Vivek Shraya

Having experienced and witnessed communities grapple with cancel culture, burnout, and inequality, Vivek Shraya is always evolving her ideas of leadership to continue to take risks and apply the out-of-the-box thinking necessary for creating change and opportunity. In this presentation, Vivek will share personal stories on how she went from being a bullied teen to a leader in her communities, and the lessons and principles she picked up along the way. As someone who is actively involved in giving back and supporting her communities, Vivek will share the importance of caring for those around you, and will inspire you to recognize the power we all have to create change.

Through art and storytelling, Vivek shares her relationship to mental health and how setting boundaries with herself and others has been an essential part of her self-care. Challenging the idea of “wellness” as a static destination, Vivek highlights connections with physical health, identity and oppression, and the importance of accepting an ongoing relationship and struggle with mental health. With practical takeaways that audiences can apply in their own lives, Vivek shares how boundaries can have an essential role in caring for mental health. Whether it’s learning to say no more often, taking breaks from our online lives, or rethinking the “how are you” catch up with a friend, Vivek will illustrate how small changes can make a big impact on our mental health.

The value of diversity and inclusion in the workplace is well established, but how has it changed how we work? In this presentation, Vivek helps organizations reimagine what the workplace can look like when we proactively design practices and environments that make all team members feel safe and supported. After all, as one onboarding specialist shared with Vivek, “If we want to hire diverse people, we need to be able to support diverse needs.” Inspired by her experience as an educator, community leader, and safe space coordinator, Vivek shares meaningful and practical steps to help make your whole team feel safe and supported at work. Key takeaways include: - Challenging bias during the hiring process - Supporting trans and gender non-conforming staff - Importance of clear policies and processes around anti-discrimination, anti-racism, sexual harassment prevention, etc.

From launching a pop music career in a small conservative town to creating the award-winning series How to Fail as a Popstar, Vivek Shraya has constantly reinvented herself across art, literature, and performance. In this empowering keynote, Vivek—author of the best-seller People Change—shares how embracing our evolving identities is key to living boldly. In a time where many of us have grown more insecure about our social skills and relationships, and more uncertain about the future, Vivek shares the importance of being unabashedly ourselves, and how to turn rejection into opportunity, take risks with intention, and live beyond “authenticity” while courageously and confidently embracing change

Organizations often treat conflict as a threat, but avoiding it erodes trust, communication, and innovation. Using her lived experience and cultural lens, Vivek reframes conflict as an expression of care and a powerful tool for strengthening relationships at work. Key Takeaways for Professionals: • Why “conflict aversion” weakens teams and slows decision-making • How transparency and disagreement can increase trust, not damage it • Practical techniques for disagreeing with respect, clarity, and empathy • How to create space for dialogue in polarized workplaces Why it resonates now:In a time of social division and workplace polarization, teams need skills to communicate across differences—not avoid them. Vivek offers a human, relatable, and emotionally intelligent approach.

Conflict isn’t the opposite of care—it is care. Vivek explores how discomfort, questioning, and difficult conversations are necessary for belonging, inclusion, and strong organizational culture. Key Takeaways for Leaders & People Managers: • How avoidance harms inclusion efforts and allows misunderstanding to fester • The difference between destructive conflict and relational conflict • How to signal care, respect, and curiosity during moments of tension • Why marginalized employees often don’t get the “privilege of avoidance” • Concrete steps for building a culture where people feel safe to speak up Why it resonates now: DEI efforts increasingly require navigating discomfort, disagreement, and nuanced dialogue. Vivek brings a powerful personal perspective that bridges empathy with actionable leadership strategy.

“Agree to disagree” feels peaceful, but often creates shallow relationships and organizational apathy. Vivek argues that courageous, compassionate conflict is what creates real connection—and real progress. Key Takeaways for Organizations: • Why “harmony culture” leads to stagnation, low accountability, and weak engagement • How unresolved tension drains motivation and belonging • Tools for moving from avoidance → acknowledgement → resolution • How to remain connected even when opinions differ • What leaders can do to model healthy dialogue in uncertain times Why it resonates now: Organizations are navigating political tension, generational divides, remote work misalignment, and cultural fragmentation. Vivek offers a grounded, relationship-forward framework for navigating all of it.