Speaker’s Bureau
The Pride Chamber Speakers Bureau: Connect with Expertise
Looking for a dynamic and insightful speaker for your organization, workshop, or event? The Pride Chamber Speakers Bureau is your go-to resource! We're building a vibrant online directory of subject matter experts within and relevant to the LGBTQ+ community and its allies, all ready to share their knowledge and experience.
On this page, you can either explore our list of speaking topics or jump directly to our directory of Speakers Bureau experts. The Pride Chamber takes the lead in promoting our talented speakers, making it easier than ever for you to find the perfect fit for your needs.
Let's make your next event unforgettable!
Categories
Click to jump to Category
Speakers
Gina Duncan
President / CEO
The Pride Chamber
Gina Duncan is a national and international advocate, corporate trainer and speaker specializing in transgender dynamics in the workplace, classroom and society. She has conducted over 400 Transgender Cultural Competency workshops for all segments of society. She has worked with major corporations, elected officials, law enforcement, the media, school boards, colleges, governmental agencies, HR Organizations, (Certified by SHRM), universities and non-profit organizations.
Rose Gamba
Founder / Owner
Rose CPA
Rose Marie Gamba, CPA has over 25 years of accounting and tax preparation experience. She has been finance director at local cities and has worked at Orange County as an internal auditor. She has helped many business owners understand how to deal with self-employment income? What is deductible? What is the best way to organize my books and why? Should I be an LLC or a corporation?
Denise Merritt
Denise MerrittFounder / CEO
Merritt Business Solutions
Denise Merritt is the founder and CEO of Merritt Business Solutions. After saving dozens of companies from HR disaster, she's developed a practical approach to fractional HR that prioritizes business continuity and employee care. Her team has stepped in for companies across multiple industries, preventing compliance issues, maintaining benefits administration, and giving leaders breathing room to make thoughtful, long-term decisions.
Heather Wilkie
Heather WilkieExecutive Director
Zebra Youth
Heather Wilkie (she/her) is the Executive Director of Zebra Youth, a groundbreaking nonprofit organization committed to empowering LGBTQ+ youth to thrive. She has led the organization since 2010, overseeing award-winning programs that provide crucial mental health counseling, support, and housing to thousands of LGBTQ+ youths aged 13 to 24 in Central Florida. Heather is also a Licensed Mental Health Therapist and public speaker.
Michael Wallman
Investment Executive
Wallman Financial
Most of Michael’s practice is working with small business owners, realtors ,content creators, solo practitioners and entrepreneurs addressing all aspects of their financial needs. He specializes in Financial Planning for the LGBTQ+ community and is the founder of the “Life Planning for the Alternative Family” Seminar Series. Michael uses a “Team Approach” to financial planning bringing in professional expertise in areas such as Taxation, Insurance, Wills and Trusts, Real Estate, etc
Steve Yacovelli
Steve YacovelliOwner
Top Dog Learning Group
Dr. Steve Yacovelli ("The Gay Leadership Dude®") is a dynamic expert in diversity, inclusion, and leadership. He founded TopDog Learning Group after internal roles at Disney and IBM. Steve is an award-winning author and engaging speaker, helping organizations build more inclusive and effective workplaces. He's a catalyst for positive change.
Diversity, Equality & Inclusion
Topic: Transgender Cultural Competency in Society and the Workplace
Workshop Details: Explore the foundational understanding of the transgender and gender expansive community in all aspects of society and in the workplace. How to be a good ally, how to develop welcoming and inclusive corporate policy and how to grow a corporate culture that welcomes the best and the brightest to your organization, company or corporation.
Workshop Length: 1 Hour or 2 1/2 Hour
Speaker: Gina Duncan
Cost: 1 Hour = $1,500
2.5 Hour = $2,500
Topic: Gender and Orientation
Workshop Details: This workshop will cover topics like terminology, sexual orientation, gender concepts, transgender culture, the coming out process, and intersectionality. The workshop is offered to businesses, organizations, and schools. Focused lessons/modules can be developed for specific groups such as service providers, child welfare providers, school personnel, teachers, and others.
Workshop Length: TBD
Speaker: Heather Wilkie
Cost: TBD
Topic: LGBTQ Youth Clinical Support: Considerations and Best Practices
Workshop Details: Considerations and Best Practices. This workshop will cover topics like terminology, sexual orientation and gender concepts, transgender culture, coming out process, how to be an ally, building inclusive environments for students, clinical considerations of confidentiality, language, supporting identity development, and LGBTQ service standards. This workshop is design
Workshop Length: TBD
Speaker: Heather Wilkie
Cost: TBD
Topic: Belonging: Being a Consciously Inclusive Leader Workshop
Workshop Details: Being an effective leader takes not just skill but self-awareness: awareness of what we think consciously but also what our unconscious selves may be thinking, too. And in today's climate we need to ensure that our leadership actions, words, and decisions are done in an open and inclusive manner, despite some biases and stereotypes we may hold. In this session, we will explore the three areas every leader should focus on in order to be more consciously inclusive. From THINK IN about our own unconscious biases, to SPEAK UP to create a more inclusive organization, to ACT OUT in ways you can foster a feeling of belonging for everyone within your organization (and beyond). You'll leave this session with actionable steps you can take to be a more inclusive leader and make your organization-and the world-just a little bit better for us all. This talk is perfect for anyone within the organization looking to be more inclusive in their leadership awesomeness (and “leader” to us is anyone with influence within the workplace … regardless if they have “direct reports” or if they are an “individual contributor”) … so that’s everyone!
Workshop Length: 1 Hour
Speaker: Dr. Steve Yacovelli
Cost: $9,997.00
Financial Wellness & HealthCare Management
Topic: Financial Literacy 101: Empowering Your Financial Future
Workshop Details:Unlock your financial power with "Financial Literacy 101: Empowering Your Financial Future," a webinar tailored for Pride Chamber Members. This session provides inclusive and judgment-free guidance on budgeting, saving strategies for short and long-term goals (including gender-affirming care), and demystifies retirement planning with LGBTQ+ specific considerations. Learn to take control of your money, build security, and plan for a vibrant future.
Workshop Length: 1 hour
Speaker: Michael Wallman
Cost: TBD
Topic: What's it mean to be a business owner and a tax efficient way to organize.
Workshop Details: Understand what it means to start and business and the different types of business setups. What is an LLC? What is a corporation? Should I be a C corporation or an S corporation?
Workshop Length: 2 hours
Speaker: Rose Gamba
Cost: $1,000.00
Topic: Pharmacy Benefit Management Secrets: Controlling Healthcare Costs Without Compromising Care
Workshop Details: This eye-opening workshop reveals how businesses can significantly reduce pharmacy benefit costs while maintaining or improving employee healthcare outcomes. Participants will learn about carve-out strategies, contract negotiations, and innovative approaches to specialty medication management that can yield immediate savings. Using real case studies (including a technology company that achieved 28.3% savings), attendees will discover how to identify hidden costs in their current pharmacy plans, implement effective cost-containment measures, and develop a tailored pharmacy strategy that benefits the company's bottom line and employee well-being.
Workshop Length: 1 Hour
Speaker: Denise Merritt
Cost: $1,000
Human Resources & Compliance
Topic: HR Compliance: Navigating the Complex World of Employment Regulations
Workshop Details: This engaging workshop demystifies the ever-changing landscape of HR compliance for business owners and HR professionals. Participants will learn how to identify and address common compliance pitfalls, implement effective documentation practices, and create policies that protect both the business and its employees. Drawing from real-world case studies and practical examples, attendees will leave with an actionable compliance checklist, tools to assess their current vulnerabilities, and confidence in their ability to navigate complex employment regulations without overwhelm.
Workshop Length: 1.5 Hours
Speaker: Denise Merritt
Cost: $1,500
Topic: HR Emergency Response: Maintaining Business Continuity When HR Leadership Exits
Workshop Details: This crucial workshop prepares business leaders for one of the most disruptive events a company can face: the sudden departure of key HR leadership. Participants will learn how to develop a comprehensive continuity plan that addresses immediate needs, maintains compliance, and ensures uninterrupted employee support. Through scenario planning and real-world case studies, attendees will identify critical vulnerabilities, create action plans for different types of transitions, and discover how to leverage the departure as an opportunity to upgrade HR capabilities. This workshop provides the peace of mind that comes from having a proven roadmap for HR leadership transitions that protects both the business and its people.
Workshop Length: 2 Hours
Speaker: Denise Merritt
Cost: $1,800
Topic: Fractional HR: The Strategic Alternative to Full-Time Hiring Workshop Duration
Workshop Details: This practical workshop introduces business leaders to the game-changing concept of fractional HR services and how they can provide enterprise-level expertise at a fraction of the cost. Using real-world success stories and ROI analysis, participants will learn how to identify when fractional services make strategic sense, how to implement a hybrid model that maximizes value, and how to measure success beyond cost savings. Attendees will leave with assessment tools to evaluate their current HR needs, a framework for calculating the true financial impact of different HR models, and strategies for transitioning to a fractional approach without disruption to operations or employee experience.
Workshop Length: 1.25 Hours
Speaker: Denise Merritt
Cost: $1.200
Topic: AI in Human Resources: Practical Applications for Today's Business Challenges
Workshop Details: This cutting-edge workshop cuts through the hype to deliver practical guidance on implementing AI solutions in HR functions for businesses of all sizes. Participants will explore real-world applications of AI in recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and employee experience, with special attention to ethical considerations and implementation challenges. Through demonstrations and interactive planning exercises, attendees will identify high-impact, low-risk starting points for AI adoption in their organizations, develop criteria for evaluating AI solutions, and create a roadmap for responsible implementation that enhances rather than replaces human capabilities in HR functions.
Workshop Length: 1.5 Hours
Speaker: Denise Merritt
Cost: $1,500
Leadership & Professional Development
Topic: Thriving: The Top 3 Strategies to be Resilient in Time of Change
Workshop Details: Embrace change and thrive! Discover the Top 3 Strategies for Resilience in Changing Times, based on expert research. Learn concrete steps to shift your perspective and navigate ambiguity. Leave with actionable tips and a workbook to build your personal resilience and foster deeper team conversations.
Workshop Length: 1 Hour
Speaker: Dr. Steve Yacovelli
Cost: $9,997
Topic: Growing: The Top 6 Leadership Skills Everyone Should Know & Grow
Workshop Details: Ready to amplify your leadership? Discover the Top 6 Leadership Competencies to become a rock star leader! Explore authenticity, courage, empathy, communication, relationship building, and culture shaping. Understand these skills in your context and gain actionable steps for leadership success. Perfect for anyone with influence!
Workshop Length: 1 Hour
Speaker: Dr. Steve Yacovelli
Cost: $9,997
Topic: Strategic Leadership: Building High-Performance Teams in Challenging Times
Workshop Details: This dynamic leadership workshop equips managers and executives with practical strategies to inspire, engage, and lead their teams through change and uncertainty. Participants will discover proven techniques for effective communication, conflict resolution, and performance management that drive results. Through interactive exercises and personalized feedback, attendees will identify their unique leadership strengths, develop strategies to address their blind spots, and create actionable plans to elevate both individual and team performance. This workshop transforms conventional management approaches into strategic leadership that cultivates loyalty, innovation, and measurable business outcomes.
Workshop Length: 3 Hours
Speaker: Denise Merritt
Cost: $2,500
We Welcome You to Join Us.
If you have any questions about The Pride Chamber or would like to learn more about our organization,
please contact us or join us online.