Event: Pride Month Celebration
Date: June 11, 2025 (tentative)
Format: To be determined
Audience: Harry’s employees
Theme: Celebrating LGBTQIA+ Pride — fostering inclusion, visibility, and empowerment within the workplace and beyond
Tone: Inspirational, authentic, uplifting, and celebratory, with a focus on lived experiences, intersectionality, and actionable inclusion
Budget: $5,000 (slight flexibility, if needed)
Objective:
Speaker Needs:
Josh Miller (They/he) is a dynamic, award-winning inclusion and belonging strategist who has advised Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations on next-generation leadership and equity initiatives. As a Gen Z CEO and educator, Josh brings a powerful, intersectional lens to his work, drawing on his experience as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, a person with a disability, and a champion for intergenerational collaboration. Josh’s work is rooted in helping organizations understand the evolving nature of leadership, culture, and community through the lens of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). He is also the author of “Unconscious Evolution: Navigating the Modern Leadership Crisis”, which challenges organizations to embrace authentic leadership models for a more equitable future.
Speaking Fee: Typically $7,500 but negotiated to $5k + all airfare, ground transfers + hotel. Josh could potentially fly in and out the same day, saving on hotel.
Speaker Profile: https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/josh-miller
Speaker is based in Denver, Colorado.
As a young queer professional, I learned early on how to cover—downplaying, hiding, or filtering parts of myself at work, with friends, and even with family. I am not alone. Research from organizations including Deloitte and the UCLA Williams Institute, as well as interviews I’ve conducted across industries, reveal that LGBTQ+ individuals—along with women of color, people with disabilities, and straight white men—are all impacted by the pressure to cover.
During Uncovering Our Value: Visibility is Revolutionary, we will look at the ways covering shapes the LGBTQ+ experience in the workplace, especially as socio-political attacks have intensified in recent years. We’ll explore how uncovering and visibility are revolutionary acts that fuel resilience, foster belonging, and spark systemic change grounded in knowing that queer people have always been here and will always be here. We cannot be erased. As we celebrate Pride together at Harry’s, we’ll ask ourselves: How are you imagining yourself into existence every day? In a world that often pressures us to cover and shrink, choosing to be fully seen is not just personal—it is a powerful, collective act of liberation.
As a young queer professional, Josh found himself covering – downplaying, hiding, or filtering parts of himself at work, with different social groups, at school, and with family.
Through his work, including interviews and hosting video podcasts, and research done by organizations including Deloitte and UCLA Williams Institute, women of color, straight white men, LGBTQ+ folx, and people with disabilities, among others, have all named ways in which they’ve covered parts of themselves and their identities in business settings. Through Uncovering Our Value in the Workplace, attendees learn what covering is, its impact on the individual and the company, and how it can trigger coping strategies and lead to burnout. Josh delves into how these elements intersected with COVID-19 and the socio-political environment over the past few years touching every sector, and calls on attendees to consider the opportunity we have now to create an uncovering movement by imagining new ways of working. The talk includes recommendations for cultivating a positive sense of belonging by developing trusting cultures that embrace and value employees’ unique lived experiences.
Josh delves into the experiences of LGBTQ+ people in the workplace — from misgendering to covering, microaggressions to healthcare — and outlines strategies for embracing the evolving way we understand sexual orientation and gender identity. This includes looking at the role of companies, leaders, and employees in providing internal and external support for the LGBTQ+ community. The talk concludes with a call to action for individuals and employers to develop and take steps to create more inclusive workplaces for all, especially as parts of our nation become more hostile for LGBTQ+ people and employees.
“Josh’s research and experience demonstrated how by embracing uncovering and providing a safe and inclusive space for authentic self-expression, we can unlock the collective potential of our teams. Their insights have enhanced my thinking about cultivating inclusive workplace cultures and inspired and provoked thoughtful reflection.” - Rustin Tonn, Pitney Bowes
“Having Josh Miller as the keynote speaker during our Global Pride Month Webcast was incredibly impactful. Their personal story as well as their expert knowledge on the topic of covering created a message that universally resonated with the hundreds of McDonald’s employees who listened in from around the world. Their visibility and vulnerability left us feeling inspired to continue having such authentic and meaningful conversations in an effort for everyone to feel seen and supported.” - Ethan Bailey, US Strategy & Analytics, McDonald’s
Madison Butler is an unapologetic advocate for authenticity, vulnerability, and creating workplaces where people feel safe to show up as their true selves. Her viral content has built a global following of people who see themselves in her journey—from masking and burnout to unapologetically taking up space. Madison is passionate about helping organizations embrace the power of human connection, psychological safety, and radical self-expression — especially for marginalized identities. As the founder of Blue Haired Unicorn, Madison designs spaces and scalable strategies centered on trust, transparency, and authenticity. She believes embracing humanity in leadership is not just beneficial — it’s essential.
Madison’s thought leadership has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, Yahoo, Rolling Stone, and more. Recognized by LinkedIn as a Top Black Voice and by DivInc as Austin’s Rising Star, Madison’s impact continues to grow as she empowers organizations to center belonging, purpose, and mental health. Her first book, Let Them See You: Empowering Change Through Authenticity, will be released in Summer 2025.
Speaking Fee: Typically $12k-$15k but negotiated to $5k + ground travel reimbursement. Madison is about a 3 hour commute by car or train.
Speaker is based in New England.
Speaker's profile page: https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/madison-butler
Our lived experiences are more than personal, they are powerful. In this keynote, Madison Butler explores how authentic storytelling can drive cultural change, build trust, deepen inclusion and strengthen leadership across every level of an organization. We will explore what it means to move beyond check boxes and into the realities of our peers from all different backgrounds, leading with intersectionality.
This keynote weaves together the power narrative, the responsibility of allies and the importance of listening to understand and truly respect and honor the identities of those around us, even when we have more learning to do. We will talk about how to navigate conversations about identity, pronouns and how to create environments where people feel safe to show up, and how leaders can create teams who don't only feel welcomed, but feel seen.
Through humor, honesty, and actionable insight, “Pass The Mic” challenges audiences to step up, speak out, and lead in ways that reflect the full spectrum of identity, because inclusive leadership isn't just another value to put in our handbooks, it is the glue that holds our organizations together.
Madison customizes her sessions for each audience. For Harry’s Pride Month event, we recommend:
This powerful keynote focuses on the liberation that comes from breaking away from societal expectations — a message deeply resonant for the LGBTQ+ community.
Madison advocates for being unapologetically human, encouraging attendees to redefine success, authenticity, and leadership on their own terms. As a fierce champion of LGBTQ+ visibility and psychological safety, Madison challenges outdated norms and inspires individuals to create lives and workplaces where they can show up fully and unapologetically.
Key Takeaways:
"Madison centered on a topic that many Red Hatters were excited to discuss for some time. She answered the various challenging yet necessary questions revolving intersectionality and what it looks like in the LGBTQ+, Black and Latinx/Hispanic community. We're even more excited because this conversation is going to continue with the other diversity and inclusion communities here at Red Hat. As we continue to push for inclusivity and focus on an open and welcoming workplace for everyone to be themselves, we thank Madison for providing her expertise on how we can accomplish that. Can't say thank you enough, Madison!"- Red Hat
David Auten and John Schneider are the founders of Debt Free Guys®, a platform dedicated to helping LGBTQ+ individuals live fabulously without sacrificing financial security. As leading voices in LGBTQ+ personal finance, they combine their expertise in financial services with a passion for empowering the queer community to overcome systemic barriers and thrive economically.
Featured in Forbes, Yahoo Finance, The Motley Fool, and The Advocate, David and John are widely recognized for their commitment to improving financial literacy and resilience within the LGBTQ+ community. Their work emphasizes the connection between economic empowerment and social justice, providing crucial tools for individuals and communities to safeguard their rights and futures.
Speaking Fee: To be negotiated.
They are based in Ohio.
Speaker profile page: https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/debt-free-guys
David and John can customize their sessions based on the audience’s needs. For Harry’s Pride event, we recommend:
David and John, renowned advocates in LGBTQ+ personal finance, offer an insightful exploration into the present landscape of LGBTQ+ finances. They illuminate the community’s challenges while highlighting areas of resilience and potential. Additionally, they delve into the intricate web of funding behind the anti-LGBTQ+ industrial complex, which fuels the proliferation of discriminatory legislation nationwide. They focus on safeguarding civil rights and discuss innovative strategies for the community to counteract these threats through financial empowerment, advocacy, and collective resilience.
Key Takeaways:
With over 25 years of experience guiding the world’s top leaders in business, education, and community through individual, small group, and full-staff trainings, Dr. Kryss Shane LSW, LMSW (she/her) has been featured as America’s Go-To Leading LGBT+ Expert in The New York Times, ABC News, Yahoo!, CNN, and more.
Her writing has appeared in publications including the Journal of Nonprofit Education and Leadership, Huffington Post, International Council of Professors of Educational Leadership, and The New Social Worker Magazine.
Dr. Kryss helps businesses address Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) needs in approachable, manageable, and actionable ways — including adapting physical spaces, updating hiring practices, re-drafting policies, and more.
She holds three master’s degrees (MSW, MS, MBA), a Ph.D. in Leadership specializing in Education, and licenses to practice mental healthcare in Ohio and New York. She currently serves as the Director of the Social Work Program and Assistant Professor at Thomas University, a Lecturer at Columbia University, and an Adjunct Professor at Fordham University, National Louis University, and National University.
Dr. Kryss is also the author of four books focused on building LGBTQ+ inclusive environments in medical, educational, and corporate settings, including:
Throughout her career, Dr. Kryss has worked tirelessly as an activist, consultant, educator, and trainer to advance LGBTQ+ inclusion at the local, state, federal, and international levels.
Speaker Fee: To be negotiated.
Speaker Profile: https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/dr-kryss-shane
Speaker is based in New York.
New York, NY
Meet LGBTQ+ Inclusion Author and Speaker, Dr. Kryss Shane | TS Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4ScxbMgshY
Dr. Kryss Shane can customize her sessions to fit the specific audience and organizational goals. Overarching themes include:
Supporting LGBTQ+ Employees: From Awareness to Action
Building LGBTQ+ inclusion is about more than Pride Month; it’s a year-round commitment. This session offers practical tools and insights to create truly inclusive workplaces.
Understanding LGBTQ+ Identities: Creating Respectful and Affirming Spaces
Through education and real-world examples, Dr. Kryss explains LGBTQ+ terminology, common misconceptions, and best practices for fostering environments where everyone feels respected and valued.
The Power of Allyship: What True Support Looks Like
Dr. Kryss outlines actionable strategies for being an active ally at work, in communities, and beyond, moving from passive support to visible, impactful advocacy.
“Loved the presenter and how she included [the audience] in her presentation! Kryss was open and helpful in helping us all to become more aware and understanding of the changing times. It was good to have the opportunity to brainstorm possible solutions/next steps.” - Attendee of Blended & Personalized Learning Conference: Convening Educators, Leaders, & Innovators, Providence, Rhode Island
Damian Pelliccione is the co-founder and CEO of Revry, the world’s first global LGBTQ+ streaming network. A true innovator in media and technology, Damian has transformed the entertainment industry by creating an inclusive space where LGBTQ+ voices are amplified. Damian was named one of Goldman Sachs ‘Top 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs‘, was featured on the ‘Out 100’ list, and is a proud recipient of the West Hollywood Rainbow Key Award. Damian also recently won a GLAAD Media Award for an original series Damian created "Drag Latina". Damian and their co-founders are all graduates of Goldman Sachs Black and Latinx 2020 accelerator program. Damian has acted as an Adjunct Professor at Columbia College Chicago and has lectured at over 20 universities and colleges across the globe including the University of Southern California, Los Angeles Film School, and BAU University Istanbul Turkey amongst others. Damian is also a proud member of StartOut, Out in Tech, and Trans Tech Organizations. Damian also serves as a board member of The Trans-Chorus of Los Angeles.
Speaker Fee: Will negotiate.
Speaker is based in Los Angeles, California.
Speaker Profile - https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/damian-pelliccione
Los Angeles, CA
At 42 years old Damian was diagnosed with adult ADHD and was deemed neuro-divergent. After years of struggling with mental health issues and never being able to fully understand what was wrong, Damian was finally able to understand their journey and claim their true power. This keynote explores what it means to struggle with mental health and what it means to overcome and rebuild trust with both yourself and your team. How affirming gender played a big role in rebuilding confidence and self-love. Dive into the intersectionality of Queer people and the superpowers that lie within.
Making space at the table for LGBTQ executives, this keynote explores the challenges LGBTQ executives face in climbing the corporate ladder. Damian talks about the common stereotypes and misconceptions about LGBTQ talent, how to work with Gen Z and Millennial workforces, and how to better harness the LGBTQ superpowers.