Keynotes, Workshops & Advising
Speaking, Facilitation & Business Advising
Whether it’s for your annual business conference, leadership summit, team event, or anything in between, if you’re looking to develop more authentic teams who take bigger risks, drive more innovation and create massive change, I’m the right person for your organization.
I’m a trusted global business and leadership advisor to teams and leaders at Google, Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, Microsoft, IBM, Time and more.
As a high-energy, intuitive and empathetic former 12-year Google global business leader, I combine my corporate background, deep interest in strategy and solving juicy business challenges and passion for developing people to inspire and transform audiences and teams’ mindsets and create meaningful change.
My primary goal is all my engagements is to amplify high-performing teams and individuals to unlock greater performance, potential and profit by uncovering key challenges, generating new insights and enabling behavioral breakthroughs.
In my keynotes and workshops, I use powerful storytelling along with relevant research to help audiences understand the invisible forces standing in the way of their authenticity and share a simple framework they can practice to feel empowered and begin shifting immediately.
In my business consulting, I partner closely with leaders and teams to advise on strategy for key change initiatives. Together, we identify key root challenges, build collaboration across cross-functional groups to align to shared objectives and create innovative solutions.
The result? Stronger relationships, happier employees, and better business results.
I’ve been a featured keynote speaker at the 2020 Pinterest Global Women’s Conference, Google’s global Breadwinning Women meeting, Twitter America’s Sales meeting, EA Summit and many other meetings and conferences. I’ve facilitated group coaching and leadership workshops for teams and executives at Russell Tobin, Fresh Direct and others.
I’m an international keynote speaker with over 20 years of experience teaching, training and speaking to diverse groups across multiple industries. I have a proven track record of driving initiatives to create change for individuals and within complex global organizations.
Prior to starting my own practice in 2019, I worked at Google for 12+ years where I most recently served as a global business leader, developing and leading the global partnership with one of Google’s largest partners. By building deep internal and external relationships rooted in trust, collaboration and open communication, I spearheaded the strategy which grew the business >300% in 2.5 years.
Contact MeWhat event leaders & audiences are saying
Erika Gerdes is an incredible speaker with a prolific gift for writing and communicating complex concepts in a way that is thoughtful, generous and life-changing. Her deep understanding of what’s possible and how to get there in “The Art of Undoing”, is a Keynote that will have immediate and long lasting impact on anyone in the room.Her ability to deliver complex content is unique in that, she knows how to unpack ideas in a way that ensures her audiences not only get it, but are inspired to make change in their own lives.She is one of the most eloquent, captivating and talented speakers I work with. Erika will be an excellent addition to any line-up.– Tricia Brouk, Executive Producer, Speakers Who Dare“She knows how to unpack ideas in a way that ensures her audiences not only get it, but are inspired to make change in their own lives.”
Erika was fantastic to work with and brought amazing energy to the stage. She meticulously followed the timeline we needed to prepare for the event and brought an exceptional level of professionalism to the experience… and, she stole the show. We all knew it, but the proof was in post-event surveys:“We recommend Erika as an engaging, professional and highly motivational speaker.”
- “Erika was by far the best. Lots of insight and good tips and takeaways.”
- “I thought she had some great tips that we could put into practice.”
- “Hooked from the first moment”
- “This was great information and I would have like to have heard more”
- “Erika had the most applicable presentation out of the group. Real, tangible things that we could walk away with and work towards.”
- “Hooked from the first moment”
- “Very impressive speaker.”
Erika’s ability to deliver a powerful and authentic message in an intimate setting or to a large group was always consistent and impactful. She is confident, clear, and inspiring. I believe people will benefit from her journey and her powerful ability to inspire through her story telling.- Hetal Gordon, Global Director, Google“She is confident, clear, and inspiring.”
Erika has an engaging energy on stage that’s calm yet powerful. She has the unique ability to pinpoint and deliver key takeaways in a simple yet comprehensive manner, allowing the audience to listen rather than take a copious amount of notes. Between leading the conversation and welcoming our speakers, she also made time to work the room, greeting and making genuine connections with attendees. I would recommend Erika to any organization or event looking for a stimulating host or speaker.– Melissa Zeman, Director of Recruitment, Northwestern Mutual“She has the unique ability to pinpoint and deliver key takeaways in a simple yet comprehensive manner.”
From our first conversation, I was struck by not just her authenticity and vulnerability, but also her sharp ear for narrative and willingness to objectively edit to get to the heart of any good story. Fast forward to the main event, and her commanding stage presence, keen audience awareness and fantastic delivery stole the show. I was truly inspired by Erika’s journey, her perspective and her optimism for the future. Everyone looking to find themselves or hone their own stories would be lucky to work with her.– Mike Emling, Executive and Internal Communications, Google Contact Me“Her commanding stage presence, keen audience awareness and fantastic delivery stole the show.”
