Keynote speaker
Book Sterling
After a decade of corporate experience leading DEI & Strategy work, I decided to set out on my own...
Sterling De Sutter Summerville is a Fulbright Scholar and can’t-miss speaker who electrifies rooms with bold insight, global perspective, and practical tools for real change.
He translates complex conversations about leadership and inclusion into clear, actionable strategies. His work has included partnerships with elite sports organizations such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Baltimore Ravens, and Chicago Bears, helping leadership teams align culture, performance, and purpose. His thought leadership has been featured by the Los Angeles Times.
RELEVANT STATS
Years of Experience
15 +
Lifetime Learners
130,000
Followers on LinkedIn
6,000+
Clients Reached
30
About My Audience
My clients are socially-conscious, discerning visionaries who consistently raise the bar, requiring us to meet their high-level thinking with equally rigorous and innovative strategy.
- hunger for improvement
- aren't afraid of accountability
- want to discuss the elephants in the room
- particularly enjoy strengthening bonds
CASE STUDIES
BlockBuster Futures Research
Original research conducted and presented at Indiana University
Inclusive Camera
Supported the development of the camera's creation
Lakers Workshop
Delivered workshop at the Lakers practice facility in El Segundo, CA
Book Sterling
Recent Speaking Engagement
Roots of Justice
Honored to serve as the keynote speaker at the annual Roots of Justice Convening, hosted by Confluence Rising, is a signature gathering that brings together hundreds of community leaders, educators, and advocates for a day of rigorous dialogue.
Attendees
200+
Session Length
1hr
client list
These are just a few of the organizations we've partnered with to build leadership that's sharp, adaptive, and culturally grounded.
Adobe, Airbnb, Athleta,
B&H, Backcountry.com, BioLite, Blundstone, Cathay Pacific, Chaco, Chevrolet, Cotopaxi, Facebook, Free People, Gomacro, Grammarly, Honda, Kammok, Leatherman, LifeStraw, Miir, Nature Valley, Old Navy, OluKai, Oru, Kayak, Otterbox, Passion Passport, Paul Mitchell, Peak Design, Polartec, REI, Salt & Straw, Sonic, Sony, TikTok, Toyota, Uber, Ubuntu Life, Verizon, and more.
D.O.E.S.
IIE
Snapchat
OakTree Capital
Leaders' Quest
Chicago Bears
P.S. Arts
NFL
Los Angeles Lakers
Confluence Rising OutRight Namibia
W.E.R.E.
Google
Baltimore Ravens Accenture Song Health-Ade Madecraft
Out Of Office
Honda
Kammok
Leatherman
LifeStraw
Miir
Nature Valley
Old Navy
OluKai
Oru
Kayak
Otterbox
Passion Passport
Paul Mitchell
Peak Design
Polartec
RALLY
Health
REI
Salt & Straw
Sonic
Sony
TikTok
Toyota
Uber
Ubuntu Life
Verizon
There are millions of speakers. Here's what makes me different:
01
I make Ideas Actionable
I love turning big, abstract ideas into practical steps that my clients can actually use right away.
02
I help unearth Hidden Patterns
I intentionally raise the subtle dynamics in teams and organizations that often go overlooked and under-discussed.
03
I rely on Storytelling That Sticks
I share real-world stories and examples that make complex concepts relatable and memorable.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
My specialty when it comes to keynotes is as authenticity, and you can expect a standard of excellence, communication, and cooperation.
Q. What are some topics organizations hire you to speak on?
Organizations typically bring me in to speak on a few core areas. On the culture and equity side, I talk about building inclusive workplace culture that doesn't rely on performative gestures, navigating difficult conversations around race, gender, and identity in the workplace, and helping leaders lead across difference without losing authenticity. I also draw on my time at companies like Micron and Snap to talk about what equity work actually looks like inside fast-moving corporate environments — not just the theory, but what it takes to operationalize it. And from my international and Fulbright experience, I speak on cultural intelligence in global and cross-cultural teams, and what leadership looks like when you're navigating multiple cultural contexts at once.
Q. What kinds of content do you deliver?
I speak about leadership, culture, identity, performance, and the real human dynamics that shape how we work and relate to one another. Every talk or session is tailored so it feels relevant, grounded, and directly connected to the people in the room.
Absolutely. Retreat spaces allow for honest conversation and big thinking, and I design sessions that help leaders slow down, get clear, and move forward with shared conviction.