Michael Bach

Speaking topics

Presentations listed below include in-person and virtual keynotes, as well as workshops, fireside chats, and other presentation formats.

• It’s the Economy Stupid: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility is STILL Good Business

  In an era where IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility) initiatives are increasingly under fire, some have dismissed them as “too woke” or politically charged distractions. With companies like Jack Daniels and Best Buy reevaluating their DEI commitments, stepping back from these efforts isn’t just shortsighted — it’s bad business. In this bold and unapologetic keynote, Michael Bach tackles the misconceptions head-on with wit, honesty, and hard-hitting facts that cut through the noise.

  Drawing from extensive research by Deloitte, McKinsey, and other trusted sources, Bach makes a compelling case that IDEA isn’t a passing trend — it’s a cornerstone of future business success. Packed with real-world insights and actionable strategies, this keynote underscores how organizations that prioritize inclusion and equity outperform their peers in innovation, profitability, and talent retention. Leaders will walk away not only understanding why IDEA remains essential in today’s economy but also how to champion it as a strategic advantage in an ever-evolving marketplace.

  Key takeaways include:

  • The Business case for IDEA.
  • How to counter misconceptions and resistance.
  • How to implement strategic IDEA initiatives.

• All Aboard: How DEI Went Off the Rails and How to Get the IDEA Train Back on Track

  You may have heard that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is dead, or at the very least, it’s on life support. One thing is clear: the work of DEI or IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility) is going through a forced and much-needed metamorphosis, whether we like it or not.

  Recent events have driven some employers to dump their DEI efforts completely, or at the very least, shy away from saying anything publicly for fear of unwanted attention. However, the reasons behind IDEA work haven’t gone away: Employers need to attract and retain the best and brightest talent, with a focus on high engagement and low voluntary turnover. Businesses need to improve their financial performance and decision-making, as well as expand their market reach. None of these things will happen without a deliberate focus on inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility. But what’s the right way forward?

  “All Aboard” presents the case for how things got so out of control with DEI and proposes how employers can pivot to ensure IDEA efforts are achieving their objectives while not excluding anyone.

  Key takeaways include:

  • What went wrong and why DEI has become a target for some.
  • What are the key components for a successful IDEA approach.
  • Suggestions of how to get your IDEA work back on track.

• The Four Fundamentals of Inclusive Leadership: The Secret Ingredients to Turn People into Inclusive Leaders

  An organization is only as inclusive as the people in it. As employers look to embed inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) into their DNA, a vital tool in the toolbox is inclusive leadership, ensuring that the leaders in their organization are acting inclusively and supporting the overall IDEA strategy. But what does it take to be an inclusive leader? And why aren’t more leaders acting inclusively?

  “The Four Fundamentals of Inclusive Leadership” focuses on understanding bias, cultural competence, empathy, and privilege, which leaders must comprehend to actively make their organization more inclusive. Leveraging research from his book Birds of All Feathers: Doing Diversity and Inclusion Right and his extensive experience in inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility, Michael Bach lays out the details of the four ingredients to help create inclusive leaders.

  Audiences will leave with a clear understanding of:

  • Bias, cultural competence, empathy, and privilege.
  • A look at how not understanding these four things can become a barrier to acting inclusively.
  • Tips and tricks for starting on a journey of understanding bias, cultural competence, empathy, and privilege to become actively more inclusive.

  This program is ideal for any organization looking to take its IDEA journey to the next level, with a particular focus on its leadership. It is applicable for for-profit and non-profit audiences across any industry and appropriate for all potential attendees, with a particular focus on people managers, HR professionals, and leadership teams.

• He/She/They/Hey! Understanding the Why and How of Pronouns

  We’ve all heard someone say it; that introduction where they not only share their name, but also their pronouns. “Hi, my name is Alex, and my pronouns are they/them,” or something of that nature. But what does it matter? And what exactly are pronouns?

  Pronoun usage isn’t new, nor is the use of “they” in the singular as a gender-non-specific identifier (which dates back to the 13th century — just ask Chaucer and Shakespeare). What is new is the inclusion of pronouns as part of introductions, and in email and various online platforms like LinkedIn, which is where the confusion lies.

  “He/She/They/Hey! Understanding the Why and How of Pronouns” is designed to help people understand what pronouns are and, more importantly, how to use them inclusively in order to create space where people can be themselves. Leveraging content from his bestselling book, Alphabet Soup: The Essential Guide to LGBTQ2+ Inclusion, Michael Bach takes participant on a learning journey to understand the importance of pronoun identification in maintaining 2sLGBTQI+ inclusive spaces.

  Key takeaways include:

  • What is a pronoun and what types of pronouns there are.
  • Why using pronouns is an important indicator of 2sLGBTQI+ inclusion.
  • How to properly indicate pronouns in an inclusive and informative manner.

• My Superpower is Privilege: Understanding Your Secret Weapon to Create Inclusive Spaces

  The word privilege gets thrown around a lot, and often not as a compliment. But what is privilege? How do you get it? And how can you use it to make your organization, and society, a better place for all?

  A privilege is defined as “a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group.” When it comes to inclusions, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA), we tend to talk about things like “white privilege” or “male privilege”. What about “financial privilege” or “educational privilege”? There are many forms of privilege and while not everyone possesses every type of privilege, many people have some form of privilege, in some way, whether they know it or not.

  My Superpower is Privilege: Understanding Your Secret Weapon to Create Inclusive Spaces is an entertaining and informative look at the concept of privilege, and how it can be used to the advantage of others. Based on his award-winning and bestselling book Birds of All Feathers: Doing Diversity and Inclusion Right, Michael Bach focuses on the individual and how those of use with certain privileges can use that privilege to make our spaces more inclusive for all people.

  Learning Objectives

  Participants will come away with a clear understanding of:

  • The concept of and various kinds of privilege.
  • How privilege can impact people’s lives.
  • How they can use their privilege to the advantage of others.

  This program is ideal for any organization that is looking to take their IDEA journey to the next level, by engaging their people in a conversation about how they can be more active participants in true inclusion. It is applicable for for-profit and non-profit audiences, across any industry, and appropriate for all potential attendees.

• Strength in Numbers: How to be an Active Ally

  Winston Churchill once said, “There is at least one thing worse than fighting with allies, and that is fighting without them.” The circumstances may have been dramatically different, but the intention remains true. The 2sLGBTQI+ communities would not be where we are today without our allies — straight cisgender people — who have seen the terrible realities faced by 2sLGBTQI+ people and joined in the fight.

  The word “ally” comes from the Latin word “alligare,” meaning “to bind to.” In essence, it means to join forces; to align with a particular cause. But what does that mean for individuals?

  “Strength in Numbers: How to be an Active Ally” is an engaging and informative look at the concept of allyship, and the key factors in being an active ally. Based on his new book Alphabet Soup: The Essential Guide to LGBTQ2+ Inclusion at Work, Michael Bach focuses on the individual and how each person plays a role in creating an inclusive space for 2sLGBTQI+ people.

  Participants will walk away with a clear understanding of:

  • The difference between an armchair ally and an active ally.
  • Tips and tricks for being an active ally.
  • Potential pitfalls to avoid on your journey.