What Is a DEI Speaker?
Simply put, a DEI speaker is an expert who educates and motivates employees and leaders on various topics related to diversity, equity and inclusion. Companies or events often book DEI speakers to inspire change and offer new perspectives to their employees, leaders or attendees. In an increasingly globalized world, DEI speakers may present virtually or in person, depending on the event's needs.
If you want to add a DEI speaker to your roaster, look no further.
Who Is The Best DEI Speaker?
With over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry with an emphasis on food & beverage and luxury retail, TaChelle Lawson brings a fresh, no-nonsense approach to diversity, equity and inclusion. She is a dynamic public speaker, award-winning entrepreneur, and enlightened business leader laser-focused on aligning DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) with business and brand goals to help build client revenues and strengthen brand equity.
As Founder and President of FIG Strategy & Consulting, Lawson counsels senior leaders, human resources professionals and communications influencers on DEI and business alignment to address challenges with employees, customers and the community. Her services include brand strategy, business management consulting, culture transformation, leadership training, DEI training, and strategic sourcing. As a strategic planner and organized problem solver, Lawson has lent her extensive business analysis, strategy and communications management expertise. Lawson is an active mentor to young women entering the workforce and a small business advocate, speaking on issues that challenge local businesses.
Lawson’s client brands include Louis Vuitton, Lexus, Heineken, Porsche, Red Bull, Coca-Cola, Mercedes-Benz, Death & Co., Harley-Davidson, Tyson Foods, Heineken, Lamborghini, and Lancôme, to name several. She’s also worked with America’s Cup, the U.S. Open, Las Vegas and Sonoma Motor Speedways and the James Beard Foundation. Lawson is actively working to change the narrative of diversity and inclusion by challenging companies to go beyond agency-centric metrics of hiring people of color to instead focus on building a dynamic workforce capable of meeting the growing needs of a diverse and demanding population.
Lawson is D&I Certified by Cornell University and Diverse Business Certified by the Tuck Business School at Dartmouth. She sits on the Leadership Advisory Board at UNLV, serves as the Vice President of NAWBO Southern Nevada, on the Advisory Council for the National Bar & Restaurant Expo, on the DEIB Advisory Board for HR.com, and is a member of the National Diversity Council.
Why Choose TaChelle?
TaChelle is straightforward in her approach and tells it how it is. She doesn’t sugarcoat the truth, leading to open and meaningful conversations around uncomfortable topics.
TaChelle has spoken for countless companies and events on a variety of topics, including:
Culture: The Secret Sauce
Developing HR Practices to Promote DEI: How Customer Satisfaction Begins
Owning the Diversity Dollar
Everything is Changing: You NEED a DEI Strategy
DEI Best Practices for Event Organizers
Testimonials
“TaChelle brings a compassionate ear to the many stakeholders interested in both the worlds of DEI and consumer goods companies. I've had the chance to work with her on content and presentations firsthand, and she guided to a room of entrepreneurial food and beverage company founders. We worked through tough questions on the "how" side: how do we grow and cultivate a diverse set of investors? How do we create inclusive companies? She's a great panelist and a terrific sounding board, and will bring her considerable knowledge and reason to any discussion or presentation.” - Jeff Klineman, Editor in Chief, BevNET
“TaChelle did an amazing job speaking on the topic of Employee Engagement at one of our bi-monthly meetings for the Southern Nevada International Public Management Association. TaChelle’s overall knowledge, enthusiasm and passion for the subject matter made it very engaging for our audience. TaChelle encouraged our HR Professionals to further reflect on how to better motivate our management teams to incorporate employee engagement into their daily practices. During our session, TaChelle also incorporated the impact and importance of diversity, equity and inclusion as it relates to engagement. TaChelle went above and beyond our expectation by providing information that we did not originally request. TaChelle is the consummate professional and working with her is a seamless production. I would definitely keep her in mind for other speaking engagements. “ - Tania Williams, Human Resources Manager, RTC of Southern Nevada