Speaking and press

From podcast interviews to keynote talks on diversity, these are conversations to support values-aligned, socially conscious leadership that centers belonging.

Author Q&A: Brave Leadership is a Choice

Articles and Interviews

Why you can’t outsource your values

In this conversation, Crystal Whiteaker and Peta O’Brien-Day dig into values as more than very snazzy wall art. Crystal frames them as a working compass that helps you choose, especially when the choice is hard. She shares her Aligned Values Framework®, the way she helps her clients anchor their decisions in what they stand for before they go hunting for bias and gaps in their operations. Crystal offers simple ways for leaders to build tolerance for discomfort, so the work continues even when the climate makes it tempting to step back. If you care about leading with your values, this conversation will feel like a deep breath and a nudge forward.

My Therapist is Out!

What does it really mean to lead with authenticity and build an inclusive brand? Renae Johnson, Licensed Therapist, founder of Open Space Therapy Collective and host of My Therapist is Out! and Crystal Whiteaker discuss how showing up fully–personally and professionally–benefits leaders and organizations. Tune in for a rich conversation about how mindfulness, discernment, and community engagement can transform leadership and business. Renae and Crystal also discussed how karma comes in the form of accountability, serving community with intention, and how to know what coaches are worth hiring.

Represented Podcast

What does it really take to lead with courage and create spaces where everyone feels like they belong? It’s not just about ticking boxes—it’s about making bold, intentional choices. Annie Gichuru and Crystal Whiteaker dive deep in this powerful conversation to uncover what brave leadership means and how to make inclusion a core value in everything you do. Tune in for actionable insights on leading with courage, identifying bias, and aligning your brand with your values in every way, including photography. This episode is a must for anyone ready to show up as a brave leader and create real change.

Emerging Brands Podcast

Kelly Bennett goes behind the scenes with Crystal to discuss her unique career path and how she followed her intuition to build Crystal Lily Creative. Tune in for inspiration to create a career that proves all of your skills and experience are transferable.

Building an Inclusive Business

On this episode of Just Another Biz Podcast, Crystal Whiteaker discusses the multifaceted ways genuine inclusion can be woven throughout a business and the ethos of leadership. Crystal shares practical, thoughtful insights on streamlining and connecting policies and procedures with the four types of messaging to create human-focused values-aligned environments and experiences in business.

Take Charge with Inclusive Leadership

How could you bring inclusive culture to your company? Tune into Women Lead Radio as Jennifer “JJ” Jank, your host of Brain Power Up!, has a conversation with Crystal Whiteaker, Founder/CEO & Inclusive Branding and Leadership Development Consultant of Crystal Lily Creative, on aligning inclusive values with your leadership style.

Canvas Rebel Interview

Entrepreneurship is a journey. In this interview, Crystal shares her experience, insights, and lessons from entrepreneurship. Read this interview to learn how core values, advocating and speaking out for inclusion, and building resilience helped grow a multifaceted business.

Famm Founder Spotlight

Crystal Whiteaker, the Founder and CEO of Crystal Lily Creative, redefines the essence of branding by weaving inclusivity and authenticity into every fiber of her work. Launching from a profound shift from the corporate realm to the vibrant world of creative entrepreneurship, Crystal’s mission transcends beyond business—it’s about helping leaders and brands build genuinely inclusive, values-aligned environments.

The Value in Belonging

Tune into this conversation with Paige Ray on Over the Edge Podcast where we discuss creating expansive spaces for conversations with care and the value of belonging, to each other and ourselves. We also talk about the important role of healing when doing inclusion and belonging work and how to care for our well-being through the process.

Brave Leadership

Check out this episode of Talk with Renee Dalo, where we discuss brave leadership and fostering a sense of belonging. ⁣ We discuss the importance of self-care and self-awareness in leadership and how it can enhance your effectiveness and well-being. We also talk about strategies for building resilience and confidently overcoming challenges. We also delve into the power of letting go and redirecting energy to create space for inclusivity. Plus, we uncover the incredible benefits of journaling and voice notes as tools for emotional processing and personal growth in leadership.

Valuing Inclusion

You cannot be inclusive without also being trauma-informed. Tune into this conversation with Katie Kurtz where we talk about the inextricable connection between inclusion and trauma-informed care on her podcast: A Trauma-Informed Future. In this episode, we discuss the impact of trauma on individuals and organizations, the need for brave leadership, and the power of aligning core values in creating a trauma-informed future.

Brave Leadership is a Choice

Tune into this rich conversation with Matthew Newman about the 'B' in DEIB - belonging. It's a reminder that we all play a role in creating inclusive spaces. Let's open our hearts and embrace the beauty of diversity, making sure everyone feels like they truly belong.

What Makes A Brave Leader

Since publishing Brave Leadership is a Choice: An Inclusive Guide to Creating Belonging, people have asked: What makes a brave leader? The answer is nuanced, but here's what you should know... Being a brave leader requires reimagining the way we approach business and leadership by prioritizing human-focused connection. This is best done by first connecting with ourselves and understanding what we truly need and desire to be in alignment with our values and commitments. Tune into this conversation with Carrie Murray on Get Carried Away to learn more about What Makes a Brave Leader.

The Truth About Creating Inclusive Content For Your Brand

While you’re trying to incorporate diversity through messaging and visuals, you could be doing more harm than good. Genuine inclusion isn’t something that you buy in a package with a checklist, or employ with a gallery of stock photos showing people from diverse backgrounds. Change isn’t made simply through posting graphics with trendy colors. Lasting Change Starts with Disruption. Read this article featured by The Association of Consultants to Nonprofits to learn more.

Healing The Belonging Wound With Inclusive Branding & Leadership Coach, Crystal Whiteaker

Crystal shares her journey to becoming an inclusive company branding and leadership development coach from accepting experiences in her bi-racial upbringing, stepping into advocacy for sexual assault survivors, and healing the mother wound.

Inclusivity, Freedom and Changing Your Career

Learn about our CEO, Crystal Whiteaker's transition from a wedding photographer to a successful brand inclusivity consultant. We also dive deep into adding a personal touch to your branding and showing up as genuine as possible on social media.

Is Your Inclusive Messaging Backed Up By Inclusive Practices?

Since 2020, there has been a surge of businesses taking a stance on social justice issues, but not all are building a consistent message. How can they ensure that their inclusive messaging is backed up by inclusive practices and behavior? Where are corporations missing the mark? In this episode, Vanessa speaks with Crystal Whiteaker about how to do the work to make sure your company’s message matches its values.

InPursuit of DEI and Belonging

Tune into this conversation with Dr. Melanie Hicks about embracing change, prioritizing healing, and overcoming fear through values, authenticity, and the importance of having a sense of belonging

Building DEI and Belonging into a Brand's Values

Crystal Whiteaker intrinsically understands the importance of inclusion. As a leadership development and DEIB consultant, she specializes in inclusive leadership development and company branding, inclusive coaching and consulting for brands and leaders that care deeply about Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). Join Heather and Crystal as they talk about Crystal’s motivation to reaffirm a brand's core values, give business goals and values advice, create a “Brave Space” within yourself, provide equity, inclusion, belonging, and diversity tips and create a positive, nourishing, nurturing, and healing connection with people.

Speaking Themes

I’m known as a speaker on diversity and inclusion, but my work goes far deeper than that…

Conflict Repair for Healthy Boundaries and Belonging

Building Aligned Relationships

How to Be An Inclusive, Inspiring Leader

How to Incorporate Inclusive Language Into Your Messaging

How to Manage Discomfort When Identifying Bias

How to Build A Genuinely Inclusive, Welcoming Brand

How to Identify and Disrupt Implicit Bias

Brave Leadership is a Choice

Rooting Your Brand in Core Values

Our Roles in Creating Inclusive Environments

Paige Ray, Paige Ray Creative

“Crystal is THE BEST speaker for your program or business. She’s spoken to my mastermind groups multiple times, and I’m so grateful that she offers us her time, expertise and caring presence. She’s given us many aha moments and insights, and what she offers in her work is incredibly valuable, informative and world-shaping. Her voice and presence is always my top priority when I’m booking speakers for my groups. I highly recommend working with Crystal, aka the world’s best human.”

Tricia Fusilero, Executive Director, Operations Specialist - Non-profit Association Management and Event Planning

“What I love about Crystal's presentation style is that she practices what she shares! She taught our group about the importance of identifying and living out our core values through our work. We learned it is important to project what we value in our written word, in our imagery, and in our speech. If you want to learn and work with someone who is authentic and dedicated, look no further.”