Jess Pettitt, M.Ed., CSP (Certified Speaking Professional), is not your typical speaker. She is a force of truth and change who challenges organizations to confront their assumptions, embrace diversity, and make real progress.
With over two decades of experience working with nonprofits, corporations, educational institutions, and government agencies, Jess has empowered thousands to have the uncomfortable yet necessary conversations that lead to real change.
Her approach is candid, disarming, and filled with humor — helping participants engage, reflect, and act. She’s not here to sugarcoat. She’s here to help you grow.
Our Mission
At Jess Pettitt, our mission is clear:
To support courageous conversations that lead to inclusive, equitable, and sustainable change in workplaces and communities.
We believe that diversity and inclusion aren’t just buzzwords — they’re essential values that shape the culture and performance of every organization. Through dialogue, education, and honest self-reflection, we help you build systems where everyone feels seen, heard, and respected.
Our Core Values
- Honesty – We believe in telling the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable.
- Humor – Laughter opens doors and softens hard conversations.
- Compassion – Understanding and empathy are at the heart of inclusion.
- Action – Knowledge is powerful, but change happens through action.
Our Services
We offer a range of services to help teams, leaders, and entire organizations grow more inclusive, equitable, and effective. Each service is customized to your unique culture and goals.
1. Keynote Speaking
Jess is a high-energy, engaging, and interactive speaker who challenges audiences to reflect and take action. Her keynotes spark conversations that stick.
- Available in-person or virtually
- Perfect for conferences, leadership summits, and DEI events
- Custom-tailored to audience demographics and organizational goals
2. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Workshops
Go beyond compliance and one-off training. Our DEI workshops are designed for deep impact and culture transformation.
- Interactive, discussion-based, and grounded in real-life applications
- Focused on behavior change, not just awareness
- Tools and frameworks for ongoing improvement
3. Consulting & Strategy Development
We work with HR leaders, DEI committees, and executives to assess, design, and implement long-term strategies that move the needle.
- DEI assessments & culture audits
- Leadership coaching & accountability plans
- Policy, procedure, and communication reviews
4. Online Courses & Resources
For ongoing learning and accessible training, we offer self-paced online programs on topics like inclusive language, unconscious bias, and effective allyship.
- On-demand content
- Scalable for teams of all sizes
- Includes discussion guides and implementation tips
Why Choose Jess Pettitt?
Choosing the right speaker or consultant can make or break your DEI initiative. Here’s why Jess Pettitt stands out:
🔹 Nationally Recognized Expertise
Jess is recognized as a diversity equity and inclusion speaker who actually walks the walk. Her academic background, lived experience, and real-world results speak volumes.
🔹 Humor Meets Honesty
Jess’s unique ability to blend humor with tough truths sets her apart. She makes hard topics approachable and actionable.
🔹 Real Conversations, Real Change
We don’t do checkbox diversity. Jess empowers your team to look inward, break patterns, and build inclusive cultures from the inside out.
🔹 Customized & Collaborative Approach
Every session is crafted based on your needs, values, and organizational culture. No generic slides — just real talk that resonates.
🔹 Certified & Trusted
As a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), Jess belongs to an elite group of professionals recognized for excellence and impact in the speaking industry.
Serving Every Industry, Everywhere
Whether you're a nonprofit leader, corporate HR director, university administrator, or team lead in government, we meet you where you are and help you move forward.
Our clients span:
- Fortune 500 companies
- Universities and colleges
- School districts
- Healthcare organizations
- Government and public service entities
- Faith-based and community organizations
The Jess Pettitt Difference
Jess doesn’t show up with all the answers — she shows up with the questions that unlock the best in your team. Her work isn’t just about inclusion workshops or diversity training. It’s about building trust, transforming culture, and creating lasting equity.
If you’ve ever thought, “We’ve done the training, but nothing’s changed,” Jess is your next step.
This is about more than language and labels — it’s about leadership, accountability, and courage.
One of the Top Workplace Diversity Speakers
As a workplace diversity speaker, Jess brings nuance, clarity, and empowerment to conversations that are often avoided. She helps teams confront the internal barriers holding them back from being truly inclusive — and she does it with humor, candor, and care.
If your organization is serious about creating a welcoming, equitable, and high-performing culture, it’s time to bring Jess in.
Conclusion
Inclusion isn’t a one-time workshop. Equity isn’t a checkbox. Diversity isn’t just a number. It’s a journey — and Jess Pettitt is here to guide you.
Whether you’re just starting your DEI efforts or looking to deepen your impact, Jess helps you bridge the gap between good intentions and real outcomes. Her keynotes, workshops, and consulting services challenge, inspire, and equip you for long-term success.
It’s time to lean into the uncomfortable, have the real conversations, and create spaces where everyone belongs.
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