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Bernard  Coleman III

Bernard Coleman III

Former Leader at Descript, SwingEd, Gusto & Uber

Bernard Coleman III

Former Leader at Descript, SwingEd, Gusto & Uber

Biography

Bernard is a recognized expert in leadership, employee engagement, and organizational culture transformation. A seasoned HR executive and 2x Chief Human Resources Officer, Bernard previously served as Senior Vice President of People at Swing Education, and held leadership roles at Gusto and Uber, where he led employee engagement eff orts and helped shape foundational people programs. He also made history as the first-ever Chief Diversity and HR Officer for a U.S. presidential campaign during Hillary Clinton’s 2016 run.

His insights have been featured in The New York Times, TIME, TechCrunch, and USA Today. He was named one of the “25 Restorative People Leaders to Watch” in 2024, one of HRD’s “Global 100 HR Leaders” in 2022, and one of Business Insider’s “Top 33 Innovators in HR” in 2021.

Bernard holds an MBA from Trinity University, a BA in Psychology from Hampton University, a Strategic Diversity & Inclusion Management certification from Georgetown University, and is a graduate of the University of Virginia’s Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership. He is also an alumnus of the American Council of Young Political Leaders and served as a Senior Fellow for Inclusive Leadership at the Center for American Progress.

Speaker Videos

Changing Uber

We Are a Connector

Diversity and Inclusion

Together We Can Do This

Speech Topics

Promoting Inclusion in the Workplace: How Leaders Inhibit Inclusion & How to Course-Correct with Methods Like Positive Psychology

Inclusion and belonging are sought after workplace attributes but often are not achieved due to leaders who inhibit inclusion through their actions. Using positive psychology, leaders can effectively leverage tools to meaningfully participate and model inclusion. Learn how to expand your D&I toolbox to improve professional and personal relationships during this powerful presentation.

Overcoming Bias & Optimizing Diversity & Inclusion for Innovation

Unconscious bias shows up every day, penetrating all levels of society—in our neighborhoods, places of worship, workplaces, and the like. Unconscious bias has an outsized impact on us in more ways than we may realize. To truly harness the power of diversity and inclusion, battling bias is the key to unlocking innovation and helping teams win. Explore what unconscious bias is, how it can impact individuals and teams in the workplace, and bias-busting intervention strategies that can be deployed as well as tips for teams to leverage D&I for success.

Bias Blockers: Combating Implicit Bias at Work and Developing Resilience & Tactics to Overcome

Unconscious bias has an outsized impact on us in more ways than we may realize. Often solutions are proffered for what organizations should do to battle bias, but what about the person experiencing unconscious bias? Where are the tools for individuals? Learn tips to help navigate unconscious bias on a personal level as well as coaching techniques to help others develop and internalize resilience at work, gain skills for mastering and maximizing mindfulness and master exercises to optimize for success.

The Intersection of Innovation & Inclusion

Uber has decided to approach inclusion and diversity in a holistic, intersectional way.  We are building a work culture where radically diverse and inclusive teams drive innovation, accelerate growth, and build a work culture and systems were all employees have the opportunity to excel and grow to their highest potential. Learn how to tap into the innovation through the power of inclusion.

Generational Diversity: Creating Community Through Inclusion & Collaboration

Together the Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Generation X and Millennials make for a profound challenge in the workplace - how can organizations handle generational differences and leverage the immense talent collective amongst age groups.  Explore how to avoid a culture of conflict and learn how to build a culture of inclusion that embraces generational diversity by harnessing the power commonality, collaboration and community.

Embracing Difference

The workforce is ever evolving and organizations are constantly grappling to state ahead of the curve to ensure that their work environments are inclusive to all, where belonging is of paramount importance. How do organizations contend with fully embracing the LGBTQ community and ensure that space is created that supports a workplace where everyone can thrive.

Creating a Diversified Workforce: Developing a Collective Intention to Create an Inclusive Work Environment

Testimonials