Katty Kay
U.S. Special Correspondent,
BBC Studios
Popular Podcaster
and Bestselling Author
Speaks About
- Non-partisan Washington Political Update
- Global Political Update
- Role of the Media
- Women and Confidence
- Workplace Advice for Women
- Raising Confident Girls
- Women and Leadership
- Moderator, Interviewer, and Host
Katty in Brief
Washington-based Katty Kay is an award-winning journalist with a unique perspective on American politics and global affairs that comes from having lived and worked as a journalist all over the world. Currently U.S. special correspondent for BBC Studios, Katty creates and hosts TV documentaries from both the U.S. and Europe. In her Influential series, Katty interviews some of the most powerful and change-making icons in culture, business, and science. In the streaming world, Katty co-hosts the popular podcast The Rest is Politics US with Anthony Scaramucci. She is also co-author, with Claire Shipman, of six books on issues affecting women at work and adolescent girls, four of which are New York Times’ bestsellers: Womenomics, The Confidence Code, The Confidence Code for Girls, Living the Confidence Code, The Confidence Code for Girls Journal, and The Power Code. Katty is an engaging keynote speaker on a wide range of topics as well as a brilliant moderator, interviewer, and event host.
Throughout her career as an anchor and reporter, Katty has covered many of the most consequential news stories of our time: Presidential elections, financial collapse, economic swings, the pandemic, global conflict, the emerging new world order, technological change, and much more. Through it all, Katty looked at these developments from a refreshing and different angle – owing to her international background. She always gives her audience of global viewers an understanding that goes beyond merely explaining the facts.
Helping women turn thoughts into action and master a more confident mindset is one of Katty’s passions. She is co-author of six books with Claire Shipman, including four New York Times bestsellers – two were #1. Their first two bestsellers focused on women, success, and work. Womenomics examined the workplace revolution and inspired women to take control, dream big, and discover a different way of weaving work into their lives. In the process create more profitable companies with happier and more productive employees. They followed up with The Confidence Code, which inspired women to understand that confidence – the lynchpin of success – is a choice.
After The Confidence Code was released, parents everywhere asked about confidence and girls. That led to three more books co-authored by Katty with Claire Shipman and JillEllyn Riley. The Confidence Code for Girls debuted at the #1 spot on The New York Times bestseller list. The empowering, entertaining guide gives girls the essential yet elusive code to becoming bold, brave, and fearless. The follow-up, The Confidence Code for Girls Journal, is based on their in-depth research and helps teens and tweens tackle any challenge. Living the Confidence Code also debuted at #1 on The New York Times bestseller list (Children’s Middle Grade) and is a collection of 30 true stories of real girls pursuing their passions, struggling and stumbling, but along the way figuring out how to build their own special brand of confidence.
Katty and Claire’s sixth book, The Power Code, explores the nature of women’s power – in the workplace, in politics, and at home. It reveals how a new model, one designed by and for women, can empower them to become their most powerful selves and lead fuller and more satisfying lives, and help men do the same.
On the fun side, Katty had the distinction of being immortalized in pop culture in 2018 when her name was the answer to a question on the Jeopardy game show. In the same week, she was portrayed in a skit on Saturday Night Live which satirized a moment from MSNBC’s Morning Joe program.
Katty Kay settled in Washington, DC in the mid-90s where she lives with her husband, two cats, and a dog. They have four grown children.
Books and Media
Speech Descriptions
Decoding DC
News and politics are moving at lightning speed. Leaders in Washington, DC are upending everything we know about politics. Never has there been so much dramatic news. But what does it all mean – for you and your organization? Longtime DC journalist Katty Kay has covered both the first and now the second Trump administrations and is well-sourced on both sides of the political aisle. She sorts through all the noise to explain what you really need to pay attention to – decoding what is performance and what is really changing America and the rest of the world. It has never been more important for business leaders to get an authoritative, objective take on events in Washington. After years living and reporting around the globe, Katty marries her insider access with an outsider’s perspective, bringing a truly global perspective to American politics.
The Confidence Code
Confidence! With it, we can take on the world; without it, we don’t ask for raises, request that important meeting, or take risks. In the success equation, research shows that confidence is even more critical than competence. But what is confidence? Where does it come from? Are we born with it or do we acquire it? And why do women have less of it than their talents deserve? This speech can be tailored to women or girls/parents and is based on Katty’s bestselling books on the subject. Katty Kay inspires audiences with the latest scientific research and anecdotes from her own career and the many women and girls she interviewed. Katty’s experience is like that of so many women, even senior women, whose lack of confidence is what really holds them back. The good news then is that being confident is a choice. Katty’s talk inspires audiences to take action – to go outside their comfort zones, to try new hard things, to take risks, to be prepared to fail and to discover the secret to success.
Moderator, Discussion Leader, & Interviewer
As a journalist, Katty Kay regularly interviews scores of political dignitaries, business leaders, and cultural icons for her news broadcasts. She brings that talent to corporate, association, and organization events where she’s interviewed noted figures from a wide variety of backgrounds including Condoleezza Rice, Anna Wintour, Dan Levy, Michael Lewis, Cynt Marshall, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Carlo Ancelotti, Anoush Ansari and scores more. The skill, grace and humor Katty brings to in-person and virtual events as a panel moderator, discussion leader, and interviewer will get the most out of her guest/panelists and create a memorable experience for the audience.
Resources
Event Planner Tools
• Katty’s Story
• Katty’s Testimonials
• Katty’s Past Speaking Client List