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Anthony McLean      

Storyteller, Actor & Author; Leadership, Mental Health & Inclusivity Advocate

Called a “master storyteller”, Anthony McLean delivers lively, actionable presentations on mental health, diversity & inclusion, and the intersection between them. He’s worked with such leading organizations as PepsiCo, Intel, Danone, Coca Cola, and more. McLean shows audiences how to foster an environment of empathy, acceptance, and mental well-being to enhance DEI work and boost individual and team performance.

A respected voice in his field, McLean has delivered hundreds of inspiring talks across the world, rocking the stage at conferences, colleges, and corporate events. His clients have ranged from charities and non-profits to Fortune 500s, with all benefitting from his research-backed tools and actionable strategies that leave them inspired and equipped to bring their best every day. In 2024, McLean released his first book, All Fired Up: Optimize Mental Health to Ignite Joy and Fuel Peak Performance.

McLean has a background in theatre and works actively in the film and television industry. As a screenwriter, he’s currently in development on two feature films.

Speech Topics


Diversity: The Secret Power Behind High Performing Teams

Diverse teams are two times more likely to meet financial targets, three times more likely to be high-performing, and six times more likely to be innovative and agile. Diversity is a competitive advantage! But barriers to career advancement have limited underrepresented communities in significant ways.

In this lively and interactive presentation, Anthony McLean challenges participants to think critically about unconscious bias, microaggressions, and other hindrances to creating an inclusive workplace culture. Finally, he offers actionable strategies to hire, promote, and protect under-represented people and groups within our organizations.

Learning outcomes:

  • Learn how to move from being “non-racist” to becoming "anti-racist”.
  • Understand the difference between “cancel culture” and “accountability”.
  • Harness the power of being an ally in your circle of influence.

Fire Up Your Mental Health!

Low energy, quiet quitting, burnout... It seems everyone is struggling these days. How can we regain our enthusiasm, recapture our joy, and get the pep back in our step at work and at home? Many people assume mental health is a topic of interest only for those who struggle with anxiety, depression, or mental illness. But your energy levels, your mood, your ability to think clearly and pursue goals — these are all a reflection of your mental health.

In this upbeat and inspiring presentation, Anthony McLean offers actionable tools to optimize energy levels, stimulate creative thinking, and approach every day with enthusiasm and joy.

Learning outcomes:

  • Understand the difference between everyday ups and downs, temporary mental health problems, and mental illnesses.
  • Learn healthy coping skills to deal with stress and anxiety.
  • See the role exercise, sleep, hydration, and nutrition play in overall wellness.
  • Adopt a supportive mental health routine.

Belonging: The Intersection of Mental Health and DEI

One of the outcomes of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is to ensure people have a sense of belonging within our organizations. There is a considerable amount of overlap between mental wellness and racial equity. In this inspiring presentation, Anthony McLean contends that empathy is at the heart of both DEI work and mental health awareness, and psychological safety and creating a sense of belonging are central to both pursuits. This interactive presentation helps participants bring more compassion and courage to the work of anti-racism and mental wellness.

Learning outcomes:

  • Learn how to approach mental health and DEI through the lens of empathy.
  • Understand the impact systemic racism has on mental health.
  • See how microaggressions are the "death by a thousand papercuts” to a sense of belonging.

Wellness in the Workplace: Embracing a Gentle Approach to Mental Health

In this timely and compassionate presentation, Anthony McLean delves into the pressing need for a more gentle approach to mental health in the workplace amidst the current climate of uncertainty and turmoil. Drawing from personal insights, practical strategies, and evidence-based research, he offers participants valuable tools to cultivate resilience, foster self-compassion, and embrace a sustainable work-life balance.

Through engaging discussions and actionable takeaways, McLean empowers attendees to prioritize their mental well-being and create a supportive workplace culture grounded in kindness, connection, and understanding.

Learning outcomes include:

  • Practical strategies for practicing self-care and mindfulness in the workplace to enhance overall well-being and productivity.
  • Understanding the importance of fostering a workplace culture that prioritizes mental health and supports employee resilience and work-life balance.
  • Learning how to cultivate compassion, connection, and self-compassion in the workplace, promoting a sense of belonging and emotional well-being among team members.

In Celebration of Educators

This is an encouraging, morale-boosting talk to inspire educators who give their best every day. Teachers and administrators are often overwhelmed and sometimes feel burnt out by the end of the week. It’s easy to forget that the daily interactions we have with students are sometimes the most valuable moments of our day.

In this laugh-out-loud presentation, Anthony McLean tells funny and inspiring stories about the teachers and administrators who changed his life by acknowledging his effort, encouraging his strengths, and pushing him to give his best. Every educator needs this reminder — the reward for not giving up on our students is the ability to make a difference and change the world one student at a time.

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