Kanya Balakrishna
Keynote Speaker: Youth Leadership, Education & Empowerment Advocate; Future of Work Expert; Social Entrepreneur; Co-Founder & CEO of The Future Project
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Travels From:
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Speaking Fee:
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Categories:Business, Communication, Creativity, Business Growth, Marketing, Executive Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Women in Business, Female Leadership, Youth, Social Activism, Educational Motivational, Education Reform, Music, Asian & Pacific Heritage, Human Resources, Teamwork & Teambuilding, Early Childhood Education, Education, Diversity & Inclusion, Motivational, Innovation, Family & Parenting, Non-Profit, Future of Work, Futurism, Inspirational, Overcoming Adversity, Women in Tech, Business Consulting, Personal Growth, Women's Empowerment, Empowerment, TED
Kanya Balakrishna Biography
Kanya Balakrishna is a social entrepreneur, youth advocate, and the co-founder and CEO of The Future Project, a national youth empowerment organization dedicated to providing young people with coaching and support to navigate life and pursue their goals. The Future Project has trained and supported more than 50,000 students in communities across the country, helping them harness their passion and purpose to drive positive change.
Balakrishna's commitment to youth empowerment is informed by her personal experience as a first-generation immigrant who attended nearly a dozen schools during her upbringing. This background gave her insight into the importance of helping young people discover their ability to effect change.
Before founding The Future Project, Balakrishna built a career at the intersection of public health and communications. She served as chief speechwriter to Dr. Margaret Hamburg during Hamburg's tenure as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. Balakrishna holds a Bachelor of Arts from Yale College, where she studied anthropology, worked in the New Haven community, and served as managing editor of Yale Daily News. Her dedication to youth was further shaped by a decade spent teaching students at after-school learning centers in Memphis, started by her mother, an educator.
Under Balakrishna's leadership, The Future Project expanded into a national organization, with annual revenue growing from $4 million to $15 million. This rapid growth brought significant challenges, including a crisis that reduced the organization's staff from 115 to 10. Balakrishna has spoken openly about this period, introducing the concept of "the work twisties"—a term inspired by Simone Biles' Olympic experience—to describe moments when leaders lose their sense of direction. Her candid discussions about the challenges of scaling organizations and the "sacrifice trap" have resonated with founders and executives facing high-stakes leadership decisions.
Following this period of reinvention, The Future Project began offering virtual coaching to young people, leading to the development of Future Coach—a human-AI hybrid coaching system designed to support the organization's core mission with a more sustainable model. Future Coach, built on years of experience in schools and grounded in the science of purpose, provides 16- to 24-year-olds with access to human coaches enhanced by artificial intelligence, supporting them as they pursue meaningful goals.
Balakrishna has been recognized by the DRK Foundation, MAKERS, Glamour, and Generation Progress for her work. She has delivered keynote addresses at venues including TEDx Broadway and college diversity convocations. As a speaker on youth leadership, the future of work, education reform, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship, Balakrishna draws on her experience as an organizational leader and her insights into overcoming professional adversity.
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Kanya Balakrishna and other top speakers and celebrities.
Kanya Balakrishna Speaking Topics
Topics include, but are not limited to: - The importance of youth leadership and strategies for cultivating it
The youth mental health crisis and strategies for supporting young people during this challenging moment
The power of purpose and the impact of purpose development (in young people and beyond)
How to leverage AI for good in service of young people
More broadly – the role of technology in supporting the development of young people (and the challenges it poses)
What is coaching and why is it important/essential for young people to have access to coaching to help them navigate life
Kanya Balakrishna Videos
How do I book Kanya Balakrishna to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Kanya Balakrishna for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Kanya Balakrishna, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Kanya Balakrishna or any other speaker of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Kanya Balakrishna for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Kanya Balakrishna, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Kanya Balakrishna are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Kanya Balakrishna, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
What topics does Kanya Balakrishna speak about?
Kanya Balakrishna is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Business, Communication, Creativity, Business Growth, Marketing, Executive Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Women in Business, Female Leadership, Youth, Social Activism, Educational Motivational, Education Reform, Music, Asian & Pacific Heritage, Human Resources, Teamwork & Teambuilding, Early Childhood Education, Education, Diversity & Inclusion, Motivational, Innovation, Family & Parenting, Non-Profit, Future of Work, Futurism, Inspirational, Overcoming Adversity, Women in Tech, Business Consulting, Personal Growth, Women's Empowerment, Empowerment and TED.
Where does Kanya Balakrishna travel from?
Kanya Balakrishna generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
Who is the agent for Kanya Balakrishna?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Kanya Balakrishna for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Kanya Balakrishna for your next private or corporate function.
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Kanya Balakrishna or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
Kanya Balakrishna is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Business, Communication and Creativity. The estimated speaking fee range to book Kanya Balakrishna for live events is $10,000 - $20,000, and for virtual events Below $10,000. Kanya Balakrishna generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Keith L. Brown, Liz Dozier and Erin Gruwell. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Kanya Balakrishna for an upcoming event.
SPEAKING TOPICS
Kanya Balakrishna Speaking Topics
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Topics include, but are not limited to: - The importance of youth leadership and strategies for cultivating it
The youth mental health crisis and strategies for supporting young people during this challenging moment
The power of purpose and the impact of purpose development (in young people and beyond)
How to leverage AI for good in service of young people
More broadly – the role of technology in supporting the development of young people (and the challenges it poses)
What is coaching and why is it important/essential for young people to have access to coaching to help them navigate life
VIDEO
Kanya Balakrishna Videos
REVIEWS
Kanya Balakrishna Reviews
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The Trustees of Indiana University on behalf of School of Business Indiana University Indianapolis - Apr 14 2025
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TEC Connections Academy - Jun 20 2024
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Our College was extremely satisfied every step of the way, from initial contact through to the follow-up after the event. We fully intend to work with All American Entertainment for all of our future convocation events.
Ramapo College of NJ - Feb 15 2017
NEWS
Kanya Balakrishna News
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How Two Young Dreamers (And Their Supporters) Are Changing American Education
As a career coach, I spend every day helping people pursue their highest dreams for their life and work, and make those dreams a reality. Yet there are thousands of detractors in our country who claim that dreaming is for fools.
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Be The Hero: Get to Know Kanya Balakrishna's Story
Kanya Balakrishna is the co-founder of The Future Project, an organization committed to helping young people realize their dreams. Founded in September 2011, The Future Project is a national campaign to empower young people to live extraordinary lives of passion and purpose. Fully-embedded in high schools, their mission is to help students understand and set their own goals.
FAQS
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How do I book Kanya Balakrishna to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Kanya Balakrishna for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Kanya Balakrishna, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Kanya Balakrishna or any other speaker of your choice. -
How much does it cost to book Kanya Balakrishna for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Kanya Balakrishna, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Kanya Balakrishna are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Kanya Balakrishna, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does Kanya Balakrishna speak about?
Kanya Balakrishna is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Business, Communication, Creativity, Business Growth, Marketing, Executive Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Women in Business, Female Leadership, Youth, Social Activism, Educational Motivational, Education Reform, Music, Asian & Pacific Heritage, Human Resources, Teamwork & Teambuilding, Early Childhood Education, Education, Diversity & Inclusion, Motivational, Innovation, Family & Parenting, Non-Profit, Future of Work, Futurism, Inspirational, Overcoming Adversity, Women in Tech, Business Consulting, Personal Growth, Women's Empowerment, Empowerment and TED. -
Where does Kanya Balakrishna travel from?
Kanya Balakrishna generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. -
Who is the agent for Kanya Balakrishna?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Kanya Balakrishna for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Kanya Balakrishna for your next private or corporate function. -
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Kanya Balakrishna or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us. -
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
LISTS
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This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.
All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.
