Vernā Myers

Global DEI Keynote Speaker, Founder & CEO Of The Vernā Myers Company, Former Netflix Inclusion Strategy Vice President

Vernā Myers’s Biography:

Vernā Myers is an internationally respected keynote speaker, inclusion strategist and cultural commentator, widely Vernā Myers is an internationally respected keynote speaker, inclusion strategist and cultural commentator, widely recognised for her role as Vice President of Inclusion Strategy at Netflix and as the Founder and CEO of The Vernā Myers Company. She is known for delivering powerful, human-centred keynotes that help organisations confront bias, build trust and create cultures where people feel safe to be themselves. One of her most notable achievements is shaping large-scale inclusion strategies within global organisations, influencing both corporate leadership and creative industries. Vernā’s speaking style is direct, engaging and deeply practical, grounded in lived experience and decades of professional expertise.

Vernā’s early career was shaped by academic excellence and a strong foundation in law and public service. Raised in Baltimore, she went on to study Political Science at Barnard College, graduating magna cum laude, before earning her Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School. She began her professional journey as an Associate Attorney, working in corporate and real estate law, experiences that gave her first-hand insight into institutional systems and power structures. In 1992, she became Executive Director of the Boston Law Firm Group, the first person to hold the role, where she worked to advance diversity across major legal institutions. She later served as Deputy Chief of Staff for the Office of the Attorney General of Massachusetts, playing a key role in expanding statewide initiatives around sexual harassment training and inclusion.

In 1997, Vernā founded The Vernā Myers Company, marking a pivotal moment in her career and the wider DEI landscape. Through her consultancy, she has advised hundreds of organisations across legal, corporate, academic and public sectors, helping leaders tackle race, gender, identity and belonging with honesty and accountability. Her influence grew further through authorship, with two bestselling books, ‘Moving Diversity Forward’ and ‘What If I Say the Wrong Thing?’, both widely regarded as essential reading on cultural effectiveness. Her TEDx talk, ‘How to Overcome Our Biases? Walk Boldly Towards Them’, viewed by millions worldwide, cemented her reputation as a leading voice on unconscious bias and behavioural change.

Vernā’s appointment as Inaugural Vice President of Inclusion Strategy at Netflix in 2018 brought her work to a global stage. During her tenure, she helped embed inclusion into company culture and content, influencing representation across teams and productions. She continues to be recognised with major honours, including the 2024 Trailblazer in Gender Equity and Diversity Award, and remains a sought-after keynote speaker worldwide. Organisations hire Vernā because she brings clarity, credibility and compassion to complex conversations. Her keynote topics, including equity, inclusion, leadership and communication, are vital for organisations seeking sustainable performance, trust and cultural resilience.

Why Hire Vernā Myers?

Hiring Vernā Myers means bringing clarity and confidence to conversations many organisations avoid. She speaks with authority shaped by real leadership experience, from global strategy at Netflix to decades advising senior teams across law, business and public life. Her keynotes are practical, human and challenging in the right way; audiences leave with language they can use and actions they can take. Vernā helps leaders understand bias without blame, build trust across difference, and create cultures where people perform at their best. One client described her session as the first time inclusion felt both honest and achievable.

Vernā Myers’s Career Highlights:

Here are some of the key milestones that define Vernā Myers’s impressive career in inclusion strategy:

• 2025 – Hosted and co-led webinars and interactive DEI sessions with The Vernā Myers Company
• 2025 – Appeared at summits #UnitySummit2025, celebrating inclusion and connection with broad audiences
• 2024 – Awarded Trailblazer in Gender Equity & Diversity by Women’s Business Collaborative
• 2024 – Delivered commencement address at Santa Clara University School of Law
• 2021 – Named DEI Person of the Year by CODE Crew
• 2021 – LinkedIn Learning course ranked most popular on the platform
• 2018 – Appointed Vice President of Inclusion Strategy at Netflix
• 2014 – TEDx talk ‘How to Overcome Our Biases? Walk Boldly Towards Them’
• 2013 – Published What If I Say the Wrong Thing?
• 2011 – Published Moving Diversity Forward
• 1997 – Founded The Vernā Myers Company
• 1992 – Appointed Executive Director of the Boston Law Firm Group