SHANNON WONG LERNER
Dr. Shannon Wong Lerner, Ph.D., is a renowned communications trainer and motivational speaker whose mission is to empower and uplift disenfranchised voices. “In my work, I help clients work through and release tension and trauma, so they can speak as their authentic, best selves,” she says. Dr. Shannon, as she’s known in the community, and who uses she/they pronouns, boasts an impressive resume, having worked with some of the most progressive LGBTQ forward organizations worldwide and with Fortune 500 companies. She helped spearhead the Gender Inclusion Program at Levi Strauss and worked with Blue Shield of California and San Francisco Ballet on decolonizing health and wellness for marginalized communities. As a personal communications consultant, she’s worked with many prominent figures and has since opened her communications training program for other queer women of color, gender nonconforming people, and other underrepresented groups. She believes in the power of storytelling and encourages people to be their authentic selves while having fun with their speaking practices. One thing that sets Dr. Shannon apart is her unique perspective from her youth as a shy adolescent who overcame her fears to become a successful public speaker. “The secret to impactful public speaking is to know ethics comes before existence, meaning we live to help others,” she says. “What has kept me going through my personal struggles or when others resist my advocacy work is not self-importance—I’m here as a resource to maintain others’ safety, well-being, and healing.” In addition to her impressive communications career, Dr. Shannon is a talented jazz singer and composer. She’s currently working on her first album of jazz standards and multi-genre originals.
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