Keynote Topics
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.
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.
Melinda Briana Epler has over 25 years of experience developing business innovation and inclusion strategies for startups, Fortune 500 companies, and global NGOs. As CEO of Change Catalyst, Melinda currently works with the tech industry to solve diversity and inclusion together. Using her background in storytelling and large-scale culture change, She is a strategic advisor for […]
Melinda Briana Epler has over 25 years of experience developing business innovation and inclusion strategies for startups, Fortune 500 companies, and global NGOs.
As CEO of Change Catalyst, Melinda currently works with the tech industry to solve diversity and inclusion together. Using her background in storytelling and large-scale culture change,
She is a strategic advisor for tech companies, tech hubs, and governments around the world.
Melinda co-leads a series of global solutions-focused conferences called Tech Inclusion, where she has partnered with over 450 tech companies and community organizations and hosted 43 solutions-focused diversity and inclusion events around the world.
Previously, Melinda was a Marketing and Culture Executive and award-winning documentary filmmaker – her film and television work includes projects that exposed the AIDS crisis in South Africa, explored women’s rights in Turkey, and prepared communities for the effects of climate change.
She has worked on several television shows, including NBC’s The West Wing.
Melinda Briana Epler is a TED speaker. She speaks, mentors and writes about diversity and inclusion in tech, allyship, social entrepreneurship, underrepresented entrepreneurs and investing.
Spoken on hundreds of stages around the world, including SXSW, Grace Hopper, Wisdom 2.0, the World Bank, Obama White House, Clinton Foundation, Black Enterprise, Google, Indeed, Capital One and McKinsey.
Contact us at Speakers Inc and follow us on Twitter
In order to view the below you must be logged in.
Angela Garmon is a dynamic and transformative thought leader, renowned for her ability to fortify audiences’ resilience and confidence amidst the tumult of change. With an innate understanding that during times of change, individuals navigate between the instinctual responses of fight, flight, or freeze, Angela empowers her audience to not only confront change head-on but […]
Dan Thurmon is the dynamic founder and president of Motivation Works, Inc., a highly sought-after keynote speaker, and a thought leader in the realms of leadership, transformation, and franchise success. With an expertise in guiding leaders and their organizations through periods of profound change, Dan has been instrumental in helping teams embrace challenges and convert […]
Kanya Sesser is an internationally recognized para-athlete, groundbreaking model, actress, and motivational speaker whose life epitomizes resilience and determination. Born without legs and abandoned as a baby in Thailand, Kanya overcame immense challenges to become a global symbol of empowerment. Her motto, “No legs, no limits,” captures her journey of defying expectations and inspiring others […]
Ishmael Beah, a globally renowned humanitarian, author, and advocate for child rights, stands as a beacon of resilience, hope, and perseverance. As a former child soldier from Sierra Leone, Beah has transformed his traumatic experiences into powerful messages that inspire, uplift, and call for change. His profound journey, chronicled in his best-selling memoir A Long […]
Greg Schwem is more than a comedian; Greg Schwem is a motivational corporate comedian. And the corporate world has taken note. Greg’s take on the 21st century workplace and work/life balance has landed him on SIRIUS Radio, Comedy Central and the pages of Exceptional People Magazine. More than just a business humorist, Greg is also an author, nationally syndicated […]
India Arie is a four-time Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter, actress, and record producer. She has sold over 10 million records worldwide. Her new short film “Welcome Home – Crazy/Sacred Space” was created to help calm the nation and bring focus to wellness, peace, tranquility and calmness during the pandemic. Being a fierce spiritual warrior navigating […]
Courtney Caldwell is a dynamic and innovative force in the beauty-tech industry, serving as the Cofounder & CEO of ShearShare, the largest provider of on-demand salon and barbershop space rentals and the most affordable leases in the market. With a keen entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for transforming the beauty industry, Courtney has built a […]
Jess Ekstrom is a dynamic and inspiring speaker who has captured the hearts and minds of audiences around the world with her powerful message of resilience, innovation, and purpose-driven leadership. As the founder of Headbands of Hope, a social enterprise that has donated over one million headbands to children battling cancer, Jess exemplifies the power […]
No results available
These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.
All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.
Our Mission:
© All rights reserved 2025. Designed using Voxel
Cookie | Duration | Description |
---|---|---|
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional | 11 months | The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". |
viewed_cookie_policy | 11 months | The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data. |