Kathryn Finney
Entrepreneur, White House Champion of Change & National Advisory Council on Innovation & Entrepreneurship; Bestselling Author, "Build the Damn Thing”
Biography
Through her venture fund, thirty-plus angel investments, and mentorship of entrepreneurs, Kathryn Finney is fostering economic, financial, and social opportunities for Black owned-businesses across the United States. Named one of the most influential women in tech, Kathryn is the founding Managing Partner of Genius Guild. The Chicago-based venture fund invests in bold high-growth startups led by BIPOC founders that use the social determinants of health (SDOH) framework to build market driven solutions that disrupt the $4.3 trillion health care industry. Some of Kathryn’s investments include Juno Medical, Youme Health, and Health in Her Hue (Board member). Genius Guild is also an LP in Rarebreed, Capitalize VC, and Refashiond VC. Kathryn is a Yale-trained epidemiologist, the founder and first CEO of digitalundivided, and the research mastermind behind the widely acclaimed #ProjectDiane. Kathryn started digitalundivided after selling her company, The Budget Fashionista, a pioneering lifestyle media firm. This notable action made her one of the first Black women to sell her startup. Kathryn is also the founder and board chair emeritus of The Doonie Fund. She founded the fund in the middle of the COVID-19 crisis with a $10,000 personal donation. Within six weeks, the fund grew to over $200,000 and provided micro-investments to over 2,000 Black women-owned businesses. Her book, Build The Damn Thing: How to Start a Successful Business if You're Not a Rich White Guy, launched in June 2022 under the Penguin Random House Portfolio and made the Wall Street Journal bestsellers’ list in its first week of release. The book offers a hard-won, battle-tested guide to help every entrepreneur succeed. Kathryn also shares a narrative of her journey and storied career as an entrepreneur, inclusion champion, and investor to encourage Black founders and women entrepreneurs to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams on her podcast, “Build The Damn Thing.” Kathryn and her work have been featured in Bloomberg, USA Today, Fortune, Forbes, Fast Company, NBC, Protocol, Crunchbase, Business Insider, Axios, TechCrunch, Vanity Fair, Essence, Black Enterprise, and more. A White House Champion of Change and a past member of the National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NACIE) appointed by the Obama Administration, Kathryn is the founder of digitalundivided (DID), a social enterprise that fosters economic growth through the empowerment of Black and Latina women entrepreneurs using innovation as a tool. She is a former General Partner in the Harriet Fund, the first venture capital fund focused on Black and Latinx women founders. An Echoing Green Global Fellow and Eisenhower Fellow, Kathryn started digitalundivided after selling her company, The Budget Fashionista, one of the first lifestyle blogs. Since 2013, DID has impacted thousands of people and helped raise over $100 million in investments. Her pioneering research, “#ProjectDiane”, drew widespread buzz for disrupting the dialogue around women of color and tech entrepreneurship. Kathryn has received numerous honors and awards including, the Grace Hopper ABIE award, Marie Claire’s 10 Women to Watch, Entrepreneurs Magazine’s “Woman to Watch”, Ebony Power 100, Black Enterprise “40 under 40” list, and was inducted into Spelman College’s “Game Changers Academy.” Kathryn was honored by the Borough of Manhattan with the “Kathryn Finney Appreciation Day”. In 2017, Kathryn received an Honorary Doctorate from Mount Holyoke College.
Speech Topics
How to Be an Ally
In this talk, Kathryn discusses the difference between mentorship and sponsorship and how this impacts diversity at your organization.
A Guide to Thinking BIG
A thrilling chat on the five rules of thinking BIG and how to implement these rules in developing your own ideas and leadership style.
Changing the Face of Innovation
An engaging talk about Kathryn and her path to a career in technology, with a strong call to action that transcends cultural lines.
Disrupting the Dialogue: Talking Women and Tech
Investing in the Future
An engaging presentation on how to invest in diverse entrepreneur for amazing returns.
Videos
Books
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I check Kathryn Finney's availability or request a quote?
You can inquire about Kathryn Finney's availability or get a customized quote by contacting Key Speakers directly. Our team will help you determine fit, logistics, and budget options for your upcoming event.What factors influence the speaker's fee?
Other factors that influence a keynote speaker's fee include their reputation, expertise, demand, experience, duration of the presentation, travel requirements for the event location, and any additional services, activities or customization options they offer.Are travel expenses included in the speaker's fee?
Travel expenses are typically not included in the listed speaker's fee and are quoted separately. If the speaker needs to travel internationally, fees will be higher. These expenses may include airfare, accommodation, ground transportation at home and in the event city, and meals. We can provide more detailed information about travel expenses and arrangements once you've selected a speaker.How do I book Kathryn Finney for my event?
The speaker booking process typically involves the following steps: contact Key Speakers to confirm Kathryn Finney's availability, fees, and any unique requirements (we can also help negotiate fees and terms); submit a firm offer to extend the invite to your speaker, with the details used to create an agreement once the speaker accepts; coordinate and finalize the terms of the booking, including contract terms and conditions; and confirm the booking by signing the contract and making the necessary payments.What types of events do keynote speakers typically speak at?
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When selecting a keynote speaker, consider the following factors: the speaker's expertise and knowledge relevant to your event's theme or industry; their speaking style, ability to engage the audience, and deliver impactful messages; past client testimonials, reviews, or references; and the speaker's availability and fee within your budget.What are the payment terms and conditions?
A deposit is required upon signing the contract, with the remaining balance due 2–4 weeks before the event. If the event is taking place within 30 days, the full balance is due upon signing.How far in advance should I book a keynote speaker?
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Keynote speakers may have specific requirements or accommodations that need to be considered, such as travel arrangements, accommodation preferences, dietary restrictions, or accessibility needs. Some speakers have a performance rider we include in the contract, others have minimal requirements.Do keynote speakers offer customization options for their presentations?
Yes, many keynote speakers offer customization options for their presentations. They can tailor their content, examples, or case studies to align with your event's theme, industry, or specific audience. Discuss your customization needs with us so we can guide you accordingly.Can the speaker participate in pre-event activities such as panel discussions or Q&A sessions?
Some keynote speakers are open to participating in pre-event activities such as panel discussions, Q&A sessions, or meet-and-greet sessions. Please share your specific requirements with us during the firm offer phase, so we can work on getting you everything you need.How long is a typical keynote speech?
The duration of a standard keynote speech can vary depending on the speaker and the event's schedule. Typically, keynote speeches range from 30 minutes to 90 minutes, including any Q&A sessions or interactive elements. Some speakers can accommodate half or full day sessions and extended keynotes. Discuss the desired duration with your representative to determine the appropriate length for participation.Can I provide feedback or reviews about the speaker's performance?
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Often, yes. It's worth inquiring about such possibilities with your Key Speakers representative to explore any available cost-savings options.Why book Kathryn Finney through Key Speakers?
We provide a comprehensive service that takes the guesswork out of hiring a speaker — from speaker selection to logistics to post-event feedback. We know you have lots of responsibilities on top of finding and coordinating event speakers, so having a committed and proactive partner on your side that is an expert with the talent booking process is crucial. Every time you book a speaker with Key, your dedicated events manager will support you throughout the entire planning process. We help you negotiate contractual details such as speaker fees and travel terms so that you end up with the most favorable deal. With our highly communicative booking and proposal model, you'll never be left in the dark with the status of your speaker. To put it simply, Key Speakers is your one-stop resource for finding, booking and managing speakers for your event.
Speakers Like Kathryn Finney
Shiza Shahid
Shiza Shahid is an entrepreneur, technologist, investor and impact leader. She co-founded the Malala Fund with Nobel Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, and led the organization as founding CEO. She focused on creating access to high quality education for all children around the world. Shiza launched NOW Ventures in Silicon Valley, in partnership with AngelList, the largest Venture Capital Platform in the world. She invests in mission-driven technology startups, that are solving the world’s most pressing challenges through technology, innovation, and high-growth business models. Shiza is passionate about the future of impact through technology; she studied exponential technologies at Singularity University, which is dedicated to applying futuristic innovations to advancing humanity.Shiza is a prominent speaker and has spoken frequently at major international events, including Aspen Ideas Fest, Milken Global Institute, Forbes Women, Fortune Most Powerful Women, Inc Women, Women Moving Millions, World Economic Forum and others.
Fee Range: $25,000–$44,000
Travels From: CA
Rev. Nontombi Naomi Tutu
As the daughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Naomi Tutu struggled to find her own place in the world. As a human rights advocate, she pulls from her personal challenges of growing up black and female in apartheid South Africa. Her professional experience ranges from being a development consultant in West Africa, to a program coordinator for race and gender-based violence in education at the African Gender Institute at the University of Cape Town. In addition, Tutu has taught at the University of Hartford and Brevard College in North Carolina. She also leads workshops on conflict resolution and racism. In addition to speaking, Tutu is a consultant for the Spiritual Alliance to Stop Intimate Violence (SAIV), founded by renowned author Riane Eisler and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Betty Williams, and the Foundation for Hospices in Sub-Saharan Africa (FHSSA). Audiences are captivated by her story growing up in apartheid South Africa and moved by her message of healing and wholeness.
Fee Range: $12,500–$15,000
Travels From: GA
Tererai Trent Dr.
Dr. Tererai Trent is one of the world’s most acclaimed voices for women’s empowerment and quality education. She is the founder of Tererai Trent International, an educator, motivational speaker, and Oprah’s “favorite guest of all time.” Tererai received her doctorate in interdisciplinary evaluation from Western Michigan University and teaches courses in Global Health at Drexel University. She has published two highly acclaimed children’s books and is the author of the award winning, The Awakened Woman – Remembering & Reigniting Our Sacred Dreams. Tererai was recently named Global Ambassador of Education and Peace by the UN General Secretary and High Commissioner. She also serves as the president of The Awakened Woman LLC, a company dedicated to empowering women with tools to thrive as they achieve their dreams.
Fee Range: $22,000–$40,000
Travels From: VA
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