride events – it’s one of the most memorable things I do each year. It’s one of those experiences where you give your time to help others, but you also come away with so much yourself. It makes you reflect, provides perspective and is incredibly rewarding.

What makes it so meaningful is being able to share my own story, including some of the challenges I faced growing up as gay child with my family in a very religious environment, which shaped who I am today. This partnership reinforces the importance of visibility and shows how being open can make a real difference.

Pride Month 2026: what inclusion means at RSM

Our PRISM network provides a great way to learn, connect and show support for others. It’s important to reflect and recognise that we’ve made progress, but we can’t take it for granted. Each of us has a role to play, whether that’s speaking up, supporting others or simply being open to learning. Those small actions really do make a difference.

Make an impact, be our future.