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Vernā Myers — keynote speaker on Diversity & Neurodiversity

Photo: Public domain — Verna Myers, via Wikimedia Commons

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Diversity & Neurodiversity keynote speakers

Vernā Myers

DEI & Inclusion Strategist, Former VP of Inclusion Strategy at Netflix

Speaking feeFee on requestConfirmed for your date on request
  • Keynote · Workshop · Fireside chat
  • English
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Headliner can arrange a booking with Vernā Myers or their representative. This profile is compiled from public sources; availability and fees are confirmed on request. A listing here does not imply endorsement, affiliation, partnership, or exclusivity.

Signature keynotes

What your audience walks away with

  • Outcome

    From Diversity to Inclusion — "Being Asked to Dance"

    Her signature keynote, built around the framing she made famous: representation alone isn't enough. How leaders and teams move beyond who's in the room to building cultures where everyone is genuinely valued, heard, and included.

  • How to Overcome Our Biases — Walk Boldly Toward Them

    The keynote behind her 5-million-view TED talk. Why denying our biases keeps us stuck, and how confronting them directly — with honesty and daily habits — makes us more culturally effective.

  • Inclusive Leadership — From Well-Meaning to Well-Doing

    What inclusive leaders specifically do. Practical moves for leaders who want to turn good intentions into inclusive teams, fairer decisions, and cultures where difference is an asset.

  • Building Belonging & Culturally Effective Teams

    Drawn from What If I Say the Wrong Thing? — the everyday habits that help people work well across difference, navigate hard conversations, and build genuine belonging.

The story

Who Vernā actually is

Vernā Myers grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, earned a B.A. in political science magna cum laude from Barnard College, and took her law degree from Harvard Law School in 1985. She began her career in law — as the first executive director of the Boston Law Firm Group and as deputy chief of staff for the Massachusetts Attorney General — before turning her attention to the work that would define her: helping organizations become genuinely inclusive.

She founded The Vernā Myers Company, a diversity, equity, and inclusion consulting and training firm, and spent nearly three decades advising corporate, legal, education, and non-profit organizations. In 2014 her TEDxBoston talk, "How to Overcome Our Biases? Walk Boldly Toward Them," urged audiences to confront their biases rather than deny them; it has since drawn more than 5 million views and been translated into 27 languages. Her line "Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance" became one of the most-quoted definitions of inclusion in the world.

From 2018 to 2023 Myers served as Netflix's inaugural Vice President of Inclusion Strategy, building the frameworks that shaped inclusion across the company's teams and productions. She is the author of two influential books — _Moving Diversity Forward: How to Go From Well-Meaning to Well-Doing_ (2011) and _What If I Say the Wrong Thing?: 25 Habits for Culturally Effective People_ (2013). Her honors include the 2024 Women Business Collaborative Trailblazer in Gender Equity & Diversity Award and a 2024 honorary Juris Doctor from Santa Clara University School of Law. Today, through The Vernā Myers Company, she continues to speak, consult, teach, and host "Sundays with Vernā."

The receipts

Books & publications

  • Moving Diversity Forward: How to Go From Well-Meaning to Well-Doing

    2011

    a practical guide to turning good intentions on diversity into effective action.

  • What If I Say the Wrong Thing?: 25 Habits for Culturally Effective People

    2013

    everyday habits for working well across difference and building genuine inclusion.

Gravity

Career highlights & recognition

  • Milestone2018

    Former VP of Inclusion Strategy at Netflix (2018–2023)

    the company's inaugural leader in the role

  • Credential

    Founder & CEO, The Vernā Myers Company

    nearly three decades of DEI consulting and training

  • Milestone

    TED speaker

    "How to Overcome Our Biases? Walk Boldly Toward Them" (5M+ views, 27 languages)

  • Credential2011

    Author

    Moving Diversity Forward (2011) and What If I Say the Wrong Thing? (2013)

  • Milestone1985

    J.D., Harvard Law School (1985)

    B.A., Barnard College, magna cum laude

  • Award2024

    2024 Women Business Collaborative Trailblazer in Gender Equity & Diversity Award

    2024 honorary J.D., Santa Clara University School of Law

  • Credential

    Creator of widely used DEI training, including a LinkedIn Learning course co-created with Arianna Huffington

Booking with confidence

What to expect when you book Vernā

  • 01

    Compiled from public sources

    This profile is built from public, verifiable material and stamped with the date it was last reviewed. Nothing here is a claim we cannot trace to a source.

  • 02

    Availability and fees, confirmed

    Tell us your date and brief, and we confirm Vernā's availability and current fee on request. We never publish a fabricated figure or imply an exclusivity we do not hold.

  • 03

    Managed end to end

    From first inquiry to the day itself, Headliner handles briefing, contracting, and logistics, so your team can focus on the event.

Answers

Booking questions, answered

What is Vernā Myers's speaking fee?

Vernā's fee is provided on request. It varies by date, location, format, and whether the engagement is in person or virtual. Share your brief and we'll come back with current pricing and availability.

Is Vernā Myers available for my event date?

Availability changes with Vernā's schedule and the season. Tell us your date and we'll confirm whether Vernā is open, and hold the slot while you decide.

How do I book Vernā Myers for my event?

Vernā Myers is booked through Headliner. Tell us your event date, audience, and goals, and we'll confirm availability and the next steps — typically within four business hours.

How much does Vernā Myers charge to speak?

Vernā's fee depends on date, location, format, and whether the session is in person or virtual. It is provided on request, so share your brief and we'll confirm a precise figure and availability.

Can I hire Vernā Myers for a corporate event?

Yes. Vernā is represented for speaking engagements through Headliner on a non-exclusive basis and regularly takes corporate keynotes, conferences, and leadership events. Share your brief to check availability.

Can I book Vernā Myers for a virtual keynote?

Yes. Vernā presents virtual keynotes as well as in-person sessions. Virtual fees are typically quoted below a live keynote, so tell us your format for a precise quote.

What formats does Vernā offer?

Vernā is available for Keynote, Workshop, Fireside chat, Moderation and Virtual engagements. We'll match the format to your audience and run-of-show.

What does Vernā speak about?

Vernā's keynote themes include Diversity and Team & Culture. Each talk is tailored to your audience and outcomes.

What languages does Vernā present in?

Vernā presents in English.

Where does Vernā travel from?

Vernā is based in Baltimore, MD and travels internationally for engagements; virtual sessions are also available.

Profile updated . Compiled from public sources — confirm current fees and availability with Headliner.

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