a KEYNOTE isn’t about information —
it’s about TRANSFORMATION.

I spark the kind of experiences that shift how audiences see themselves, their work, and their lives. Folks walk away FOREVER CHANGED and ready to LIGHT UP THE WORLD.

Some of my happy clients

DR. KATIE in ACTION

ready to get sparked?

SIGNATURE TOPICS

Soul on Fire: Let’s Get Primal!

People aren’t just tired. They’re soul tired. They’re craving more energy, meaning, and joy—not just in their personal lives, but in how they show up at work, in leadership, and in community. They want to make an impact… without running on empty. But here’s the truth: no amount of time-blocking, breathing apps, or corporate wellness webinars will fix what’s fundamentally a soul problem.

In this powerful, high-energy keynote, Dr. Katie Sandoe—mindset expert, leadership coach, and full-blown Sparkologist—takes us back to the beginning. We get primal. Rooted in cutting-edge research and ancient wisdom (including the Japanese concept of ikigai), this session invites audiences to reconnect with their core instincts, their deepest “why,” and the human need to live and lead in alignment with what truly matters.

You’ll laugh, reflect, and walk away with three immediately actionable strategies to re-ignite your spark and help others do the same. This isn’t just a motivational talk—it’s a recalibration for your inner compass.

Great for Events Focused On:

  • Leadership development and executive retreats

  • Employee wellbeing and burnout prevention

  • Purpose-driven workplaces and cultural transformation

  • Mindset, resilience, and high-performance teams

  • Women’s leadership and soul-centered success

  • Organizational renewal or post-change revitalization

Key Takeaways:

  • Recognize the signs and root causes of soulful exhaustion—and why surface-level fixes often fail

  • Understand and apply the Japanese concept of ikigai to realign your work and life with purpose

  • Learn three primal, research-backed action steps to spark personal and cultural transformation

  • Gain tools to help your team (and yourself) burn brightly without burning out

  • Walk away reconnected to your energy, your “why,” and your capacity to lead with soul

Do No Harm. Take No Crap. Own Your Power.

It’s time to stop shrinking, stop apologizing, and stop buying into outdated definitions of power that were never built for us in the first place. For too long, women leaders (and anyone outside the traditional mold) have been caught in the exhausting double bind: too soft and you’re dismissed, too strong and you’re “too much.” The result? A culture that stifles authenticity, limits impact, and drains our collective energy.

This unapologetic and transformational keynote invites audiences to redefine power on their own terms. With humor, research, and a healthy dose of spark, Dr. Katie Sandoe (The Sparkologist) exposes the stereotypes, the false binaries, and the myths that keep us small—and replaces them with a liberatory framework called P³ Power: Power Within, Power To, Power Shared.

Through story, reflection, and a practical mantra you’ll never forget, Katie shows how to lead, live, and communicate with both warmth and strength. This is about courage without cruelty, compassion without compromise, and unapologetically showing up as your full, powerful self.

Great for Events Focused On:

  • Women’s leadership, empowerment, and equity

  • Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) initiatives

  • Breaking stereotypes and shifting leadership culture

  • Communication, confidence, and authentic leadership presence

  • Leadership retreats, conferences, and employee resource groups (ERGs)

Key Takeaways:

  • Identify and unpack the false binary fueling the “double bind” many women face—and how to break free from it

  • Challenge the “too much” stereotype by reframing compassion, empathy, and assertiveness as powerful assets

  • Critically examine and reimagine power—not as dominance or control, but as liberation through the P³ Power model

  • Learn and apply a practical mantra to reclaim your voice, stand your ground, and embody courage with compassion

  • Walk away with tools, language, and mindset shifts to own your authentic power in every room you enter

Sparked Leadership

The rules of leadership have changed. Today’s workforce—especially rising generations—aren’t just looking for a paycheck or a polished title. They’re looking for purpose. And they’re looking to you to model it.

In this fast-paced, thought-provoking keynote, Dr. Katie Sandoe (The Sparkologist) reveals the mindset shift that unlocks more authentic, energized, and effective leadership. We’ll trace the evolution from traditional authority to purpose-driven leadership, unpack what people really want from their leaders, and challenge the idea that strong leadership requires sacrificing your soul.

Through stories, research, and actionable tools, this keynote helps leaders spark connection, clarity, and culture from the inside out. Because when your leadership is lit from within, it’s contagious—and transformational.

Great for Events Focused On:

  • Leadership development and executive coaching

  • Manager training and culture-building initiatives

  • Generational shifts and future of work

  • Organizational purpose, vision, and engagement

  • Company offsites and high-potential leader retreats

  • Women’s leadership and authenticity in the workplace

Key Takeaways: 

  • Discover the key mindset shift that sparks more authentic, fulfilling, and impactful leadership

  • Understand what today’s workforce—especially Gen Z and Millennials—really seek in leaders, culture, and purpose

  • Explore the evolution of leadership styles and identify your own signature leadership approach

  • Learn pragmatic strategies to embed purpose into your team and organization—fueling engagement, innovation, and sustainable success

  • Walk away with renewed clarity, connection, and a sense of why that fuels your leadership from the inside out

They Just Don’t Get It

There are five generations in today’s workforce—and sometimes it feels like they’re speaking five different languages. From values and communication styles to motivators and leadership expectations, each generation brings its own worldview. The result? Friction, confusion, and a whole lot of “they just don’t get it!” energy flying around the office.

This high-energy, humorous, and deeply insightful keynote busts the stereotypes and uncovers the hidden biases that keep us divided. Dr. Katie Sandoe (a.k.a. The Sparkologist) brings research, stories, and her signature spark to help audiences see past generational assumptions and discover the power of shared purpose. Instead of fighting over Slack vs. face-to-face or feedback styles, we’ll explore what it takes to create a culture of curiosity, connection, and collaboration—across the ages.

Whether you’re a Gen Z new hire or a seasoned Boomer exec, this session will leave you laughing, learning, and ready to lead from a more grounded and generous place..

Great for Events Focused On:

  • Multigenerational workforce development

  • Leadership, communication, and organizational culture

  • Employee engagement and retention

  • Change management and generational transitions

  • Workplace transformation and future of work.

Key Takeaways: 

  • A clear understanding of the five generations currently in the workforce—and how each uniquely defines motivation, communication, and leadership

  • A fresh look at how stereotypes and biases undermine collaboration and trust

  • Practical strategies to foster empathy, connection, and effectiveness across generational lines

  • Tools to build a caring culture where differences are strengths, not stressors

  • A renewed commitment to engaging others through curiosity, not criticism

  • “You are a great motivator and sparked a lot of contemplation. Your talk made me consider many things that I need to work on and better understand within my own life."

    Mike | Event Attendee

  • “Katie's energy and passion for what she does illuminates any room and any audience. Her ability to get people to think differently about how they live and work is truly an art."

    Lindsay McGuire | Conference Planner

  • “I was at you presentation and it was probably the best hour and a half that I spent in awhile. I absolutely loved your energy and the content."

    Nicole | Event Attendee

  • "Katie was a vibrant and engaging speaker. It was one of the best sessions we've ever had."

    Holly White | Conference Planner

  • "If you want your audience to be inspired when they leave the room, you need to have Dr. Katie at your event!"

    Luann Meyer | Conference Planner

meet DR. KATIE

Ready to spark something UNFORGETTABLE at your event? Dr. Katie Sandoe brings the fire, fun, and funny faces.

Dr. Katie Sandoe doesn’t just take the stage—she electrifies it. Known as The Sparkologist™, Katie brings a one-of-a-kind mix of high-energy storytelling, doctoral-level expertise, and "did-she-just-say-that?" realness that makes audiences lean in, laugh out loud, and walk away forever changed.

With nearly two decades in executive leadership, a doctorate in Adult Education, and certifications in just about everything, including stage performance mastery, Katie turns complex topics like purpose, burnout, and courageous leadership into breakthrough moments that hit you in the gut and the heart. Whether she's challenging the status quo, lighting up your next event, or handing you a taco metaphor that somehow changes your life—Katie delivers unforgettable experiences that move people from stuck to sparked.

Let’s Get Started 

BOOK DR. KATIE to be a SPEAKER at your next event