Liz Bohannon
Founder & CEO of Socially Conscious Brand Sseko Designs and Best Selling Author of Beginner's Pluck
Biography
Organizations continue to face rapidly changing work environments, sales teams who are stuck in analysis paralysis, and the urgent need to rethink business models, products, and services to meet the changing needs of their customers. But what Plucky Leaders know is that inside these challenges you can find the greatest opportunity to pivot, progress, and innovate, and that’s exactly what Founder and CEO of Sseko Designs encourages her team to focus on through any challenge. Liz Bohannon is the Founder and CEO of socially conscious fashion brand Sseko Designs, which she founded in 2009 as a way to provide educational and economic opportunities for women in East Africa, while creating a brand of beautifully designed and sustainably conscious products from jewelry, to clothes, shoes and handbags. In 2020, just as the pandemic turned every business upside down, Liz and her team surpassed their business goals by over 100% because she guided them through the principles in her Bestselling Book, Beginner’s Pluck: Build Your Life of Purpose & Impact Now, where she helped her team reclaim their curiosity and apply a beginner’s mindset to creating a new revenue stream that exploded sales. Organizations around the world are using Plucky Principles like Dream Small, Become a Problem Finder, and Own Your Average to smash sales goals, drive innovation, and build teams focused on passion, purpose, and impact. Liz shares the lessons learned from her 10-year journey growing Sseko from three women under a mango tree, into a successful international brand that provides employment, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities to thousands of women across the globe. Her story is filled with lessons for success that are grounded in the principle of having a beginner’s mind, and in her keynote presentations she shares uncommon ideas toward success like, Own Your Average and Stop Trying to Find Your Passion…Create so you can do big things. Liz continues to channel her inner beginner as she manages 100s of employees across multiple continents, as a courageous, creative and effective leader. The Sseko story has been featured in dozens of publications including, Vogue Magazine, Redbook Magazine, O Magazine, Inc., Fortune and others. Sseko has appeared on national broadcasts including ABC's Shark Tank and Good Morning America. Among other notable honors, Liz was named a Top Three Transformation Leader by John Maxwell, Forbes listed her as a top 20 public speaker in the U.S. and Bloomberg Businessweek named Sseko as a top social enterprise to watch.
Speech Topics
Beginner’s Pluck: Collaboration Beats Competition Every Time
Since its founding, Sseko Designs, led by transformation speaker and entrepreneur Liz Bohannon, has generated tens of millions of dollars in impact revenue, created dignified, fair-wage jobs for thousands of artisans globally, and enabled hundreds of female scholars in developing economies to continue on to university and become leaders in the their communities and our world. None of this would have been possible if Liz had not had the vision to see that sometimes working together to solve a problem results in much more immediate success than going it alone. Liz can offer a clarity of conviction and inspire the audience to find a new purposefulness in the way in which they do their work. Liz shares with the audience how she is living out her values of choosing collaboration over competition as Sseko Designs merged with their biggest competitor, Noonday Collection to form the world’s largest impact-driven, fair-trade social selling brand. Liz details that after leading thousands of key stakeholders through an intensive M&A change management process, she is even more committed to leading with the principles of stakeholder buy-in, emotional intelligence, vulnerability and co-creation. Key Takeaways • Become a Collaborator - Turn your world inside out. By challenging your view and thinking about potential ways to work with others, you'll become less overwhelmed with tackling your problems and find new power by first starting to identify the most interesting ways to potentially collaborate with your community, your competitors and maybe even your customers • Find a New Way to Dream – When we give ourselves permission to creatively dream and then ACT on that out-of-the box thinking, we create the momentum we need to do BIG things in the world. • Connect With Your Purpose - Purpose is the “why” that should always be considered first and foremost. When unexpected curveballs are thrown your way, the strongest unifier and innovation-inducer is going back to the basics, embracing a renewed sense of purpose and possibly even teaming with a competitor. You don't find your purpose, you build it. And Liz will teach you how.
Beginner’s Pluck: Crushing Goals with A Beginner’s Mindset
Investing in the future takes a good deal of conviction and purposefulness which many people are seeking as we emerge from the past few challenging years, but where to begin? Besides being the Founder and CEO of socially conscious fashion brand Sseko Designs, Liz Bohanan is a difference maker in this world. By sharing her unique story of applying a Beginner’s Mind to everything she does, Liz shows how this mindset will help you escape the normal constraints that hold you back and give you new pathways to pivot, innovate and ultimately transform toward any goal. The power of her personal story building a multi-million dollar, socially conscious brand with purpose and impact will inspire you and motivate you to take action! By exploring some of the key principles from her Bestselling Book, Beginner’s Pluck: Build Your Life of Purpose & Impact Now, Liz will challenge you to dream small so you can start doing instead of dreaming, and show how curiosity over criticism fuels innovation. She sets the stage for your personal journey down the ultimate path of success by weaving passion & purpose into every goal. The three words she lives by are purpose, passion and impact and you can learn to make these a part of your everyday thinking as well. Key Takeaways • Become a Problem Finder - Turn your world inside out. By challenging your Inner Beginner, you'll become less overwhelmed with finding the solution and you find new power by first starting with identifying the most interesting problems facing your customers and your community. • Dream Small / Achieve BIG – Counterintuitively, when we give ourselves and our people permission to dream small and ACT on those dreams, we create the momentum we need to do BIG things in the world. • Reconnect With Your Purpose - Purpose is the “why” that should always be considered first and foremost. When unexpected curveballs are thrown your way, the strongest unifier and innovation-inducer is going back to the basics and embracing a renewed sense of purpose. You don't find your purpose, you build it. And Liz will teach you how.
Videos
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I check Liz Bohannon's availability or request a quote?
You can inquire about Liz Bohannon'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 is Liz Bohannon's speaking fee?
The typical range for Liz Bohannon's speaking fee is $10,000–$23,000. The low end of the fee range represents their standard virtual fee. The high end of the fee range represents their standard fee for a US-based in-person speaking engagement. Appearances which require an extended schedule of activities or international travel will possibly exceed this fee range. Speaker fees update frequently. To receive a personalized quote for Liz Bohannon to speak at your event, please consult with a Key Speakers advisor for up to date information and assistance.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 Liz Bohannon for my event?
The speaker booking process typically involves the following steps: contact Key Speakers to confirm Liz Bohannon'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?
Keynote speakers can speak at a wide range of events, virtual or in person, including conferences, corporate meetings, industry conventions, seminars, workshops, fundraising galas, educational programs, and other special occasions where an inspirational or informative address is desired.How do I select the right keynote speaker for my event?
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?
It is generally advisable to book a keynote speaker as early as possible, especially if you have a specific speaker in mind or if your event is during a peak season holiday. Ideally, booking a speaker three to six months in advance can increase the chances of securing your desired speaker.Can you help me with the logistics and technical requirements for the speaker's presentation?
Yes, we can assist you with the logistics and technical requirements for the speaker's presentation. We stay actively involved during pre-event planning to coordinate with you and ensure that the necessary audiovisual equipment, staging, lighting, and other technical aspects are in place for a successful presentation.Are there any special requirements or accommodations that need to be considered for the speaker?
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?
Yes, we encourage and appreciate feedback about the speaker's performance as well as our services. You can share your feedback via email after the event, or via our survey feedback form. Your feedback can help us improve our services and assist other clients in making informed decisions.Are there any discounts or special offers available for booking multiple speakers or multiple events?
Often, yes. It's worth inquiring about such possibilities with your Key Speakers representative to explore any available cost-savings options.Why book Liz Bohannon 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 Liz Bohannon

Rebecca Minkoff
•Rebecca Minkoff is an industry leader in accessible luxury handbags, accessories, footwear, and apparel. Her brand can be spotted in hundreds of stores around the world, popular among young women and celebrities alike. •She is also the founder of the Female Founder Collective, a network of businesses led by women who empower female-owned businesses. The organization has grown to over 9000 members and provides women-owned businesses with access to education, networks, and mentorship. •Her podcast, Superwomen with Rebecca Minkoff, focuses on the incredible stories of resilience, failure, and success from luminaries such as Katie Couric, Bozoma St. John, and Jessica Alba. The podcast is consistently in the Top 100 of its genre categories. •Rebecca has solidified a space for her brand in the metaverse, developing digital fashion collections and creating impactful collaborations, including with the NFT marketplace, MAVION, and the gaming platform, Roblox. •She is also one of 100+ high-profile entrepreneurs that have joined BFF, an open-access community with a mission to help women and non-binary people get educated, connected, and empowered in web3.
Fee Range: $25,000–$38,000
Travels From: NY

Jessica Buchanan
On October 25, 2011, Jessica Buchanan and a colleague were kidnapped at gunpoint by Somali land pirates and held for 93 days, enduring the most harrowing and painful experience of her life. Today she shares with audiences the tools she quickly learned to find strength to face any situation no matter how large or small the challenges or obstacles. She learned first-hand how to remain hopeful, dig deep even when you feel completely empty of any resources and trust your instincts as all can find the inner strength to face any situation. She chronicled the story in the New York Times best-seller and 2013 USA Best Book Award/Autobiography, Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six (2013).
Fee Range: $12,000–$18,000
Travels From: DC
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