The Out Entrepreneur | Bringing Our Whole Selves to Work | Conversations with Leading LGBTQ Bosses

Dorie Clark is an adjunct professor at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business and the author of Entrepreneurial You, Reinventing You and Stand Out, which was named the #1 Leadership Book of 2015 by Inc. magazine. A former presidential campaign spokeswoman, the New York Times described her as an "expert at self-reinvention and helping others make changes in their lives." A frequent contributor to the Harvard Business Review, she consults and speaks for clients including Google, Microsoft, and the World Bank.

NiK Kacy is a fashion line inspired by the fashion needs of both its founder and the larger LGBTQ community. NiK Kacy, who identifies as gender-fluid, queer and trans, designed their first collection of "masculine of center" gender-neutral shoes in order to provide a solution for the on-going problem of individuals unable to purchase men's styled shoes due to limitations in sizing set by the shoe industry based on gender.  Their first collection, named "Fortune", consists of 5 classically masculine looking styles, now modernized with colorful contrasts and re-proportioned to fit those who identify in whatever spirit they deem fit.

NiK Kacy is a fashion line inspired by the fashion needs of both its founder and the larger LGBTQ community. NiK Kacy, who identifies as gender-fluid, queer and trans, designed their first collection of "masculine of center" gender-neutral shoes in order to provide a solution for the on-going problem of individuals unable to purchase men's styled shoes due to limitations in sizing set by the shoe industry based on gender. Their first collection, named "Fortune", consists of 5 classically masculine looking styles, now modernized with colorful contrasts and re-proportioned to fit those who identify in whatever spirit they deem fit.

Gary Wood is the President and Co-Founder of Integrus Solutions, a National Recruiting and Consulting Company specializing in analytical recruiting. When Gary isn’t working on his business, he dedicates his time and talent to several local nonprofit and charitable LGBTQ organizations in Houston, Texas. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Montrose Center, as well as President of Outreach United, and Co-Founder & Co-Chair of the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

Gary Wood is the President and Co-Founder of Integrus Solutions, a National Recruiting and Consulting Company specializing in analytical recruiting. When Gary isn't working on his business, he dedicates his time and talent to several local nonprofit and charitable LGBTQ organizations in Houston, Texas. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Montrose Center, as well as President of Outreach United, and Co-Founder & Co-Chair of the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

Tammi Wallace is the Founder & Principal Consultant for EnFocus Strategies. EnFocus Strategies (EFS) offers high quality, customized LGBTQ diversity and inclusion training and consulting. The firm supports organizations that desire to differentiate themselves through an inclusive culture and work environment. Tammi is widely recognized as a strategist and thought partner, working with organizations on strategic counsel and high-quality consulting. Through EnFocus Strategies, she has worked with an array of clients in government, nonprofit and the private sector including one of the largest telecommunications firms in the country, and a number of notable nonprofit organizations and governmental entities.

Tammi Wallace is the Founder & Principal Consultant for EnFocus Strategies. EnFocus Strategies (EFS) offers high quality, customized LGBTQ diversity and inclusion training and consulting. The firm supports organizations that desire to differentiate themselves through an inclusive culture and work environment. Tammi is widely recognized as a strategist and thought partner, working with organizations on strategic counsel and high-quality consulting. Through EnFocus Strategies, she has worked with an array of clients in government, nonprofit and the private sector including one of the largest telecommunications firms in the country, and a number of notable nonprofit organizations and governmental entities.

Matt Skallerud serves as the President of Pink Banana Media, an online marketing business specializing in targeting LGBTQ consumers via content marketing, social media, programmatic ad banners, mobile smartphone apps and more. With two decades of LGBT online industry experience, Matt started his online career in 1995 with the launch of GayWired.com, which became one of the top 3 LGBTQ websites worldwide. Today, he empowers his clients to reach the LGBTQ market using the most advanced techniques taking hold in the online marketing world today. 

Matt Skallerud serves as the President of Pink Banana Media, an online marketing business specializing in targeting LGBTQ consumers via content marketing, social media, programmatic ad banners, mobile smartphone apps and more. With two decades of LGBT online industry experience, Matt started his online career in 1995 with the launch of GayWired.com, which became one of the top 3 LGBTQ websites worldwide. Today, he empowers his clients to reach the LGBTQ market using the most advanced techniques taking hold in the online marketing world today.

Christy is the founder & CEO of Team Podcast, a full-service podcast production company based in Key West, FL. Since Christy is a podcast host at heart, she set out to build a business enabling her to leave the golden handcuffs of corporate life in South Carolina, and move to a place where she can be out, open, and happy!:) Christy just recently launched a new podcast, entitled Podcast Rescue. The show explores how Christy helps her clients move from the “messy middle” of podcasting to the “magic middle.”