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Katty Kay

Offers a very different perspective on American politics and global affairs

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Fee Range: 20000-39999, 40000-74999
  • Daughter of a British diplomat, Kay has worked and lived all over the world
  • Kay’s fresh perspective on American politics and international affairs is rooted in her global background
  • Interviews top U.S. and international newsmakers daily
  • Kay’s broadcast from Washington is seen globally on BBC News network
  • Co-author — The Confidence Code and Womenomics.

*Fee ranges are presented as a guideline only. Speaker fees are subject to change without notice. For an exact quote, please contact your Speaker Exchange Agency representative.

Katty Kay is an award-winning journalist and news anchor who brings an instinctively global perspective to her observations on American politics and global affairs –a result of having grown-up living and traveling all over the Middle East, as well as reporting from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the U.S. throughout her career. During her nearly30-years with BBC News, she was a reporter and then news anchor, bringing important news from America and around the world to a huge global audience from her studio in Washington, D.C. Katty has reported on six U.S. presidential elections, Washington politics, financial crashes, world trouble spots, sex scandals, global affairs, and much more. She is a regular contributor and substitute host of Morning Joeon MSNBC. Katty also writes on the art and science of self-assurance in women and girls. She is co-author, with Claire Shipman, of four New York Times’ bestselling books: Womenomics, The Confidence Code, The Confidence Code for Girls, and Living the Confidence Code. Katty is an engaging keynote speaker on a wide range of topics as well as a brilliant moderator, interviewer, and host –for both in-person and virtual events.

Helping women turn thoughts into action and master a more confident mindset is one of Katty’s passions. She is co-author of five books with Claire Shipman, including four New York Times bestsellers –two were #1. Their first two bestsellers focus on women, success, and work. Womenomics: Write Your Own Rules for Success examined the workplace revolution and inspired women to take control, dream big and discover a different way of weaving work into their lives –and in the process create more profitable companies with happier and more productive employees. Hey followed up with The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance—What Women Should Know, 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 Jill Ellyn Riley. The Confidence Code for Girls: Taking Risks, Messing Up, and Becoming Your Amazingly Imperfect, Totally Powerful Self, was released in April 2018 and 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: A Guide to Embracing Your Amazingly Imperfect, Totally Powerful Self, is based on their in-depth research and helpsteens and tweenstackle any challenge. Their most recent book, Living the Confidence Code: Real Girls, Real Stories, Real Confidence, 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 are currently co-authoring their sixth book.

On the funside, 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 Livewhich satirized a moment from MSNBC’s Morning Joeprogram.

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.

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.

​Washington From A Different Angle

The presidency of Donald Trump has turned the political world upside-down – in America and around the world. President Trump’s way of doing things is unconventional – and that’s going down well in some quarters; not so well in others. And it doesn’t fall just along party lines. How is it playing out? What’s next? What do administration insiders say in private moments? What’s going on inside the White House? How does the rest of the world view all this? With divided government in Washington, can anything get done? How will the 2020 race for the presidency shape up – who are the candidates and what are the issues? As a British journalist in Washington, DC, Katty Kay looks at Washington from a different angle. She offers a perspective on American politics that only an outsider can provide. The veteran BBC anchor has the experience and sources to uncover the story behind the headlines and provide valuable context for her audience. Katty tailors this speech to suit the interests of each audience – delivering solid insights with charm and understated humor.

​Womenomics

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, IMF Chief Christine Lagarde called the advancement of women the greatest economic opportunity of our time. She was recognizing what Katty Kay calls Womenomics, the extraordinary value of women in the workforce. Global studies show that companies who employ more senior women make more money. But too many women in their mid-thirties hit the brick wall of kids vs. career and decide to leave the workforce. We can’t afford to keep losing them. Katty marshals evidence from employers large and small to show how it’s possible to help women meet the demands of family and career and keep these valuable contributors in the workforce. What starts as talent retention initiative becomes a profit bonus any company would be happy to have. Katty’s talk inspires women and provides a practical guide to employers.

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.

A GLOBAL UPDATE

Global times demand global perspective. As someone who has lived in and reported from North America, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe, Katty Kay’s observations and insights reflect that rich global experience. In a world changing at lightning speed, Katty looks deep into the headlines from around the world to provide context and understanding. So many big issues to be dealt with simultaneously: Brexit and the disruption in the EU, trade disputes, immigration issues, terrorism, political isolationism, and the potential for political and economic tensions to erupt into armed conflict at any moment. Understanding the complex issues at play requires a constant refresh of perspective. It’s a world where big challenges abound and the landscape changes on a daily basis – but where is it headed? Katty asks that question of the political and business leaders she speaks to every day as anchor for BBC World News America. She brings those insights to her audience in this talk.

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? In this speech Katty Kay inspires audiences with the latest scientific research and anecdotes from her own career and the many women she interviewed for the book. “Neurologists have isolated a ‘confidence gene,’” says Katty “and when I was tested, I learned I am not genetically predisposed to being confident.” Her experience is like that of so many women, even senior women, whose lack of confidence is what really holds them back. But confidence is also art – impacted by how we choose to live with our genes. 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

Katty Kay has interviewed scores of political dignitaries and business leaders for her news broadcasts and at top live events. The skills, grace and humor she brings to the live stage as a panel moderator, discussion leader and interviewer help create memorable experience for the audience.

Beyond Decision 2020: Washington from a different angle

U.S. politics has been upended by the coronavirus. The pandemic will dominate the election race; the outcome of which will affect America’s chances of getting out a massive economic shock and determine U.S. leadership around the world. The challenge is clear, but the outcome is anything but. President Trump will hold on to the White House if Americans believe he did a good job. Did he lead through the darkest moments of medical disaster and did he help the economy rebound afterwards? Joe Biden will win if he persuades voters Mr. Trump mishandled the outbreak in the early months of 2020 and that he is best suited to get America out of recession. In some ways, the pandemic brought Americans together, but it didn’t diminish the country’s political divides. We’ve never seen an election like this and stakes, for America and the world, could not be higher. As a British journalist in Washington, DC, Katty Kay looks at all this from a different angle and she offers a fresh perspective on American politics that only an outsider can provide.

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