Michael Baran, PhD
Founder and CEO
Dr. Michael Baran is a social scientist and CEO of Iris Inclusion. He draws on his own research in cultural anthropology and cognitive psychology to inform his current diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work–his speaking engagements, writings, consulting, leadership development, workshop facilitation, and digital products. He has been supporting the DEI efforts of organizations of all types and sizes for 20 years – from Fortune 500 corporations to educational institutions, government agencies, and nonprofits. His work and his digital products have been covered in the New York Times, BBC, Forbes, Washington Post, CNN, NPR, Boston Globe, Slate, and more.
Prior to his starting Iris Inclusion, Dr. Baran worked as a Senior Partner at inQUEST Consulting. Before making the shift to full-time DEI work, he taught courses at Harvard University and the University of Michigan. He has worked as Associate Director at the FrameWorks Institute and Principal Researcher at the American Institutes of Research, conducting extensive ethnographic research to inform culturally competent campaigns to create more equity and inclusion.
Dr. Baran is a highly sought after speaker, and has reached hundreds of thousands of people through his highly rated keynotes and conference presentations. As a social scientist, he knows what works to create and sustain change. He delivers innovative and strategic messages about some of today’s most complex DEI issues in a way that makes them understandable and logical and that resonates with diverse audiences. His engaging, conversational, storytelling approach invites everyone in, builds deep understanding and investment, and ultimately drives individuals and organizations toward evidence-based solutions.
His recent book, Subtle Acts of Exclusion: How to Understand, Identify, and Stop Microaggressions was coauthored with Dr. Tiffany Jana and was released in 2020. Since then it has been named by Forbes as one of “The 11 Books To Read To Be A More Inclusive Leader” and has won several awards.
Some of Dr. Baran’s recent media appearances: