The 2026 Pride & Purpose Summit at Bentley University

Dr. Mateo Cruz is an award-winning teaching-scholar at Bentley University. His primary research focuses on diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice (DEIJ), and change in groups & organizations. His research has been published in top management and psychology outlets including, Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of Organizational Behavior, Journal of Vocational Behavior, and Research in Organizational Change and Development and presented to academic and executive audiences in the US, UK, and South Africa.

As a scholar-practitioner, Mateo’s work is guided by one central goal: To design and deliver evidence-based interventions that advance change leaders at the intersection of identities. Dr. Cruz views his work as a bridge between scholarship, leadership development, and social advocacy.

Schuyler Bailar (he/him) is an internationally renowned speaker, educator, and best-selling author. Recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30, the Out100, the Olympic Channel, and The Ellen Show, Schuyler was the first transgender athlete to compete on an NCAA D1 men’s team, competing for Harvard's winningest team in 50 years. He has given nearly 600 gender literacy and inclusion trainings across the country and beyond. Schuyler is also a life coach, fitness coach, and facilitates monthly support groups for the LGBTQ+ community. Schuyler’s works include his novel, Obie Is Man Enough, his best-selling book, He/She/They: How We Talk About Gender and Why It Matters, and his nonprofit, the Transgender Inclusion and his nonprofit, Transgender Inclusion and Education Foundation.

Kristen Bakalar (pronouns: she/her) is a trusted speaker, facilitator, and practitioner. Kristen brings important and nuanced messages to life inside organizations.  As a talent developer, she finds obvious and hidden ways to be more inclusive, challenging the status quo while passionately protesting mediocrity.  Author of the book, 'You're Invited: A Non-Fluffy, Straight-to-the-Point, Easy-to-Digest Perspective on Why Belonging is Best for Business, Kristen helps business leaders understand the many benefits to cultivating a culture of belonging. Kristen has helped numerous organizations ‘up their game’ when it comes to their employee experience, and reap the benefits of doing so.  

Kristen depth of experience in defining culture, operationalizing culture, and enabling companies to use their culture as the force behind their success have labeled her a 'culture creator and difference maker' in her field.  She has conducted a number of ‘culture audits’ where she helps companies understand the gaps between what they say their culture is and what their employees live every day. She is also passionately stuck on creating more inviting workplaces, where employees are proactive and deliberate about inviting difference.

Kristen has a passion for all things human-related.  She has a master’s degree in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University, she has decades of experience working with and around people, as well as a personal background well-suited for this field.

Before joining Harvard Business School, Alex Hirs (pronouns: he/him) spent over a decade at Bentley University, where he most recently served as Chief of Staff to the Provost, overseeing communications, operations, and strategic initiatives. Throughout his career, he has been deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), developing programs, training sessions, and policies to foster more inclusive environments. As Project Director of a federal grant from the Office on Violence Against Women, Alex led a team addressing prevention education, policy development, and responses to sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. Additionally, as Assistant Director of Strategic Initiatives in Student Affairs, Alex managed large-scale projects that enhanced students' out-of-classroom learning experiences.

Alex's work has consistently focused on gender equity in higher education and the private sector, including responding to reports of relationship abuse and hostile environments. He has facilitated workshops on Title IX, Title VII, men as allies, and fostering inclusive spaces for all gender identities. Beyond training, Alex played a leadership role in DEI initiatives, serving on university-wide Diversity and Inclusion Councils, co-facilitating an annual faculty and staff Diversity Retreat, co-instructing courses on inclusive management strategies, and leading intergroup dialogues among students, faculty, and staff.