Stephenie Foster
Keynote Speaker: Women’s Rights Advocate & Feminist Foreign Policy Expert; Former Senior Advisor at the U.S. State Department; Author of "Take Action: Fighting For Women & Girls" & Coauthor of "Feminist Foreign Policy In Theory And Practice"
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Stephenie Foster Biography
Stephenie Foster is a women’s rights advocate with extensive experience in government, policy and law. She is a recognized voice on the critical importance of women’s leadership and a thought leader on feminist foreign policy and transformative women’s initiatives. Foster is a founding partner of Smash Strategies, a firm dedicated to advising businesses, foundations and nonprofit organizations on how to achieve better results by focusing on women’s leadership and gender equality.
After the fall of Kabul and through early 2023, Foster returned to the U.S. Department of State, focusing on Afghan relocation with a mandate to prioritize the needs of women and girls. She previously served at the Department of State from 2012 to 2017 as senior adviser and counselor to the Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues, S/GWI, and at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, where she focused on women and civil society.
In the S/GWI office, Foster managed a wide range of key policies and programs, including the women, peace and security initiative, women’s political participation and women’s economic empowerment. As a senior official, she represented the U.S. in multilateral and bilateral forums. In Afghanistan, she traveled extensively to work with individuals and organizations advancing the role of women in Afghan society.
Foster served as chief of staff to U.S. Sens. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) and Christopher Dodd (D-Conn). She was appointed general counsel of the U.S. General Services Administration, founded her own consulting firm and served in senior management positions in the nonprofit sector. She began her career as an attorney and was a litigation partner in San Francisco, California.
Foster is an author and sought-after public speaker. Her first book, "Take Action: Fighting for Women & Girls," was published in October 2021. Her second book, co-authored with Susan Markham, "Feminist Foreign Policy in Theory and Practice," was published in September 2023.
Foster serves on the board of Foreign Policy for America, where she chairs the Political Committee, and on the board of the Mead Center for Performing Arts, Arena Stage. She continues to dedicate her time to being a women’s rights advocate.
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Stephenie Foster and other top speakers and celebrities.
Stephenie Foster Speaking Topics
This talk unpacks feminist foreign policy as both a conceptual framework and a practical approach to international relations and national security. Stephenie Foster explores how applying a gender lens reshapes policy priorities, decision-making, and outcomes—moving beyond traditional, conflict-driven models of security. Drawing on global and U.S. case studies, audiences gain a clearer understanding of what feminist foreign policy looks like in action and what is required to implement it effectively within governments and institutions.
Audience Takeaways:
- A clear definition of feminist foreign policy and how it differs from traditional approaches
- Real-world examples of implementation at national and multilateral levels
- Practical insights into how gender analysis strengthens foreign policy and security outcomes
Focusing on the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, this session examines why women’s participation is essential—not optional—to sustainable peace and security. Stephenie Foster discusses the evidence behind women’s inclusion in peace processes and the gaps between policy commitments and implementation. The talk highlights lessons learned from conflict and post-conflict settings and outlines what meaningful inclusion looks like in practice.
Audience Takeaways:
- An understanding of the WPS framework and its global relevance
- Why women’s participation improves peace and security outcomes
- Strategies for moving beyond symbolic inclusion to real influence
This topic reframes gender equality as a core national and global security issue rather than a social or “soft” policy concern. Stephenie Foster explores how gender inequality fuels instability, conflict, and economic fragility—and how gender-responsive policies strengthen resilience and security. Audiences are challenged to rethink traditional definitions of security and consider people-centered, preventative approaches.
Audience Takeaways:
- How gender inequality directly impacts security and stability
- Why inclusive security policies are more effective and sustainable
- New frameworks for understanding security beyond military responses
This highly practical session focuses on implementation—how institutions move from commitments and statements to action. Stephenie Foster shares tools and strategies for embedding gender analysis into policy design, programming, and decision-making across sectors, including foreign policy, development, and humanitarian work. The discussion emphasizes accountability, leadership, and institutional culture.
Audience Takeaways:
- Concrete steps for integrating gender analysis into policy and programs
- Common implementation challenges and how to overcome them
- Best practices for accountability and institutional change
This talk examines the systemic barriers women face in leadership roles across diplomacy, politics, and global institutions—and the strategies that have proven effective in advancing women’s leadership. Stephenie Foster draws on her professional experience to explore how women gain influence, shape policy, and drive change in complex global environments.
Audience Takeaways:
- Insights into structural barriers limiting women’s leadership
- Strategies for increasing women’s participation and decision-making power
- Lessons for cultivating inclusive, effective leadership across sectors
How do I book Stephenie Foster to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Stephenie Foster 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 Stephenie Foster, 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 Stephenie Foster or any other speaker of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Stephenie Foster for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Stephenie Foster, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Stephenie Foster are Below $10,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Stephenie Foster, 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 Stephenie Foster speak about?
Stephenie Foster is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Women's Empowerment, Personal Growth, Empowerment, Gender Equality, DEI, Government, Feminism, Female Leadership, Social Activism, World Affairs, Influential Women and Author.
Where does Stephenie Foster travel from?
Stephenie Foster 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 Stephenie Foster?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Stephenie Foster 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 Stephenie Foster 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 Stephenie Foster 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.
Stephenie Foster is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Women's Empowerment, Personal Growth and Empowerment. The estimated speaking fee range to book Stephenie Foster for live events is Below $10,000, and for virtual events Below $10,000. Stephenie Foster 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 Grace Chenxin Liu, Christine Michel Carter and Charlene Carruthers. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Stephenie Foster for an upcoming event.
SPEAKING TOPICS
Stephenie Foster Speaking Topics
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Feminist Foreign Policy in Theory & in Practice
This talk unpacks feminist foreign policy as both a conceptual framework and a practical approach to international relations and national security. Stephenie Foster explores how applying a gender lens reshapes policy priorities, decision-making, and outcomes—moving beyond traditional, conflict-driven models of security. Drawing on global and U.S. case studies, audiences gain a clearer understanding of what feminist foreign policy looks like in action and what is required to implement it effectively within governments and institutions.
Audience Takeaways:
- A clear definition of feminist foreign policy and how it differs from traditional approaches
- Real-world examples of implementation at national and multilateral levels
- Practical insights into how gender analysis strengthens foreign policy and security outcomes
-
Women, Peace, and Security
Focusing on the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, this session examines why women’s participation is essential—not optional—to sustainable peace and security. Stephenie Foster discusses the evidence behind women’s inclusion in peace processes and the gaps between policy commitments and implementation. The talk highlights lessons learned from conflict and post-conflict settings and outlines what meaningful inclusion looks like in practice.
Audience Takeaways:
- An understanding of the WPS framework and its global relevance
- Why women’s participation improves peace and security outcomes
- Strategies for moving beyond symbolic inclusion to real influence
-
Gender Equality as National Security
This topic reframes gender equality as a core national and global security issue rather than a social or “soft” policy concern. Stephenie Foster explores how gender inequality fuels instability, conflict, and economic fragility—and how gender-responsive policies strengthen resilience and security. Audiences are challenged to rethink traditional definitions of security and consider people-centered, preventative approaches.
Audience Takeaways:
- How gender inequality directly impacts security and stability
- Why inclusive security policies are more effective and sustainable
- New frameworks for understanding security beyond military responses
-
From Policy to Practice: Implementing Gender-Informed Approaches
This highly practical session focuses on implementation—how institutions move from commitments and statements to action. Stephenie Foster shares tools and strategies for embedding gender analysis into policy design, programming, and decision-making across sectors, including foreign policy, development, and humanitarian work. The discussion emphasizes accountability, leadership, and institutional culture.
Audience Takeaways:
- Concrete steps for integrating gender analysis into policy and programs
- Common implementation challenges and how to overcome them
- Best practices for accountability and institutional change
-
Women’s Leadership in Global Affairs: Power, Participation, and Progress
This talk examines the systemic barriers women face in leadership roles across diplomacy, politics, and global institutions—and the strategies that have proven effective in advancing women’s leadership. Stephenie Foster draws on her professional experience to explore how women gain influence, shape policy, and drive change in complex global environments.
Audience Takeaways:
- Insights into structural barriers limiting women’s leadership
- Strategies for increasing women’s participation and decision-making power
- Lessons for cultivating inclusive, effective leadership across sectors
BOOKS
FAQS
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How do I book Stephenie Foster to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Stephenie Foster 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 Stephenie Foster, 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 Stephenie Foster or any other speaker of your choice. -
How much does it cost to book Stephenie Foster for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Stephenie Foster, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Stephenie Foster are Below $10,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Stephenie Foster, 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 Stephenie Foster speak about?
Stephenie Foster is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Women's Empowerment, Personal Growth, Empowerment, Gender Equality, DEI, Government, Feminism, Female Leadership, Social Activism, World Affairs, Influential Women and Author. -
Where does Stephenie Foster travel from?
Stephenie Foster 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 Stephenie Foster?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Stephenie Foster 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 Stephenie Foster 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 Stephenie Foster 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.
BOOK STEPHENIE FOSTER
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