Interactive keynotes and workshops that unlock the power of Grounded Confidence
Grounded Confidence equips leaders to stay steady even when expectations are high, change is constant, and the pressure never seems to stop.
“Heather was the perfect closing speaker for our event.”
Peter Sustr, IMA Financial Group
Speaking Topics
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Discover Your Authentic Voice
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The Power of Grounded Confidence
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Steady Leadership in an Unsteady World
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Imposter Syndrome
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The New Executive Presence
What makes Heather different?
Interactive
No death by PowerPoint here! Heather’s keynotes and workshops are high-energy and include discussion, self-reflection, and activities to keep participants engaged, create connection, and ensure on the job application.
Customized
Heather conducts thorough industry research and interviews with both employees and organizational leaders. You can be assured she will speak your language and meet your specific challenges and goals.
Flexible
All speaking topics can be presented in-person or virtually, as a short keynote or in a longer workshop format. All topics are adaptable for emerging leaders, women, all-gender, and global audiences.
High ROI
In surveys of over 2,200 people, 100% of participants have found Heather’s sessions valuable. Outcomes include increased influencing and idea sharing, confidence, and applying for promotions and leadership roles.
Past Clients
Keynote and Workshop Descriptions
Steady Leadership in an Unsteady World
Everything feels louder, faster, and more uncertain than it used to. Expectations keep rising. Change keeps coming. As a leader, you're expected to navigate that uncertainty, have the hard conversations, make bold decisions, and support your people without losing yourself in the process.
That kind of leadership doesn’t come from surface-level confidence—it comes from Grounded Confidence.
In this experiential keynote, you’ll reconnect to your own foundation of Grounded Confidence and explore how to lead from it with intention and impact, especially in complex, high-pressure moments.
You'll walk away with:
A clear picture of your values, strengths, and leadership vision - and how to use them to guide your decisions
Practical ways to show up with greater courage and curiosity in real leadership situations
Strategies to build a community that anchors you
Neuroscience backed tools to stay calm and confident in the moments that matter most
Best audiences: Leadership and management events and leadership development programs
"Heather doesn't just inspire leaders, she changes how they operate. Our leaders show up differently. With more clarity. More authentically. More ready. For any organization serious about developing leaders who can thrive in a fast-moving, high-demand world, Heather is an exceptional partner."
— Mel Joseph, Learning & Development Leader, The Toro Company
What rules have you been handed? Do you feel like you can’t disappoint anyone? Aren’t allowed to fail – or even make a mistake? Need to be responsible for everything and keep everyone happy? Always have to be doing more?
Over time, these rules chip away at your confidence. They push you to prove, please, and perfect. They hold you back from the career, life, and impact you want to create.
It's time to stop. It's time to break the rules.
This is more than your typical presentation.
It’s an experience of reclaiming yourself. You’ll leave the session with a greater sense of purpose, self-assurance, and knowing you are truly unshakeable.
You’ll walk away with:
A powerful lens to spot the unwritten rules that hold you back – and tools to break free from them
Proven strategies to quiet the inner critic and tap into your Grounded Confidence
Clarity on your purpose and direction, so you can take bold steps in your career – and life
A plan to build connections and community that supports your vision
Best audience: This is my #1 keynote for women’s events!
The Power of Grounded Confidence
How to break free from perfect and become unshakeable
“Heather's keynote for our Women in Banking Conference was outstanding! Participants called the session inspiring, encouraging, and engaging. She went beyond the typical motivational keynote and provided actionable takeaways to deal with self-doubt and imposter syndrome. Everyone left feeling energized and confident!”
— Sheena Frech, Tennessee Bankers Association
Using your voice matters more than ever right now.
And yet, many of us have received mixed messages about how we're supposed to sound, show up, and speak.
Maybe you’ve gotten feedback that left you second-guessing how you show up - overthinking what to say, worrying about saying the wrong thing, or waiting for the "right" moment to speak up.
Over time, these rules quietly pull us away from your voice - and from the impact you want to make.
It’s time to do something different.
In today's workplace, using your voice takes more than communication skills. It takes Grounded Confidence - the ability to stay connected to who you are, why it matters, and what you stand for, even when the stakes are high.
In this interactive keynote, you’ll learn how to use your voice with greater clarity and courage so you can share ideas, navigate hard conversations, influence at a higher level, and create positive change. In this session, you’ll:
Uncover the hidden forces, like imposter syndrome and perfectionism, that quiet your voice
Get crystal clear on what’s important to you, so you can speak up with purpose and power when it matters most
Learn how to utilize your community to amplify your voice and increase your impact - and how you can do the same for others
Take away practical tools to stay grounded and show up with a new kind of executive presence, even in high pressure situations
Best audiences: Women at all levels, young professionals, emerging leaders
Discover Your Authentic Voice
Speak with courage. Lead with impact.
“There were so many ‘a-ha’ moments in Heather’s keynote. I was flooded with positive feedback from employees after her session, with people saying that it really made difference and left the session feeling better prepared to contribute, connect and deliver for their team and themselves.”
— Revthi Lakhole Singh, Systems Integration Specialist, Motorola Solutions
Imposter Syndrome
From self-doubt to grounded confidence
Do you ever hear a little voice in your head saying, “I’m not ready. It’s already been done. I just got lucky. Do I know enough to be here?” If any of these sound familiar, then you have been impacted by imposter syndrome. These fraudy thoughts influence how you show up in your career, from pursuing a new client or leadership role to speaking up in meetings and sharing new ideas.
The good news is you can do something about it! In this interactive event we will discuss how imposter syndrome impacts you, the reasons you experience it, and strategies to manage imposter syndrome so you can take bold steps in your career.
You’ll learn how to:
Use practical tools to quiet your inner critic and reclaim your Grounded Confidence
Recover quickly when imposter thoughts strike
Cultivate the courage to take action - even in moments of doubt
Best audiences: Women at all levels, young professionals, emerging leaders
“Heather was our keynote speaker for National Women in Roofing Day. In short, she SLAYED it! Her keynote spoke to everyone on a deep level. Heather had us both laughing and crying. She just kept dropping nuggets of wisdom! I highly recommend Heather for your next event.”
— Renae Bales, former National Women in Roofing (NWIR) Executive Chair and KPost Vice President
The New Executive Presence
For decades, executive presence was based on a narrow image of what a leader should look, sound, and act like. Even today, the advice can feel like an impossible list: Be confident. Have gravitas. Speak with authority. Look polished. Be authentic. Be decisive. Be approachable.
There's a better way.
The New Executive Presence isn't about performing a role or checking every box. It's about learning how to own your presence so people pay attention when you speak and trust what you bring to the table, especially when the stakes are high.
In this experiential keynote, you'll discover the three essential elements of the New Executive Presence - being grounded, present, and aligned - and learn how to develop them so you can turn on executive presence when it matters most.
You’ll walk away with:
A fresh, practical understanding of executive presence — what it is, what it isn’t, and why it matters
Nervous system-based tools to stay grounded and confident when the pressure is on
Practical ways to build trust and authority so you can influence and drive results
Strategies to adapt to different people and situations without losing your authenticity
Best audiences: Women and emerging to mid-level leaders
“Working with Heather Whelpley was an incredible experience. She is not only a dynamic speaker, but a true connector who engages audiences in a meaningful and lasting way.
Heather has a unique ability to deliver valuable, practical content through relatable storytelling that keeps people energized and wanting more.”
— Sabeena Hickman, President & CEO, The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance
Videos
Speaker Reel
Extended Clip of Imposter Syndrome Keynote