Book Sarah Elkins through The Keynote Curators

Biography

A professional musician and storyteller, Sarah will guide your audience on an inspiring journey of connection, demonstrating how sharing the right stories at the right time can help them be stronger advocates for their organizations and happier in their work.

Sarah is a classically trained vocalist who became the lead singer of a 60s style rock band at age 40. She has shared stories and music in a variety of fabulous venues, performing from the historic Wilma Theater in Missoula, Montana to southern France and many places in between.

After nearly 20 years in the public sector — implementing software at federal agencies, coordinating multi-million-dollar state projects, and managing local government events — her years in every possible customer service scenario sparked an epiphany: 90% of workplace dissatisfaction and stress is caused by miscommunication. Even when we speak the same language, we often don’t speak the same language.

Sarah founded Elkins Consulting to improve communication in the workplace, reduce tension, and help people begin to like their jobs again.

To fuel that goal, she became a Gallup-certified CliftonStrengths coach. The StrengthFinder assessment has immediate practical application, improving communication through healthy self-reflection and acknowledging the value of diverse ways of thinking. The intensive training, certification, and coaching time with more than 1,000 clients has been a game-changer for her business and personal life.

Sarah’s podcast, Your Stories Don’t Define You – How You Tell Them Will is consistently ranked in the top 10% of global podcasts, and her book of the same name has been called “A masterclass in storytelling.”

Contact us for Sarah Elkins fees and availability

Read More

Videos

Speech TopicsExpand each topic to learn more

Approach Conflict with Curiosity: Storytelling to Build Connection

We know telling people they're wrong won't change their minds. What happens when we approach difficult conversations with curiosity? When we share a personal story that demonstrates why we believe something, we unlock the stories of the people around us, giving us an opportunity to ask thoughtful questions and open the door to possibility.

Building Resilience and Connection Through Storytelling

An experiential session for participants to develop a clear understanding of personal brand (or reputation), and how that relates to personal success, professional success, and healthy relationships. Sarah will demonstrate critical components of effective storytelling as a means to connect, to build confidence, and to nurture an intentional personal brand.

To ensure positive experiences in our interactions with others, we must be good ambassadors, representing our employer and community through authentic connection and be creating a welcoming environment.

How do we ourselves and others to do this?

We demonstrate these qualities. We share the right stories to build a culture of self-reflection and a focus on personal growth.

Storytelling, story sharing, is the most compelling way to connect with others, to demonstrate empathy, to be more persuasive, and to build resilience and confidence to overcome stressful situations.

Testimonials

Sarah breathes new life into the art of storytelling from the stage. I recently attended her keynote presentation at the SGR Conference and was impressed by how she captured the audience’s attention from the first moment - and didn’t let go! You get the sense from watching her that she brings her whole self onto the stage with her and participants want to show up for her in turn. Her content is compelling, original and highly relevant to leaders looking to nurture organizational health through culture. I can’t wait to hear Sarah speak again!
– Wendy Ryan, CEO of Kadabra
Sarah provided a keynote speech at the Montana Watershed Symposium and we couldn’t have been happier. This is a biennial event hosted by the Montana Watershed Coordination Council that brings together local watershed organizations, conservation groups, and state and federal agencies to help solve some of the pressing conservation issues facing Montana. Our theme for 2018 was Advancing Conservation through Effective Communication, a bit of a hedge on basing the conference on storytelling, which seemed a bit too squishy for some of our more science-oriented partners. Any reservations on the need for better storytelling in the work we do was quickly put to bed after Sarah gave her keynote. We got immediate positive feedback and there was a buzz in the room from the lightbulbs going off in people’s heads. We can’t be effective in watershed conservation work if we can’t directly connect with people through shared stories and experiences.
– Eric Trumm, Board Member, Montana Watershed Coordination Council
Sarah has a special way of connecting with her audience and helping them to connect to one another. If you’re looking for an engaging and compelling speaker on the topic of storytelling, there is no better choice for you than Sarah. You will not regret it!
– Heather Younger, 2x TEDx Keynote Speaker | Author, The Art of Active Listening
Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) had the pleasure of listening to Sarah Elkins’ presentation, “Workplace Family: It’s Complicated!” at our annual convention in 2022. For the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, our entire staff was invited to gather in person, and for many this meant relearning workplace practices. The conundrum of workplace “families” can be a touchy subject and often a difficult lesson to learn, but Elkins educated staff on when to bring at-home practices to the workplace and where to draw the line, all while being engaging, personable and professional. Elkins also encouraged participation by providing a workbook that allowed staff to follow along and set their own goals during the presentation. Our staff felt comfortable openly sharing personal anecdotes and asking questions due to Elkins’ responsiveness. Her presentation was interactive and informative, and RCAC staff has given nothing but positive reviews. Thank you, Sarah Elkins, for a job well done!
– Michelle Ayers, Event Manager, Rural Community Assistance Corporation (Sacramento-based)
While the 2020 COVID pandemic forced us to move from a face-to-face conference to an online conference, adaptation and flexibility were so important. Sarah handled the changes with the utmost professionalism and did an exceptional job of keeping the audience engaged, while delivering a powerful session. The feedback from our conference attendees regarding Sarah’s presentation was overwhelmingly positive.
– Kay Pace, Senior Human Resource Generalist, State of Montana
–
Request Availability

Booksby Sarah Elkins

Your Stories Don't Define You

Your Stories Don't Define You

For Meeting Planners

Get in TouchContact US

Fill out the form so we can best understand your needs.

A representative from The Keynote Curators will reach out to you.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

  • Fill out the form so we can best understand your needs.
    A representative from The Keynote Curators will reach out to you.

  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form

Related Storytelling Speakers

Tucker Bryant Poet and Innovation Expert, Helping Leaders Unlock Innovation Using The Poet’s Keys™
Bonnie Tsui Athlete, New York Times contributor, and captivating storyteller
Speech Thomas Performer, 2X Grammy Award Winner Musician/Founder Vagabond Productions, Founder and lead singer of the 4X Platinum Hip-Hop Collective Arrested Development, Co-Producer of Award-Winning Documentary,16 Bars, Entrepreneur/Philanthropist
Dr. Rebecca Heiss Stress Physiologist, Evolutionary Biologist, CEO & Founder of Happy, The Leap and icueity, LLC, and Bestselling Author
Ernest Scheyder Senior Correspondent for Reuters Covering the Green Energy Transition, Author

Blog Posts

25th Anniversary of 9/11

25th Anniversary of 9/11

Twenty-five years is a strange distance. It’s long enough for 9/11 to start sounding like history to people who weren’t alive for it, and close enough that many of us can still say exactly where...

Read More
Why Remote Work Is Quietly Breaking Your Team’s Ability to Innovate

Why Remote Work Is Quietly Breaking Your Team’s Ability to Innovate

Shawn Kanungo explains why remote work quietly damages innovation, even when it boosts individual productivity. Here's the real cost.

Read More
Networking Redefined: Eat, Drink, and Succeed, with Laura Schwartz

Networking Redefined: Eat, Drink, and Succeed, with Laura Schwartz

Laura Schwartz reveals what real networking looks like: service, presence, and community over status and self-interest.

Read More
Toxic Workplace Culture Starts Quietly and Grows in Silence

Toxic Workplace Culture Starts Quietly and Grows in Silence

A toxic workplace rarely starts with cruelty. It starts with silence. Here's how leaders can spot it early and build real trust instead.

Read More
How to Design Events People Actually Remember with Carrie Davenport

How to Design Events People Actually Remember with Carrie Davenport

Carrie Davenport on why great events are built on human connection, not just agendas. Lessons for event planners, leaders, and teams.

Read More
Q4 Isn’t a Marketing Strategy Until Clarity Leads the Way

Q4 Isn’t a Marketing Strategy Until Clarity Leads the Way

Q4 isn't a marketing strategy. It's a test of clarity, judgment, and what your brand chooses to remember when the noise fades.

Read More
What Great Service Looks Like

What Great Service Looks Like

Kevin Boehm explains what real service looks like when plans break, from a rough restaurant table to a blackout mid-speech.

Read More
Connecting on Stage Through Our Vulnerabilities

Connecting on Stage Through Our Vulnerabilities

Nicole Malachowski on why sharing our vulnerabilities, not our wins, is what actually connects with an audience.

Read More

Our Services

Keynote Speakers Topics

© 2026 The Keynote Curators. All Rights Reserved | Terms and Conditions
The Keynote Curators, 8275 South Eastern Avenue, Suite 200, Las Vegas, NV 89123
Local (310) 299-4595 | Toll Free (888) 585-8715 | info@thekeynotecurators.com

The Keynote Curators - Top Keynote Agency, USA.

IASB Member