Intercultural
LGBTQIA+
LGBTQIA+:
Award-Winning Comedy Writer
A trailblazing woman in stand-up comedy and a best-selling author, Leifer shares her views on women’s issues, her Jewish roots, human rights, acknowledging that she was gay at 40, and her incredible career.
Award-Winning Actress & “Social Action Hero”
Best known for her award-winning work in more than 30 films—including the blockbusters Sister Act, Hocus Pocus, WALL-E and Rat Race—the voice of Peggy Hill on King of the Hill and roles on VEEP, Younger and Graves, Kathy Najimy is also a celebrated advocate on the frontline of myriad progressive social causes.
Deaf LGBTQ+ Writer, Producer & Actor
Deaf since birth, Josh Feldman is a writer, producer, and actor living and working in Los Angeles, California who is passionate about telling stories that feature intersectional, diverse, LGBTQ+ characters.
Bridal Fashion Designer
The most trusted source in the Bridal Industry, Randy Fenoli’s mission is to educate, elevate & empower every bride to choose the most important dress in her life & all women to realize their own personal beauty.
"Culture Vulture" on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
Most recognized for his role in Bravo’s culturally groundbreaking series Queer Eye For The Straight Guy, Jai created a niche role on the Emmy Award-winning series as the ‘Culture Vulture,’ a youthfully savvy addition to the show’s dynamic cast.
Bestselling Author & Screenwriter
Steven Rowley is the bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus, a Washington Post Notable Book of 2016, The Editor, named by NPR and Esquire magazine as one of the Best Books of 2019.
Executive Editor/Founder of The Diversity Council at America's Test Kitchen
If you could only use one word to describe Elle Simone Scott, it would be warrior. The Executive Editor and Founder of The Diversity Council at America’s Test Kitchen fought for herself—navigating a career and life full of extreme highs and lows.
Basketball Superstar & Motivator
Noted as "one of the best players ever" in the WNBA, speaker Sheryl Swoopes was the first woman to have a Nike shoe named after her.
Olympic Diver & Author
By 16, Greg Louganis won his first Olympic medal, and at 24 he became the first man in 56 years to win two gold medals in diving by winning both the platform and springboard events.
Directors of Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies and Professors of Teacher Education at Montclair State University
Monica Taylor and Emily J. Klein are professors at Montclair State University focusing on Teaching and Learning, Education, and Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies.
World's Leading Authority on Human Values, CEO of a Global Research Firm & Author
David’s dynamic keynotes have been called “riveting” and “fascinating” and the custom data and insights he brings to each audience have been described as “entirely unique and priceless.”
Poet, Author & Millennial Advocate
Azure Antoinette uses performance poetry to explore some of life's most significant topics, including gender, ambition, aging, beauty, alienation, relationships, the effects of technology on culture and more.
Actress
Meredith Baxter has been an actress for 49 years; she’s also a writer, artist and mother of five, grandmother of 3. She starred in five television series, including the long-running Family Ties.
Clinical Psychologist & Executive Coach
A clinical psychologist, executive coach and international lecturer on stress, mindfulness and behavior change, Dr. Damon Bayles is committed to helping people cut through the noise and distress in their lives to develop clarity and confidence.
Author, Activist, Educator & Historian
As co-founder of the Free South Africa Movement, Berry helped to end apartheid. Today, she is one of the most respected activists in the cause of civil rights, gender equality and social justice.
Plays “Nessarose” in Universal’s Wicked Duology, PRWeek’s Communicator of the Year & Inspirational Changemaker
Marissa Bode is a groundbreaking actor and disability advocate who made her feature-film debut as principal character Nessarose in Universal’s Wicked duology, directed by Jon M. Chu.
Subject of Film, Facing Fear
As the subject of the Academy Award-nominated documentary Facing Fear, Matthew Boger describes one of the darkest moments in his life and opens our eyes to the impact we can all have on the people around us.
New York Times Bestselling Author & Political Analyst
Clay Cane is an award-winning journalist, radio host, political analyst and a New York Times bestselling author. The Grift, an instant New York Times bestseller, was released in January 2024.
12-Year WNBA Veteran, First Openly Transgender & Non-Binary Player in WNBA History
Layshia is a recently retired 12-year WNBA veteran point guard. In her 2 terms as WNBPA Vice president she helped negotiate a groundbreaking CBA Agreement that will serve as a bedrock for women’s professional sports leagues moving forward.
2x Top 50 Business Thinkers in the World
Dorie Clark helps individuals and companies get their best ideas heard in a crowded, noisy world. She has been named one of the Top 50 business thinkers in the world by Thinkers50.
Award-Winning Author & the American Marie Kondo
Known nationally and internationally as the woman who lived in one of the world’s smallest apartments, Felice Cohen is also the award-winning author of the bestselling books.
Actress on The Facts of Life & Breast Cancer Survivor
Mindy Cohn made her acting debut as the witty, precious Eastland Academy student Natalie Green in the hit comedy series The Facts of Life. In 2012, a scan showed something in her breast and before she knew it, Cohn was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Filmmaker
The creative mind behind Monster's Ball, speaker Lee Daniels was the first African American producer of an Academy Award-nominated movie.
TV Icon & Host of The Ellen DeGeneres Show
A beloved TV icon and entertainment pioneer, Ellen DeGeneres has resonated with audiences from her first stand-up comedy appearances to her current work as host of the Emmy-winning Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Thought-Provoking Transgender Speaker
Matt Ellison is a highly sought-after, entertaining and thought-provoking transgender speaker. His life experience as a trans man has fascinated and inspired audiences of all kinds in both private and public sectors.
Award-Winning Actor, Lost
Known for his role as "Benjamin Linus" in the hit series Lost, Michael Emerson is a 2009 Emmy Award winner for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series and a 2010 Golden Globe nominee.
Executive Director at Waic Up, White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council Member
Jerome Foster II is an environmental justice activist, social entrepreneur, and renowned public speaker. At 18, he made history becoming the youngest person ever to advise the White House.
Global Inclusion & Leadership Expert
Speaker Stephen Frost is a recognized leadership, communications, and inclusion expert, who designed and led the inclusion programs for the London Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Travel Host & Video Journalist
Josh Garcia is an Award Winning, Emmy-Nominated Travel Host and Video-Journalist best known for his work on The Voyager with Josh Garcia on NBC.
Stand-Up Comedian, Actor & Author
Judy has had stand-up specials on HBO, Comedy Central and LOGO. She was a part of Netflix’s Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration. She is the author of Yes I Can Say That, a critically acclaimed book.
Former President of the American Civil Liberties Union
Former President of the ACLU, Susan Herman helps audiences understand today’s social issues in national security, marriage equality, women’s and voting rights, the criminal justice system and civil liberties.
Environmentalist, Educator & Founder of QueerBrownVegan
Isaias Hernandez is a full-time content creator for QueerBrownVegan and has experience in diversity inclusion work in environmental spaces, academic research, and creative work.