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Keynote Speaker
Katie Hilborn
Leadership & Impact Speaker, Social Entrepreneur, 7x Award-Winning Humanitarian, Future of Work Expert
Popular talks
- Impact Architect (Leaders/Teams) Designing Purpose-First Cultures in a Fast-Changing World
- The Change Compass (Leaders/Teams) Heart-Centric Leading During Transition
Talks
Popular talks by Katie Hilborn
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Impact Architect (Leaders/Teams) Designing Purpose-First Cultures in a Fast-Changing World
The workplace is in flux. Between AI disruption, remote work, and cultural shifts like quiet quitting and The Great Resignation, one truth has emerged: employees are no longer satisfied with checking boxes—they want meaning. Nearly 40% of workers are considering leaving their jobs due to a lack of purpose (Gallup).…
The workplace is in flux. Between AI disruption, remote work, and cultural shifts like quiet quitting and The Great Resignation, one truth has emerged: employees are no longer satisfied with checking boxes—they want meaning.
Nearly 40% of workers are considering leaving their jobs due to a lack of purpose (Gallup). But what if the solution isn’t more perks or pressure—but realignment?
In this keynote, Katie introduces a blueprint for helping teams and organizations align personal purpose with collective mission. And the timing is critical: AI advancements are projected to save employees up to 12 hours per week within five years—and four hours as early as next year (Thomson Reuters). That time isn’t just a cost-saving—it’s an opportunity to create cultures rooted in purpose, reflection, and impact.
Backed by research showing a 40% increase in retention (Global Talent Trends) and a 30% boost in productivity (McKinsey), Katie’s approach equips leaders to harness this shift through heart-centric leadership—turning saved time into meaningful, human-centered progress.
Drawing from real-world lessons—delivering earthquake aid in Nepal, walking pumas through the Bolivian jungle, and launching charities that reduce trafficking to zero—Katie reveals how intuitive, heart-led decision-making can shape cultures that thrive through change.
Because when people feel aligned with their purpose, they don’t just stay—they rise.
The audience will leave with:
- A practical framework for aligning personal purpose with organizational impact
- Tools to integrate intuition and heart-led decision-making into everyday work
- Strategies to build cultures that drive retention, fulfillment, and innovation
Real-life inspiration to transform uncertainty into opportunity through purpose
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The Change Compass (Leaders/Teams) Heart-Centric Leading During Transition
From shifting job roles to sweeping industry changes, today’s workplace has never felt more uncertain. Change fatigue has surged by 170%, and only one-third of employees feel equipped to manage what’s coming next (Harvard Business Review). We’re not just burned out—we’re directionless. In this keynote, Katie introduces a transformational model…
From shifting job roles to sweeping industry changes, today’s workplace has never felt more uncertain. Change fatigue has surged by 170%, and only one-third of employees feel equipped to manage what’s coming next (Harvard Business Review). We’re not just burned out—we’re directionless.
In this keynote, Katie introduces a transformational model rooted in archetypal balance—merging feminine leadership traits like empathy, intuition, and collaboration with masculine leadership traits like decisiveness, clarity, and bold action. The result is a powerful shift: from grinding through uncertainty to growing through it.
Leaders and teams who use this model drive 33% better team collaboration and are 3.5x more effective in managing change (TalentSmartEQ).
Drawing from real-life experiences—from delivering aid in disaster zones to building multi-million dollar social movements—Katie offers neuroscience-backed tools and deeply human insights that allow individuals and teams to move through change with clarity, steadiness, and purpose.
This keynote is for anyone who wants to show up with strength and authenticity in a world that’s constantly evolving.
The audience will leave with:
- A practical framework to navigate change with inner alignment
- Tools to balance empathy, intuition, and execution
- Strategies to reduce burnout and foster team resilience
- A renewed sense of purpose to guide action in uncertain times
Biography
About Katie Hilborn
Katie Hilborn turned personal adversity into global impact, earning recognition alongside the Dalai Lama and Jane Goodall as a 7x award-winning humanitarian, social entrepreneur, and keynote speaker. A master story weaver, she blends lived experience with actionable insight to shift paradigms and move audiences to meaningful change. Her heart-led initiatives have raised millions and inspired over 100,000 volunteer hours.
Her defining moment came in March 2015, when a massive earthquake flattened Nepal. Living in Australia at the time, Katie watched villages vanish, temples crumble, and children become orphaned overnight.
As an orphan herself, she couldn’t look away. She flew to Nepal with no plan and led 13 missions delivering aid to remote villages—where she uncovered a child trafficking ring. It wasn’t just disaster relief—it was about saving lives in more ways than one. That experience taught her: fear isn’t something you wait to overcome. You move forward with it.
It also taught her something deeper—how to lead teams with purpose and heart, even in crisis. True impact doesn’t come from control, but from creating trust, vision, and meaning in the chaos.
Born to a mother with mental illness and abandoned at birth, she was adopted into a loving Chicago family whose legacy shaped her future. At 20, witnessing her birth mother’s death from multiple sclerosis forced her to confront mortality, privilege, and purpose—igniting a lifelong quest to explore, grow, and give back.
Her journey has taken her from funding her first school in Uganda with coffeehouse tips to walking pumas in the Bolivian jungle, living with the Maasai, and helping communities rise after loss. These extraordinary chapters shape a keynote platform that is impactful and memorable.
As founder and CEO of Compass Rose International, a nonprofit advancing mental wellness and education for girls, Katie introduces the concept of “following the breadcrumbs” of intuition—trusting your inner compass to make bold, heart-led decisions that transform careers, cultures, and communities.
Her message resonates with leaders and teams seeking more than motivation. Audiences leave with frameworks to build purpose-driven workplaces, boost engagement, retention, productivity, and navigate uncertainty.
She has spoken at 15 major events—including the Global Family Office Investment Summit, The CE Shop, and Northern Illinois University—and has been featured in New York Magazine, NBC Denver, and ABC Chicago. Her accolades include a Silver Anthem Award Leader of the Year, multiple Telly Awards, The President’s Call to Service Award, and membership in the Forbes Nonprofit Council.
Her keynotes don’t just inspire—they awaken something deeper. With humor, humanity, and heart, she delivers experiences that leave audiences forever inspired.
Testimonials
What clients say about Katie Hilborn
“Katie is a master storyteller—her keynote was truly inspiring. We laughed, we cried, we learned, and we left with a clear plan for our futures.”
“Really enjoyed the presentation that Katie provided today to offer inspirations to Real Estate Investors and how they can change the world and her world travels have really painted a picture of how people need help in the world.”
"Katie was very inspiring. I really feel like we're leaving better people with a plan of how to get started in making our dreams come true"
“It's exhausting just to think about how Katie thinks, let alone try to imagine the fortitude it requires to take all of this on."
How to book Katie Hilborn
Answers on fees, availability and booking process.
How do I book Katie Hilborn for a keynote speech?
You can book Katie Hilborn through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Katie's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
What are Katie Hilborn's speaking fees?
Katie Hilborn's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Katie tailored to your event.
What topics does Katie Hilborn speak about?
Katie Hilborn speaks on Change, Communication, Emotional Intelligence, Entrepreneurs, Future of Work. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Katie to align the content with your delegates and goals.
Is Katie Hilborn available for international events?
London Speaker Bureau can book Katie Hilborn for events worldwide, subject to Katie's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Does Katie Hilborn deliver virtual or online keynotes?
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Katie Hilborn is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
How long is a typical keynote by Katie Hilborn?
Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Katie can accommodate.
Can Katie Hilborn tailor the keynote to our industry and audience?
London Speaker Bureau will brief Katie Hilborn on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Katie can offer.
What languages does Katie Hilborn present in?
Katie Hilborn delivers keynotes in English. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
What makes Katie Hilborn a strong fit as a keynote speaker?
Katie Hilborn's areas of expertise include Change, Communication, Emotional Intelligence, Entrepreneurs, Future of Work. To get a clear sense of Katie's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
What kind of events can Katie Hilborn speak at?
Katie Hilborn can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Change, Communication, Emotional Intelligence, Entrepreneurs, Future of Work is relevant. Details of Katie's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
Does Katie Hilborn offer workshops, panels or fireside chats in addition to keynotes?
Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Katie Hilborn is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
How far in advance should we book Katie Hilborn?
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Katie Hilborn, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Katie's current availability for your dates.
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