Vertex’s Rafael Polzin on finding freedom after coming out at 30 and fighting for LGBTQ+ equality

Rafael Polzin, Regional Finance Associate Director at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, shares insights into his career journey, personal experiences, and his role as a gay man doing his part to promote LGBTQ+ equality within the workplace. In this interview with myGwork, he explores his hopes for a world where everyone can live authentically without fear or prejudice.

Hi Rafael! Could you tell me a bit about your background and career journey leading up to your current position at Vertex?

I hold a degree in Business Administration from Fundação Armando Alvares Penteado (FAAP) and an MBA in Financial Management from Insper, both located in São Paulo, Brazil. From my very first internship, I’ve always worked in finance, and most of my career has been in the consumer goods industry, with companies such as Procter & Gamble, Unilever, General Mills, and Affinity PetCare. In 2017, I joined Vertex in São Paulo, and a year later, I was transferred to Paris. Today, I serve as Regional Finance Associate Director, acting as the Finance Lead for our French affiliate.

Can you tell me about your childhood – where did you grow up; did you have any hobbies?

I was born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil. I hold dual Brazilian and German nationality and am the oldest of four siblings—one brother and two sisters. I grew up in an upper-middle-class family, with parents who worked very hard to provide us with the best opportunities possible. My childhood was filled with love and encouragement. From an early age, I was taught the value of giving my best, being responsible, and understanding that success comes from effort and dedication. Even though my family had resources, nothing was ever handed to me—I’ve always achieved things through hard work. My parents also encouraged us to live a healthy lifestyle, and I’ve always had a deep love for sports.

Can you share your personal journey with the LGBTQ+ community?

I’ve always known I was gay, but it took me 30 years to truly accept myself and come out. One day, I simply woke up tired of pretending to be someone I wasn’t—and that’s when everything became easier and lighter. That was the day I decided to come out. At the time, I had just started dating the person who is now my husband, and that gave me the final push I needed.

Looking back, I can honestly say that if I had known how beautiful, easy, and freeing it would be with my family and friends, I wouldn’t have waited so long. Since coming out 11 years ago, I’ve gradually become more involved with the LGBTQIA+ community. Today, in addition to my role as Regional Finance Associate Director, I’m also the International Co-Lead of the PRIDE Employee Resource Network at Vertex, where I have the privilege of co-leading a group that supports both our LGBTQIA+ colleagues and allies.

What has been a standout moment in your career so far?

A standout moment in my career definitely came in 2018, when Vertex offered me a position in Paris. My husband and I decided to take the leap and fully embrace this adventure! It was absolute chaos at first—we even moved up our wedding plans, got married, and our honeymoon happened in the middle of unpacking boxes in our first apartment in Paris. But honestly, who hasn’t dreamed of a honeymoon in the City of Light? Lol. 2018 was truly a milestone, marking an incredibly important year both professionally and personally.

How does Vertex strive for inclusivity and provide an open space for LGBTQ+ employees?

As I mentioned, Vertex has several Employee Resource Network (ERN) groups, and one of them is PRIDE, which I co-lead at the international level, covering all regions except North America and the Oxford site. PRIDE’s mission is to create a safe and inclusive environment for the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies, ensuring that everyone can bring their full selves to work. Through this network, we actively foster inclusion, provide support, and celebrate diversity across the company, making Vertex a workplace where authenticity is valued and encouraged.

Throughout your career, have you noticed any developments in attitudes towards the importance of diversity and inclusion?

Absolutely! Over the course of my career, I’ve seen a remarkable shift in how companies recognize the value of diversity and inclusion. It’s no longer just a “nice-to-have”—it’s understood as essential to building stronger teams, fostering innovation, and creating workplaces where everyone feels seen and valued. Personally, being part of initiatives like the PRIDE ERN at Vertex has shown me how powerful inclusion can be—not only for LGBTQIA+  colleagues, but for everyone. The more diverse and inclusive a workplace becomes, the more it empowers individuals to bring their full selves and achieve their best.

What immediate improvements would you like to see being made for LGBTQ+ equality in the future – both in the workplace, and wider society?

Looking ahead, I would love to see faster progress towards true equality for LGBTQIA+ people, both in the workplace and in society at large. In the workplace, this means not only fostering inclusive policies, but also ensuring representation at all levels, creating safe spaces for dialogue, and actively challenging unconscious biases. Beyond work, I hope for greater visibility, acceptance, and protection for LGBTQIA+ individuals everywhere, so that everyone can live authentically without fear or prejudice. True equality is about creating a world where people are celebrated for who they are, not judged for it.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals is a proud partner of myGwork, the LGBTQ+ business community. Find out more about LGBTQ+-friendly job opportunities at Vertex Pharmaceuticals.