“Bernadette smith is the
leader to listen to
when you’re intimidated
by diversity.”
-Rubén Ramírez, Head Diversity and Inclusion, Syngenta Group
Want to avoid cringey client interactions
& build real trust?
Bernadette will show you how to follow the ARC Method®,
bringing good vibes every step of the way.
Your clients and colleagues are more diverse than ever. One misstep can cost a deal. One great connection can create lasting loyalty.
But let’s be real—navigating diversity can feel tricky. You want to be inclusive, but in a world where one wrong word can go viral, it’s easier to say nothing at all.
The problem? Silence doesn’t build trust. It builds walls.
That’s where Bernadette comes in.
Using her proprietary ARC Method® (Ask, Respect, Connect), Bernadette gives client-facing professionals a simple, actionable framework to engage with confidence, recover from missteps, and build real relationships across differences.
Bernadette’s high-energy, practical, and interactive keynotes will leave your team feeling confident, prepared, and ready to connect authentically—no awkward moments, no second-guessing.
Whether it’s a national sales meeting, Inclusion Day, or an association conference, Bernadette will equip your team with the tools they need to win in an increasingly diverse world—and she’ll make you look great while doing it.
“Thank you for delivering such a powerful message in a fun, relatable way.”
— Kennedy, Aon
“Her energy is infectious, her presentation was empowering, and her style is relatable. I would highly recommend Bernadette as a speaker!”
— Jason B.
Bernadette Smith, CEO of Equality Institute, is a sought-after belonging speaker and the award-winning author of four books, including her bestseller Inclusive 360: Proven Solutions for an Equitable Organization. Instead of creating overwhelm or fear around diversity, her keynotes use humor and relatability to inspire meaningful action—winning over even the skeptics.
Praised as “relatable,” “authentic,” and “fun,” Bernadette’s approach has earned the trust of leading brands, including Fortune 500 companies and global leadership teams.
Her influence as a champion for inclusion and belonging has been spotlighted by the New York Times, National Public Radio, CNN, and the Today Show, and she’s been named one of Chicago’s Notable LGBTQ Executives by Crain’s Chicago Business.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Bernadette’s full screen virtual keynotes consistently engage and impress audiences. Whether in person or virtual, participants can expect to laugh and reflect while they set aside any apprehension about a dull virtual talk. They will learn simple tools and conversation starters, while experiencing “Aha" moments that resonate and leave no one feeling judged. Bernadette’s keynotes can be tailored for your audience.
Bernadette’s Keynote Topics
Come As You Are: Build Authentic Connection with Increasingly Diverse Clients
Your sales success depends on trust. But in today’s diverse marketplace, unchecked assumptions and unintentional missteps can break that trust before the deal even begins. 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 customer-facing employees with strategies to swiftly recover from unintentional offenses in sales interactions, and empower them to build genuine trust using the ARC Method®.
Equip your team with the skills to turn every client interaction into an opportunity for connection, credibility, and long-term success.
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.
In this keynote, leaders 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.
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.
TRUSTED BY
BERNADETTE and Pickleball
What does the quirky sport of pickleball have to do with inclusion? When Bernadette picked up a pickleball paddle in 2023, she quickly found out and was instantly hooked. Spoiler alert: she realized she was ageist after getting badly beaten by a bunch of 70 year olds!
Embracing her community’s diverse group of players opened the door to connections well beyond her usual circle. Now, she’s captured those heartfelt and often hilarious encounters and observations in a short pickleball-themed comedy bit on inclusion—an entertaining and uplifting add-on to any event booking.
Want to know how Bernadette can bring good vibes to your audience?
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