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Brittany Martin Déjean

Brittany Martin Déjean

Inclusion Jumpstart

Brittany, a woman with brown hair is seated in front of her desk in front of a screen that reads "from awkward to inclusive, transforming how we see disability"

Fostering radical belonging through disability-inclusive leadership. By transforming perspectives and facing FOMU - the fear of messing up,  organizations bridge the gap between compliance and culture, transforming how teams relate to difference.

Signature Keynote

Beyond Awkward:

When we are afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing conversations get delayed. Feedback gets softened. People avoid each other instead of engaging. Issues take root. 25% of the US workforce has a disability or medical condition, but despite good intentions, we flounder in the face of difference.

Avoidance creates disconnection, inconsistent leadership, and cultures were people don’t feel safe being themselves. In this interactive and engaging talk, Brittany uses disability inclusion as the lens to explore this costly, but avoidable dynamic. Through examples, storytelling, and interactive scenarios, leaders shift from avoidance to engagement and prioritize connection over perfection.

Leave with an appreciation of disability inclusion and its ability to teach leadership skills teams need most: creating psychologically safe cultures where people engage, ask questions, and take risks without fear.

Leading through FOMU - the fear of messing up

an image of Brittany speaking into a microphone

Takeaways: 

  • Discomfort, assumptions and FOMU lead to avoidance, disconnection, and missed opportunities

  • Overcoming fear-driven hesitation builds trust and engagement

  • Strategies to foster psychological safety to optimize communication and minimize risk

Who it's for: 

Leaders and teams that feel disconnected, cautious, or overly careful. It’s especially valuable for:

  • HR, Culture, DEI, and Talent leaders responsible for engagement, retention, and risk mitigation
  • Managers who want to lead diverse teams with confidence
  • Organizations navigating change, growth or cultural strain
  • ERGs seeking actionable impact

ROI for organizations: 

  • Stronger Connection & Trust As leaders engage directly instead of tiptoeing or avoiding

  • Better Talent Decisions By moving past assumptions and fear-based avoidance

  • Higher Retention & Engagement Because people stay where they feel safe, respected, and valued

  • Reduced Risk As issues are addressed in a timely manner

  • A More Confident, Human Culture Where discomfort doesn’t derail leadership or performance

Testimonials

"Recognizing my own desire
to be more inclusive, but
lacking the softer skills
required to remove any
awkwardness around
people with disabilities,
Brittany helped to open my
eyes to how I can be more
inclusive and helped me
navigate this journey."

"Many of the points made
were not surprising, but
hearing it from an expert
has made me much more
comfortable and confident
about the approach and
perspective to take.”

"Inclusivity takes work from
everyone in a business to
accommodate fellow humans
and integrate them, their
skills and potential into the
workplace. Brittany taught us
that. She is an engaging and
expert advocate for a fuller
appreciation of how to
include disabled people.”

VICE PRESIDENT OF GLOBAL INCLUSION, FORTUNE 500 FIRM

CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER, TECH ENTERPRISE

DIRECTOR OF DE&I, GLOBAL MANUFACTURING

Free Inclusion Resources 

Add your email below to download an Inclusion Resources Bundle including: 

Accessibility + Disability Considerations to Host Inclusive Events

Language Guidance for Disability

Disability Resources for Continued Learning

hello@inclusionjumpstart.com

The Value of Disability Inclusion

Inclusion goes beyond compliance and companies investing in disability inclusion are reaping the beneifts.

2x Economic Profit 

90% Increased Retention

25% Increased Productivity

Brittany's headshot, smiling with short brown hair

About Brittany

Brittany helps non-disabled leaders get comfortable with disability to accelerate inclusion. As the daughter of a quadriplegic, she brings a personal lens to foster empathy, understanding and growth.

 

While at Airbnb, her workshops reached over 1,000 employees and hosts in nine countries. She’s spoken at SXSW and at various corporations and events.

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