Speaking

I teach organizations how to prevent burnout across generations.

book kristen

Signature Keynote

The Culture of Burnout


The foundations of burnout go all the way back to the first White folks who permanently settled in North America: the Puritans. Way back in the 17th century, they helped create the American culture of overwork that keeps so many of us caught in today's work-till-you-drop, never-ask-for-help hamster wheel of exhaustion.

The good news is that we don't have to be.

Based on our multi-awarding winning book "The Culture of Burnout" this talk introduces the cultural origins of burnout and provides practical tips on how to overcome it. 

In the talk, Kristen explains why your exhaustion and your burnout are not your fault. And, pragmatic to its core, she also shares our four-part framework for mitigating or recovering from burnout.

Audience Takeaways

  • Understand why America is the most burned out country in the world.
  • Learn what burnout it, plus it's main causes and symptoms.
  • Reflect on their own personal attitudes and beliefs that contribute to a culture of burnout.
  • Learn how our burnout mitigation/recovery framework The 4 R's can help your organization.

Kristen Donnelly

Innovative & Dynamic Keynote Speaker

Kristen Donnelly (MSW, M.Div, PhD) is an award winning four time TEDx speaker, international educator, and researcher with two decades of experience in helping people understand the beauty in difference, and the power in inclusivity. She is the co-author (along with Erin Hinson) of the multi-award winning, best selling book “The Culture of Burnout: Why Your Exhaustion Is Not Your Fault” (2023). 

She is one of The Good Doctors of Abbey Research, COO of their parent company, and an unapologetic nerd for stories of change. Kristen lives outside of Philadelphia with her husband, where they are surrounded by piles of books and several video game consoles. 

"There’s this moment in every keynote or workshop where I can see someone in the audience change their mind about the topic I’m presenting and that’s electric. I research and teach to help people see the world differently, so that maybe it makes more sense than it used to – and so to see that in real time? Magic."  

Fun Facts About Me!

  • My first job was ... at a amusement park called Sesame Place where I wore a uniform that looked like a bumblebee and had “Rubber Ducky, You’re the One” in my head for an entire summer.
  • The best meal I've ever had was ... probably (and this is hard to narrow down) in Osaka, Japan. My husband and I took a walking food tour from a local expat and I stopped asking what I was eating about two stops in. Everything was delicious and memorable. 
  • My favorite vacation spot is ... Long Beach Island, New Jersey. My grandfather built our family a house down there that his great-grandchildren are now enjoying. It’s special.
  • My latest hobby is ... crocheting! 

❝

Dr. Kristen speaks from the heart. She doesn't need prompts and talks to us, not at us! I thoroughly enjoyed her talk and the room was very engaged as she was speaking.

Judy Dyke

President/Founder of The Women of Willow Grove

❝

Having Kristen Donnelly as a speaker at our Women's Business Conference was a highlight. Her presentation on the Culture of Burnout was delivered with such passion and authenticity that it deeply resonated with our audience.

Monica Young

Greater Charlotte Area Chamber of Commerce

❝

We feel so honored that Dr. Kristen took time to support, teach, guide, and love our group of leaders, and I highly recommend her as a resource, speaker, and facilitator!

Marissa Badgley

Founder, Reloveution

What Audiences Are Saying

“Much needed topic, loved that it was interactive.”

“The presenter was fabulous! She was engaging and kind, so accepting and validated that no one is perfect, we all have flaws and to give ourselves more grace because God created each of us in his eyes.”

Real, applicable conversation about how to create a healthy work-life-people balance.

“She is wonderful! Thank you! I would love to hear from her again.”

“This was EASILY the best session in this conference – in my humble opinion!”

“Kristen was PHENOMENAL! excellent session and start to my day!”

“Loved this session and felt like I could take away a lot of information! Thank you!”

“Great presentation and very fun. She is super animated and grabs your attention
and kept it the entire session.”

It opened my eyes to things I didn’t even realize could cause burnout.

“Would pay to hear her any day of the week!”

“Very interesting speaker. Takes you out of your comfort zone.”

Very helpful to understand how to deal with burnout.

“I loved your intensity, energy, and humor!”

“She presented a multi-modal approach to learning! It was interesting, fun and interactive.”

“Kristen was super personable, engaging and informative. I really appreciated her sharing her own life experiences as part of the session.”

“Really enjoyed this. Hit home professionally & personally. Was moved to tears.”

“This was a wonderful session. It was even better than I expected. I immediately went and purchased the book after the session ended. Thanks!”

“I appreciated how she was able to infuse humor into a serious subject. It was such a wonderful, energetic, interactive presentation.”

“This session was great, I enjoyed Kristen’s candor and storytelling. The historical approach to defining burnout was an incredible approach to the subject area.”

She is so great! She helped me understand truly what burnout is and why I am experiencing it. I loved the ways on how to try and balance out with the 4 R’s!

“It was my first session of the conference. When it was over, I said to my colleague: Well, I can leave now. That was great.”

“Thank you for the gift of reminding me to care for me!”

“The tips for managing burnout were very practical and went beyond the overplayed wellness or self-care suggestions you often hear.”

“I loved this session – it is one that I am planning on bringing back to my Leadership team!”

“Thank you so much – this was amazing!”

“Very impactful session that has lead to changes in my personal and professional life.”

It was a session that defined what burnout is and how to combat that. Fighting burnout is countercultural but it is something we must do.

An excellent reminder to reframe our approach to dealing with people different from us.

Good insight on burnout and easy ways to overcome it.

“Humorous, engaging and informative! I learned new things even though I’ve been working with burnout training for a while! Thank you!”

“The presenter was AMAZING!”

A breath of fresh air about something not normally discussed in our daily lives.

Want Kristen at your next event?

Name*
Phone
Email*
0 of 350
0 of 350
Submit Speaking Inquiry