book jess to speak at your next event —

book jess to speak at your next event —

inspiring conversations around presence, belonging, and the human side of leadership & creative work.

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INSPIRING CONVERSATIONS THAT DEEPEN CONNECTION & HELP PEOPLE MEET EACH OTHER AS HUMANS.

As a creative writer and seasoned event facilitator, my sessions are reflective, grounded, and participatory — designed to create meaningful shifts in how people think, relate, and approach their lives.

I work with conferences, retreats, teams, and cultural organizations who want depth without performative hype.

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Most Requested Topics

  • How Would You Introduce Yourself If You Couldn't Say What You Did For Work?

    In a culture that equates identity with output, many of us struggle to answer the question: Who am I, really?

    With a decade of experience in hosting Dinner With Strangers, where no one can say what they do for work, I share reflections & insights on the way we introduce ourselves, and the surprising places in which we pin our identity.

  • Art Will Save The World! (The Role Of The Artist in Times Like These)

    Art connects us to our own humanity, and is the vessel to connecting with each other. I bring my lifelong work as a Creative to the forefront as I make a strong case for the role of the artist in this time of upheaval.

  • Belonging Is Built, Not Assumed

    Belonging doesn’t happen automatically when diversity is present. It’s built through small, consistent behaviors — how meetings are run, how conflict is handled, and whose voices are amplified.

    This session moves beyond surface-level inclusion language and explores belonging as a daily leadership practice. Participants leave with practical insights for strengthening trust, communication, and connection within their teams and communities.

  • Why Every Gathering Needs A Host

    Drawing from years of designing intentional gatherings, we explore what it means to create safety, guide conversation, and take responsibility for the energy and direction of a space — whether that space is a meeting, a team, or a community.

FORMATS

A group of women talking and smiling at a social gathering in a kitchen with hanging lights. The women are holding drinks and engaging in conversation.

If you’re planning a conference, retreat, or team experience and are looking for a speaker or facilitator who brings depth, clarity, and thoughtful engagement, I’d love to connect.

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I offer sessions in a variety of formats depending
on your needs:

Keynotes
Reflective, story-driven talks designed to shift perspective and spark conversation.

Workshops
Interactive sessions that combine guided reflection, small-group dialogue, and practical application.

Retreat Facilitation
Longer-form facilitation for founders, creative teams, and leadership groups navigating transition or growth.

Panel Moderation & Conversations
Thoughtful, engaging moderation that moves beyond surface-level questions and invites depth from panelists and audience alike.

All sessions are participatory, grounded in lived experience, and designed to create lasting impact beyond the event itself.

  • "I love Jess' vision for this gathering, and her energy is infectious. The event is so well designed and managed, and it was a night I won't soon forget. I'm so glad I said maybe before saying no."

    —Karin, Dinner With Strangers Guest

  • "Jess is an infectiously warm speaker. She encourages us to look past our jobs, look past our judgements, and to look at each other as humans."

    —Ian, event attendee

  • "Jess is a masterful facilitator, delightful human, and has an uncanny ability to create spaces of authentic connection between strangers. You will lose track of time, enjoy delicious food + bev, and find yourself encouraged & inspired by sharing in the magic that happens around the table."

    —Aaron, event attendee