Emily Best: Equity Advocate
Quick Facts:
- Highlights:
- Revolutionized independent film financing and distribution, supporting over 1,200 projects and raising more than $25 million.
- Spearheaded initiatives to increase representation of marginalized voices in the entertainment industry.
- Guides early-stage companies towards sustainable and equitable growth.
- Captivates audiences with her passion, knowledge, and authenticity.
- Travels from: Atlanta, GA
- **Fee range: $10,001 - $20,000
Talent Services
Keynote Topics:
The Demand for Innovation
[Keynote & Workshop]
In the last three years, every single workplace on the planet has been through a re-org 1-7 times.
- The move to all or partially remote workforce? Suddenly finding you have five generations of people with extremely different working styles and expectations side by side in the same company?
- Being able to metabolize and respond to major social uprisings?
- To tackle any of these is to re-organize the operating agreements, values, and behaviors of your organization. What about if you have to tackle all three by Friday, like most people leaders are asked to do?
This Keynote and workshop is about how to recognize the demand for innovation, and how perspective-taking and storytelling can crack open pathways to new ways of working inside organizations at any stage of growth.
Emily shares her own experience of how she learned to recognize the demand for innovation, what she discovered interviewing hundreds of people leaders on their biggest challenges, and what she has uncovered about workplace innovation in the last two years of growing her new venture, Film Forward. Film Forward is an experiential learning platform driving workplace performance, engagement, and inclusion with learning journeys built around the world’s best short cinema.
To put the keynote into action, Best will share an award-winning short film and lead the group in a reflection exercise – demonstrating the possibilities of bringing creative solutions if you’re willing to invite in new perspectives.
Innovation is Not Magic
Innovation is not magic. It’s driven by a set of conditions that any organization has the power to create. From years of working across a wide range of corporate clients, Emily and her team have clear examples of how shifting and clarifying simple organizational agreements in small ways and large can create brand new conditions for innovating with inclusion.
Storytelling for Good: Building Real Community
After over a decade of supporting community driven creators to tell stories that support and uplift their communities, Seed&Spark has become a central repository of how storytelling can gather and galvanize groups to move the culture forward. We’ll watch a short film and clips and build excitement around story-powered community building.
Building Community That Wants You To Grow
“Community building” has been a trendy way to rename many conventional marketing tactics and leave the communities feeling talked at, ignored or worse, exploited.
Sharing the story of the unconventional tactics Best and her team use in building and growing Seed&Spark’s vibrant creator community, this talk explores what it means to really be in community in a rapidly changing world.
Deprogramming Implicit Bias
The Untapped Potential of Film
In this talk, Emily Best paints a portrait of media’s role in programming our society’s bias, not just through the films Hollywood has been churning out over the years but the very business model built to produce them.
Through the arc of her experience building Seed&Spark, she demonstrates film’s untapped potential to undo some of the damage that has been done with equitable storytelling.
It's Everyone's Job
The Workplace as a Vector for Cultural Transformation
Across industries the role of “Chief Diversity Officer” (or some similar moniker) is on the rise. This group of people is tasked with the herculean task of building equity in workplaces that exist within a wider society that is not equitable.
Through hundreds of hours of research and interviews, Best and her team discovered common challenges and opportunities for visionary leaders (and also hopefully everyone) to cultivate workplace culture not just to build a more profitable company but also a more just and equitable society.
Social Capital
Currency in the Age of Participation
This is a talk Best has given several times about how Seed&Spark monetized social capital. The internet can be a powerful tool for building and monetizing social capital, but it can’t be the only tool used to succeed.
Through a series of learnings building Seed&Spark from an underfunded underdog to the number one crowdfunding platform in the world for movies and shows, Best can walk audiences through how the company leveraged both off-line and on-line tactics for growing social capital that became the foundations of its business growth.
Read Full Bio
Emily Best is the dynamic founder and CEO of Seed&Spark, a groundbreaking platform that has revolutionized the way independent films are financed, produced, and distributed. Her work as an advocate for equity and inclusion within the entertainment industry and beyond has positioned her as a leading voice in leveraging entertainment for social impact. Emily’s commitment to sustainability and equitable practices has earned her a reputation as a transformative figure in the world of media and entrepreneurship.
Regularly speaking at high-profile conferences and events, Emily Best inspires audiences with her insights on crowdfunding, pitching, and building inclusive startups. Additionally, she serves as a trusted advisor and mentor to numerous early-stage companies, guiding them towards sustainable and equitable growth.
Emily Best
Emily Best’s journey began with a vision to democratize the film industry. Recognizing the challenges independent filmmakers faced in securing funding and distribution, she founded Seed&Spark in 2012. The platform offers a unique combination of crowdfunding and streaming services, enabling filmmakers to raise funds directly from their audience while retaining creative control. Under Emily’s leadership, Seed&Spark has supported over 1,200 projects, raising more than $25 million for independent films. Her expertise in crowdfunding has made her a sought-after speaker, sharing strategies on how creators can leverage community support to bring their visions to life.
Emily is a staunch advocate for diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry. She has spearheaded numerous initiatives aimed at increasing representation of marginalized voices in film and media. Emily’s efforts include partnerships with organizations dedicated to gender equity, racial justice, and LGBTQ+ rights. Her work has not only created opportunities for underrepresented creators but has also raised awareness about the systemic barriers they face. Emily’s talks on equity and inclusion resonate deeply with audiences, as she provides actionable steps to foster a more inclusive environment within their organizations and industries.
Beyond the entertainment industry, Emily Best is committed to promoting sustainability in all aspects of business. She believes that equity and sustainability are intrinsically linked and that businesses must adopt practices that support both. Emily’s approach to building equitable startups emphasizes the importance of ethical decision-making, transparent operations, and long-term thinking. Her guidance helps new companies to develop business models that are not only profitable but also socially responsible. Emily’s insights into sustainable business practices are invaluable for entrepreneurs looking to make a positive impact while achieving success.
Emily’s influence extends far beyond her role at Seed&Spark. As a speaker, she captivates audiences with her passion, knowledge, and authenticity. Emily’s talks cover a wide range of topics, from the intricacies of crowdfunding and pitching to the broader themes of equity and sustainability. Her ability to connect with diverse audiences and inspire action has made her a favorite at conferences, festivals, and corporate events. Additionally, Emily serves as a mentor to early-stage companies, offering guidance and support to founders navigating the challenges of startup life. Her mentorship has been instrumental in the success of numerous ventures, particularly those focused on social impact.
In addition to her speaking and mentoring, Emily Best holds advisory roles in several organizations dedicated to fostering innovation and inclusivity. Her leadership extends to various industry boards and committees, where she advocates for policies and practices that promote equity and sustainability. Emily’s involvement in these organizations underscores her commitment to driving systemic change within the entertainment industry and beyond. Her advisory work provides her with a platform to influence industry standards and practices, further amplifying her impact.
Emily Best is a visionary leader whose work with Seed&Spark has transformed the landscape of independent film financing and distribution. Her commitment to equity and inclusion, coupled with her expertise in crowdfunding and sustainable business practices, makes her an invaluable speaker for events focused on social impact and innovation. Emily’s ability to inspire and motivate audiences, along with her practical insights and authentic leadership, ensures that her presentations are both impactful and memorable.
Booking Emily Best through Speakers Inc guarantees not only a remarkable speaking experience but also the support and expertise of a trusted partner in event planning. Our curated selection of speakers and comprehensive coordination services ensure that your event runs smoothly and achieves its objectives. Whether you are planning a conference, corporate event, or festival, Emily Best’s presence will elevate the experience and leave a lasting impression on your audience.
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**Summary of User Reviews for Emily Best**
Emily Best is highly praised for her engaging and authentic speaking style, which resonates deeply with audiences. Reviewers consistently highlight her ability to connect emotionally and deliver content that leaves a lasting impression. Her workshops and sessions are noted for being well-received, with participants appreciating her intelligence and impressive facilitation skills.
Strengths:
– Exceptional ability to connect with audiences emotionally and intellectually.
– Effective at facilitating workshops and panel discussions, creating a dynamic and interactive environment.
– Recognized as a knowledgeable leader in the entertainment industry, particularly regarding women entrepreneurs and activism.
– Engaging and entertaining, often eliciting enthusiastic responses from audiences.
Weaknesses:
– No significant weaknesses were mentioned in the reviews, suggesting a uniformly positive reception.
Overall, Emily Best is highly recommended as a speaker for events focusing on the film industry, inclusivity, and activism, making her a sought-after choice for various engagements.
Talent FAQ's
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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.
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Additional tips and takeaways
- Virtual speaking appearances are a cost-effective alternative to high speaking fees, often 10-50% cheaper than in-person rates.
- There is typically no difference in fee for a 15-minute speech versus a 60-minute speech.
- Some motivational speakers are open to discounting their fee if hired for more than one event by the same organization.
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