Bernadette Smith
CEO at Equality Institute
Diversity/Women Issues
Education: BS, Communications, Boston University - MBA, New York Institute of Technology
Forest Park
Biography
I bring good vibes to DEI. My take is to help others do more of what’s working, and lead from a place of inspiration, rather than fear.
This “good vibes in DEI” approach shows in my speaking, writing, and in my newsletter and podcast, 5 Things, and 5 Things in 15 Minutes.
Here's the official bio:
Bernadette Smith (she/her) is founder and CEO of Equality Institute and award-winning author of four books, including the bestseller Inclusive 360: Proven Solutions for an Equitable Organization.
Bernadette has presented to enthusiastic audiences of CEOs, associations, entrepreneurs, leadership teams, sales professionals, account executives, marketing executives, human resource managers and more. Her expertise has been sought after by the New York Times, Forbes, the Washington Post, and Fast Company, among many others, and she’s appeared on the Today Show, the BBC, National Public Radio, and CNN.
Bernadette has been named one of Chicago’s Notable LGBTQ Executives by Crain’s Chicago Business and hosts the weekly podcast 5 Things in 15 Minutes: Bringing Good Vibes to DEI. When she’s not busy speaking, you can probably find her on a local pickleball court!
Passion
pickleball, my dog Roy Kent, supporting other entrepreneurs
Best Story
You might hear me tell the story of the time I took a bride shopping for a wedding gown. She was full of anxiety, more than typical - because she was a trans woman and it was my job to help her feel safe enough to "be the bride I'd always wanted to be."
Origin Story
I started the first business in the US specializing in planning legal weddings for LGBTQ couples, back in Boston, Massachusetts in 2004. My goal was to be an advocate for these clients and help them feel safe planning their wedding, but I realized that involved educating an entire industry on LGBTQ+ inclusion. This was back when only about 30% of Americans supported marriage equality. My work grew to training and consulting the wedding, hospitality, and travel industry on LGBTQ+ inclusion, but has since evolved away from those industries and into inclusion and belonging for everyone.
Example talks
Voices Carry: The ARC of Inclusive Leadership
In an increasingly polarized society, it can be hard to remember that true diversity encompasses every individual, regardless of their background or beliefs. However, the challenge arises when we unintentionally allow assumptions to dictate our interactions. These unchecked assumptions can create barriers to authentic connections, and negatively impact team cohesion, customer relationships, and even retention rates.
The essence of inclusive leadership lies in the ability to foster understanding and bridge gaps, transforming assumptions into insightful dialogues. Bernadette’s ARC Method® will help you do just that to create a culture of belonging within your organization.
Dubbed a “spark plug of insight”, Bernadette embodies a refreshing, funny, and non-judgmental perspective on inclusion and belonging. Under her guidance, attendees will learn to follow the ARC and acquire tangible tools for fostering dialogues that are not just meaningful, but transformative, laying the foundation for a workplace culture where everyone feels they belong.
Come As You Are: Build Authentic Connection with Increasingly Diverse Clients
In sales, first impressions count, but unchecked assumptions can derail client relationships. With an increasingly diverse client base, it's critical to learn how to sidestep unconscious biases and leverage kind curiosity to forge genuine connections.
Don't let assumptions jeopardize your sales goals—discover actionable strategies to enhance sales effectiveness and build rapport with increasingly diverse clients. Bernadette will equip your sales team with strategies to swiftly recover from unintentional offenses in sales interactions, and empower them to build genuine trust using the ARC Method®.
Elevate your sales game by embracing tools for authentic engagement that drive lasting client loyalty, ensuring your company stands out for its genuine commitment to client care.
More Than Words: Strategies for Inclusive Growth
In the rapidly evolving world of business, embracing diversity isn't just a buzzword – it's an essential strategy for success and innovation. But do your leaders tap into the expansive potential of diversity?
The common approach to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI) often zeros in on talent acquisition and training. Yet, as pivotal as these strategies are, they only scratch the surface. Organizations that are built for the future do more than hold occasional training sessions. Success demands the seamless integration of equity and inclusion into the very fabric of the organization.
In this high-energy and entertaining 45 minute keynote, bestselling author and speaker Bernadette Smith introduces you to her PSA model – a proven formula for expanding the reach of your DEI initiatives, to help your organization become Inclusive 360. Organizations that are Inclusive 360 live their values not only with their employees but also with their customers and suppliers. Those are the organizations that reap the untapped rewards of diversity and inclusion. Bernadette will show you how.
Featured Video
I am willing to travel
More than 100 miles
When it comes to payments
I generally get paid for speaking but make exceptions
Topics
Best Story
You might hear me tell the story of the time I took a bride shopping for a wedding gown. She was full of anxiety, more than typical - because she was a trans woman and it was my job to help her feel safe enough to "be the bride I'd always wanted to be."
Origin Story
I started the first business in the US specializing in planning legal weddings for LGBTQ couples, back in Boston, Massachusetts in 2004. My goal was to be an advocate for these clients and help them feel safe planning their wedding, but I realized that involved educating an entire industry on LGBTQ+ inclusion. This was back when only about 30% of Americans supported marriage equality. My work grew to training and consulting the wedding, hospitality, and travel industry on LGBTQ+ inclusion, but has since evolved away from those industries and into inclusion and belonging for everyone.
Example talks
Voices Carry: The ARC of Inclusive Leadership
In an increasingly polarized society, it can be hard to remember that true diversity encompasses every individual, regardless of their background or beliefs. However, the challenge arises when we unintentionally allow assumptions to dictate our interactions. These unchecked assumptions can create barriers to authentic connections, and negatively impact team cohesion, customer relationships, and even retention rates.
The essence of inclusive leadership lies in the ability to foster understanding and bridge gaps, transforming assumptions into insightful dialogues. Bernadette’s ARC Method® will help you do just that to create a culture of belonging within your organization.
Dubbed a “spark plug of insight”, Bernadette embodies a refreshing, funny, and non-judgmental perspective on inclusion and belonging. Under her guidance, attendees will learn to follow the ARC and acquire tangible tools for fostering dialogues that are not just meaningful, but transformative, laying the foundation for a workplace culture where everyone feels they belong.
Come As You Are: Build Authentic Connection with Increasingly Diverse Clients
In sales, first impressions count, but unchecked assumptions can derail client relationships. With an increasingly diverse client base, it's critical to learn how to sidestep unconscious biases and leverage kind curiosity to forge genuine connections.
Don't let assumptions jeopardize your sales goals—discover actionable strategies to enhance sales effectiveness and build rapport with increasingly diverse clients. Bernadette will equip your sales team with strategies to swiftly recover from unintentional offenses in sales interactions, and empower them to build genuine trust using the ARC Method®.
Elevate your sales game by embracing tools for authentic engagement that drive lasting client loyalty, ensuring your company stands out for its genuine commitment to client care.
More Than Words: Strategies for Inclusive Growth
In the rapidly evolving world of business, embracing diversity isn't just a buzzword – it's an essential strategy for success and innovation. But do your leaders tap into the expansive potential of diversity?
The common approach to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI) often zeros in on talent acquisition and training. Yet, as pivotal as these strategies are, they only scratch the surface. Organizations that are built for the future do more than hold occasional training sessions. Success demands the seamless integration of equity and inclusion into the very fabric of the organization.
In this high-energy and entertaining 45 minute keynote, bestselling author and speaker Bernadette Smith introduces you to her PSA model – a proven formula for expanding the reach of your DEI initiatives, to help your organization become Inclusive 360. Organizations that are Inclusive 360 live their values not only with their employees but also with their customers and suppliers. Those are the organizations that reap the untapped rewards of diversity and inclusion. Bernadette will show you how.