Knatokie Ford
Keynote Speaker: Founder & CEO of Fly Sci Enterprise; Former Senior Policy Advisor at the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy
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Knatokie Ford Biography
Dr. Knatokie Ford is Founder and CEO of Fly Sci Enterprise, LLC. Established in 2014, Fly Sci Enterprise is an education and media consulting organization focused on leveraging the power of storytelling to promote social change, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
She previously served as a Senior Policy Advisor at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) from 2015 through the end of the Obama Administration. In her role at the White House, Dr. Ford oversaw development and implementation of a national initiative, the “Image of STEM,” which was designed to raise visibility and improve the image of STEM fields and careers in order to help promote diversity in the STEM workforce.
She previously served as an AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow at OSTP from 2012-2014 with the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST). In this capacity, she managed concurrent projects on education technology and improving the nation’s healthcare system, in addition to working with OSTP’s STEM inclusion team.
Prior to serving in the Obama Administration, Dr. Ford was a postdoctoral research fellow at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, MA. She also spent time in Los Angeles where she had the opportunity to work as an actress in television and film and serve as a middle school teacher in an underserved community in South Central Los Angeles.
Dr. Ford completed her PhD in Experimental Pathology at Harvard University, where she studied age-related macular degeneration, and received a BS/MS in Chemistry/Biological Chemistry from Clark Atlanta University.
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Knatokie Ford and other top speakers and celebrities.
Knatokie Ford Speaking Topics
Transforming Today’s Challenges into Inspiring New Possibilities
We are living through a period of profound disruption—one that is reshaping how we think about the future and our place within it. In this keynote, Dr. Knatokie Ford introduces Futures ALCHEMY™, a human-centered framework she developed to help individuals and organizations transform uncertainty into imagination, agency, and forward momentum. Blending futures thinking with cognitive science and her own lived experience, she explores how our brains respond to uncertainty, why fear can narrow our creative capacity, and how disruption can quietly distort our relationship with the future. She invites audiences to move beyond fear-based reactivity and rediscover their ability to imagine, design, and build what comes next. At the heart of Futures ALCHEMY™ is a practical, seven-step method—Anticipate, Listen, Curate, Hone, Envision, Manifest, and Yield—that helps people shift from survival mode into imaginative agency. Whether applied to personal growth, leadership, education, or organizational strategy, the framework offers tools to unlock breakthrough thinking and adaptive advantage in times of change.
On the heels of achievement, it is not uncommon for people to feel like they just got “lucky” or that they do not deserve to be where they are. This is known as the imposter syndrome, which is typically associated with an inability to internalize accomplishments and a persistent fear of being exposed as a "fraud." Imposter syndrome can not only reduce confidence, but also impact performance. I discuss broader implications and prevalence of imposter experiences and share my own journey grappling with this “inner hater” as a graduate student at Harvard and even the White House. I also highlight tactics I have employed to overcome and manage imposter feelings, which have empowered me to persevere in the face of challenges in service of connecting with my highest self to live out my legend!
Improving and expanding access to quality education, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), is critical for both enabling our society to address the most pressing challenges of today as well as spurring innovation to solve the problems of tomorrow. A global crisis completely disrupted the traditional education model and exacerbated pre-existing disparities. Dr. Knatokie Ford speaks to the resilience and ingenuity of educators who, amid persistently daunting circumstances, remained committed to ensuring learning continued. She also explores the importance of applying an intersectional lens to enhance learning and empower students in all walks of life, making student success more equitable. Drawing from her own journey as a Black female scientist and leading research, she also shares insights on barriers that contribute to persistent diversity issues in STEM education and careers as well as effective interventions.
"Dreams are like stars. You may never touch them, but if you follow them, they will lead you to your destiny.” Our resumes are the highlight reels of our careers, but the most interesting parts of our journeys often lie in periods of challenge and trials that catalyze the conversion of potential to growth and prompt us to reimagine what success means to us. The fear of failure is one of the biggest barriers to success. I share the authentic and vulnerable behind-the-scenes account of how I have faced fear head on in pursuit of my dreams. From taking a leave from my PhD program at Harvard to move to Hollywood, to turning down “safe” jobs and enduring unemployment to pursue my dream project full time. I have embodied a “high risk, high reward” mentality as I have navigated my career trajectory, which has taught me some powerful lessons.
Knatokie Ford Videos
How do I book Knatokie Ford to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Knatokie Ford 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 Knatokie Ford, 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 Knatokie Ford or any other speaker of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Knatokie Ford for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Knatokie Ford, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. For the most current speaking fee to hire Knatokie Ford, 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 Knatokie Ford speak about?
Knatokie Ford is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as STEM, STEM Education, Diversity & Inclusion, DEI, Influential Women, Women, Science, Female Leadership, Women in Tech, Technology, Black Heritage and TED.
Where does Knatokie Ford travel from?
Knatokie Ford 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 Knatokie Ford?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Knatokie Ford 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 Knatokie Ford 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 Knatokie Ford 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.
Knatokie Ford is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including STEM, STEM Education and Diversity & Inclusion. Please contact us for live or virtual event fee details. Knatokie Ford 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 Sylvia Acevedo, Alena Analeigh and Pamela McCauley. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Knatokie Ford for an upcoming event.
SPEAKING TOPICS
Knatokie Ford Speaking Topics
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FUTURES ALCHEMY™
Transforming Today’s Challenges into Inspiring New Possibilities
We are living through a period of profound disruption—one that is reshaping how we think about the future and our place within it. In this keynote, Dr. Knatokie Ford introduces Futures ALCHEMY™, a human-centered framework she developed to help individuals and organizations transform uncertainty into imagination, agency, and forward momentum. Blending futures thinking with cognitive science and her own lived experience, she explores how our brains respond to uncertainty, why fear can narrow our creative capacity, and how disruption can quietly distort our relationship with the future. She invites audiences to move beyond fear-based reactivity and rediscover their ability to imagine, design, and build what comes next. At the heart of Futures ALCHEMY™ is a practical, seven-step method—Anticipate, Listen, Curate, Hone, Envision, Manifest, and Yield—that helps people shift from survival mode into imaginative agency. Whether applied to personal growth, leadership, education, or organizational strategy, the framework offers tools to unlock breakthrough thinking and adaptive advantage in times of change.
-
OVERCOME IMPOSTER SYNDROME & LIVE YOUR LEGEND
On the heels of achievement, it is not uncommon for people to feel like they just got “lucky” or that they do not deserve to be where they are. This is known as the imposter syndrome, which is typically associated with an inability to internalize accomplishments and a persistent fear of being exposed as a "fraud." Imposter syndrome can not only reduce confidence, but also impact performance. I discuss broader implications and prevalence of imposter experiences and share my own journey grappling with this “inner hater” as a graduate student at Harvard and even the White House. I also highlight tactics I have employed to overcome and manage imposter feelings, which have empowered me to persevere in the face of challenges in service of connecting with my highest self to live out my legend!
-
FOSTERING EQUITY, INCLUSION & BELONGING IN EDUCATION
Improving and expanding access to quality education, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), is critical for both enabling our society to address the most pressing challenges of today as well as spurring innovation to solve the problems of tomorrow. A global crisis completely disrupted the traditional education model and exacerbated pre-existing disparities. Dr. Knatokie Ford speaks to the resilience and ingenuity of educators who, amid persistently daunting circumstances, remained committed to ensuring learning continued. She also explores the importance of applying an intersectional lens to enhance learning and empower students in all walks of life, making student success more equitable. Drawing from her own journey as a Black female scientist and leading research, she also shares insights on barriers that contribute to persistent diversity issues in STEM education and careers as well as effective interventions.
-
Dream Chasing
"Dreams are like stars. You may never touch them, but if you follow them, they will lead you to your destiny.” Our resumes are the highlight reels of our careers, but the most interesting parts of our journeys often lie in periods of challenge and trials that catalyze the conversion of potential to growth and prompt us to reimagine what success means to us. The fear of failure is one of the biggest barriers to success. I share the authentic and vulnerable behind-the-scenes account of how I have faced fear head on in pursuit of my dreams. From taking a leave from my PhD program at Harvard to move to Hollywood, to turning down “safe” jobs and enduring unemployment to pursue my dream project full time. I have embodied a “high risk, high reward” mentality as I have navigated my career trajectory, which has taught me some powerful lessons.
VIDEO
Knatokie Ford Videos
FAQS
-
How do I book Knatokie Ford to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Knatokie Ford 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 Knatokie Ford, 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 Knatokie Ford or any other speaker of your choice. -
How much does it cost to book Knatokie Ford for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Knatokie Ford, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. For the most current speaking fee to hire Knatokie Ford, 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 Knatokie Ford speak about?
Knatokie Ford is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as STEM, STEM Education, Diversity & Inclusion, DEI, Influential Women, Women, Science, Female Leadership, Women in Tech, Technology, Black Heritage and TED. -
Where does Knatokie Ford travel from?
Knatokie Ford 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 Knatokie Ford?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Knatokie Ford 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 Knatokie Ford 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 Knatokie Ford 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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