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Tina Varughese        

Expert on Cross-Cultural Communication & Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

There has never been a greater need for cross-cultural collaboration than in today's world of global connectivity. Companies are employing and serving people from all over the world—all with their own languages, values, and communication styles. So how can leaders strategically bridge cultural divides to ensure equity and efficiency within all areas of their company?

They count on renowned cultural diversity speaker and trainer Tina Varughese to forge the path forward. An Indo-Canadian daughter of first generation East Indian parents and a business leader who for 15 years worked with immigrants in her roles with the Province of Alberta’s immigration office and her own successful relocation and settlement firm, Varughese leverages her distinct expertise to help organizations across all sectors and sizes empower their intercultural and cross-generational workplaces. Her human- and humor-centric approach has made her a memorable speaker that can connect with any audience.

Working with global organizations in almost every industry vertical, Varughese sheds light, knowledge and personal experiences that allow her to uniquely leverage humor to create psychologically safe spaces for more intentional conversations around diversity, equity and inclusion. Her highly entertaining, interactive, and practical keynotes leave attendees inspired to think, behave, act, and communicate with more clarity and deeper empathy.

Varughese is one of “Canada’s Top 10 Notable Speakers” as named by Ignite Magazine - a premier magazine for conference and event planners - where she was highlighted for her ability to break down barriers and create a comfortable, inclusive, and engaging space for attendees. She was also, literally, the face of diversity, when she was chosen to participate in Dove’s campaign for Real Beauty, representing beauty in diversity.

If your team or conference is ready for a layered perspective and fresh delivery of DEI strategies then Varughese’s tools and techniques will help you create more inclusive organizational cultures of collaboration, creativity, and open communication, which will lead to ultimate positivity, profitability, and purposeful change.

Speech Topics


The Human Side of Unconscious Bias

We are not born with bias. Unconscious biases typically exist towards gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability (both physical and mental), and weight. These biases are formed by past situations, experiences, background, and culture. But, just because we have biases does not mean we need to take a shame or blame approach. Rather, it is time to understand the nuance and deeper layers of why and how unconscious bias exists in all of us. These are the very human, courageous conversations that Tina Varughese’s keynote will inspire in your organization. Through her uniquely interactive, energetic, and entertaining approach, she helps people get comfortable with their discomfort quickly.

Key Takeaways

  • Understand the neuroscience behind Unconscious Bias (No blame, no shame)

  • Manage and mitigate Unconscious Bias in recruitment, retention & employee engagement

  • Learn strategies for breaking cultural, generational, and gender biases

  • Build a new dynamic for having courageous conversations

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