A 2018 report by McKinsey Consulting found that companies with a more diverse workforce posted profits that were on average 43% higher than less diverse organizations.

Organizations that seek to create inclusive environments that boast greater diversity in their workforces are more creative and innovative, in addition to being more likely to share ideas between their team members and departments.

Here is a list of our Top Keynote Speakers on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

Valerie Alexander

Valerie Alexander is a renowned expert on happiness and inclusion, and a globally-recognized speaker on the topics of happiness in the workplace, the advancement of women, and unconscious bias.

Her TED Talk, “How to Outsmart Your Own Unconscious Bias” has been viewed over 300,000 times, and she has spoken hundreds of conferences, colleges and companies worldwide.

Her books include:
* Happiness as a Second Language — an Amazon #1 Seller,
* Success as a Second Language
* How Women Can Succeed in the Workplace (Despite Having “Female Brains”),
* Plus several more she’s published in the “…as a Second Language” series.
Valerie started her career as a corporate securities lawyer, investment banker and Internet executive in the Silicon Valley, working on some of the biggest IPOs of the Internet era, then transitioned to Hollywood, where she enjoyed success as a screenwriter and director.

In addition to traveling the world, both live and virtually, as a keynote speaker, Valerie writes Christmas movies for the Hallmark Channel, which she knows you secretly love, even though you’ll only admit to watching them with your mom.

Raven Solomon

Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion thought leader and nationally recognized keynote speaker who helps organizations get future-ready by understanding generations, racial equity, and their intersection.

Raven’s mission is simple– to solve for racial inequity by breaking down generational and racial barriers in the workplace, replacing them with empathy and synergy that fosters productive working relationships, drives business results, and prepares organizations to compete in the not-so-distant future.

She is the author of the 2019 release Leading Your Parents: 25 Rules to Effective Multigenerational Leadership for Millennials and Gen Z, where she shares leadership principles and practical advice for young professionals seeking to transition into leadership positions in today’s diverse workplace, and the founder of the Charlotte-based Center for Next Generation Leadership and Professional Development, a startup focused on providing soft skill development to the leaders of tomorrow. In her spare time, Raven consults with Franklin Covey, the world leader in leadership development, in the area of unconscious bias and is the host of The Generational View Podcast.

Raven has helped tens of thousands, from podiums around the world, close the gaps inside of dozens of industry-leading companies, and create sustainable cultural change. She’s also consulted with household brands in the areas of generational diversity & inclusion and early talent development and retention.

As the valedictorian of her college graduating class and one of the youngest-ever executives in the Fortune 50 company with which she spent nearly a decade, she has always shown that her approach to leading and influencing people yields results.

Eboo Patel

Eboo Patel is a civic leader who believes that religious diversity is an essential and inspiring dimension of American democracy. Named “one of America’s best leaders” by U.S. News and World Report, Eboo is Founder and President of Interfaith America, the leading interfaith organization in the United States. Under his leadership, Interfaith America has worked with governments, universities, private companies, and civic organizations to make faith a bridge of cooperation rather than a barrier of division. 

Eboo served on President Obama’s Inaugural Faith Council, has given hundreds of keynote addresses, and has written five books, including We Need to Build: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy. He is an Ashoka Fellow and holds a doctorate in the sociology of religion from Oxford University, where he studied on a Rhodes scholarship. Eboo lives in Chicago with his wife, Shehnaz, and their two sons.

Deanna Singh

Deanna Singh wants to live in a world where marginalized communities have power. As an expert social entrepreneur, she is obsessed with making the world a better place, and she will build or break systems to create positive change. While tackling complex social challenges, Deanna gives audiences the tools and courage to imagine, activate, and impact the world as agents of change. Deanna is described as a trailblazer and dynamic speaker who is at the forefront of social change. She is an award-winning author, educator, business leader, and social justice champion who speaks to over 50,000 people annually!

Deanna has spent more than two decades researching, designing, and building asset-based solutions to complex social challenges while raising awareness for underserved populations. She is the Founder and Chief Change Agent of Flying Elephant, an umbrella organization for four social ventures, all of which are dedicated to shifting power to marginalized communities. Through Uplifting Impact, she empowers businesses and individuals to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in their workplaces by offering consulting, coaching, and training – including a bi-annual Virtual Summit that draws more than 500 attendees. Delivering keynotes and trainings to entrepreneurs and teams who want to align their work to their purpose, Deanna’s Purposeful Hustle brand teaches the method and the mission by the book of the same name, which has sold more than 10,000 copies. Story to Tell Books, a children’s book imprint, features positive narrative and visual images of children of color, including three books authored by Deanna. Lastly, Birth Coach Milwaukee provides doula services to birthing people who otherwise could not afford it.

Deanna’s current projects include serving as lead instructor for the Professional Certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offered through University of Wisconsin’s Center for Professional and Executive Development and publishing two new books: Actions Speak Louder (Penguin Random House; released Spring 2022) and a new book for American Girl (release June 2021).
Because of her creativity, tenacity, and change-provoking honesty, Deanna Singh is in demand as a motivational speaker and educator for teams from a wide variety of organizations. She is regarded as an expert in leadership, entrepreneurship, and diversity, equity & inclusion and speaks frequently to corporate, university, and association groups on all three topics. She also visits schools to share her three children’s books, I am a Boy of Color, I am a Girl of Color, and Cloth Crown.

Singh earned her Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies from Fordham University, a Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University, and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She has been recognized by the Milwaukee Business Journal as one of the community’s most influential 40 Under 40 Leaders, the State of Wisconsin as a Women Who Inspires, and by Forbes as an African American Woman Everyone Should Know.

Huda Essa

Huda Essa is a TEDx Speaker, Author, and Consultant who has positively influenced countless communities around the nation through her engaging and thought-provoking learning opportunities. She utilizes her extensive experience in education to support organizations in successfully meeting their diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. In her Keynote presentations and interactive learning opportunities, she provides business and education professionals with authentic experiences focused on building empathy, understanding, and success for all. Her belief is that the learning needed to work towards social justice is a lifelong education that can be applied to virtually all ages, social identities, and careers. Her explorations include international travel to gain insight from communities around the globe in order to share and apply the learning with U.S. audiences.

Huda is the author of the culturally authentic and responsive children’s books, Teach Us Your Name and Common Threads: Adam’s Day at the Market. Additionally, she consults with publishing companies to ensure that their text and materials are bias free and include diverse, positive representation of all people. Huda is also currently writing a text for professionals focused on overcoming the limitations of unconscious bias. Doing so will allow them to best serve their communities towards reaching their greatest potential for success in our ever-changing world.

Zaheer Ahmad

Zaheer is a multi-award-winning Diversity and Inclusion thought leader. Currently, he is the Global Head of Inclusion and Diversity for Consumer Healthcare at GSK. Before this, he was Head of Strategic Delivery for the central D&I dept at EY. He was responsible for leading the Race, Innovation, and Thought leadership strategies for the firm and chaired the firmwide Race Working Group.
Zaheer is a highly decorated former police officer, he served in various departments including Uniform Policing, Force Intelligence Bureau, and Murder Investigation. He is a former member of five National Police boards including the Ministerial Progression Board and National Equality Diversity and Human Rights Board. He has contributed towards several high-profile reports including “The Parker” report, a UK Government-backed review of ethnic diversity representation in FTSE 250 boards.

He is the recipient of numerous national and international awards. He was appointed Member of the Most Excellent Order of British Empire (MBE) by Her Majesty the Queen in 2010 in recognition of his services to the police service. He is a winner of the Global Equality and Diversity, European Diversity “Hero of the Year”, and “Head of Diversity of the Year” awards. He was named one of the top 20 industry professionals in the Global Diversity List. The University of Bradford awarded him Honorary Doctorate for his efforts to advance Diversity and Inclusion both Nationally and Internationally.

He is a founder of EqualityX which publishes annual list of Top100 Influential Muslims and Top100 Influential Diversity Allies. He is a Magistrate sitting in adult criminal court and Race and Social Justice School Governor. He is an advisor to an independent task force (supported by the UK Government) set up to boost socio-economic diversity in financial and professional services. A fellow of the Institute of Leadership and Management and Society of Fellows at St Georges House (Windsor Castle). A Chartered Companion of Chartered Management Institute, he is a member of its Advisory Committee for Race Equity. He sits on the Judging Panel of the European Diversity Awards and Black Talent Awards. He is a Strategic Advisor to the British Academy of Management and a member of the Premier League Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Standards panel.

Catarina Rivera

Catarina works with companies to improve accessibility and inclusion, retain employees, and design better products. She is the founder of Blindish Latina, a platform smashing disability stigmas through storytelling and advocacy. Catarina has worn hearing aids from a young age and was diagnosed with progressive vision loss at 17 years old. She has a BA from Duke University, an MSEd from Bank Street College of Education, and an MPH from Hunter College. Catarina is a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (IAAP). She is a member of Respect Ability’s National Disability Speakers Bureau and Keynote Women’s Global Speakers Directory.

She has worked with over 40+ clients since launching her company and has been featured in Nasdaq, Authority Magazine, and as one of the top 21 DEI influencers of 2021. Past clients have included HarperCollins Publishers, LinkedIn, Hachette Book Group, Whole30, Grant Thornton, and BCG Digital Ventures. Catarina is committed to social justice.

Want to explore further? Find our complete list of speakers on our website. If you’re planning an upcoming event, please reach out anytime – we are happy to jump on a call to help you craft the perfect event.