Book Jessica Pelasky:
Disability Inclusion
Keynote Speaker
Jessica brings a rare combination of lived experience, global learning leadership, and hands-on inclusion strategy to every stage she stands on. As a disabled professional who has led inclusion initiatives across North America, EMEA, and APAC, she doesn't just talk about disability inclusion — she's lived the gap between being hired and being valued, and she shows audiences exactly how to close it.
Her talks leave audiences with more than awareness — they leave with a framework, real language, and a first step they can take on Monday morning.
Signature talks
The Inclusion Gap: Why Hiring Isn't Enough
Most organizations focus their disability inclusion efforts on recruiting — but hiring is only the beginning. This talk unpacks the space between hiring someone and creating an environment where they can succeed, using real examples and a practical framework audiences can apply immediately.
Disability Is Not an Insult:
Language That Builds Belonging
The words we use shape the culture we build. Jessica walks audiences through the difference between well-meaning language and language that actually includes — and why getting this right changes how disabled employees experience your workplace every day.
Leading Beyond Diagnosis:
Lessons from a Disabled Executive
Drawing on her own career navigating leadership as a disabled professional, Jessica challenges audiences to rethink what leadership potential looks like — and what's lost when organizations only see the diagnosis, not the capability.
From Awareness to Allyship:
Turning Empathy into Action
Awareness is the easy part. This talk pushes audiences past good intentions into concrete allyship behaviors — the everyday decisions and leadership moments that actually move the needle on inclusion.
Who is Jessica?
Jessica Pelasky is the founder of Coffee, Kindness, & Inclusion and creator of The Inclusion Gap — a framework that helps organizations move beyond hiring people with disabilities to helping them grow, lead, and stay. A global learning leader with enterprise-scale experience and a disabled professional herself, Jessica blends strategic expertise with candid, personal storytelling that makes inclusion tangible for any audience — from HR teams to C-suite leaders.
Upcoming Events
Join us at one of our upcoming events below. Also, if you'd like to have us come speak at your event, let us know. We'd love to be included!
Past engagements
Jessica has brought her message of disability inclusion and lived-experience leadership to audiences including Ohio State University's Disability Employment Flagship Event, Kindness Unites, International Women's Day panels, and National Disability Employment Awareness Month programs across corporate and academic settings. Her conversations have also reached listeners through Coffee & Inclusion LIVE, podcast interviews, and featured webinar series.
In Good Company Works webinar series
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
This event focused on how to build stronger teams by embracing the contributions of individuals with disabilities.
Ohio State University: Disability in Employment Flagship Event
Sponsored by a few organizations on campus in collaboration to commemorate Disability Employment Awareness Month
We met some amazing speakers and wonderful students who had great conversations around the subject of what it looks like to have a Disability in the workplace, accommodations, and hiring those with disabilities.
Kindness Unites 2025
From Awareness to Allyship: Leading with Kindness and Empathy
We explored how we can move beyond simply noticing challenges to actively becoming allies who create inclusive, trusting, and connected spaces for all.
Awareness is the first step. Allyship is the action. And when kindness and empathy come together, real change happens.
International Women's Day with Erin Andrews
During this International Women's Day conversation, we explored the power of storytelling to inspire empathy, challenge assumptions, and create meaningful dialogue. By sharing personal experiences, we highlighted how authentic stories can drive connection, understanding, and lasting change.
National Disability Employee Awareness Month with Tim Howard and Ezra Fretch
This conversation explored how the resilience, adaptability, and determination celebrated in elite athletes are the very same qualities often demonstrated by professionals with disabilities. Together, we challenged common hiring misconceptions and discussed why organizations should recognize disability as a source of talent, innovation, and strength.
Celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities
A meaningful corporate conversation highlighting the importance of disability inclusion, accessibility, and belonging while celebrating the contributions of people with disabilities around the world.
I Spent $3,673 at the World’s Largest Disability Inclusion Event - Was It Worth It? (YouTube)
Disability Pride Month: Our Disabled Future (YouTube)
Seeking guidance from a "Leader" results in months of cooping with an insult (Spotify)
Exploring the Intersection Between Diversity, Disability and Learning (Apple Podcasts)
Inspiring Journey Revisited 22 Years Later: Jessica Pelasky is the T.O.P.S. (LinkedIn)