Which speaker to choose for a conference on inclusion?

The choice of the ideal speaker for a conference on inclusion depends first and foremost on the specific objective of the event, and not solely on the general theme being addressed. The key is to find the profile whose approach, experience, and sensitivity best match your expectations and your audience. This guide offers a detailed comparison of ten renowned speakers, highlighting their areas of expertise: strategy, management, operations, decision-making, human dimension, and more. Rather than a ranking, it is a practical tool designed to help you identify the most relevant speaker according to the nature of your project and your audience.

Angles and Specificities of Each Speaker

Virginie Delalande

Speaker, coach, author, and founder of Handicapower

Angle: Embodiment of resilience and achievement in the face of disability.

For which audience / event: General public, employees, inspirational events

Choose if… Choose if you want a powerful testimonial about overcoming obstacles and building confidence, to inspire teams to see difference as a strength.

Conference to watch: The Power of Difference

Delphine LUGINBUHL

Expert in Team Cohesion – Author of 'La force du lien' (Kawa) and 'Cultiver l'optimisme' (Eyrolles)

Angle: Human connection and diversity as drivers of collective optimism.

For which audience / event: Managers, teams, team-building seminars

Choose if… Choose if you want to work on complementarity of talents and collective engagement within a positive dynamic.

Conference to watch: Diversity, optimism, and humanity in action: what if our differences were the most underutilized resource in your teams?

Florence Alix-gravellier

Paralympic medalist 🥉🥉 - Sports Federation Leader - Diversity & Inclusion Expert

Angle: The journey of a Paralympic champion to rethink collective success.

For which audience/event: Executive committees, managers, sports conventions, or companies

Choose if… Choose if you want to address inclusion from the perspective of performance and leadership, with insights from both sports and management.

Conference to watch: REVERS GAGNANTS - Revealing the human side to unlock collective performance.

Marine Pétroline Soichot

Podcaster, speaker, and trainer, Marine-Pétroline deciphers everyday sexism

Angle: Scientific and societal analysis of everyday sexism.

For which audience / event: Companies, schools, events focused on gender equality

Choose if… Choose if you want to understand and take concrete action on gender stereotypes and workplace equality.

Conference to watch: Everyday Sexism: Understand Everything and Take Action for Greater Equality

Tiffany Mazars

Speaker on invisible disability, diversity, and inclusion/awareness

Angle: Lived experience and practical solutions for the inclusion of invisible disabilities.

For which audience/event: HR, managers, diversity days, SMEs

Choose if… Choose if you want to break the taboos around invisible disabilities and promote the inclusion of non-visible differences.

Conference to watch: Invisible Disability, Capable in Other Ways

FLORIAN LEMERCIER

Florian is a speaker, entrepreneur, and founder of his own communications agency. Former professional radio host.

Angle: An inspiring journey highlighting dyslexia as a driver of innovation.

For which audience / event: Schools, companies, HR managers, youth events

Choose if… Choose if you want to raise awareness about DYS disorders and promote inclusion by valuing atypical talents.

Recommended talk: “Dyslexia is a Strength” (General Public Version, Schools & Events)

Lali Dugelay

Joyful autistic speaker 'Ode to the Joy of Inclusion'

Angle: A joyful and educational approach to autism and the diversity of disabilities.

For which audience/event: Managers, HR, operational teams, practical workshops

Choose if… Choose if you want to give your teams practical tools for welcoming and managing disability diversity, including psychological and invisible disabilities.

Conference to watch: Ode to the Joy of Inclusion

Catherine Bonneville-Morawski

Gender Diversity - Women’s Careers - Unconscious Bias - Sexism and Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Angle: Decoding implicit rules and biases in the workplace to boost women’s careers.

For which audience / event: Executive committees, women’s networks, HR, equality seminars

Choose if… Choose if you want to take action on gender diversity, unconscious bias, and gender equality in career paths.

Conference to watch: Understanding the implicit rules of the workplace to work better together

ERIC PAYAN

Inspiring and motivating—two reasons to listen to what I have to share as a former executive and visually impaired person since the age of 18.

Angle: Turning vulnerability into strength through the journey of a visually impaired leader.

For which audience/event: Managers, team members, motivational events, companies raising awareness about disability

Choose if… Choose if you’re looking for an authentic testimonial about embracing disability and the power of resilience in the workplace.

Conference to watch: Me, vulnerable—and you?

Hamou Bouakkaz

Expert in Disability & Diversity

Angle: Optimism and expertise on social innovation through disability.

For which audience / event: Executive committees, decision-makers, local authorities, institutional events

Choose if… Choose if you are looking for a strategic perspective on diversity, accessibility, and social innovation driven by the experience of disability.

Conference to watch: Innovating through disability: when weakness becomes strength

How to Decide Quickly

To quickly choose the right speaker on inclusion, first identify your main objective or the issue you want to address. Here’s how to guide your decision based on your specific needs:

• If you want a powerful testimony about overcoming challenges and building confidence, to inspire teams to see difference as a strength → Virginie Delalande — embodiment of resilience and success despite disability.
• If you want to focus on the complementarity of talents and collective engagement in a positive dynamic → Delphine LUGINBUHL — human connection and diversity as drivers of collective optimism.
• If you want to address inclusion from the perspective of performance and leadership, with a sports and managerial testimony → Florence Alix-gravellier — journey of a Paralympic champion to rethink collective success.
• If you want to understand and take concrete action on gender stereotypes and professional equality → Marine Pétroline Soichot — scientific and societal analysis of everyday sexism.
• If you want to break taboos around invisible disabilities and promote inclusion of non-visible differences → Tiffany Mazars — lived experience and practical solutions for including invisible disabilities.
• If you want to raise awareness about DYS disorders and encourage inclusion by valuing atypical talents → FLORIAN LEMERCIER — inspiring journey around dyslexia as a source of innovation.
• If you want to equip your teams with practical tools for welcoming and managing the diversity of disabilities, including psychological and invisible ones → Lali Dugelay — joyful and educational approach to autism and the diversity of disabilities.
• If you want to take action on gender diversity, unconscious bias, and gender equality in career paths → Catherine Bonneville-Morawski — analysis of implicit rules and biases in the workplace to boost women’s careers.
• If you want an authentic testimony about accepting disability and the strength of resilience in the workplace → ERIC PAYAN — transforming vulnerability into strength through the journey of a visually impaired leader.
• If you want a strategic reflection on diversity, accessibility, and social innovation driven by the experience of disability → Hamou Bouakkaz — optimism and expertise on social innovation through disability.

FAQ

How do I choose a speaker suited to the objective of my event on inclusion?

First, define the main goal of your conference: awareness, training, or inspiration. For example, Virginie Delalande is ideal for motivating audiences on overcoming disability, while Delphine LUGINBUHL addresses emotional intelligence and diversity.

Which speaker would be best suited for an audience of managers or HR professionals?

For an audience of managers or human resources professionals, prioritize speakers like Catherine Bonneville-Morawski or Hamou Bouakkaz, who offer concrete tools to promote inclusion in the workplace.

Do some speakers offer interactive formats or practical workshops?

Yes, several speakers such as Florence Alix-gravellier and Tiffany Mazars offer participatory workshops in addition to traditional talks. Specify your preferred format when making contact to tailor the session to your event.

How can I assess the technical level or specialization of speakers on the topic of inclusion?

Review each speaker’s background and the topics they cover. For example, Marine Pétroline Soichot specializes in disability inclusion, while Florian Lemercier addresses diversity from a management perspective.

What information should be provided to the speaker during the briefing to ensure a relevant presentation?

It is essential to communicate the audience profile, event context, specific expectations, and the planned duration. Lespeakers can assist you in preparing this brief to optimize the relevance of the presentation.

What’s next?

Once the angle is clarified, the simplest way is to formalize your brief (objective, audience, format, duration, constraints). We can help you match with the right speaker on inclusion.

For a detailed shortlist with biographies, also check out our selection of speakers on inclusion.