Inspirational Speaker & Inclusion Consultant

Geri Mariano inspires and works with Schools, Businesses, Healthcare Providers, and Organizations. She talks of persevering through challenges and advocates for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion across all aspects of society.

People ask if I want to be called “handicapped” or “disabled”…

I always reply, “Just call me Geri!”

Speaker Services

Using her life experiences with congenital disabilities, Geri educates people of all ages with warmth, humor, and conviction. Her talks, workshops, and keynote speeches address Social Justice issues, awareness, and commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Education

Emphasizing acceptance, Geri has taught students about perseverance, compassion, and the courage to stand up against bullying for over 20 years.

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Business

Inspiring diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) expertise, Geri outlines tools for the well-being of your employees and customers.

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Healthcare

Sharing her unique experience in the health care system, Geri offers insights and solutions for patients, providers, and caregivers.

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Organizations

Customizing relatable presentations, Geri engages and energizes audiences large and small.

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Mets player chats with Geri

Testimonials

Geri provided a straightforward, real-world perspective on what it is like to live with physical challenges to the after-school program children at our elementary schools. I believe the experience of meeting and talking with Geri is one that will have a lasting impact on these children. It will stay with them and hopefully influence the way they interact with all people so that they understand that every person deserves to be treated with respect.

Honorable Thomas M. Roach
Mayor
City of White Plains, NY

It was a pleasure meeting you and hearing your inspirational story. Your courage and strength resonated with us all, especially the seniors who haven’t stopped talking about your message of accepting differences, courage and perseverance. It is my hope that we can have you back so that all of Valhalla Middle/High School can hear your message.

Kevin C. McLeod
Assistant Principal
Valhalla Middle/High School

This was a superb lecture. You were very impressive. You managed to talk about such difficult and painful experiences in a way that is so helpful for listeners, and you were very credible and likable. I hope that more audiences will be opened up to you – people need to hear you.

Omri Ben-Shahar
Leo Herzel Professor of Law and Director
Coase-Sandor Institute for Law and Economics at University of Chicago

Geri’s presentation was a critical lesson in the importance of developing patient advocacy skills. If we wanted to be the excellent healthcare providers that we dreamed of being, we would need to be patient-focused rather than case-focused, and we would need to see patients as human beings and provide care with that in mind. I bring that approach to my work as a critical care nurse today, and I know that my peers were also similarly deeply inspired by Geri.

Vanessa Oris
Critical Care Registered Nurse
Columbia University Irving Medical Center

Geri Mariano virtually visited grades K-7 at our Congregational School during JDAIM (Jewish Disabilities Awareness Acceptance and Inclusion Month). Her ability to keep learner’s attentions during the sessions and inspire dialogue at home was notably special. Geri personalized her presentation, quickly connected with our learners and was able to share the important message of acceptance.

Jessie C. Lavintman
Assistant Director
Park Avenue Synagogue Congregational School

It was an absolute pleasure to hear Geri share her motivating story. Geri connected with the audience and demonstrated that we all have abilities and, a place in the community. She taught everyone the value of relationships, and how with the right supports our futures are bright. She is a woman who is a true inspiration to everyone living with a disability. Her compassion, warmth, patience and humor serve her well in sharing her unyielding conviction to educate others.

Nicole Buckley
Pennsylvania-State Director
St. John's Community Services-PA

Many teachers struggle with how best to develop a classroom of caring and compassionate students who are accepting of individual differences. Ms. Mariano allowed the children to see that, in many ways, she is just like the rest of us. Any school system with a disability awareness program will highly benefit from her program.

Nancy Sidman
Kindergarten Teacher
Spring Street School, West Bridgewater, MA

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