Kim Lear

Biography

Kim Lear is a writer and researcher focused on generational patterns and demographic shifts. As the founder and content director of Inlay Insights, Kim is at the forefront of cutting edge research to uncover cultural shifts that revolutionize how organizations engage employees and consumers. She is known for her ability to use a mix of data, storytelling, humor, and actionable takeaways to discuss the trends that most impact the bottom line of organizations. Previously, Kim was the content director at a research firm dedicated to generational and Millennials trends. Her undergrad research is around Baby Boomers and longevity. Her post-grad work is around millennials and social media networks.

Kim has keynoted for some of the most renowned companies in the world. She has received rave reviews from clients such as American Express, Cisco Systems, Deloitte, Disney, General Mills, Linked In, Mastercard, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Wells Fargo, and more. In addition to speaking, Kim has written whitepapers on the topics of generational wealth transfer in the finance sector, retirement trends in the hospitality industry, and the impacts of mindfulness practices on healthcare costs.

A researcher to the very core, Kim employs eye-opening statistics to accentuate her points and mixes them with stories and case studies to make her message come alive. She is a sought-after expert and has been featured on NPR as well as national publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The Huffington Post, USA Today, TIME and more. She was most recently the head of research on a new book published by Harper Collins about Gen Z, the teenage demographic.

Kim lives and works in Minneapolis where she is currently running a research initiative to identify how the Sharing Economy impacts our perspectives on community and consumption. She is an advisor to Tuesday Strategies, a political tech startup focused on engaging Millennial voters and she is a volunteer for The 78 Cents Project where she provides speech coaching to young women.

When not delving into the minutia of human behavior, you can find Kim paddle boarding, planning an overseas adventure or binge watching Game of Thrones.

For industries Kim has experience in healthcare, finance, insurance, education, real estate, law, government, manufacturing, advertising and hospitality.

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The Age of the Multigenerational Workforce

Study after study has shown us that multigenerational teams outperform more homogeneous groups by almost every measure. This can be attributed to their unique and diverse experiences– the more seasoned employees offer wisdom and expertise while those on the younger end offer a fresh and innovative perspective. While the advantages are numerous, it turns out, managing multigenerational teams is easier said than done. Today’s teams are often plagued by issues regarding everything from work ethic and retention to succession and fairness.

Today , each generation is taking on new roles in the workplace. Millennials are no longer entry-level employees - they are managers who may oversee older, more seasoned employees. Gen Xers have stepped up to the C Suite, reinventing and redefining what it means to be a leader. Boomers are transitioning and taking their careers in new directions and Gen Zers are now on the scene, ready to shake up the work world and present a whole new challenge to their Millennial supervisors. The key to understanding and leveraging these generational trends is to recognize that it’s not about “out with the old, in with the new.” Every generation brings value to the workforce.

Building Standout Experiences for Every Generation

Our clients and customers are changing. Baby Boomers are redefining retirement and what it means to age in this country, Gen Xers are stepping into their prime earning years, Millennials are buying homes and having children and Generation Z is controlling an increasing amount of money in the marketplace. As each generation goes through new life stages, it’s crucial for advisors, salespeople and relationship builders to see the world through their eyes and meet each customer where they’re at.

The time has come to challenge conventional thinking and explore bold new approaches to relationship building in the face of disruption and shifting demographics. Creating more empathetic, personal and customized experiences is more important than ever. Supported with cutting edge research and category leading case studies, this program will take a deep dive into the evolving expectations of the clients of today and tomorrow.

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Blog Posts

Crafting Personalized Health & Self‑Care Practices with Johnny Crowder

Everywhere you turn, someone is talking about health and self‑care rituals. Keynote speaker Johnny Crowder shares why true self‑care is not one‑size‑fits‑all.

Elevate Your Event With These Skills: Insights from Gabriella Robuccio

Think event planning is all about checklists and timetables? Think again. Emmy‑winning strategist Gabriella Robuccio shares more on The Keynote Curators Podcast.

Celebrating Juneteenth with These Transformative Keynotes

Learn how intentional Juneteenth programming paired with transformative keynote speakers can turn commemoration into sustained equity and inclusion.

AI, GEO, & SEO Marketing for Speakers: The 2025 Authority-Building Playbook

How Professional Speakers and Speaker Bureaus Can Leverage AI to Build Unshakeable Authority and Increase Visibility in the New Search Landscape

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.

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.