STORYTELLING

I combine expertise with authenticity to produce informative and impactful presentations that highlight universal themes infused with data and insights. From the youngest and brightest minds to the most accomplished professionals, inspiring motivational keynote presentations are fine-tuned and meticulously curated for audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

SPEECH TOPICS

FUTURES ALCHEMY™

Transforming Today’s Challenges into Inspiring New Possibilities

OVERCOME IMPOSTER SYNDROME & LIVE YOUR LEGEND

On the heels of achievement, it is not uncommon for people to feel like they just got “lucky” or that they do not deserve to be where they are. This is known as the imposter syndrome, which is typically associated with an inability to internalize accomplishments and a persistent fear of being exposed as a "fraud." Imposter syndrome can not only reduce confidence, but also impact performance. I discuss broader implications and prevalence of imposter experiences and share my own journey grappling with this “inner hater” as a graduate student at Harvard and even the White House. I also highlight tactics I have employed to overcome and manage imposter feelings, which have empowered me to persevere in the face of challenges in service of connecting with my highest self to live out my legend!

We are living through a period of profound disruption—one that is reshaping how we think about the future and our place within it. In this keynote, I introduce Futures ALCHEMY™, a human-centered framework I developed to help individuals and organizations transform uncertainty into imagination, agency, and forward momentum. Blending futures thinking with cognitive science and my own lived experience, I explore how our brains respond to uncertainty, why fear can narrow our creative capacity, and how disruption can quietly distort our relationship with the future. I invite audiences to move beyond fear-based reactivity and rediscover their ability to imagine, design, and build what comes next. At the heart of Futures ALCHEMY™ is a practical, seven-step method—Anticipate, Listen, Curate, Hone, Envision, Manifest, and Yield—that helps people shift from survival mode into imaginative agency. Whether applied to personal growth, leadership, education, or organizational strategy, the framework offers tools to unlock breakthrough thinking and adaptive advantage in times of change.

FOSTERING EQUITY, INCLUSION & BELONGING IN EDUCATION

Improving and expanding access to quality education, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), is critical for both enabling our society to address the most pressing challenges of today as well as spurring innovation to solve the problems of tomorrow. A global crisis completely disrupted the traditional education model and exacerbated pre-existing disparities. I speak to the resilience and ingenuity of educators who, amid persistently daunting circumstances, remained committed to ensuring learning continued. I also explore the importance of applying an intersectional lens to enhance learning and empower students in all walks of life, making student success more equitable. Drawing from my own journey as a Black female scientist and leading research, I also share insights on barriers that contribute to persistent diversity issues in STEM education and careers as well as effective interventions.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

"We had the pleasure of working with Dr. Knatokie Ford at Esomar’s North America 2025 Trends Horizon conference, where she debuted her new keynote, Futures ALCHEMY, which was truly something special. Her storytelling is powerful, honest, and deeply connective, and she has that rare ability to make every person in the room feel seen. Dr. Ford was also a dream to work with. Thoughtful, collaborative, and genuinely invested in our audience, she elevated the entire experience. We would recommend her in a heartbeat and look forward to welcoming her back to the Esomar stage very soon."