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Keynote Topics
We’re entering a new era—one where how you do things matters more than what you do. AI is leveling the innovation playing field while simultaneously making companies feel less human. Meanwhile, employees are burnt toast from workplace BS. Companies that don’t adapt will evaporate.
Turnaround CEO Erin Hatzikostas cracked the code on how to exponentially grow a business while also making employees happier. Her strategy? Authenticity. And now it can be your secret weapon for building your business and a culture people are proud to work for.
But authenticity isn’t what you might think it is—“be yourself”—that fluffy unicorn doo-doo definition that lights you up but then quickly lets you down. Erin will help you see that authenticity is actually about exposing who you are, when people least expect it, in the service of others. (and that it takes work)
Erin will take you on a rollercoaster of stories, surprising data, and real-world examples, all drawn from her experience as a CEO, her best-selling books, and groundbreaking research on authenticity’s impact in the workplace.
In this highly authentic talk, Erin will help you:
LEAVING THIS PRESENTATION YOU WILL:
While others are busy letting AI do the talking, you’ll be using authenticity to do what machines can’t—forge real connections, build unshakable trust, and make your business unforgettable.
You love the idea that “culture eats strategy for breakfast,” but when it comes to actually doing something about it, it feels like you’re trying to steer a cruise ship with a pool noodle. There are a million directions you could go, but it feels daunting, complicated, and overwhelming.
When former CEO Erin Hatzikostas took over a struggling company, she felt the same way—until she stumbled upon the strategy she’d unknowingly been using her entire career: authenticity. And not the fluffy, feel-good kind, but a deliberate, strategic, bottom-line-boosting approach that transformed her company’s culture, skyrocketed trust, and tripled earnings.
Now, after years of research, two best-selling books, and a whole lot of real-world testing, Erin has cracked the code on how to make creating authentic cultures and leaders as simple, tangible, and satisfying as floating on a pool noodle.
In this high energy talk, Erin will help you:
This isn’t another feel-good, buzzword-filled culture talk. This is a game plan. One that will transform your sea of confusion into an ocean of opportunities.
A Simple Formula to Go from Unnoticed to Unmatched (in a Hot Second)
The good news: there are a million gurus, playbooks, and books to tell you how to grow your business.
The bad news: there are a million gurus, playbooks, and books to tell you how to grow your business.
In this modern-day entrepreneurial world, it often feels like you’re riding a whiplash-inducing rollercoaster where people are constantly shooting confetti cannons of advice at your face. It should be exhilarating, but instead it’s overwhelming and exhausting.
That’s how Erin Hatzikostas, former corporate CEO turned entrepreneur, felt when she first started her business. But then she discovered, used, obsessed over, and is now sharing the creative shortcut that has helped her—and countless others—go from unnoticed to unmatched, without being plagued with Comparison Cramps, Copying Calluses, or Perfection Pain.
In this simple but mind-bending talk, Erin will:
You’ll walk away fired up to use this simple rule on EVERYTHING so you can stop comparing, chasing, and copying others and instead, start competing in a league of your own.
Erin Hatzikostas is a former corporate CEO who defied convention and proved that business success doesn’t require stiff suits and jargon-filled boardrooms. After leading a 9-figure company to triple its earnings while boosting employee engagement by 15%, Erin shifted her focus to sharing her most powerful leadership lesson: authenticity is the ultimate strategy.
Today, Erin is a two-time award-winning author, TEDx speaker, and co-host of the globally top 2% ranked podcast Because Work Doesn’t Have to Suck. Known for her refreshing blend of candor and humor, she calls out corporate “fauxthenticity” — leaders bringing their “whole poopy selves” to work and instead teaches a research-backed, strategic framework that helps leaders use authenticity to drive trust, innovation, and results.
Her six principles of Strategic Authenticity give leaders practical, immediately actionable steps to build trust six times faster, engage teams more deeply, and wake people up from the bad dream of going through the motions.
Whether on stage, in workshops, or in her bestselling books, Erin shows audiences how to stop hiding behind buzzwords and start exposing the real human side of leadership in service of others. She’s been described as “magnetic, hilarious, and game-changing” a shot of truth every leader needs.
Erin Hatzikostas is a former Corporate CEO turned Professional Pot-Stirrer.
Erin is an internationally recognized leader on the impact of authenticity in the workplace. She is the founder of b Authentic Inc, where she’s leading a movement to eradicate the workplace of its BS and make it a fundamentally more authentic place.
She is a global keynote speaker, author of two bestselling books—You Do You(ish) and The 50% Rule, a Differentiation Consultant, and the co-host of an offbeat career and leadership podcast, b Cause Work Doesn’t Have to Suck. Her TEDx Talk was the 18th most-watched TEDx of all global talks released in 2021.
Erin Hatzikostas has reached hundreds of thousands of people and her thought leadership has been featured on ABC, CBS and published in Business Insider, Fast Company, Well+Good, among several others. Her company also recently released a first-of-its-kind, national study on the impact of authenticity in the workplace.
Erin spent her career “first half” working in the corporate world, where at the age of 42, she became the CEO of a large healthcare financial institution. In just three years, she took a struggling company and led a massive turnaround, tripling earnings and sending employee engagement skyrocketing. Her secret? Radical authenticity.
Erin Hatzikostas is an expert in authentic leadership, with deep-rooted knowledge and experience in helping individuals and teams foster real, sustainable growth. Her expertise lies in her ability to demystify leadership by focusing on the power of authenticity, empathy, and vulnerability.
Her journey to leadership expertise began during her tenure as the CEO of a large healthcare company, where she successfully led the organization through periods of transformation while maintaining a people-first approach. Erin’s corporate background, which includes building high-performance teams and fostering a culture of trust and transparency, gives her a firsthand understanding of the challenges today’s leaders face.
Her expertise is further evidenced by her work as an author, where she dives into the principles of authentic leadership in her book You Do You(ish). Through her podcast “b Cause with Erin & Nicole” and her coaching programs, she continues to share practical insights, equipping leaders with the tools they need to lead in a more human-centric and effective way.
Erin Hatzikostas’s experience as a former corporate executive solidifies her qualification in the field of leadership development. As the CEO of a $4 billion healthcare financial services company, she not only navigated the complexities of corporate growth but did so with a firm commitment to authentic leadership principles.
Her keynote talks are not just motivational, they are packed with practical, actionable strategies that attendees can implement immediately. Erin has a unique ability to break down complex leadership concepts into digestible, relatable content, making her sessions both impactful and memorable. From Fortune 500 companies to startups, Erin’s expertise in driving leadership transformation has helped organizations of all sizes achieve meaningful, long-term change.
With her deep expertise in leadership and culture transformation, Erin hatzikostas offers a message that is both refreshing and highly relevant in today’s business landscape.
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Erin Hatzikostas shows how authenticity is more than a feel-good value, it’s a strategic weapon that drives trust, engagement, and business success.
The working world is tough right now. As leaders, you’re told to focus on your people, but every day you’re also buried in numbers, reports, and growth targets. The good news? Authenticity is the one strategy that lets you do both. It strengthens teams and grows business at the same time.
Here’s the truth: most employees don’t actually hate their jobs — they hate the junk. The jargon, the bureaucracy, the endless “let’s circle back” or “let’s pivot” conversations. Meanwhile, companies are stuck using the same playbooks: buzzwordy sales pitches, long PowerPoint decks, fancy fonts that sound smart but leave customers uninspired.
That’s where authenticity comes in. Authenticity isn’t about bringing your whole messy self to work — what I call fauxthenticity. Real authenticity is revealing who you are, when people least expect it, and doing it in service of others.
When someone is authentic, people feel instantly connected. They relax. They stop trying to be perfect. And the data backs it up: in companies with high authenticity, trust is six times higher. If you’re authentic, your people trust you every day of the week — not just occasionally.
But authenticity isn’t just about being, it’s about doing. That’s why I created the Six Principles of Strategic Authenticity Framework, a set of tangible actions leaders can take immediately to use authenticity as their competitive advantage. Because when you show up real, you stand out, you become magnetic, and you create environments where people thrive.
I wasn’t supposed to be here, by the way. My first career as an actuary was a disaster. But I went on to become CEO of a nine-figure company, tripled earnings, and boosted engagement by 15%. Since then, I’ve written two bestselling books, delivered a Top 20 TEDx talk, and co-host a globally ranked podcast, Because Work Doesn’t Have to Suck.
Authenticity isn’t rainbows and unicorns. It’s a strategy — one that will change your leadership, your culture, and your results.
[0:00] Opening: Ralph introduces Erin (with interruptions)
[1:15] The challenge: balancing people vs. business priorities
[2:30] Why employees are “burnt toast” — it’s not the jobs, it’s the junk
[4:00] How corporate jargon and sameness kill intrigue
[6:05] Authenticity as a strategy, not just a value
[8:00] Defining “fauxthenticity” vs. real authenticity
[10:20] Research: Authentic leaders build 6x more trust
[12:00] Six Principles of Strategic Authenticity framework
[13:45] Ralph shares Erin’s achievements — CEO success, bestselling author, TEDx top 20, podcast host
[15:10] Erin’s fun close: “Describe yourself in three emojis”
Erin Hatzikostas reveals why women don’t just get held back but often “opt down,” and how authenticity can rewrite the corporate playbook.
A few years ago, while co-chairing my company’s Women’s Leadership group, we were debating the usual conference topics: sponsorship, executive presence, networking. And all I could think was—why are we still talking about the same things we’ve been talking about for 30 years?
Yes, gender inequality exists. When there are more CEOs named Dave than female CEOs, that’s a problem. But here’s the truth: we’re trying to fix it the wrong way.
Fast forward to a Friday afternoon—I’m coasting into the weekend when my boss calls. “I’m leaving the company. Can I recommend you as the next COO?” And my first reaction? No, thank you. Why? Because of what I call the compromise calculation: X = career, Y = everything else. I feared bigger roles would mean sacrificing family, health, even myself.
But later, I realized the real issue: women aren’t just being held down—we’re often opting down. Harvard research backs this up. Women believe they can reach high-level roles, but they expect negative trade-offs if they do. And yet, if gender parity were achieved, McKinsey estimates the global economy would gain $12 trillion by 2025.
So what’s the solution? Not more superwoman conferences or endless diversity training. What we need is a modern career playbook. And at the heart of it is authenticity.
Authenticity doesn’t mean “bringing your whole messy self to work.” That’s fauxthenticity. True authenticity is exposing who you are—strategically—when people least expect it, in service of others. It’s what builds connection, trust, and intrigue.
When I finally took that COO role, I faced a make-or-break negotiation. I confessed to my counterpart, “Our financials are struggling, and I need this deal to prove I can be the next CEO.” Instead of weakness, that honesty created trust. Months later, the deal succeeded—largely because he wanted to see me win. That’s when I realized authenticity could be my secret weapon.
And it worked: I became CEO, led a team of 1,000, tripled earnings, boosted engagement, and stayed true to myself.
So here’s my challenge: throw away the crusty old playbook. Stop playing buzzword bingo on LinkedIn. Change your out-of-office message to sound human. Bring your kids into your work. Because authenticity isn’t just about being—it’s about doing. And when you start doing it, it’s contagious.
Authenticity changes careers. It changes companies. It can change humanity.
0:00 – Why old career advice (sponsorship, exec presence, networking) hasn’t worked
2:10 – The “compromise calculation” and saying no to COO role
4:00 – Women aren’t held down as much as they “opt down”
6:00 – Authenticity as a modern career playbook, not “fauxthenticity”
8:45 – The negotiation story that proved authenticity works
11:20 – Becoming CEO: tripling earnings & boosting engagement while staying true
13:30 – Three “plays” to start your own authenticity playbook
Discover the powerful story behind Unpack Your Orange Suitcase, a journey of resilience, growth, and transformation that inspires audiences to embrace change with courage.
This video introduces the concept of “unpacking your orange suitcase,” a metaphor for releasing past burdens and rediscovering personal freedom. The speaker shares personal experiences, insights, and motivational lessons designed to help audiences recognize what they carry emotionally and how to move forward with clarity. Themes include resilience, overcoming challenges, and embracing new opportunities. Viewers are encouraged to reflect on their own “suitcases” and take intentional steps toward positive change.
00:00 – Introduction to Unpack Your Orange Suitcase
01:15 – The meaning behind the “orange suitcase” metaphor
03:40 – Personal story of struggle and resilience
06:20 – Key lessons learned through transformation
09:10 – How to identify what you’re carrying in your own suitcase
12:45 – Practical steps to let go and move forward
15:00 – Closing reflections and audience call-to-action
Former CEO Erin Hatzikostas reveals how authenticity drives performance, innovation, and connection in the workplace, challenging leaders to stir the pot for real change.
In this showcase session, Erin Hatzikostas, former corporate CEO, bestselling author, and founder of b Authentic Inc — delivers a compelling talk on the power of authenticity in today’s workplaces. Known as a “professional pot stirrer,” Erin shares lessons from her career leading a nine-figure company to rapid growth, and how stepping away from the corporate ladder allowed her to focus on dismantling the “BS” that often stifles organizations.
Drawing from her book You Do You, her TED Talk with more than 400,000 views, and her company’s groundbreaking national study on authenticity, Erin presents authenticity not as a feel-good buzzword but as a proven driver of ROI and organizational success. She illustrates how being unapologetically real fosters trust, boosts engagement, and ultimately leads to stronger business outcomes.
Her talk encourages leaders and teams alike to question old paradigms, embrace vulnerability, and create cultures where people can show up as their true selves. With humor, research-backed insights, and relatable storytelling, Erin positions authenticity as both a personal strategy and a professional imperative.
00:00 – MC introduction and welcome to Erin Hatzikostas
02:15 – Erin’s journey from corporate CEO to “professional pot stirrer”
04:40 – Why BS in the workplace stifles growth and innovation
07:20 – The ROI of authenticity: highlights from national research study
10:05 – Examples of authentic leadership in action
13:30 – How authenticity impacts employee engagement and trust
16:15 – Practical steps to bring authenticity into daily work life
18:50 – Call to leaders: stir the pot and embrace authenticity
20:00 – Closing message and invitation to rethink workplace culture
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A: Yes! Research shows companies with authentic leaders have six times more trust and significantly higher engagement.
A: No, Erin distinguishes between real authenticity and “fauxthenticity.” Strategic authenticity is about exposing the right parts of yourself in service of others.
A: Leaders, managers, and organizations who want to transform culture, build trust, and achieve results without burning out employees.
Author and international keynote speaker David Dye gives leaders the roadmap they need to transform results. David Dye works with leaders around the world who want to achieve breakthrough results without losing their soul (or mind) in the process. He gets it because he’s been there: a former executive and elected official, David Dye has over two […]
David Horsager, MA, CSP, CPAE, is an internationally recognized authority on trust, CEO of Trust Edge Leadership Institute, and national bestselling author of The Trust Edge. He is the inventor of the Enterprise Trust Index™ and serves as the director of one of the nation’s foremost trust studies: The Trust Outlook™. Horsager has dedicated his […]
Ginger Hardage is a distinguished thought leader in workplace culture, leadership, and corporate communications. As the former Senior Vice President of Culture and Communications at Southwest Airlines, she played a pivotal role in shaping one of the most admired corporate cultures in the world. With over 25 years of experience as a key member of […]
If you’re searching for a speaker who inspires resilience, ignites authentic self-leadership, and empowers audiences to break through impossible challenges, Jason Tharp is your go-to. A powerhouse storyteller and founder of the Beyond Hope Project, Jason brings a fresh perspective on overcoming life’s toughest roadblocks. Imagine the authenticity of Brené Brown, the self-leadership insights of […]
Colonel Chris Hadfield woke up the world (on Twitter) every day while living aboard the International Space Station for over five months with the words “Good morning, Earth.” Since blasting off from Kazakhstan in December 2012, Hadfield has become a worldwide sensation, harnessing the power of social media to make outer space accessible to millions […]
Alli Webb is the co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Drybar, the nation’s leading blow dry bar offering customers no hair cuts and no hair color, just professional blow outs at an affordable price. After leaving the hair care workforce in 2005 to start a family, Alli looked for an opportunity to continue pursuing the […]
Phillip Koontz, a former Navy SEAL with over six years of service, stands as a beacon of resilience, leadership, and adaptability. Through the crucible of SEAL training, Koontz honed his skills and acquired invaluable life lessons that he now imparts to others, helping them navigate the challenges of their personal, professional, and family lives. Phillip […]
Kristen Brown is not your average speaker; she’s a force of nature. With her infectious energy, quick wit, and deep expertise in energy mastery, she electrifies audiences around the globe. As a high-energy, funny, and relevant energy mastery expert and biohacker, Kristen has a singular mission: to charge up all dimensions of her audience’s lives, […]
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