Turning complex strategy into real talk

“Clear. On point. Smart. Thoughtful. Delivering sessions that shift your thinking.”

Most speakers offer simple answers — neat, standardized formulas that try to flatten our messy, complex reality into a five-step slide. They deliver a fleeting moment of inspiration that shatters the second your audience returns to the real world.

My sessions are different. I thrive on unraveling the knots that feel too tangled to touch but are too important to leave. I challenge assumptions, examine the context, and explore frameworks that enable you to think more strategically.

For more than a decade, I’ve brought this approach to curious teams and communities, including those at Babson College, the Ascent Conference, and on the On Brand podcast. My keynotes and workshops are not a slide-heavy lecture, but an interactive exploration designed for audiences who are tired of the easy button.

In my sessions, your audience will:

Move beyond what to understand the why, exploring the context and dimensions of both strategy and value.
Explore how to discern what’s valuable — and ignore what isn’t.
Leave with questions they can use long after the session ends.

If you’re organizing an event for people who want the perspective and better questions to actually untangle the knots they’re facing, my sessions are for them.

Work With Me

What Attendees Think

“Brilliant! Converted big concepts into real talk.”
“Wonderful and valuable. It was a clear presentation with fresh material.”
“Thoughtful, creative ideas that are broadly applicable.”
“Made me think more critically.”
“Loved the framework for the conversation.”

What Organizers Think

“Katie was an engaging speaker that brought energy and wisdom to her presentation. Her anecdotes and real-world examples provided the audience with specific insights on current and developing practices. Additionally, Katie was a pleasure to work with, being nimble trying out a hybrid presentation model that allowed maximum participation. She left the audience wanting to hear more and we would invite her back without hesitation.”
— Leslie Chiu, BabsonARTS

“Katie is a fantastic speaker who delivers truly impressive content. She presented a session on strategy for our Chamber members, and her insights were both timely and incredibly valuable. She has the ability to take complex strategic concepts and make them clear, actionable, and engaging. The feedback from our audience was extremely positive, and we look forward to working with her again.”
— Mike Blazek, Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce

“Katie was a ridiculously awesome guest on my podcast. She was a pleasure to talk to about her area of expertise. She is a consummate thought leader and invaluable resource when it comes to this subject matter. She articulates what she does for a living clearly and understandably, educating and enlightening her audience in an amiable, authoritative fashion.”
— Bob Cargill, Bob Cargill’s Marketing Show

My 2026 Topics

Just Ask: The Architecture of Thinking in a Complex World
Burn the Map: Navigating at the Perpetual Frontier
ACME Strategy: Why It’s Better Wile E. Coyote Can’t Catch the Road Runner
Death by a Thousand Good Ideas: How to Stop Drowning in Opportunity
Expiration Date: Why Recurring Revenue Demands Recurring Value

Let's build a session for your audience.

While I have topics I can start from, every keynote and workshop is custom-built, beginning with your audience and goals. Get in touch with me today so we can start developing something brilliant.

Let's Do This

P.S. I can also help you extend the experience by:

promoting your event in my newsletter.
co-creating a new article we can both publish.
running an additional breakout session or panel moderation.
attending receptions and networking events.
providing additional tools and resources from the talk.