Dr. Kryss Shane
Dr. Kryss Shane is a globally recognized LGBT+ inclusion expert helping leaders turn diversity goals into clear, actionable change.
Why book Dr. Kryss Shane for your next event
- Delivers practical, approachable strategies that help organizations create inclusive cultures without overwhelming teams or leadership
- Combines academic expertise, clinical experience, and real-world leadership to drive meaningful, lasting organizational change
- Trusted by leaders across business, education, healthcare, and community sectors for actionable DEI guidance
Non-binding request for Kryss Shane
LGBT+ Inclusion Expert, Author & Advisor to Leaders in Business, Education, and Healthcare
Dr. Kryss Shane, MBA, MS, MSW, LSW, LMSW (she/her), is a trusted voice in LGBT+ inclusion with more than 25 years of experience supporting leaders across business, education, healthcare, and community organizations. Known for turning complex challenges into practical solutions, she delivers coaching and trainings that drive real change. Frequently featured as America’s go-to leading LGBT+ expert, Dr. Kryss is valued for her clear, approachable style. She serves as Director of the Social Work Program and Assistant Professor at Thomas University, Lecturer at Columbia University, and Adjunct Professor at several institutions, helping organizations strengthen culture, trust, and performance through inclusion.
Dr. Kryss Shane: Expertise Rooted in Practice and Leadership
Dr. Kryss Shane brings a rare combination of academic depth, clinical expertise, and hands-on leadership experience to every stage and training room. With a doctorate in Leadership specializing in Education, three master’s degrees, and professional social work licenses in Ohio and New York, her work is grounded in both evidence-based practice and lived organizational realities.
She has spent decades helping leaders understand how inclusive policies, environments, and behaviors directly affect employee well-being, retention, learning outcomes, and community trust. Her guidance goes beyond theory, focusing on real-world changes such as updating hiring practices, reworking policies and procedures, and adapting physical and digital spaces to better serve LGBT+ people.
Authoritative Voice on LGBT+ Inclusion
Dr. Kryss is the author of multiple influential books that serve as practical guides for leaders across sectors. Her publications include The Educator's Guide to LGBT+ Inclusion, the first book of its kind to equip educators and school staff with tools to build more inclusive schools, and Creating an LGBT+ Inclusive University, which supports faculty and administrators in making both on-campus and online learning environments more inclusive.
She is also the author of Creating an LGBT+ Inclusive Workplace, a resource for business leaders seeking safer, more supportive work environments through policy updates, professional training, and ongoing education. Her book The Medical Professional's Guide to LGBT+ Inclusion helps hospitals, clinics, and medical facilities better prepare to care for and support LGBT+ patients and staff. Across all her writing, Dr. Kryss is known for clarity, practicality, and respect for the realities leaders face.
Speaking Topics and Organizational Impact
Dr. Kryss Shane speaks to leaders, teams, and entire organizations about how to build inclusion in ways that are manageable, sustainable, and measurable. Her keynotes and trainings address topics such as LGBT+ inclusion in the workplace, inclusive leadership, supporting transgender and gender-diverse individuals, policy development, and creating affirming cultures in education and healthcare settings.
She is particularly recognized for helping organizations identify gaps they may not see themselves, then guiding them through realistic steps to close those gaps. Her work has supported organizations in expanding teams through community partnerships, strengthening staff collaboration, and aligning values with everyday practices, often without additional financial burden.
Academic Leadership and Professional Practice
In addition to her speaking and consulting work, Dr. Kryss serves as Director of the Social Work Program and Assistant Professor at Thomas University. She is also a Lecturer at Columbia University and an Adjunct Professor at Fordham University, Endicott College, National Louis University, and National University. Her academic work reflects her commitment to preparing future professionals to serve diverse communities with competence and care.
Her professional social work focus areas include transgender youth, sexual and gender minorities, LGBT+ training and education, crisis intervention, family and couples counseling, group work, and animal-assisted therapy. This clinical background informs her ability to speak with empathy and authority about mental health, well-being, and organizational responsibility.
Advocacy, Media, and Global Reach
Dr. Kryss Shane’s influence extends far beyond classrooms and boardrooms. She appears as a cast member on the television series I Am Jazz and regularly contributes to national and international conversations on LGBT+ inclusion through media, conferences, and public events. Her writing has appeared in respected academic journals and professional publications, and she is frequently invited to educate social workers, medical professionals, educators, and business leaders on the specific needs of LGBT+ clients and communities.
As an activist, Dr. Kryss has supported the introduction of Gay Straight Alliances in schools, participated in national equality efforts, and worked directly with legislators to advance non-discrimination laws. She continues to advocate for LGBT+ rights at local, state, federal, and international levels, bringing a deep sense of purpose and responsibility to her work.
Book Dr. Kryss Shane for Your Event
When you book Dr. Kryss Shane for your event, you engage a speaker who combines authority, warmth, and actionable insight. Her sessions leave audiences informed, motivated, and equipped with concrete steps they can take immediately. Whether addressing executives, educators, healthcare professionals, or community leaders, Dr. Kryss delivers clarity, credibility, and lasting impact on what it truly means to create inclusive environments that work for everyone.
Keynotes
Keynote by Dr. Kryss Shane:
Employee Retention & Culture
Employee retention is rarely about salary alone. In this keynote theme, Dr. Kryss Shane explores why employees truly leave and what organizations can do to address turnover at its roots. She connects culture, workload expectations, leadership behavior, and representation to long-term retention, showing how disengagement often begins long before a resignation letter is written.
Audiences gain insight into how retention-ready workplaces are intentionally designed through clarity, humane expectations, and inclusive leadership. This keynote also challenges hustle culture, reframing success through sustainable work practices that allow people to contribute meaningfully without constant exhaustion. The result is a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and motivated to stay.
Audience takeaways
A clearer understanding of the real drivers of employee turnover
Practical strategies for building retention-ready cultures
Tools to reduce burnout while improving engagement and performance
Keynote by Dr. Kryss Shane:
Belonging & Inclusion
Belonging is not an abstract ideal, it is a strategic advantage. In this keynote, Dr. Kryss positions belonging as a core driver of trust, performance, and engagement. She explores how psychological safety forms the foundation of inclusive environments and why employees must feel safe to speak, contribute, and make mistakes without fear.
The session also highlights how belonging begins on day one, examining onboarding as a critical moment where organizations either reinforce exclusion or intentionally build connection and confidence. Leaders leave with a clearer understanding of how everyday systems and behaviors determine whether people truly feel they belong.
Audience takeaways
A practical framework for building psychological safety
Insight into how onboarding shapes long-term belonging
Everyday actions leaders can take to strengthen inclusion
Keynote by Dr. Kryss Shane:
LGBTQ+ Inclusion & Intersectionality
Creating inclusive workplaces for LGBTQ+ employees requires more than statements and policies. This keynote focuses on retention, safety, and visibility in environments that may feel socially or politically challenging.
Dr. Kryss addresses how organizations can meaningfully support LGBTQ+ and transgender employees beyond surface-level efforts, emphasizing daily practices, leadership accountability, and intersectional awareness. She also challenges audiences to move from passive allyship to active inclusion, where advocacy, protection, and consistency are visible in action.
The keynote equips leaders with practical ways to foster trust and retention even in climates that feel uncertain or unwelcoming.
Audience takeaways
Clear guidance on supporting LGBTQ+ and transgender employees
Strategies for moving from allyship to active inclusion
Tools to retain talent in complex or unwelcoming climates
Keynote by Dr. Kryss Shane:
Employee Engagement & Well-being
Engagement cannot be incentivized with perks alone. In this keynote theme, Dr. Kryss Shane examines what truly drives workplace happiness and motivation, including autonomy, respect, psychological safety, and realistic expectations. She explores how trauma, crisis, and external stressors show up at work and how leaders can adopt trauma-informed approaches that support staff without lowering standards.
The keynote also reframes ambition, offering a healthier model for success that prioritizes well-being alongside performance. Organizations learn how to create cultures where people want to contribute, not because they have to, but because they feel supported, trusted, and energized.
Audience takeaways
A deeper understanding of what truly drives engagement
Practical trauma-informed leadership strategies
Ways to support well-being without sacrificing results
Keynote by Dr. Kryss Shane:
Leadership & Communication
Inclusive leadership is defined by what happens in everyday moments. This keynote explores how leaders communicate, give feedback, and show up consistently for their teams. Dr. Kryss breaks down what inclusive leadership looks like in practice, from delivering feedback without alienation to using appropriate vulnerability as a tool for trust-building.
The session emphasizes that leadership credibility is built through clarity, accountability, and human connection. Leaders leave with practical communication strategies that strengthen relationships, reduce defensiveness, and foster stronger team culture.
Audience takeaways
Practical tools for inclusive, effective communication
Strategies for delivering feedback that builds trust
Insight into using vulnerability to strengthen leadership
Keynote by Dr. Kryss Shane:
Future-Ready Culture
As work continues to evolve, inclusion remains a constant requirement. In this keynote, Dr. Kryss Shane explores what it means to build future-ready cultures in a post-pandemic, AI-influenced world. She addresses the shifting landscape of DEI work, acknowledging fatigue and backlash while offering a grounded perspective on how inclusion is evolving rather than disappearing.
The session focuses on how belonging, adaptability, and human-centered leadership will continue to define successful organizations. Audiences gain clarity on how to move forward with intention, ensuring culture keeps pace with change without losing connection or trust.
Audience takeaways
Clarity on how inclusion fits into the future of work
A realistic perspective on the evolution of DEI
Tools to build adaptable, people-centered cultures
Day 1 - Track 1 - Creating an LGBT+ Inclusive Workplace
Watch Dr. Kryss Shane in action!
