President & CEO of UbuntuGlobal, Co-Founder of The Inclusive Leaders Institute, Author of ‘The Diversity Advantage’ & a Member of the Speaker Hall of Fame

Lenora Billings-Harris is an internationally recognised authority on diversity, inclusion and bias. As President and CEO of UbuntuGlobal and co-founder of The Inclusive Leaders Institute, she has dedicated her career to helping organisations dismantle unconscious bias and create inclusive cultures. A Certified Speaking Professional and member of the Speaker Hall of Fame, she has delivered transformative keynotes across more than 45 countries. Known for her practical, inspiring approach, Lenora equips leaders and teams with the strategies to embed inclusion into business performance and build environments where every individual can thrive.

After studying Adult Education, Lenora began her corporate career as Human Resources Director for CIGNA Group Insurance, developing expertise in people management and workplace culture. She went on to serve as Chief Diversity Strategist for Excel Development Systems, helping organisations adopt progressive diversity and inclusion strategies. Her career also spans higher education, having taught as Adjunct Faculty at the Bryan School of Business, University of North Carolina, and as Adjunct Professor at Averett University.

Her leadership extends to the speaking profession, serving as President of the National Speakers Association and later as Director, President and Executive Council Chair of the Global Speakers Federation. In 2020, she co-founded The Inclusive Leaders Institute, guiding organisations in creating fairer structures and a sense of belonging. With more than 25 years’ experience across the public and private sectors, Lenora has built a reputation as one of the world’s most credible, insightful voices on diversity, equity and inclusion.

Lenora has authored ‘The Diversity Advantage’ and co-authored ‘Trailblazers: How Top Business Leaders are Accelerating Results Through Inclusion and Diversity’. Her work has been widely recognised for advancing understanding of how inclusion and equity drive organisational success. In addition to her books, she is frequently featured as a thought leader across global media and professional platforms.

Why Hire Lenora Billings-Harris?

Lenora is booked as a diversity and inclusion speaker for her ability to inspire, challenge and transform audiences worldwide. As the first African American woman inducted into the Speaker Hall of Fame, she has broken barriers while modelling inclusive leadership at the highest level. Her engaging style and ability to translate complex issues into actionable strategies ensure that organisations leave with both inspiration and practical tools for change.

She has spoken for leading institutions such as AT&T, Best Buy and the University of Washington, earning recognition as one of the 100 Global Thought Leaders on Diversity & Inclusion and one of the 20 Top Influential Diversity Leaders in the US. Her honours also include the Cavett Award and being named a Legend of the Speaking Profession. Whether addressing executive teams or global conferences, Lenora delivers powerful messages that resonate across industries, helping organisations connect diversity, equity and inclusion to employee engagement, customer relationships and business growth.

To book Lenora to speak at your event, call SpeakOut on +44 (0) 20 8914 8966. Alternatively, complete our contact form to begin your enquiry.