Biography

Book Kathy Klotz-Guest through The Keynote Curators. 

Kathy Klotz-Guest is a powerhouse speaker, author, and former Silicon Valley tech executive with a mission to create braver, healthier workplaces. Drawing on over two decades of leading high-performing teams in product, marketing, and communications, as well as her background in stand-up, improv, and sketch comedy—including performances at the iconic Second City—Kathy has developed a groundbreaking approach to leadership and culture. Her philosophy, called Brave Fuel℠, is built on the idea that humor, trust, and connection are the catalysts for courage, creativity, and innovation.

While leading teams by day and performing comedy by night, Kathy noticed a striking pattern: workplaces that prioritize trust and connection consistently outperform those that don’t. Through humor and playfulness, she discovered how to create environments where bold ideas flourish, collaboration thrives, and fear is replaced by courage. Her unique leadership mindset draws from the principles of improv, such as “I got your back” and “Yes, and”, fostering psychological safety that empowers teams to think boldly and adapt in uncertain times.

Kathy’s impact extends far beyond the workplace. She founded Keeping it Human℠ in 2010, a consultancy dedicated to helping organizations communicate and innovate more effectively. Her Amazon top-10 book, Stop Boring Me!, has been celebrated as a “must-read” for leaders, and her insights on humor and leadership have been featured in Forbes, HuffPost, and Inc. She also teaches two highly acclaimed LinkedIn Learning courses: Leading with Improv and Humor: A Leader’s Guide to Building Team Trust, equipping leaders with tools to build resilient, connected teams.

Contact us for Kathy Klotz-Guest’s fees and availability. 

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Speech TopicsExpand each topic to learn more

Laughter is the Power Code to Trust

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Building Bolder, Resilient Leaders

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The Ultimate Algorithm for Innovation

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Testimonials

Thank you for your keynote at the Women Center’s Leadership Conference. I - and so many others - were inspired by your story. You were insightful and funny – a winning combination. Thank you for sharing yourself with us!
– Rachna K., Women’s Center
As the closing keynote at AMA Cincinnati's Ignite CX Conference - A highlight! - Kathy delivered the perfect balance of humor and thought-provoking content in a highly engaging, energetic, and relevant presentation. She is exceptional...
– Gina B., American Marketing Association Ignite Conference
Thank you, Kathy, for keynoting The 2021 Women’s Center’s Leadership Conference: Learn, Pivot, Grow! We were so inspired by your story. You were insightful and funny…which is a winning combination. Thank you for sharing yourself with us!”
– Rachna Krishma, Women’s Center Conference Board
Kathy had us laughing and made is safe to make the behavior changes. She’s hilarious and cares about people’s ability to grow and learn. People still talk about her talk and ‘YES AND’ as a mindset for life.
– Sandy Carter, AWS Leader
Kathy served as closing keynote at AMA Cincinnati 2018 IGNITE CX Conference. She delivered the perfect balance of humor and thought-provoking content in a highly engaging, energetic, relevant presentation. She is exceptional, and attendees are still talking about, quoting, and applying Kathy’s “yes-and” and story concepts in practice!
– Past AMA President, Gina Bonar

Booksby Kathy Klotz-Guest

Stop Boring Me!: How to Create Kick-Ass Marketing Content, Products and Ideas Through the Power of Improv

The Marketing Executive's Bedtime Guide to Better Content and Storytelling with Humor

The Marketing Executive's Bedtime Guide to Better Presentations with Humor: Don't Present; Connect!

Blog Posts

Rethinking Events: Bite-Sized Surprises and Live Interaction with Seth Godin

Seth Godin shares his strategies and suggestions for unforgettable events—from riff-based teaching to co-creation through communication and creativity.

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Aligning Prosperity with Purpose: Money Lessons from Doug Lynam

Marine. Monk. Manager. Behavioral finance expert Doug Lynam helps you heal your relationship with finances, aligning prosperity with a deeper, personal purpose.

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Expert Mental Health Keynote Speakers That Can Elevate Your Attendees’ Experiences

Learn how the right mental health keynote speaker can help transform your events by fostering connection, resilience, and lasting impact that last a lifetime.

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Future-Proof Your Events and Create Unforgettable Experiences

Discover proven methodologies for events that integrate technology, sustainability, and sensory engagement to create future-proof, high-impact experiences.

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How to Flourish in Flux: April Rinne’s Superpowers for Leading Through Change

Learn from keynote speaker April Rinne how to deal with change, thrive in flux, improve resilience, and lead with emotional intelligence.

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Why Work With Us: More Than a Broker, We’re Your Keynote Speaker Partner

Learn why event professionals choose to work with us and our curated speaker selection, and how we can help you create magical experiences at your next event.

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Blog Posts

 

Rethinking Events: Bite-Sized Surprises and Live Interaction with Seth Godin

In an era where free online content floods every screen, the role of live events—and...

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Aligning Prosperity with Purpose: Money Lessons from Doug Lynam

💸 Marine. Monk. Money Manager. Doug Lynam has lived more lives than most. A former...

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Expert Mental Health Keynote Speakers That Can Elevate Your Attendees’ Experiences

Let’s be honest: booking a speaker for your event is more than just finding someone...

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Future-Proof Your Events and Create Unforgettable Experiences

When we step into a truly well-designed event, every detail—from the moment we first click...

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How to Flourish in Flux: April Rinne’s Superpowers for Leading Through Change

Life’s only constant is change—and keynote speaker April Rinne helps us not just cope but...

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Why Work With Us: More Than a Broker, We’re Your Keynote Speaker Partner

Picture this: the keynote is about to begin, and your CEO just added a last-minute...

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