Mara Zepeda is a Co-Founder and Managing Director of Zebras Unite, an international and intersectional hybrid cooperative creating the capital, culture, and community for the next economy. This global community of founders, investors, and are creating a more ethical, inclusive, collaborative, and sustainable approach to building businesses.
Prior, Mara was the founder of a venture-backed software company, Switchboard (now Hearken). It was through her experience as an entrepreneur of a different stripe that led her to co-found Zebras Unite, along with Jennifer Brandel, Astrid Scholz, and Aniyia Williams. Their manifesto,“Zebras Fix What Unicorns Break,” launched this timely, necessary, culture-shifting movement that has garnered broad recognition. It now boasts an online community of 10K+ strong, 100+ member-owners, and over 25 chapters around the world.
Mara Zepeda is a systempreneur and serial social entrepreneur. She has also co-founded and was the founding board chair of Business for a Better Portland and XXcelerate. BBPDX is a next-generation business organization 350+ members strong that forges public-private collaborations to advance systemic change, shared prosperity, and social justice and equity in Portland. XXcelerate provides business support, education, peer mentorship, and funding to 200+ Oregon womxn entrepreneurs.
She speaks about and leads workshops on education, trust, social networks, and the future of business internationally. Mara has spent her career at the intersection of community building, economic empowerment, and movement building.
Mara Zepeda speaks from her experience as an economic reporter for NPR, calligrapher, and child of bohemian and spiritually curious artists. She holds a BA in Russian from Reed College and an MS in Journalism from Columbia University where she graduated with honors. She grew up in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
SPEAKS ABOUT
Alternative Funding, Entrepreneurship, Startup, Business, Community Building, Economic Empowerment, Movement Building, Social Change & Issues, Journalist
View All Speakers and follow us on Twitter
No reviews available for this post.
Speaker fees can vary depending on factors such as expertise, demand, and event specifics. While some speakers may charge a flat fee for their services, others may have hourly rates. It’s best to discuss fee structures directly with the speaker or their representative to understand the pricing model.
Keynote speeches typically range from 30 to 90 minutes, with the duration determined by the speaker’s expertise, the event’s agenda, and audience preferences. Keynote speeches often include a combination of inspirational stories, practical insights, and actionable advice tailored to the event’s theme or objectives.
The scale of the event and audience size can indeed impact a speaker’s fee. Larger events with a broader reach or higher attendance may command higher fees due to increased exposure and demand. Conversely, smaller events or niche audiences may offer opportunities for more flexible pricing arrangements.
Travel expenses such as transportation, accommodation, and meals are typically negotiated separately from the speaker’s fee. These costs vary depending on the speaker’s location, travel distance, and event duration. It’s important to clarify travel arrangements and expenses during the booking process to avoid misunderstandings.
Many speakers require a deposit to secure a booking, with the remaining balance due closer to the event date. Deposits are often non-refundable and serve as a commitment from both parties. It’s advisable to discuss deposit requirements and payment terms with the speaker or their representative when finalizing the booking.
Ready to find the perfect speaker for your event? Use our advanced search feature or contact us to get started today!
Jenn Lim is the bestselling author of Beyond Happiness, and the CEO of Delivering Happiness [DH], a company she and Tony Hsieh [the late CEO of Zappos.com] cofounded to create happier company cultures for a more profitable and sustainable approach to business. Delivering Happiness started as a book (New York Times and WSJ Bestseller, which sold one million copies worldwide) and […]
Lisa Argen is a seasoned meteorologist and news personality, boasting a career spanning two decades in the field of journalism. Throughout her tenure, she has garnered a reputation for her dedication to delivering accurate and insightful meteorological updates to audiences across various platforms. Lisa’s contributions to the field of broadcast meteorology have been widely recognized […]
Kimberley Blaine is an inspirational speaker, author and a nationally recognized mindfulness and positive-psychology thought-leader. Kimberley Blaine, Licensed Family Therapist, Mindfulness & Happiness Ambassador, is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) and is named one of the most powerful moms in social media by Working Mother Magazine. Kimberley, MA, MFT, has been named one […]
Aaron Bare is not your ordinary speaker; he’s a force of change, a beacon of inspiration, and a catalyst for growth. As a Change Agent, Human Profit Center, and Strategic Facilitator, Aaron brings a unique blend of expertise to every stage he graces. His insights have garnered attention from prestigious publications such as the Wall […]
Here’s everything you get when you book with A Touch Of Class: Extremely talented DJ, Emcee Singer, Guitarist, ultimate music playlists, continuous music, music consultation, venue site visit, full professional state-of-the-art sound and lighting production, set up and breakdown. Being a musician in addition to being a Wedding DJ gives you the best of both […]
Seth Mattison is a renowned business strategist and keynote speaker who has dedicated nearly two decades to studying business performance, transformation, and leadership within some of the world’s most renowned brands. With a profound understanding of the evolving landscape of work, Seth is on a mission to shape the future of work, making it more […]
Chef Brooke Williamson is a culinary force to be reckoned with, known for her innovative approach to cooking and her unwavering commitment to excellence. With a career that spans over two decades, she has earned acclaim and respect from both her peers and food enthusiasts around the world. Her culinary journey took off when she […]
Across the world, I find people now expect change and will deliver it fast: but only when they have the skills to do so.” – Jim Lawless, International Motivational Speaker & Author.Empowering Bold Change: Fast “People resist change? Change takes time? How to change our activities to deliver new outcomes is a core professional skill in the age […]
No results available
These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.
All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.
Our Mission:
© All rights reserved 2026. Designed using Voxel