Turn events into experiences that create real change.

This keynote reveals the design principles that transform ordinary gatherings into moments that build belonging, spark connection, and inspire action. Drawing from years of community-centered work achieving 98%+ participant satisfaction, you'll discover what makes programming stick and how to identify your own secret sauce.

You'll learn:

• Design principles that make events transformational, not transactional

• How to move beyond attendance numbers to measure real impact

• Strategies to identify your personal "secret sauce"

• Why intentional design creates experiences people remember and act on

Ideal for: Community leaders, program coordinators, advocates, and anyone ready to create gatherings that genuinely change how people think, feel, and act.

You weren't meant to wear masks in every room you enter.

This talk shares real stories about the exhausting work of code-switching and what happened when I chose to step boldly into my own identity. Discover how authenticity builds deeper trust, stronger connections, and more powerful leadership than fitting in ever could.

You'll learn:

• What code-switching costs us, our communities, and our impact

• How to lead with your full self without apology or compromise

• Practical ways to create spaces where others feel safe being themselves

• Why authentic leadership is more powerful than perfect leadership

Ideal for: Leaders, teams, and organizations committed to belonging, equity, psychological safety, and building cultures where everyone can thrive as themselves.

Leadership requires you to show up for others. But what happens when you forget to show up for yourself?

This keynote shares the honest story of how COVID-19 pandemic response stopped me in my tracks and forced me to confront burnout I didn't know I had. Through personal storytelling and practical guidance, you'll discover how I partnered with therapy, built a toolkit of at-home practices including mindfulness, and learned to reconnect with my own feelings instead of pushing through them. More importantly, you'll see how these practices now shape the way I lead as a CEO and how we design events that help others do the same.

You'll learn:

• How to recognize signs of burnout and compassion fatigue in yourself

• Practical self-care tools including mindfulness practices you can use at home

• Boundary-setting language that protects your time and energy without guilt

• How wearing your own oxygen mask makes you a better leader and creates space for others to do the same

• Ways to integrate wellness and mindfulness into how you connect with your community

Ideal for: Executives, founders, leaders, caregivers, advocates, and anyone in high-responsibility roles who gives so much to others that they forget themselves.

Big impact doesn't require a big budget.

Discover the tools, templates, and creative strategies used to host successful events that mobilize volunteers and keep communities connected, even when money and time are tight. This session proves you don't need unlimited resources to create experiences people remember.

You'll learn:

• How to design engaging, impactful events without breaking the bank

• Creative ways to tap into existing assets, partners, and volunteers

• Ready-to-use checklists and planning strategies you can implement immediately

• Real examples of low-cost events that created high-impact results

Ideal for: Small teams, grassroots organizers, nonprofits, and community leaders working with limited budgets who refuse to let resources limit their vision.

Your first supporters are more than donors. They're your story, your proof, and your power.

This talk follows the journey from grassroots fundraising to securing that first major grant, revealing how loyal community support became the foundation for sustainable funding. Discover how to build relationships that grow with you and translate grassroots momentum into institutional credibility.

You'll learn:

• How to engage and nurture supporters who become champions, not just donors

• What makes a grant story compelling (hint: it starts with your community)

• Strategic steps to move from informal fundraising to structured, values-aligned funding

• Why your grassroots supporters are your greatest asset in grant applications

Ideal for: Nonprofits, community initiatives, early-stage foundations, and mission-driven leaders building sustainable funding without losing their soul or their community.

The right question at the right time can change everything.

This interactive session reveals how asking intentional questions of mentors, clients, colleagues, and yourself unlocks opportunities, builds trust, and creates clarity when you need it most. Discover why curiosity isn't just a skill but a leadership superpower.

You'll learn:

• Question prompts you can use immediately in meetings, networking, and decision-making

• How curiosity deepens trust, builds authentic connection, and opens doors

• A simple practice to keep you learning, grounded, and moving forward with purpose

• Real stories of how the right questions shaped pivotal career and business moments

Ideal for: Emerging leaders, students, professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone ready to trade assumptions for insight and small talk for real connection.