85% Speaker Rotation Rule

A strategy for creating genuine diversity at conferences by implementing strict speaker rotation and representation requirements.

Core Speaker Rotation Strategy

• Mandate 85% new speakers every year
• Ensure 30% or greater representation from underrepresented groups per topic
• Focus on true diversity across multiple dimensions:
  • Race
  • Gender
  • Gender preference
  • Age
  • Neurodiversity
  • Socioeconomic background

Implementation Tactics

• Network aggressively ("like honey badgers") to find diverse talent
• Attend diverse conferences and events to recruit speakers:
  • National Black MBA Association
  • Blavity
  • Afro Tech
  • We All Grow Latina
  • Blogalicious
  • Blogging While Brown

Leadership Requirements

• CEO must demonstrate clear commitment to inclusivity
• Leaders should:
  • Publicly write about diversity commitments
  • Participate in Q&As about company values
  • Reject candidates that don't meet diversity goals
  • Set clear KPIs for diversity initiatives

Business Impact (According to Studies)

• Companies with women in leadership show:
  • 64% higher first-round valuations
  • 49% higher exit valuations
• Benefits include:
  • Increased returns
  • Lower risk
  • Improved employee engagement
  • Better customer engagement

Current Industry Context

• Wall Street and VC statistics:
  • 90% male traders
  • 90% male hedge fund managers
  • 95% male mutual fund managers
  • 86% male financial advisers
  • 95% male VCs
  • Predominantly white across all categories