Kristen Geez

In this presentation, Kristen Geez will help attendees determine who they are and the legacy/reputation they would like to create. Participants will measure how much of the decisions they make and how they feel about themselves is based on the approval of their peers, insecurities, fears, and social biases. Attendees will learn four principles to unleash their inner power, thus relying on internal motivation and not external validation. This program can be presented as a speech or guided workshop to youth or adult audiences. 

In July of 2019, the Census Bureau showed that Millennials and Gen Z combined make up approximately 50.7% of the nation’s population and about 58% of the workforce. More than seven out of ten Millennials and Gen Zers stated that 2020 made them feel isolated, overwhelmed, and depressed due to social distancing and working remotely. If seasoned leaders want to manage, inspire, and retain this young, outspoken, independent, eager, and always on a device generation, they’ll need to become empathetic leaders. This presentation will assist leaders with tools to help them navigate and build team camaraderie among their young workforce post-COVID-19.

Kristen Geez shares her personal experience of being the school bully and how her high school Principal motivated her to change by offering her a leadership opportunity to establish the first Black History Month Program in her school district. She went on to launch a nonprofit organization specializing in working with misguided students in K-12 and higher education. Kristen shares research and best practices to help practitioners support the social and emotional wellbeing of their more challenging students.

As a woman of color who graduated from both a predominantly white high school and a historical Black college before landing a visible entry-level position at a Fortune 500 company, Kristen shares the five rules that every minority was taught to survive any environment outside their own community. Defining what the term “codeswitching” means, she explains how it serves as a defense mechanism for minorities to protect themselves and their heritage. While this speech is given from a minority perspective, Kristen will assist all diversity, equity, and inclusion attendees to see how we’ve all been guilty of “codeswitching” at least once in our lifetimes. 

With school buildings, mentoring programs, and extracurricular activities temporarily shut down, many families gained a better understanding of the work practitioners face daily to help students manage difficult emotions and behaviors. Compounding students’ mental health issues during this time of isolation were circumstances that put students at risk of abuse, neglect, and food insecurity. Kristen will assist practitioners in realizing that the traumatic events that occurred in 2020 will continue to make our students feel claustrophobic, if we don't find innovative ways to constantly make time for every student to release anxiety. All practitioners will have to move beyond their comfort zones to educate, address and discuss events that are happening around the world.

This presentation aims to equip college students, interns, and entry-level employees to learn what qualities employers and managers are looking for when identifying strong candidates and team members. Attendees will be given practical tips on ensuring they stand out from the initial interview phase to their first twelve weeks on the job. Kristen will share best practices, communication techniques, and business etiquette for a multigenerational audience to achieve their professional and personal goals.

This presentation targets seasoned women who are in positions of authority (motherhood, eldest relative, mentor, teacher, manager, tenured employee) to remind them that the next generation of girls are studying how they respond to insecurities, conflict, trauma, abuse, and setbacks. This speech rejuvenates women who are often disrespected or undervalued not to become complacent. Kristen will assist the audience in understanding that the young women in their personal and professional lives are influenced by how they respond and prevail through life's difficulties. Please note this presentation can be modified to facilitate authentic "raw" conversations.