Janet Stovall

Janet M. Stovall is the is a self- described diversity pragmatist and the Global Head of DEI at the NeuroLeadership Institute, a global think tank, consultancy, and research organization that uses neuroscience to improve business performance. Stovall broke barriers as one of the few Black C-level speechwriters in the Fortune 100 and has a long history of driving change and building culture in large, complex organizations.

Stovall is best known for her TED talk challenging business to get serious about inclusion. Collectively, Stovall’s three TED presentations have nearly 3 million views. A firm believer in action over aspiration, intent over impact and objectivity over subjectivity, Stovall works with organizations and leaders that truly value diversity as an asset. Her consultancy, Pragmatic Diversity, helps them unlock that value through accountable inclusion and equity. Through direct consultation with leaders, teams and individuals, as well as keynote speeches and workshops, she helps business get real about DEI and dismantling systemic inequity.

Stovall is the co-author of "The Conscious Communicator: The Fine Art of Not Saying Stupid Sh*t," where she speaks to challenges of communicating authentically about DEI and social justice. Her groundbreaking book introduces a framework and practical tool to help leaders shape DEI and social justice and visions and messages aligned with organizational mission, vision, and values.

Stovall holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Davidson College in Davidson, NC, a Master of Professional Studies in Integrated Marketing Communications from Georgetown University and graduate certificates in DEI from Cornell and Yale. She is a member of the Davidson College Board of Trustees.