bernadette smith
speaker information
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BERNADETTE SMITH short SPEAKER 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: Good Vibes in DEI. When she’s not busy speaking, you can probably find her on a local pickleball court!
Opening Intro
A strong opening introduction establishes a speaker’s credibility. Please use our pre-written introduction, with any personalization you feel works for the audience.
Keynote Descriptions
Come As You Are: Building Authentic Connection in a Changing Marketplace
Every deal, every client, every relationship begins—and ends—with trust. But in a marketplace that’s more diverse and discerning than ever, even well-intentioned professionals can lose credibility with one awkward moment or unchecked assumption.
Bernadette gives client-facing teams the confidence and language to connect authentically across perspectives, without fear or overthinking. Using her proven ARC Method® (Ask, Respect, Connect), Bernadette Smith delivers practical tools to help sales and service professionals engage with ease, repair missteps with credibility, and turn everyday interactions into loyalty-building moments.
Voices Carry: The ARC of Inclusive Leadership
True leadership starts with connection. Yet even the most well-intentioned professionals can let assumptions or silence create distance, hurting trust, collaboration, and retention.
In this keynote, Bernadette Smith shows leaders how to turn those moments into opportunities for understanding and growth. Using her proven ARC Method® (Ask, Respect, Connect), she equips audiences with a simple, memorable framework to build belonging, communicate with confidence, and model the kind of inclusive leadership today’s workplaces demand.
Rise Up: Turning Challenges Into Momentum
In leadership and business, challenges and mistakes are inevitable—but how we handle them defines our credibility. Join Bernadette for a lively session where unexpected challenges become stepping stones for building trust, psychological safety, and resilience.
Using her signature CRAP method—Compassion, Release, Authenticity, and Play—Bernadette guides leaders in turning moments of uncertainty into opportunities for growth. Discover practical tools to cultivate self-compassion, build trust, and inspire teams to embrace their full, imperfect selves.
This session is designed for leaders, teams, and professionals who want to cultivate a workplace culture that fosters open communication, embraces learning from mistakes, and strengthens collaboration. Participants will walk away with a renewed sense of confidence and a practical approach to transforming setbacks into opportunities for growth.
Equality Institute Brief Overview
The Equality Institute is a boutique consulting firm that helps organizations build cultures of trust, connection, and belonging. Our mission is to make inclusion practical, embedding equitable systems and inclusive habits into everyday business so people and performance can thrive together.
We believe every person deserves to feel safe, seen, and valued at work. The Equality Institute is a certified woman- and LGBTQ+-owned business.
Publicity Photos
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Audio Visual Requirements and Event Tips
Bernadette takes her commitment to speaking to your group very seriously. She understands that you have invested a great deal of time and money into your event, and would like to offer you some suggestions to make sure you receive the maximum return possible on that investment.
Pre-Event Questionnaire
Bernadette will go through this Pre-Event Questionnaire during your event prep call so she can evaluate your needs and prepare for your event. You can take a peek.