Karen Pittman

Karen Pittman

Keynote Speaker: Founding Partner, KP Catalysts; Co-Founder & Former CEO, Forum for Youth Investment

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    Virtual Event Fee: Below $10,000
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Karen Pittman Biography

Karen Pittman co-founded the Forum for Youth Investment with Merita Irby in 1998 and served as its President & CEO until February 2021. She then transitioned to a senior fellow role at the Forum, dedicating more of her time and energy to thought leadership and focusing specifically on science-informed strategies for youth success.

As a recognized leader in youth development, Pittman has founded multiple organizations and initiatives that promote youth well-being throughout her career. She began her journey at the Urban Institute, conducting studies on social services for children and families. She then moved to the Children’s Defense Fund and later became a vice president at the Academy for Educational Development.

In 1995, Pittman joined the Clinton administration as director of the President’s Crime Prevention Council. She subsequently joined the executive team of the International Youth Foundation (IYF), helping the organization strengthen its program content and develop an evaluation strategy. Alongside IYF head Rick Little, she took a leave of absence to work with ret. Gen. Colin Powell to create America’s Promise. Upon her return, she and Irby launched the Forum, establishing it as a separate entity from IYF.

Under their leadership, the Forum has established itself as a national nonprofit, nonpartisan “action tank.” The Forum provides ideas, services, and networks that leaders need to make more intentional decisions that benefit young people. The Forum is home to many named centers and initiatives, including the David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality, Big Picture Approach Training & Consulting, and SparkAction.

In December 2021, Pittman launched the "Changing the Odds Remix" platform and podcast. She also resumed writing her monthly column for Youth Today in January 2022 after a several-year hiatus. Recently, she became a partner at Knowledge to Power (KP) Catalysts to expand capacity-building efforts in youth development. Pittman currently holds positions as a scholar-in-residence with the National Urban League and an Equity Fellow with the American Institutes for Research. She continues to serve as a governing partner of the SoLD Alliance and takes on various advisory roles with organizations focused on equitable, learner-centered education.

Pittman has been honored with several awards throughout her career, including the National Commission for African American Education Augustus F. Hawkins Service Award (2002), the American Youth Policy Forum Decade of Service Award for Sustained Visionary Leadership in Advancing Youth Policy (2003), and the Healthy Teen Network Sprit of Service Award (2007). She was also named one of the 25 most influential leaders in Afterschool by the National Afterschool Association. She received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Partners for Livable Cities, joining previous awardees such as President William Clinton and Lady Bird Johnson.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Karen Pittman and other top speakers and celebrities.

Karen Pittman Speaking Topics

Popular Speaking Topics

  • Positive Youth Development
  • Taking a Big Picture Approach to Community Change
  • Problem Free Isn’t Fully Prepared
  • Defining Readiness for Children and Youth

Karen Pittman Videos

Presenter Spotlight: Karen Pittman - YouTube
Karen Pittman at How Kids Learn Conference VI in Los Angeles, CA ...
Funder Insights: The Forum for Youth Investment - YouTube

How do I book Karen Pittman to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Karen Pittman 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 Karen Pittman, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Karen Pittman or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Karen Pittman for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Karen Pittman, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Karen Pittman are Below $10,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Karen Pittman, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Karen Pittman speak about?

Karen Pittman is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Empowerment, Personal Growth, Non-Profit, Inspirational, Youth and Education.

Where does Karen Pittman travel from?

Karen Pittman generally travels from Washington, DC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Karen Pittman?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Karen Pittman 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 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Karen Pittman 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 Karen Pittman 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.


Karen Pittman is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Empowerment, Personal Growth and Impactful Non-Profit. The estimated speaking fee range to book Karen Pittman for live events is Below $10,000, and for virtual events Below $10,000. Karen Pittman generally travels from Washington, DC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Kanya Balakrishna, Keith L. Brown and Gever Tulley. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Karen Pittman for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 04/11/2024.

Karen Pittman Speaking Topics

  • Popular Speaking Topics

    • Positive Youth Development
    • Taking a Big Picture Approach to Community Change
    • Problem Free Isn’t Fully Prepared
    • Defining Readiness for Children and Youth

Karen Pittman Videos

Presenter Spotlight: Karen Pittman - YouTube
Karen Pittman at How Kids Learn Conference VI in Los Angeles, CA ...
Funder Insights: The Forum for Youth Investment - YouTube
  • How do I book Karen Pittman to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Karen Pittman 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 Karen Pittman, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Karen Pittman or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Karen Pittman for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Karen Pittman, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Karen Pittman are Below $10,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Karen Pittman, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Karen Pittman speak about?

    Karen Pittman is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Empowerment, Personal Growth, Non-Profit, Inspirational, Youth and Education.
  • Where does Karen Pittman travel from?

    Karen Pittman generally travels from Washington, DC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for Karen Pittman?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Karen Pittman 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 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Karen Pittman 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 Karen Pittman 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.
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