Speaking
Bestselling Author • 4x Founder • Venture Capitalist • Award-Winning Podcast Host
Keynotes & Workshops That Build Sustainable Leaders and Brands
Speaking
Bestselling Author • 4x Founder • Venture Capitalist • Award-Winning Podcast Host
Keynotes & Workshops That Build Sustainable Leaders and Brands
Actionable, high-impact sessions rooted in real operator experience across retail, media, capital, and founder performance designed to move audiences from insight to execution.
Audience Takeaways
Practical frameworks audiences can apply immediately
Real-world insight from an operator actively building companies
Inspiration grounded in execution, not theory
FLAGSHIP KEYNOTE
Building Your Brain Trust
From the bestselling book The Beauty of Success: Start, Grow and Accelerate Your Brand
Description
A powerful, proprietary keynote that teaches leaders and founders how to intentionally design the people, priorities, and frameworks required for long-term success. Drawing from two decades of building, scaling, and exiting companies, Kendra introduces the Brain Trust as a living system — one that evolves as you grow.
Audience Will Learn How To
Create repeatable strategic frameworks for sustainable growth
Build the right internal and external Brain Trust to support execution
Define pillars, priorities, and purpose to guide decision-making
Know when — and how — to pivot with confidence rather than fear
Best For
Founders • Leadership Teams • Corporate Offsites • ERGs • Universities
📘 Signed books and book talks available as part of this keynote.
“Kendra, your time, the wisdom you shared, and your support of leaders in the Executive Leadership Program are greatly appreciated, as can be seen in the positive participant feedback we have received. Participants found the session engaging, relevant, and of great value. The session received a 97% recommendation rate!”
Key themes gathered from the participant feedback survey:
Authentic Stories & Vulnerability: Speakers’ personal journeys and openness created strong connection and inspiration
Evolving, True-to-Self Branding: Emphasis on letting your brand evolve and ensuring it reflects your real self
Relatable & Practical Insights: Session offered relevant, actionable takeaways and clarity for participants’ own professional growth
- Feedback provided from leadership program with one of the oldest and largest “MBB” management consultancies, January 2025
GroceryShop Mainstage Keynote 2023
SIGNATURE KEYNOTES
From Hustle to Harmony: Sustainable Success for High-Achieving Leaders
A reframe for leaders who want to scale impact without sacrificing health, clarity, or joy.
Audiences Leave With
Tools to reduce burnout and improve decision quality
A framework for sustainable performance
A clear plan for alignment and longevity
The Future of Retail & Media: Distribution, Data, and Shoppable Content
A modern playbook for brands navigating the convergence of retail, community, and media.
Audiences Leave With
A clear view of what’s changing in retail — and why
Practical distribution strategies that convert
Insight into the rise of shoppable media and community-driven growth
Beyond Revenue: Building Equity, Influence, and Longevity as a Founder
A grounded conversation on growth, ownership, and building businesses that last.
Audiences Leave With
A framework for strategic growth and partnerships
Practical insight into capital, leverage, and equity
A mindset shift from doing more to building smarter
“You are a whole vibe!!!! Now I need to pray and pivot on my Braintrust. Thank you for inspiring us to show up as our best selves. I’m ready to start, grow, and accelerate my brand. ”
Represented by Harry Walker Agency
Upcoming & Recent Events
Upcoming & Recent Events
2026
Executive Leadership Program Fireside Chat | McKinsey & Company
Runway to Revenue Accelerator Program Speaker: The Art of the Pitch | Victoria's Secret & Co.
Women’s Leadership Conference | Adelphi University
Founder’s Weekend Keynote Speaker | Entreprenista
Essence Festival FAM JAM Speaker | Hyatt Regency New Orleans
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National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals | NCBMP
Fashion Licensing Summit | Licensing International
Women in Aesthetic Leadership Conference + Book Signing | Women in Aesthetic Leadership
MakeUp in New York | MakeUp
CVS Supplier Summit | CVS
Women of Color in Retail Alliance B.I.G. Summit | WOC Retail Alliance
W.E. Build Founder Speaker Series | W.E.
Exclusive Gathering of 500 Retail Leaders in AI | Retail Club AI
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Succeeding with Social Commerce and Creators | Shoptalk
Sustainable Lifestyle Products: A Conversation with Change Makers | U.S. Soy at SXSW
Think Like a Female Founder: The Unique Perspectives of Women-Led Businesses | INC. Magazine
Building Your Brain Trust | Adelphi University
Investor Relations and Scaling | Boss Women Media
Mastering Fundraising And Partnership: A Guide For Black Women Entrepreneurs | Forbes
InsideLINES Podcast Live Super Bowl Show| InsideLINES Podcast
Community & Counsel: Building Your BrainTrust | The Southern Coterie
How Do We Bring More Sustainable Innovation And Consciousness To Our Clients? | The BOARD
Start, Grow, and Accelerate Your Brand with Kendra Bracken-Ferguson | Female Founder Collective
Innovating Inclusivity: Exploring Pinterest's Inclusive AI for a Positive Online Space | TheAList & Pinterest
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Forbes BLK Summit: The Future of Black Entrepreneurialism: Convening Culture, Creativity, and Community - Looking Good: The Reinvention (and Ownership) of Black Beauty | Forbes BLK Summit
Black Executive Leadership Program - Fireside Chat: Sponsorship | Black Executive Leadership Program
The Beauty of Success with Kendra Bracken Ferguson | Fashion Scholarship Fund: Virgil Abloh 'Post-Modern' Scholars Virtual Seminar
How to Form the Brands of Tomorrow Through Innovation | Discovery Show West
Entrepreneurship and Career Pathways | Black Cultural Center Alumni Speaker Series at Purdue University
"Finding Your Zone of Genius" | Spirit of Hospitality Summit at Purdue University
The Beauty of Inclusivity: Redefining the Industry | CEW DE&I Virtual Panel
The Beauty Matter Next Summit: Identifying The White Space: Where Investors Are Looking for the Next Beauty Unicorns | The Beauty Matter
Famous Amos: Ingredients For Success Think Tank 4 Part Podcast Series | Famous Amos
Make it Personal: The Power of Brands that Understand Individuality | Groceryshop 2023
The Beauty of Success: How BrainTrust is Helping Founders Start, Grow, and Accelerate Sustainable Brands of the Future | Black in Ecommerce
Not All Money is Good Money | Black Women Making Millions Academy
Toast to Wealth: Diversity in Finance Virtual Panel | Palm Tree
Empowered Money | Los Angeles Business Journal
Allure Magazine: CurlFest | Allure Magazine
Buying Beauty: The Evolution and Influence of Black Entrepreneurs in the Multi-Billion Dollar Beauty Industry | United States Black Caucus National Conference
How to Fund Your Business Growth with Kendra Bracken-Ferguson | Entreprenista Podcast
Entreprenista Spring 2023 Virtual Pitch Competition | Entreprenista
A Conversation on Authenticity + Access From 5 Female Founders | Flex Summit
WIN Summit 2023: The Future is Female | WIN
The Forefront of Livestreaming and Shoppable Video | Shoptalk
Live Masterclass at LinkedIn with Jamé Jackson | LinkedIn
Entreprenista 100: Leveling Up the Secrets to Scale | Entreprenista
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From Hustle to Revenue Keynote | LashCon
You Are the Center of Your Brand | McKinsey Next 1B Speaker Series
How to Form the Brands of Tomorrow Through Innovation | Discovery Show West
How to Disrupt an Industry | BeautyMade
Emcee | D2C Summit
Opening Keynote | Discovery Show West
Building a More Inclusive Brand | GroceryShop
The Evolution of Marketing Tools | Liquid I.V. Marketing Summit
Judge | Beauty Matter NEXT Awards
Host | Founders House @NOLA
Cantu Elevate Fireside Chat | Founders House @NOLA
Attracting Investors | FounderMade Discovery Show at Spring Studios, NY
How to Win In The Digital Space | FounderMade Discovery Show at Spring Studios, NY
Your Future Self | Purdue Women's Leadership Conference Keynote
Succeeding on Fast-Growing Marketing Platforms: Social, Livestreaming and Beyond | Shoptalk Europe
Redefining Influencer Marketing For Big Wins | The WIE Suite Masterclass
"You Good, Sis?" | Brown Girl Jane, The Check-In
Fireside Chat with Cate Luzio | Luminary Speaker Series
Growth for Women Entrepreneurs | Breakfast At The SoHo House NYC
Making Diversity Happen | It's A Matter Of… Podcast
Finding Your Customers: Tips for Success | Pledge LA Webinar
Michigan Fashion Media Summit | Forbes
The State of Black Beauty | Harvard Alumni or Black Advancement
EP. #1566 Kendra Bracken-Ferguson: Joy As a Compass | 33 Voices
2015 Forbes Reinventing America The AgTech Summit | All American Speakers
Building Brands With High Consumer Engagement | Vestar Capital Conference
Closing the Gap and Supporting Black Women in Business | DealmakeHers
#44 - Influence x I Also: Kendra Bracken-Ferguson | I Also Podcast
Data Driven Pitch Competition | Clearco
Live Highlighting Current Initiatives and Actionable Lessons Learned from Founders | Female Founders Collective Linkedin Series
Black is Beautiful: Celebrating Black Endeavors in Beauty | Harvard Business School Conference
Accessing Capital as a Black Woman Entrepreneur | Luminary Black Entrepreneur
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Modern Day Wife x Female Founder Collective's "No Limits" Digital Event | The Modern Wife
The Gotham (Womxn Owning It) x Comcast NBCUniversal (Female Founders & Funders) Fireside Chat | Gotham, Comcast NBC
Brand Building: A Conversation with Kendra Bracken-Ferguson | WIIM
Kendra Bracken-Ferguson: Telling Your Brand Story | Ideas Elevated
BlogHer Visionaries 22 For 2022: Measuring Up What We Thought We Knew | BlogHer
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groupTHINK Podcast Ep 004 | Troy Skincare
CEO Fireside Chat: Straight Talk in a Changing World | Diversity MBA Media, Bold Business
Coming Together to rē•spin Everything You Thought You Knew | Female Founder Collective, VISA, What's Next Fest: She's Next by VISA
Turning Fear into Faith with Kendra Bracken-Ferguson | The Suga
CENTER STAGE: A Fundraiser's Guide to Radical Philanthropy in 2020 & Beyond | CCS Fundraising
re•spin: In Conversation with Halle Berry and Kendra Bracken-Ferguson | Advertising Week 2020
The Pivot: Turning Lemons into Lemonade | BlogHer, SHE Media
Diversity and Inclusion Panel | DealmakeHers
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TotalBeauty.com Continues Popular Beauty Industry Mixer Series on Sept. 16 | Business Wire
BE Conference 2018 | SXSW
Women in Media LA 2018 | World Forum Disrupt
Drowning in Data, Starving for Insights at Fairmont Manchester CD | SXSW
NYC CDO Summit: “Successful Digital Transformation Strategies Across Sectors” | Columbia University (CDO Summit)
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Careers: Using Your Blog as a Career & Sales Springboard | TX Style Council Bloggers Conference
Tory Burch Foundation Mentoring Event | Tory Burch Foundation
New York Women in Communications: New Digital Trends in 2013 | Social Media Week 2013
START ATL: GROW Your Digital Business | START ATL
“The Beauty of Social Media: It Delivers | Cosmoprof North America Conference
Unicorns, SEO, and other Myths: A Communicator's Guide to Search Engine and Digital Media Visibility | Kellen Communications
Past Events
Past Events
