speaker Wendy H. Steele gives an inspirational keynote address

Inspirational Keynote Speaker

A talented keynote speaker, Wendy H. Steele is inspirational, dynamic, relatable, and ready to connect with your audience to encourage action and build a culture of generosity.

Wendy’s Speaking Topics

Wendy shares her expertise and experiences through energetic talks covering several topics, including building a culture of generosity, bridging generational differences, and empowering you and your audience to greater action.

Building a Culture of Generosity

Creating a culture of generosity is an inexpensive solution that brings measurable results. Organizations that give and encourage generosity enjoy the benefits of a more empathetic and ethical staff, increased creativity and confidence, and higher reported job satisfaction.

In Building a Culture of Generosity, Wendy demonstrates the very real power of generosity, including tangible organizational and personal benefits. Then, she breaks down the process of building generosity practices into your life and work.

Bridging the Generational Divide

Including your children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews in your giving doesn’t just help them to become more generous adults—it brings benefits today. Children who give back have higher levels of self-esteem and are more optimistic, less likely to be depressed, and less likely to have suicidal thoughts.

In Bridging the Generational Divide, Wendy provides relatable examples and lays out the framework for making authentic connections across age gaps and philosophical differences through a shared love of giving.

Empowering YOU

The Empowering YOU keynote address is Wendy at her inspirational best as a speaker, as she unpacks actionable ways to shift your mindset from worrying about the problems facing our communities to taking action to help solve them. 

This shift in mindset brings optimism and connection, feeds hope, and opens up new possibilities. You will feel empowered to make the world a better place and live the very best version of yourself—no matter the latest news.

Invitation to Impact

A deeply inspirational talk, Invitation to Impact is a keynote that taps into Wendy’s personal story as an unlikely founder of a global giving movement that began with some notes in a spiral notebook. 

You will learn the roadmap Wendy followed to bring Impact100 to life and receive clear, actionable guidance for bringing your big idea center stage. Always authentic, Wendy shares both her successes and the mistakes along the way, revealing the reality of her “overnight success.”

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Speaking Testimonials

Learn why Wendy was ranked second only to Bono among the nation’s top philanthropy speakers.

LISA LAFRANCE

“Do you want to be inspired to make your community a better place and help those in need? Listen to Wendy tell her story about a beautifully simple idea to bring women together to pool their resources and make multiple $100,000 grants to innovative projects. Just over 20 years later, this idea has led to over $100 million in grants to non-profit organizations making transformational change. It is a message of hope and optimism that each and every one of us can truly make a difference.”

Palm Beach Gardens, FL

BRIGETTE GRAY BROOKS

“Wendy is an engaging and passionate speaker who draws in her audience with compelling stories of her life’s journey. Through her storytelling, she shares lessons on resilience, triumph, gratitude, innovation, and the power each of us has to make an impactful difference in our communities.”

Pensacola, FL

TERESA BOLTON

“I was enamored with the Impact100 model from the first time I read about it in a magazine. I joined my local Impact100 shortly thereafter and became deeply involved right away. Attending the 2016 Impact100 Global Conference gave me my first opportunity to hear Wendy speak. Her enthusiasm, knowledge and relatability were clearly apparent. She was able to spread that inspiration throughout the attendees. I left the conference with the confidence to lead my local Impact100 the next year and knew I also had established a long-term connection. I’ve heard Wendy speak many times since then, always with that same motivating inspiration and would recommend her highly.”

Ft. Walton Beach, FL

JODI KRAHWINKEL

“We were thrilled to have Wendy speak at back to back engagements here in Owensboro, KY in 2020. She first presented to our chapter members and guests at a anniversary celebration. It was inspiring to meet someone who is so down to earth yet so accomplished in promoting women’s philanthropy. She spoke of the history of Impact100 and the vision for the future of women’s collective giving. Her style was engaging and dynamic and never felt scripted. We were all encouraged by her words and energized to hit the ground running! The next morning, Wendy was the keynote speaker at our local chamber of commerce breakfast, Rooster Booster, of at least 350 business-minded people. She blew us away with a new spin on the economic power that our nonprofit is providing our community. She speaks with an easiness and just enough humor to keep it simple to digest but with an authority and knowledge to keep it real. By the time it was over, everyone in the room wanted to be her friend and spend time with her. It was one of the few times that I saw a standing ovation from that crowd! Whether it’s been a TED talk, a zoom conversation, or an in person address, I’ve always felt that Wendy is authentic and relatable. She has a fabulous way of making a simple concept intriguing and worth supporting.”

Owensboro, KY

CINDY KRESBACH

“I highly encourage you to have Wendy Steele speak to your constituents! Wendy’s message is about how philanthropy changes lives in your community. As a matter of fact, this was an original tagline. Wendy’s motivational message will educate, entertain, and move people to action because she spells out what participating means. Your group will be inspired by her message.”

Palm Beach, FL

LISA RUSSO

“Wendy Steele revolutionized the world of philanthropy! She pioneered the Impact 100 concept some 20 years ago, and on the heels of 9/11! Wendy’s steadfast belief in the process and her personal experience travelling the world to launch and support new chapters has given her a vast amount of information about the face of philanthropy. Her down to earth speaking style is so real that it is a pleasure to listen to her. She has gained a lot of insight over the last 20 years and is eager to share that knowledge and experience. If anything, you are left wanting more and hopefully this book will capture some of the wisdom she has to share, but make no mistake, hearing her speak in person is simply awe inspiring.”

Palm Beach Gardens, FL

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