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Here is a list of the top experts and thought leaders on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to consider for your event that can deliver a memorable speech and presentation that will inspire, educate, and entertain your audience.
These diversity, equity, and inclusion speakers can cover such topics as organizational culture, enabling diverse gender identity and gender expression, multigenerational workforce and bridging the generation gap, eliminating unconscious bias in the workplace, gearing up for systemic change, harassment policies, dealing with the diversity backlash, corporate governance, disability rights, supporting employees mental health, cultural differences, and more.
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Lenora Billings-Harris
Lenora Billings-Harris is a corporate consultant and trainer. She had been conducting corporate trainings through her training firm for many years when she found her calling as a diversity specialist.
The focus of her current work is promoting diversity and equal opportunity within the workplace. Through her work, Billings-Harris has helped numerous Fortune 500 companies and other public and private organizations craft inclusive HR practices.
Patty McCord
Patty McCord is an experienced talent management professional and an expert in corporate diversity, leadership and innovation in HR practices. She was one of the most influential executives to have worked for Netflix.
During her time, McCord developed a functional corporate culture that revolved around diversity and inclusion. Her presentation detailing Netflix’s culture has been hailed as the most impactful presentation in Silicon Valley.
Verna Myers
A bestselling author and impactful speaker on the topics of inclusion and diversity, Verna Myers leaves her audience moved and inspired. Her TED talk on overcoming biases has been watched by over 1.5 million people.
Having spoken at public and private organizations such as National Geographic, NASA, The World Bank, Warner Bros. and 21st Century Fox, Myers is considered to be an authority on countering corporate bias.
Risha Grant
Risha Grant is a consultant on diversity and inclusion. She has been recognized multiple times for her outstanding work. Her communications and consultancy firm, Risha Grant LLC, equips organizations with relevant tools to enhance productivity.
Grant actively works on eliminating sexism, racism, and social biases from society. Her keynotes and workshops focus on the importance of inclusion and diversity and the positive impact they create.
Kim Crenshaw
Kim Crenshaw is a social activist for women and civil rights. An expert on civil rights and law pertaining to racism and sexism, Crenshaw teaches law at the Columbia Law School and UCLA.
Crenshaw’s research in the field of racial law has given rise to two new fields of study, both of which have gained incredible attention. Intersectionality and Critical Race Theory have since become topics of numerous studies.
Brianna Scurry
World Cup Champion and former goalkeeper for the US women’s soccer team, Brianna Scurry has won two Olympic gold medals during her tenure.
Known to be one of the most influential soccer goalkeepers in the world, Scurry has been a dynamic advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Part of the community herself, she has promoted the need for equality and diversity in sports and other fields.
Mary Lou Quinlan
Mary Lou Quinlan promotes female professionals through her keynotes, literary works, media appearances, and other ventures. Quinlan rose through the ranks of the corporate world through the 80s and 90s.
Her television show “WORK” discusses current events through dramatization, commentary, and interviews. It also encourages viewers to get involved in important events happening in the community. WORK serves as motivation for millions of women to realize their strength.
Angela Rye
A lawyer by trade, Angela Rye is among the leading female political commentators and strategists in the country. She is frequently invited on prominent news shows to discuss national policies, the political climate, and other current social issues.
Rye speaks passionately about women empowerment in the corporate sector and against sexual harassment. IMPACT, a welfare organization that she founded, helps young professionals excel in their fields.
Torin Perez
Torin Perez found inspiration to be a diversity and inclusion consultant during his work at Bloomberg LP. As part of the sales team, Perez was instrumental in launching a resource group for black employees in the organization.
Torin is the author of the bestselling book “Who Am I to Lead?” which has been quoted in notable publications from IHRIM and Wiley. Through his work, Torin facilitates transformative practices within the workplace.
Dima Ghawi
Dima creates opportunity for individuals to shatter their limitations and become fearless leaders. She shares her story and is committed to inspiring others and helping organizations have more diverse leadership. She has delivered countless keynotes and workshops on the topic of DEI where she aims to motivate others to grow into a leader and reimagine their potential.
She has experience working across the United States, Europe, and Africa and has a keen understanding of creating leaders to match workforces in the changing global environment where she has supported several Fortune 100 companies including IBM, Merrill Lynch, and Intuit.
Dima has been recognized, featured and honored for her work and achievements. From a bronze presidential award to a 40 under 40 award, she is setting an unstoppable example of leadership, drive and innovation in her world.
Deborah Rosado Shaw
Deborah Rosado Shaw is a diversity specialist. She works with some of the leading companies and helps them traverse the changing trends in organizational culture, diversity, and talent management.
Shaw has worked at PepsiCo as the Senior Vice President and Chief Officer of Global Diversity and Engagement. Her journey from humble beginnings to a thought leader has been the topic of several case studies in notable publications.
Howard Ross
Howard Ross is an authority on organizational diversity, change, and unconscious bias. Author of bestselling books “Reinventing Diversity” and “Everyday Bias,” Ross promotes inclusions.
His work emphasizes on the importance of bridging cultural and racial gaps and creating a productive environment where all individuals work together to deliver exceptional results. His literary work was awarded the Nautilus Book Award in 2019 for Social Justice and Change.
Netta Jenkins
Netta Jenkins is the co-founder of Dipper and the founder of Holistic Inclusion Consulting LLC (HIC). She is a well-known author and a member of the Betterment Advisory Board, an online financial firm.
With a degree in communications, leadership, and behavioral psychology, she has years of experience concentrating on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. With her research data-driven understanding, Netta established and executed strategy as Vice President, Global Inclusion for IAC/InterActiveCorp, digital and media brands for 5 years.
Netta is also a Co-Founder Advisor of Dipper, a data technology platform that enables businesses to address diversity and inclusion issues. In addition, it serves as a digital safe haven for professionals of color, guiding them to a better workplace one review at a time, whether positive, negative, or neutral.
Stephen Frost
Stephen Frost is a worldwide known expert and conference speaker on diversity, inclusion, and leadership who helps clients integrate inclusive leadership into their decision-making processes.
His vast industry experience has taken him all around the world, where he has successfully aided firms and worked in consultation and communications. His keynotes will assist organizations in successfully embodying leadership, inclusivity, and prosperity.
Stephen Frost began his career in advertising, where he worked on projects to raise awareness of disabilities and aging. He was the Workplace Director of Stonewall, a renowned British LGBT rights organization, from 2004 until 2007. He expanded the Diversity Champions program to be the largest of its kind in the world while in this position.
Joe Gerstandt
Joe has experience working with Fortune 100 companies, tiny non-profit organizations, and everything in between. Joe Gerstandt blogs at joegerstandt.com and talks at a number of conferences and summits. His ideas have been published in Diversity Best Practices, Diversity Executive, HR Executive, and numerous other print and online magazines.
He is a featured contributor for the Workforce Diversity Network Expert Forum. He is a member of the Intersectional Culture and Diversity Advisory Council for Twitter and co-authored the book “Social Gravity: Harnessing the Natural Laws of Relationships.”
Nicole Lee
Nicole is a compelling speaker on workplace equity with a message of hope and action, whether speaking in small neighborhood gatherings or in front of thousands at the National Cathedral.
Nicole discusses current challenges as well as the context and history that which they are founded in. Nicole helps audiences realize how each individual can make daily choices that impact the broader world by focusing on international, domestic, and community issues.
Nicole discusses practical suggestions for changing workplace culture and inspiring your team, based on real-life stories.
Ellen Wagner
Ellen Wagner has trained, educated, and empowered people and businesses on the topics of racial discrimination, queerphobia, and diversity inclusion. She has a particular interest in aiding expatriates with the tasks of understanding cultural perspectives and navigating transatlantic shifts.
She has a diverse range of abilities, including being a workshop facilitator, coach, writer and founder. She works in the area of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion focusing on anti-black racism and queer hostility.
Ellen works with diverse individuals, as well as companies that want to empower their workforce. She also works with individuals of minority groups, specifically people of color and the LGBTQIA* community.
Raven Solomon
Raven Solomon is a nationally acclaimed keynote speaker and worldwide Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion thought leader who helps organizations become future-ready by understanding generations, racial equity, and their confluence.
Raven’s objective is simple: to eliminate racial disparity in the workplace by removing generational and racial barriers in favor of empathy and synergy, which builds productive working relationships, delivers financial results, and positions organizations to compete in the not-too-distant future.
She is the author of Leading Your Parents: 25 Rules to Effective Multigenerational Leadership for Millennials and Gen Z, which was released in 2019, and the founder of the Charlotte-based Center for Next Generation Leadership, where she shares leadership principles and practical advice for young professionals seeking to transition into leadership positions in today’s diverse workplace.
Lilian Kikuvi
Lilian is the creator of a consulting firm that focuses on bridging the gap between the current role of organizational diversity and the future potential.
Lilian works as a DEI speaker, facilitator, and coach has supported such organizations as Ronald McDonald House Charities, eNett International, Medibank Private, Open Universities, Western Bulldogs AFL team, Fundraising Institute Australia, Culturally Diverse Women, Melton City Council, and Parkville Juvenile Corrections Centre are among her customers.
Lilian has a master’s degree from the University of Wollongong and has completed training at the Australian College of Applied Psychology to become a qualified counselor. She has more than 14 years of leadership experience in the public, corporate, and non-profit sectors.
Katrina Jones
Twitch’s Global Director of Diversity and Inclusion is Katrina Jones. She is a seasoned HR executive and a staunch advocate for diversity, equality, and inclusion. Her drive to improve our workplaces and be a champion for people led her to pursue a career in HR and diversity and inclusion. She’s worked for firms like Vimeo, Accenture Latham & Watkins, and Year Up as an HR and diversity lead.
She most recently worked at Vimeo, where she developed the company’s first-ever diversity plan and launched significant efforts to combat bias and establish a more inclusive environment.
She managed various global programs for the gender and ethnicity segments in her previous capacity as a Global Inclusion & Diversity Lead at Accenture. Jones held a variety of positions prior to joining Accenture.
Lesa Bradshaw
Lesa Bradshaw combines her professional experience in Transformation with her personal experiences as a businessman with a disability in Africa to deliver a series of instructive, stereotype-busting, and economically relevant speeches on the potential of diversity to transform attitudes.
Lesa is a known thought leader in developing disability-inclusive cultures at the organizational, governmental, and social levels, believing in the significance of a dignified and equalized corporate environment.
Meggie Palmer
Meggie Palmer is a builder of self-assurance. Her contagious optimism inspires everyone she meets, including the CEOs she mentors, the audiences she addresses, and the millennials she prepares for their next promotion.
Meggie is a high-energy leader, facilitator, and motivational speaker who is working to close the gender pay gap.
She’s built the PepTalkHer group to over 10,000 members, and she’s helped hundreds of women make more money than they ever imagined possible (including an $83k raise).
The PepTalkHer team delivers corporate seminars for high-profile companies such as Contently, TechCrunch, Revlon, and Thinx, teaching employees confidence, bias negotiation, and how to promote an inclusive workplace. The PepTalkHer app uses artificial intelligence to assist women in developing confidence and negotiating abilities.
Michael Lee
In the National Speakers Association’s 25-year history, Michael D. Lee, MBA is the first Asian American to receive the Certified Speaking Professional designation. He travels the world speaking about diversity and culture and has written multiple books on the subject. Mr. Lee makes learning about differences enjoyable and engaging.
Since 1977, he has been involved in the fight for equal pay. In court matters where culture is a factor, Michael is frequently called an expert witness. He also advises leaders and businesses on how to avoid racial and sexual harassment allegations.
Lily Zheng
Zheng offers ad hoc consultation, leadership training, discovery, strategy, structure, and culture consulting to businesses. They also give motivational talks on themes like “Bias-Aware Leadership: Tips and Tools for Managing Unconscious Bias,” “Effective Allyship: Turning Good Intentions into Systemic Change,” and “Away from Purity: Centering Imperfection and Impact,” among others.
Zheng is also the author of two books: “Gender Ambiguity in the Workplace,” which examines the discrimination that “gender-diverse persons” suffer in the workplace, and “The Ethical Sellout,” which examines making compromises while keeping integrity.
Alycia Anderson
Alycia Anderson is a diversity and inclusion motivational speaker, published author, and corporate inclusion consultant with extensive experience. Alycia’s genuineness and charisma attract people, and she naturally brings them together to inspire, mentor, and assist them.
Alycia, who was born with sacral agenesis and has been wheelchair-bound since birth, shares her story to assist communities and businesses understand the actual value of creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and society.
She brings attention to how our differences are at the heart of the qualities that make each of us unique in life. Alycia reduces the scale of common impediments, allowing you to see a universe of possibilities.
Her European Masters Degree in Adapted Physical Activity, stressing the benefits, methods, and principles of inclusiveness, adds to her credibility. Alycia has been a consistent performer.
Chevara Orrin
Chevara Orrin thinks that combining passion with purpose is the key to unlocking one’s full potential. She is a social entrepreneur, published author, social justice activist, independent filmmaker, and public speaker who specializes in diversity and inclusion.
Her work and enthusiasm interact with gender equality, racial equity, LGBTQ equality, and arts activism. Chevara has also experienced poverty as a youngster and incest, adolescent pregnancy, and domestic violence. Chevara’s personal story of sorrow and victory has motivated her to use her experiences and voice to spark societal change.
Chevara has over 20 years of experience in senior management positions in the arts and higher education, as well as consulting for Fortune 500 companies. She conceived and co-created We Are Allies as Chief Creative Catalyst for Collective Concepts.
Mary-Frances Winters
With over 36 years of experience, Mary-Frances Winters, the founder and CEO of The Winters Group, Inc., a global organization development and diversity and inclusion consulting firm, says that diversity and inclusion work is her “passion and calling.”
She has touched hundreds of organizations and thousands of individuals with her thought-provoking message and approach to diversity and inclusion over the past three decades, earning her the title of a thought leader in the industry.
Ms. Winters is a master strategist who has worked in areas such as strategic planning, change management, diversity, organization development, training and facilitation, systems thinking, and qualitative and quantitative research methods. She has substantial expertise in driving organizational change with senior leadership teams.
Dr. Bernice King
Following the legacy of her father and cherished civil rights activist, late Martin Luther King, Jr., Dr. Bernice King is a social activist and philanthropist.
An attorney and a minister, King is recognized as one of the most powerful orators in the world. Through her work, she has helped young individuals become productive members of the society and stand up against social racism, negative attitudes, and bullying.
Jesse Jackson
As a civil rights activist, Reverend Jesse Jackson needs no introduction. A presidential candidate and a DNC speaker, Rev. Jackson has dedicated more than 60 years fighting for the underrepresented population.
Jackson is a powerful orator with a moving personality. His efforts are directly credited for increasing voter participation from young individuals and minorities as well as more transparent election practices.
Anderson Cooper
A news anchor for CNN and a television personality, Anderson Cooper is a prominent name in news circles in the US. He hosts his own news show, Anderson Cooper 360, on CNN as well as a radio show, Anderson Live.
Cooper is famous for his passionate news coverage and his efforts to create equal opportunities for the LGBTQ+ community. His memoir “Dispatches from the Edge” received national recognition.
Sondra Thiederman
Dr. Sondra Thiederman is a major specialist on unconscious prejudice and workplace inclusion concerns in the United States. Sondra has more than 25 years of experience as a speaker, teacher, and author as the President of Cross-Cultural Communications, a San Diego-based training organization.
She has assisted professionals in Fortune 500 firms, public sector organizations, and dozens of associations find strategies to successfully navigate and prosper in our increasingly diverse workplaces through webinars and in-person services.
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