For all-staff and people managers
Strength in Numbers
The difference between saying you are an ally and actually being one.
Churchill said there is only one thing worse than fighting with allies, and that is fighting without them. The word ally comes from the Latin alligare, meaning to bind oneself to. A bio line and a binding are different things. This keynote is about the binding.
If you’d like to build on this topic beyond the keynote, you can learn more about how I work with organizations on consulting engagements.
Trailer
See it in ninety seconds
Trailer
A short trailer for this talk lands here. Speaking feedback and a longer sample appear below.
Overview
What active allyship looks like when it counts, and what to do when it is your turn
Most people who call themselves allies mean it. The problem is that good intentions and a profile bio are not the same thing as a practice. The gap between them is where the 2SLGBTQI+ community needs people to actually show up.
This keynote names the difference between the armchair ally and the active one, then walks through the language, the everyday practices, and the moments where allyship is genuinely tested. What to do when you see something. What to say. How to get it wrong gracefully and not let that stop you.
Audiences leave with a clear-eyed view of the most common pitfalls, and a short list of moves that make allyship real without making it about the ally.
What clients say
From the organizations that booked this talk
-
We were fortunate to have Michael join IGM Financial for a conversation “Breaking Down the Strength in Numbers: How to be an Active Ally” led by our 2SLGBTQIA+ BRG. Michael has such a gift for engaging his audience with practical guidance infused with a touch of humour, relating to our attendees, regardless of where they are on their personal allyship journey. It is not often that our internal chat is filled with comments about how amazing a speaker is, while the speaker is still presenting! This was the case with Michael!
Kimberley Messer VP, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion IGM Financial
-
Michael recently spoke to our company’s North American organization about the 2SLGBTQI+ community and the importance of allyship. He brought a thoughtful balance of humour and education to the table, creating a forum where employees could gain a better understanding of important topics such as the difference between sexual and gender identity and the ways they can best support 2SLGBTQI+ colleagues in the workplace. We would definitely recommend Michael to any organization interested in elevating its awareness and support of 2SLGBTQI+ issues.
Tyler Fields Director, Online Communities Ipsos
Verified attendee feedback
What the rooms said
Combined, response-weighted scores from every delivery of this keynote, collected independently through Talkadot.
- 98%Engaging
- 98%Memorable
- 98%Entertaining
- 98%Inspiring
- It was a very informative session with a great visual presentation from an engaging speaker who interspersed serious, helpful information with entertaining humour. Attendee
- Valuable. I felt like I had a solid foundation of information. This program added to that foundation, and took my knowledge and understanding further. Attendee
- Engaging, enlightening, entertaining- making it easy to listen and take actions - thank you (love the humour in your style!) Attendee
Ten-minute speaking sample
Watch a longer sample
Share your email to watch a ten-minute clip from this keynote.
We will not share your email. One click unsubscribes you from anything we send. Submitting tags this address with the talk you asked about, so if you follow up we already know the context.
Thanks. The link is also on its way to your inbox so you can come back to it.
Frequently asked
Quick answers before you reach out
How long is this keynote?
Sixty minutes is the standard, and it is adjustable in either direction. Tell me the slot and I will make it work.
Can it be delivered virtually?
Yes. The structure and the audience interaction are the same in both formats. Virtual delivery works on Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Webex, or whatever platform your team is already using.
Who is this talk for?
Built for all-staff sessions, ERGs, learning weeks, and people-manager cohorts. It also lands well with broader leadership audiences and anyone who wants to move from good intentions to actual practice.
Can the content be customized for our audience?
Yes. Every booking starts with a prep call to tailor the examples, language, and case studies to your sector, your audience, and the moment your organization is in. Customization is part of the speaking fee, not an add-on.
How do we book Michael for this talk?
Send a note through the contact page with your event date, audience, format, and budget range. You will hear back within two business days with availability, a fee, and a short note on fit.
Bring me to your stage
Tell me about the event, the audience, and what you want people to leave thinking about. I will come back with a short note on fit, format, and what a strong version of this looks like for your room.