KATTY KAY
U.S. Special Correspondent for BBC Studios, Award-winning Journalist, 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
Summary
Katty Kay is an award-winning journalist whose instinctively global perspective on American politics and global affairs comes from having lived and worked in the Middle East, South Africa, Japan, Europe, and the U.S. throughout her career. Now Washington-based, Katty has been with the BBC for nearly 30 years as a reporter and lead anchor, reporting on six U.S. presidential elections, Washington politics, financial crashes, world trouble spots, sex scandals, global affairs, and much more. She is currently U.S. special correspondent for BBC Studios – where she creates and hosts TV documentaries from both the U.S. and Europe. Katty is a regular contributor and substitute host of Morning Joe on MSNBC and also writes on the art and science of self-assurance in women and girls. She is co-author, with Claire Shipman, of six books, 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.
SPEECH DESCRIPTIONS
AMERICA FROM A DIFFERENT ANGLE
Emerging from the pandemic, America is grappling with unprecedented social, cultural, workplace, economic, political, and technological change. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – and its new closer ties with China – further complicate the political and economic picture for the U.S. In this speech, veteran journalist Katty Kay gives audiences the latest news from Washington – unpacking politics and policies and their impact. As someone who’s worked and lived in Asia, Europe, Middle East, Africa and (since 1996) Washington, D.C., Katty looks at America’s challenges through a global lens. As a result, her insights are unique and refreshing. Even-handed with a light dose of British humor, Katty reminds audiences to keep the challenges in perspective.
A GLOBAL UPDATE
The world can change in an instant. The pandemic decimated economies, increased nationalism, and raised internal tensions in America and most developed countries. Leaders and political systems were under the spotlight and authoritarian politicians used the crisis to seize control. Most recently, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine initiated a global response the likes of which we’ve not seen since WWII. The shift in the global power structure cannot be overestimated. What’s next? How will China factor into this? Katty Kay has reported on the drivers of global political change for over three decades. As a Brit who’s lived and worked on four continents, Katty brings her instinctively global perspective to audiences – unpacking insights to help them understand more clearly the forces at play around the world and their likely impact.
THE POWER CODE – MORE JOY. LESS EGO. MAXIMUM IMPACT FOR WOMEN (AND EVERYONE).
New research shows women don’t want power – the cost of getting it is too high and power itself looks unappealing. But companies do better with more women in leadership. Countries do better with women in political office. Everyone does better with more women in power. So, what will it take for women to overcome their reluctance and take the reins? Rather than women changing themselves, Katty Kay suggests we need to change the meaning of power and the routes that lead to it. When we do that – when women can focus on using power to make positive changes, with a clear understanding of why power is important – power becomes more accessible, appealing and impactful for women. This new model, designed by and for women, empowers women to become their most powerful selves and lead fuller and more satisfying lives, and helps men do the same.
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
KATTY'S VIDEO LIBRARY
KATTY'S ASSETS
Follow Katty on Social Media
FEATURED MEDIA
• The Rest is Politics: US podcast
• BBC News: Path to the Presidency
• Good Morning America: Katty Kay, Claire Shipman talk new book ‘The Power Code’
• PBS NewsHour: Katty Kay discusses new book “The Power Code” on women and power
• Forbes: Redefining Power: How Women Can Use Power As A Tool To Get Things Done
• BBC News: Katty Kay: A growing case of transatlantic heartburn
• BBC Select: Europe’s Royals Revealed with Katty Kay
• BBC News: What Europe’s royals could teach King Charles
• Katty Kay returns to the BBC
• Real Girls Tell Their Stories In ‘Living The Confidence Code‘ | Morning Joe | MSNBC
• The New York Times: Imperfect Girls Make Perfect Role Models
• Katty Kay on why this quarantine may give women ‘a bit more power at work and at home’
• 100 Women: Katty Kay on How the ‘Confidence Gap’ Holds Women Back
• Wharton – The Art and Science of Self-Assurance
• MSNBC – Is Confidence Key For Women in the Workplace?
• The Confidence Gap for Girls: 5 Tips for Parents of Tween and Teen Girls
IN PRINT
TESTIMONIALS
“FYI – Katty is killing this presentation! She is so natural and easy going, yet professional. Really enjoyed her. Thank you for another great pick!”
“The conversation was absolutely lovely. Katty is such a joy to listen to and so relatable and understandable…I think this is the 4th or 5th time we have had Katty speak at Toyota, and we definitely will look to have her again soon.”
“Katty Kay was a huge hit with the attendees at NY Cash Exchange! She did a great job of creating a current events message geared to our group’s primary areas of interest and her presentation style was very polished and professional. Her humor provided a welcome balance. Perhaps the highest point was the Q&A session. She is obviously very well informed and quick minded. We would certainly book her again.”
“I can’t begin to describe how well Katty connected with our audience. She really resonated with the group as a single presenter discussing politics in DC and the obvious partisanship and discord that threaten our political representatives to govern. Interestingly, she does not give the press a free ride either, as too often, be it television or radio, the media has turned nearly as partisan as our politics. She was engaging, confident and yet self-deprecating at the same time.”
“Thank you again for joining us for Baker McKenzie’s Global Diversity & Inclusion Forum last week. You were truly spectacular, and the program was extremely well-received by our people and clients.”
“She was fantastic! Incredibly well received. So authentic and knowledgeable.”
“She may have been our best speaker (ever) – delightful and substantive and a pleasure to work with – our members just loved her.”
“It was a privilege for our most senior leaders to hear perspectives from you, David Cameron, and John Kerry. Your deft moderation of the discussion helped ensure a robust exchange of ideas on global trends and their impact on business. I know we will look back on your session as among the most memorable highlights of our time in Rome.”
“Wanted to let you know that Katty was fantastic!! Great way to end the conference session today. She is such a great speaker and her Q&A session was great and we could have gone on forever…She had a lot of interesting questions.”
“Katty did an amazing job!”
“Thank you for being such a great keynote speaker. Your presentation touched our entire membership. The way you set the table with your message of where America fits in today’s Global Economy, was quite skillful and eye-opening for those attending. They felt reassured that the USA was still the world leader that they all grew up believing and yes … better days are on their way!”
“Your comments and analysis of domestic and international matters was very well received and enjoyed by everyone I spoke with afterwards. The connections you made with our members regarding their export markets relating to China, Turkey, and others was a very good fit. Your genuine approach to the audience was refreshing and made personal by your wonderful smile and personality.”
“You were incredibly well-received – both last night and this afternoon. Your message is powerfully and passionately delivered, and really resonates with us. Thank you again for taking the time to join us.”
“I want to thank you for leading such a superb panel discussion. The rapport that you established through the conversation was just wonderful and the panelists were both extremely candid in their views which our members appreciated (and commented on). It was one of the best discussions on emerging markets that we’ve featured at the Winter Forum. I was thrilled with the outcome and it was a real honor to have you join us.”