Erika Driscoll
Spoken words that land with gravity, poetry, truth, and the courage to be seen.
Travels from Burke Virginia, USA
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Speaks on:
Inclusion
Authentic Leadership
Entrepreneurship
Personal Empowerment
Resilience
Storytelling
Speaks to:
Other / Cross-Industry
Formats:
Keynote
Erika's Bio
Erika is a genderfluid poet, Navy veteran, parent, and business professional whose life has been shaped by military discipline, personal transformation, and a deep commitment to authenticity. Speaking from lived experience in the transgender community, Erika brings a powerful perspective on the cost of hiding, the burden of passability, and the long process of learning to see oneself clearly. Erika is a PMP-certified management professional and leadership practitioner with experience across military, volunteer, and enterprise settings. Her background includes leadership in the elite U.S. Navy Presidential Ceremonial Guard, squadron command in the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol, senior project and program management, and senior proposal leadership. After years of not fully understanding her gender identity, and later recognizing and publicly embracing her transgender, non-binary, genderfluid identity, she now applies those lessons in service to her community.
Private
Varies based on date, location, and engagement type
What you will receive
A detailed quote with pricing, availability, add-ons, and travel info that's ready to share with your team.
Erika Offers the Following Talks
Keynote Address: The Universe Spoke — We Were Never Meant to Be That Perfect
Recognize how perfectionism and external standards can become forms of self-erasure—and how constantly trying to become “acceptable” can separate people from their authentic selves.
Reconsider fear as something more complex than a stop sign, including the possibility that fear can sometimes signal that we are approaching an important truth about ourselves.
Challenge narrow cultural definitions of beauty, worth, and legitimacy, particularly the idea that a person must be flawless, polished, or “passable” before they deserve acceptance.
Understand the difference between becoming a “perfect” person and becoming a whole person, with imperfections included rather than concealed.
Recognize how adversity can contribute to resilience and self-understanding without allowing the people who deliver that adversity to define one’s worth.
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30 - 45 minutes
Lecture: Grow Your Garden: A Primer to Transgender Business Ownership
Recognize entrepreneurship as a realistic path to resilience and self-determination, not something reserved for people with wealth, investors, or perfect timing.
Understand why it can be smart to begin building a business while still employed, so that something of their own is already growing before a job loss, burnout, discrimination, or other disruption forces the issue.
Identify how a side pursuit can be cultivated into meaningful income, and potentially into work that can eventually replace traditional employment.
Reframe business ownership as more than income generation—as a way to reclaim time, reduce dependence on an employer, lower work-related stress, and create greater control over one’s life.
See economic independence as a form of personal agency, especially for transgender and gender-expansive people who may face instability or barriers in conventional employment.
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60 - 90 minutes
Lecture: Transgender Leadership: Your Voice, Energy, and Power
Recognize leadership qualities they already possess, including influence, resilience, communication, judgment, empathy, and lived experience.
Understand that leadership is not limited to formal authority or job titles and can be exercised in families, workplaces, communities, volunteer organizations, and advocacy spaces.
Identify the ways fear, marginalization, or pressure to conform can suppress a person’s voice and limit their willingness to step forward.
Use their authentic voice more intentionally, rather than assuming effective leadership requires imitating someone else’s style.
Recognize personal energy and presence as leadership tools, including how confidence, consistency, listening, and emotional awareness affect others.
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60 - 90 minutes
Book Reading: An intimate literary experience with author and keynote speaker Erika X. Driscoll
Attendees will leave with a renewed sense of self-worth, a deeper understanding of how fear influences their decisions, and practical ways to challenge the assumptions that limit their lives.
Through emotionally engaging storytelling, Erika encourages audiences to embrace their authentic selves, recognize the strength they already possess, and extend kindness and support to others.
Empowerment: an audience that feels seen, validated, inspired, and more confident in taking the next step toward living fully as themselves.
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45 - 90 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions on Working With Erika
What should I know about working with you?
I am visibly transgender and continually growing. Some environments can put me on high alert, but I am outgoing, approachable, and open to imperfect questions asked in good faith. I value respect, curiosity, and turning awkward moments into understanding. New to keynote speaking, but not unfamiliar.
What's included in your fee?
My fee covers the presentation itself, including reasonable preparation and customization. Travel, lodging, meals, and other event-related expenses are billed separately and are not included in the speaking fee.
Can you customize your presentation for our specific audience and event theme?
Absolutely. Knowing your audience is central to effective speaking. I can tailor examples, emphasis, language, and takeaways to fit the room. My goal isn't just to inform, but to empower people in ways that feel relevant to them. One never knows who really needs to hear my message.
What kind of promotional support do you offer to help market the event?
I am new to Talkadot. Data Incoming. I’m building my speaking platform and social reach. As it grows, I’ll support events through social media, website promotion, and audience outreach. I’m also happy to provide photos, bios, abstracts, and other materials organizers can use in their own marketing.
How do you engage audiences post-event?
I request that the organizer share that I will be book selling/signing after the event to those who wish a signed copy. Those who want non-signed (non-hologram) or kindle can
Do you offer extras (book signings, meet-and-greets)?
I am finalizing my book, "Here We Go: Fear, Identity, and Learning to Be Seen." I offer open-mic poetry & storytelling, meet-and-greets, audience Q&A, and panel participation. I enjoy thoughtful, respectful dialogue and connecting with people beyond the stage, for LGBT and other audiences.
My organization has a limited budget. Do you have any flexibility in your pricing?
I understand that some organizations have limited budgets. For local events I can drive to, I may offer mission-based flexibility, sometimes covering only travel, a meal, and a reduced fee. I consider this on a case-by-case basis, and it is not a standard discount policy.
Will I receive post-event materials (slides, recordings, handouts)?
For lectures, attendees can scan a QR code on the opening and closing slides to download a PDF of the presentation—cleaner and more useful than paper handouts. For the keynote, the takeaway is less tangible: a renewed and lasting sense of self.
What is your policy on event recordings and media rights?
Brief photo/video use for event promotion is welcome with attribution. Full recordings, livestreams, resale, commercial use, AI training, synthetic media, or derivative use of my voice, image, or content require prior written permission.
What are your specific travel requirements?
My travel needs are simple. I’m happy to drive when it's reasonably close and doesn't require special transportation. Please cover airfare, hotel, meals, and parking. For multi-session events, I prefer the host hotel—I like being accessible enough for a lobby conversation.