Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Speakers: Foster Change in Your Workplace

Discover how our diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) speakers can create positive and meaningful change in your workplace. No matter what kind of meeting, conference, or event program you're planning, we will connect you with speakers who can cover topics spanning common issues that minorities and women face, social change and justice, and building an environment that upholds diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

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Your audience will gain knowledge and insight from our diversity leadership speakers to create inclusive cultures that improve employee satisfaction and engagement.

Let us know if you are interested in one of our speakers for your event.

Former Director, Executive Recruiting at Google and Holistic Leadership Strategist

Fees
  • Local: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • US West: $35,001 - $55,000*
  • Europe: $35,001 - $55,000*
  • Asia: $55,001 - $75,000*

Dedicated to creating the conscious workplace for tomorrow, Virginia “Ginny” Clarke is a seasoned chief executive recruiter who has advised at the highest levels of corporate America for decades. A proven expert in driving diverse leadership, she is the former director of executive recruiting at Google, where she led the company’s diversity, non-tech recruiting, and leadership internal mobility teams – finding and hiring senior leaders across the company. She also built a scaled internal mobility program for Google’s senior leaders and designed much of the infrastructure that supports their executive recruiting function today. In speeches, Clarke draws on her unparalleled experience assessing thousands of executives inside corporate C-Suites and boardrooms to bring a unique, holistic five-dimensional approach to true leadership that is essential now more than ever. She delivers “no-holds-barred” discussions on the root causes that lead to a lack of diversity in organizations, and provides the integrated solutions that anyone can use to affect change within human resources management. Check her in-person or virtual fee to learn more.

CEO, Girls Who Code

Fees
  • Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
  • US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • Europe: $35,001 - $55,000*
  • Asia: $35,001 - $55,000*
With a career dedicated to addressing inequities in education and helping young women of all backgrounds succeed, Dr. Tarika Barrett is at the forefront of expanding the pipeline of women entering tech and removing the obstacles that stand in the way of them reaching their full potential. As the CEO of Girls Who Code, an international non-profit organization disrupting the tech industry and transforming perceptions of what a programmer can look like, she spearheads initiatives aimed at closing the gender gap in technology by inspiring, educating, and equipping young women with the computing skills to pursue 21st century opportunities.

Founder & CEO of GRAVITAS, National Bestselling Author of GRAVITAS (USA Today, No. 1 on Amazon)

Fees
  • Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
  • US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • Europe: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • Asia: $35,001 - $55,000*
Lisa Sun, founder and CEO of GRAVITAS, seamlessly blends stories from her data-driven insights from 11 years at McKinsey & Company and from her experience as an entrepreneur launching an innovative retail brand to offer talks that encourage audiences to choose self-confidence, work to harness their “superpower,” and use gravitas to advance personally and professionally. Sun explores why it’s vital to push past your potential, how to transform an idea into a movement, and why you’ve got to bet on yourself every single day. Sun has always had a passion for style, for inclusivity, and for helping people look and feel their best and was named one of Washingtonian Magazine's Best Dressed Women.

Workplace Development & Success Engineer; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Expert

Fees
  • Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
  • US East: $10,001 - $20,000*
  • US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • Europe: Please Inquire
  • Asia: Please Inquire
With a master-level understanding of what it takes to survive and thrive in the workplace and how organizations can create more equitable spaces for all, Carice Anderson is a workplace development and success engineer who empowers individuals to strategically navigate their careers and advises some of the world’s top companies on aligning their talent strategies to their business objectives. As a director in leadership and manager development for a leading, multinational asset management firm, her work sits at the intersection of talent and leadership development, workplace evolution, and diversity, equity, and inclusion — helping individuals, teams, and organizations unlock the potential within and consistently perform at the highest levels.

DEI Expert, Former Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at Albertsons Companies

Fees
  • Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
  • US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • Europe: $35,001 - $55,000*
  • Asia: $55,001 - $75,000*
Among the most influential retail industry executives for close to three decades, Jonathan Mayes has been one of the leading voices in elevating diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organizations he has led. Mayes is the former senior vice president and chief diversity & inclusion officer at Albertsons Companies, where he oversaw the organization’s government relations, sustainability, and philanthropy teams, and launched award-winning initiatives designed to position the business for success with DEI and corporate social responsibility at its foundation. He is a visionary who continues to drive the change toward a more representative and equitable workforce and has been recognized as one of the top diversity and inclusion executives in the U.S.

Journalist and Television Personality

Fees
    Please Inquire

Jonathan Capehart is a journalist and television personality who has worked as a policy advisor to Michael Bloomberg’s campaign, a national affairs columnist, and was a member of the Daily News editorial board which won the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing. He currently is an opinion writer for The Washington Post, host of the podcast "Cape Up, "and is an MSNBC contributor and anchor for "The Sunday Show with Jonathan Capehart." A top diversity speaker, Capehart is a great fit for any in-person, hybrid, or virtual keynote.

Motivational Leadership Expert, FBI’s First African American Female Special Agent Assistant Director

Fees
  • Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
  • US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • Europe: Please Inquire
  • Asia: Please Inquire

A trailblazer in female leadership, American keynote speaker Lieutenant General (ret) Nadja West is the 44th Army Surgeon General and the former Commanding General of US Army Medical Command. She is the first African American woman 3-star General in the Army’s history, the first African American Army Surgeon General, and currently the highest-ranking woman to ever graduate from West Point. West shares her story of grit, perseverance, strength, and breaking boundaries, even when faced with adversity. Taking audiences on her journey to becoming the Army’s first African American woman 3-star General, she motivates them to overcome challenges with self-belief, bravery, and balance. With more than 20 years of experience in executive leadership, crisis management, and disaster response – including crafting the DOD medical response to the Ebola crisis – West speaks expertly on the keynote topic of leadership tactics to effectively lead teams through times of uncertainty and crisis and is a great fit for any womens business online events covering inclusion keynotes.

First African American Army Surgeon General and Former Commanding General, US Army Medical Command

Fees
  • Local: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • US West: $35,001 - $55,000*
  • Europe: $55,001 - $75,000*
  • Asia: $75,001 and up*
A trailblazer in female leadership, Lieutenant General (ret) Nadja West is the 44th Army Surgeon General and the former Commanding General of US Army Medical Command. She is the first African American woman 3-star General in the Army’s history, the first African American Army Surgeon General, and currently the highest-ranking woman to ever graduate from West Point. West shares her story of grit, perseverance, strength, and breaking boundaries, even when faced with adversity. Taking audiences on her journey to becoming the Army’s first African American woman 3-star General, she motivates them to overcome challenges with self-belief, bravery, and balance. With more than 20 years of experience in executive leadership, crisis management, and disaster response – including crafting the DOD medical response to the Ebola crisis – West speaks expertly on leadership tactics to effectively lead teams through times of uncertainty and crisis.

Astrophysicist, Former Space Science Education Lead for NASA, and Inspirational Speaker

Fees
    Please Inquire

Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi has three degrees, 8 U.S. patents, four E.U. patents and has hosted shows on the Science Channel and on Discovery. But more impressive is his life story. Oluseyi grew up in the roughest neighborhoods of America, learned to survive on the street, and still taught himself Einstein’s theory of relativity from an old set of encyclopedias. At every turn he was presented with a compelling option to quit and yet he persevered. Today, he is a in-person and virtual keynote speaker, NASA astrophysicist, a global educator, and the author of a highly-anticipated upcoming memoir A Quantum Life: My Unlikely Journey from the Streets to the Stars where he recounts his journey from the streets to the stars. Dr. Oluseyi is exclusively represented by Leading Authorities and is a great speaker for any Black History Month event.

Inspirational Changemaker in Science & Society; Cutting-Edge Communicator; Founder & Director of the Ramsey Research Foundation

Fees
  • Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
  • US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • Europe: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • Asia: $35,001 - $55,000*
One of only a handful of African Americans to earn a PhD in entomology, Dr. Sammy Ramsey is an inspirational science leader and communicator who has defied the odds to achieve his dreams and is a testament to the power of grit, determination, and an unwavering commitment to one’s purpose. When people said he didn’t have what it took to make his mark in entomology, he proved them wrong by making a breakthrough discovery in the field of bee research — one that could potentially reverse a devastating pandemic in bee populations. And when people told him he didn’t “look” like a scientist, he remained true to himself and redefined what a scientist could look like. Dr. Ramsey has mastered the art of unconventional thinking to arrive at innovative solutions to some of the most significant challenges shaping the future of our society and teaches organizations and individuals how they can do the same as they address their most-pressing challenges in business and life head-on.

Leadership & Communication Expert; Mission-Driven Entrepreneur & CEO

Fees
  • Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
  • US East: $10,001 - $20,000*
  • US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • Europe: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • Asia: $35,001 - $55,000*
Meggie Palmer is an award-winning journalist, speaker and Executive Coach. She founded PepTalkHer, an organization on a mission to close the gender pay gap and support professionals to find alignment at work. Palmer spent 15 years as a foreign correspondent in Europe, the USA & Australia and has worked for networks including the BBC World, CNBC and the Financial Times. She is a purpose-driven business leader who advises Fortune 500 companies on how to retain top talent and create cultures that super charge businesses.

Retired NASA Astronaut, Rocket Scientist, Electrical Engineer, & Third African American Woman in Space

Fees
  • Local: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • US West: $35,001 - $55,000*
  • Europe: $35,001 - $55,000*
  • Asia: $55,001 - $75,000*
A NASA astronaut, Joan Higginbotham is a trailblazing electrical engineer who in December 2006, flew aboard Space Shuttle Discovery to become the third African American woman to travel into space. Over the nearly 13-day mission, she joined the seven-member crew to continue construction of the International Space Station (ISS), embarking on four space walks and operating the station’s robotic arm. Sharing captivating insights from her 20-year distinguished career with NASA, Higginbotham inspires audiences with her personal journey of breaking barriers into space and beyond. Taking groups aboard the International Space Station and sharing her lessons-learned along the way, she highlights the keys to succeeding in her missions – including preparation, perseverance, and never giving up – and how these tactics can be applied to any endeavor.
Host a Diversity Speaker at Your Next Event

Types of DEI Speakers Available

Our DEI speakers span all industries and levels of expertise:

  • Disability rights speakers: Engage your audience with speakers with firsthand experience navigating life with disabilities. Speakers can share how they've overcome obstacles and actionable ways for the world to become more inclusive for individuals with disabilities. 
  • Government and politics speakers: These presenters will delve into DEI in government and politics. From discussing how to create regulations to describing how to pass them to make the world more inclusive, our speakers will bring high levels of insight into your community or business. 
  • Social change and social justice speakers: These topics are some of the most popular when it comes to DEI. Our social change and justice speakers will cover topics ranging from how to curate inclusive environments to making a positive change in the world.
  • Workplace culture speakers: Help create an inclusive workplace. These speakers share how DEI can advance your organization's internal and external relationships. 

Why Hearing From Diverse Voices Matters

Diverse voices include people of varying races, genders, religions, ages, classes, and disabilities. People from underrepresented groups often bring unique perspectives and voices. Find diverse voices for your next event and experience advantages like:

  • Innovative ideas: Diverse backgrounds mean speakers bring lived experiences and worldviews that have changed how they think about leadership, social change, and workplace cultures.
  • Inclusive cultures: Hearing from often underrepresented voices can promote internal cultures that treasure the perspectives of others, leading to unified work environments. 
  • Growing empathy: Workplaces, schools, and government organizations benefit from individuals who can understand and share the feelings and experiences of others.
  • Challenged biases: People often hold ingrained tendencies and view other individuals in a particular way. Hearing from accomplished and diverse voices leads people to confront their biases head-on. 

Diverse voices promote positive change and more inclusive and equitable environments.

Exploring the Dimensions of Diversity With Varied Keynote Topics

Our roster of diversity speakers brings perspectives from various backgrounds, whether as people who are female, African American, or LGBTQ+ or who have disabilities. These speakers pull from backgrounds in areas like the military, athletics, or corporate careers to craft speeches across various topics. Their unique stories and charisma create thought-provoking and practical speeches promoting inclusive environments. 

Their speeches explore topics like creating diversity through leadership and the personal aspects of diversity. Other topics include managing through adversity, significant issues at the heart of diversity, equity, and inclusion, knowing your workplace environment, and breaking barriers within organizations. 

Customized Solutions for Any Event

At Leading Authorities speakers bureau, we create tailored solutions to fit your audience and event's structure. Our work aims to maximize the impact of the message you promote through your events. Our DEI speakers often speak at events like:

  • Diversity summits
  • Conferences
  • Leadership retreats
  • Team training events
  • College and university events
  • Executive sessions 

We'll help you choose speakers that fit your event's tone and setting. One event might call for an entertaining and short speech, while another might call for more in-depth and serious coverage of DEI topics. We'll discuss your needs in detail to find speakers satisfying all your requirements.

Why Choose Leading Authorities Speakers Bureau?

We've connected speakers with clients planning conferences and meetings for decades. Whether you have a set theme or budget in mind, we'll work with you to find the right inclusivity speaker to leave a lasting impression on your audience. Experience peace of mind knowing that we are here with you from start to finish. 

Our teams bring almost three decades of experience in finding qualified speakers for various organizational events. Their expertise and commitment to clients mean a seamless experience for your event. We can fit your event theme and budget with a candidate who checks all the boxes or find last-minute replacements for speaker cancellations. Our experts also handle additional details like client dinners and book bundles. They manage logistical components like travel arrangements and promotional materials. The result will be a seamless and engaging event.

Book a DEI Speaker Today

At Leading Authorities Speakers Bureau, we have a lineup of inclusivity speakers who have the experience and skill to educate and engage your audience. From innovators to CEOs to astrophysicists, these speakers deliver relevant messages that fit your needs and goals. 

Browse our diversity, equity, and inclusion speakers' profiles, and let us know if you have any questions. Ready to book a speaker? Contact us today to get started. We are also available through live chat, emailing Contact@lauthorities.com and by phone. Please call 1-800-SPEAKER if you are within the United States and +44 20 3038 4689 for international calls.