Melinda Briana Epler: Business Innovation
Melinda Briana Epler helps organizations build inclusive innovation cultures through diversity strategy, leadership expertise, and transformative global technology initiatives.
Quick Facts:
- CEO of Change Catalyst and global inclusion strategist
- More than 25 years of diversity and innovation leadership experience
- Co-leader of the global Tech Inclusion conference series
- Partnered with over 450 technology companies and organizations
- Formats:
Keynote speaker, diversity strategist, leadership advisor, and innovation consultant
- Audiences:
Technology companies, corporate leadership teams, entrepreneurs, government organizations, DEI initiatives, innovation conferences, and global business audiences.
- Outcomes:
- Build inclusive cultures that strengthen innovation and leadership.
- Improve diversity strategies through actionable organizational change.
- Empower leaders to create equitable, high-performing workplaces.
- Travels from: San Francisco, CA
- **Fee range: $10,001 - $20,000
Keynote Topics
Leading with Empathy & Allyship Workshop
Based on Melinda Briana Epler popular TED talk, this workshop provides actionable steps anyone can take to be a better ally and advocate for underrepresented people in the workplace. A roadmap for all of us to lead with empathy and become better allies for each other.
In order to build empathy and understanding, we discuss some experiences colleagues might be going through, such as tokenism, impostor syndrome, stereotype threat, biases, microaggressions, harassment, bullying, marginalization and systemic inequities.
Then we’ll focus on solutions: learning ways to avoid unintentionally offending or harming people, identifying key biases and microaggressions and their effects, developing a deeper understanding of allyship and empathy, hearing several examples of allyship and advocacy, and committing to tangible, actionable steps to be a better ally and advocate for underrepresented people in the workplace.
Building Inclusive Teams
In this session, Melinda Briana Epler works with team managers, executives or groups to create more inclusive teams.
We discuss methods for creating welcoming team environments; building psychological safety; engaging colleagues through opportunities, processes and programs; retaining team members through transparency and authenticity, growth opportunities, and pathways for professional development; and creating a culture where everyone is valued for their unique experience and expertise and feels they belong.
We walk through some key inclusive leadership skills, share best practices for modeling DEI for your team, as well as strategies for holding individuals accountable for building an inclusive team together, and we leave time to work through questions and troubleshoot key blockers for leaders.
Talent Short Bio
Melinda Briana Epler is a globally recognized diversity, inclusion, and innovation strategist with more than 25 years of experience helping startups, Fortune 500 companies, governments, and nonprofits create inclusive cultures that drive innovation and sustainable growth. As the CEO of Change Catalyst, Melinda works closely with the technology industry to develop actionable solutions that advance equity, belonging, and organizational transformation.
Combining expertise in storytelling, culture change, and leadership strategy, Melinda advises tech companies, innovation hubs, and governments around the world on building more inclusive ecosystems. She is also the co-leader of Tech Inclusion, a global conference platform that has partnered with more than 450 technology companies and community organizations while hosting dozens of inclusion-focused events internationally.
Before leading Change Catalyst, Melinda served as a marketing and culture executive and an award-winning documentary filmmaker. Her work explored critical global issues including the AIDS crisis in South Africa, women’s rights in Turkey, and climate change preparedness. She also contributed to television productions including The West Wing.
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Fee Range Information
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