Sheetal Deo

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Speaker, panelist, facilitator

Creating Comfortable Spaces for Uncomfortable Conversations Across Australia

“Sheetal provides food for thought and pragmatic inspiration.”


 — Leonie-Ruth Acland

Whether she’s in the courtroom, comedy debate or advocacy panel, Sheetal knows how to engage her audience and articulate her points. As a keynote speaker, panelist, and moderator, Sheetal navigates difficult topics and conversations with passion and compassion – leaving audiences empowered, hopeful, and curious.

Sheetal is an accomplished international keynote speaker, panellist and moderator who has delivered presentations across the corporate sector,  government bodies, and the not-for-profit sector. 

 

With experience speaking to diverse audience and age groups on various topics including life in law, transitioning from university to establishing a career, diversity and inclusion topics (including but not limited to race and anti-racism, intersectionality and LGBTIQA+ allyship) and identity politics.

Her approach is unique: her light-heartedness is balanced with conviction and she leaves her listeners with a sense of empowerment, hope and curiosity. Rather than preaching or calling people out, Sheetal creates spaces where difficult conversations become opportunities for growth. She’s a keen believer in “calling in,” not “calling out” – recognising that bridging the gap between awareness and action often requires unlearning, re-learning, kindness and compassion.

Experience

What Makes Sheetal Different

“Sheetal Deo was the highlight of the Forum!”

–– Sounita Viravout

1. Authenticity

As a member of the South Asian diaspora with Fijian-Indian Girmitiya heritage and an LGBTIQA+ advocate, Sheetal brings lived experience to every conversation, sharing vulnerability and personal stories that build trust and create safe spaces for audiences to bring their authentic selves forward.

2. Practical & Actionable

Sheetal doesn't just talk about problems - she provides practical strategies and tools, including her own bespoke model for leveraging your strengths and values for social change.

3. Grace & good Humour

Sheetal manages to unpack heavy topics (systemic oppression, racism, privilege) with grace and good humour, making complex concepts accessible without diminishing their importance.

4. Thought Leadership

With over 15 years of experience and roles including Education Director at Diversity Council Australia, Council Member of Queensland Law Society, and Board Chair of Ethni, Sheetal brings both theoretical knowledge and real-world impact to every presentation.

Trusted Across all Sectors

Organisations Sheetal Has Worked With

“Sheetal Deo is so effective at tackling the heavy stuff with kindness and optimism.”


 — Fiona McLay, Author, Tech-Enabled Lawyer

Signature Topics

Sheetal delivers powerful, thought-provoking presentations on the following topics. All presentations can be customised to your audience, event format, and organisational needs.

1. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

What It Covers:

  • The importance of, and relationship between, diversity, inclusion, psychological safety and wellbeing
  • Understanding intersectionality and why it matters
  • Moving from awareness to meaningful action
  • Creating inclusive cultures that go beyond compliance

 

Ideal For: Corporate organisations, government bodies, professional associations, conferences

2. Intersection-ality

What It Covers:

  • What intersectionality means and why it’s essential to D&I work
  • How overlapping identities impact experiences in the workplace
  • Avoiding single-issue approaches to diversity
  • Practical applications for leaders and teams

 

Ideal For: Leadership teams, HR professionals, D&I practitioners, educational institutions

3. Privilege & effective allyship

What It Covers:

Leveraging your strengths and values for social change (using her own bespoke model)

  • Understanding privilege without guilt or defensiveness
  • How to be an effective ally (not a performative one)
  • Actionable strategies for using privilege to create change
  • The difference between calling out and calling in

 

Ideal For: All audiences, particularly those new to D&I conversations

4. LGBTQIA+ Inclusion & effective allyship

What It Covers:

  • Creating genuinely inclusive workplaces for LGBTIQA+ people
  • The unique challenges faced by LGBTIQA+ people of colour
  • What effective allyship looks like in practice
  • Beyond Pride Month: Sustaining commitment year-round

 

Ideal For: Corporate D&I initiatives, Pride events, professional networks, community forums

5. Access to justice

What It Covers:

  • The justice gap and who falls through the cracks
  • Innovative models for improving access to legal services
  • The connection between D&I and access to justice
  • How the legal profession can do better

 

Ideal For: Legal sector events, law societies, law student groups, social justice forums

6. mental Health & wellbeing

What It Covers:

  • The intersection of mental health, identity, and workplace culture
  • Creating psychologically safe environments
  • Wellbeing as a D&I issue
  • Supporting mental health in diverse communities

 

Ideal For: Wellbeing programs, mental health awareness events, workplace culture initiatives

7. South Asian Daspora & Fijian-Indian Girmitiya Heritage

What It Covers:

  • Understanding the South Asian diaspora experience
  • Fijian-Indian Girmitiya heritage and its significance
  • Cultural identity, belonging, and navigating multiple worlds
  • Representation and visibility in professional spaces

 

Ideal For: Cultural events, community forums, diversity celebrations, educational settings

custom Topics

Have a specific theme or focus for your event? Sheetal can develop customised presentations tailored to your organisation’s needs, challenges, and goals. 

“While all of the speakers and panelists were excellent, my favourite sessions were the session on tech evolution and the session on privilege with Sheetal Deo. I admired Sheetal’s session not only because of the important topic she presented on, but also the way she presented it.”

 

— Melissa Elleray, Associate, Justitia Lawyers & Consultants

How Sheetal Can Contribute to Your event

1. Keynote
Speaker

Deliver a powerful opening or closing address that sets the tone, challenges thinking, and inspires action. Keynotes typically range from 30-60 minutes with optional Q&A.

Best For: Conferences, annual general meetings, major corporate events, celebrations

2. Panel Discussions

As a panelist, Sheetal brings expertise, authenticity, and the ability to engage in nuanced discussions. She excels at drawing connections between ideas and elevating the conversation.

Best For: Industry panels, forums, roundtables, summit discussions

3. Master of Ceremonies

As an MC, Sheetal brings warmth, professionalism, and the ability to keep events flowing smoothly while maintaining audience engagement. She creates a welcoming atmosphere and ensures all voices and moments are honored throughout your event.

Best For: Conferences, awards ceremonies, galas, community celebrations, major organizational events

4. Moderator/
Facilitator

Sheetal is an experienced moderator who can guide panel discussions, manage difficult conversations with grace, and ensure all voices are heard.

Best For: Panel moderation, fireside chats, Q&A sessions

5. Breakout sessions

Smaller, more intimate sessions that allow for deeper exploration of topics and greater audience interaction.

Best For: Conference breakout sessions, specialised forums, professional development days

6. Virtual Presentations

Experienced in delivering engaging virtual presentations that maintain audience connection even in online formats.

Best For: Webinars, online conferences, remote team events, hybrid gatherings

How To Book Sheetal

Our collaborative process

1. Get in touch

Contact us with details about your event including date, location, audience size, and desired topic or theme.

2. Initial Consultation

We’ll schedule a brief call to discuss your needs, audience, and how Sheetal can best contribute to your event’s success.

3. Customisation

Sheetal tailors every presentation to your specific audience and objectives. We’ll work together to ensure the content aligns with your goals.

4. Confirmation

Once details are finalised, we’ll provide a written agreement outlining all logistics, and expectations.

5. Pre-Event Briefing

Before the event, we’ll connect to review final details, technical requirements, and any last-minute adjustments.

Book a Consultation with Sheetal

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Testimonials

What audiences are saying

“Sheetal Deo’s session on privilege was a highlight, emphasising the need for compassionate conversations around uncomfortable topics. We were blown away by your insight and courage to speak to ‘taboo’ topics of privilege, diversity, and equity. The session encouraged us to recognise and understand our privileges, acknowledging their impact on our lives and the lives of those around us. Sheetal inspired the room to leverage privileges responsibly, aligning with individual strengths and values for social change.” 

— Brand Partners Commercial Talent

“I found Sheetal to be compelling and appreciated her ability to engage with the topic and challenge our idea of privilege. Her passion for equity and diversity is impactful, and many attendees have shared how they will be changing their mindsets and striving to be proactively anti-racist. One of the attendees shared the following feedback, ‘This has been one of the most important things I’ve heard in many years. It is without doubt, the most important thing I have heard in my entire time working in government (more than 7 years). Thank you.'”

— Nevena Hamzic, Chief People & Culture Officer, Department of Premier and Cabinet (Queensland Government)

“Brilliant Model”


 — Eddie Fraser, Prosecutor, Queensland Police Services

“I really enjoyed your presentation Sheetal. It made me think about privilege in a new and helpful way.”

—

Sean Lucy, General Counsel, Lake Macquarie City Council

“Sheetal somehow unpacks heavy topics (systemic oppression, racism… today the descriptor ‘supremacist’ came up) with grace and good humour. Her approach uncovers the work that can be done to dismantle barriers, and who is best placed to do it. …if you haven’t had Sheetal deliver training in your workplace, I recommend you remedy that immediately. Her ability to educate on the topic of privilege is second to none. You could have heard a pin drop in her session today.

The tool Sheetal has developed for identifying your opportunity to make social change is a fantastic launchpad.”

— Frances Dunn, Special Counsel, HIVE Legal

“Sheetal Deo’s expertise and insights into empowering diversity were truly exceptional during our recent networking forum. As the Founder of the Multicultural Professional Network, I had the privilege of hosting Sheetal as our guest speaker, where she delivered an insightful session on tools for supporting diverse talent. She not only captivated our audience with her deep knowledge but also left a lasting impact with her inspiring words. Sheetal’s session was a highlight of our event and her ability to engage the audience and provide practical strategies for fostering inclusivity in the workplace was commendable. Beyond her professional expertise, Sheetal’s genuine commitment to diversity and inclusion shone through in every aspect of her presentation. Her passion for creating equitable workplaces was palpable, and her willingness to share her lived experiences and insights was truly appreciated by all attendees. I cannot thank Sheetal enough for her invaluable contribution to our forum. Her session not only enriched our event but also left a profound impact on our audience. I wholeheartedly recommend Sheetal Deo as a speaker for any event or initiative focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

—  Nora Fraser,

MAHRI, GAICD, Founder, Multicultural Professional Network

“Great model Sheetal, and relevant in how to approach many opportunities!”


 — Andrea Perry-Peterson, Head of Business and Innovation (Social Innovation), Griffith University

“I’ve been lucky enough to attend several events facilitated by Sheetal and every session has left me inspired, energised and purpose-filled. Sheetal is a leading change-maker within the Australian legal profession, challenging all of us to think differently and more diversely, and enabling us to become ‘comfortable with the uncomfortable’ discussions that are vital to creating a more diverse and inclusive profession.”

— Karen Finch, Founder and CEO of Legally Yours, Committee Chair of WALTA

FAQs

A few common Questions

What are Sheetal's speaking fees?

Speaking fees vary depending on the event type, location, preparation required, and format. Contact us for a customised quote.

How much notice do you need to book Sheetal?

We recommend booking at least 2-3 months in advance, though we can sometimes accommodate shorter timelines depending on availability.

Does Sheetal travel for speaking engagements?

Yes, Sheetal is available for events throughout Australia and internationally, subject to availability and travel arrangements.

Does Sheetal offer virtual presentations?

Yes, Sheetal is experienced in delivering engaging virtual presentations and hybrid event formats.

Can Sheetal customise her presentation for our specific audience?

Absolutely. Every presentation is tailored to your audience, organisational context, and event objectives.

Let's Connect

ready to book Sheetal for your Next Event?

Whether you’re planning a conference, corporate event, community forum, or panel discussion, Sheetal brings the expertise, authenticity, and impact that will leave your audience thinking differently long after the event ends.

Inquire about Speaking Engagements