Katty Kay
Author of The Confidence Code, Expert in Global Affairs and Women’s Leadership, BBC Journalist, Host of The Rest is Politics US Podcast
why book katty?
- Katty Kay is an award-winning journalist with a global perspective shaped by reporting from across continents
- She has interviewed top global figures in culture, business, and science, showcasing thought leadership
- Katty co-authored six influential books on women’s confidence and leadership, including four New York Times bestsellers
“The conversation was absolutely lovely. Katty is such a joy to listen to and so relatable and understandable…I think this is the 4th or 5th time we have had Katty speak at Toyota, and we definitely will look to have her again soon.”
Toyota
Biography
Katty Kay is a Washington, D.C.-based journalist known for her sharp insight into American politics and international affairs. Her unique global perspective comes from years of reporting across continents.
Today, Katty works as the U.S. special correspondent for BBC Studios, producing documentaries in both the U.S. and Europe. She hosts the Influential series, where she interviews leaders in culture, business, and science.
In the podcast world, she co-hosts The Rest is Politics US with Anthony Scaramucci, a show popular for its insider take on American politics.
Katty co-authored six books with journalist Claire Shipman, four of which are New York Times bestsellers. Their first, Womenomics, sparked a workplace revolution by helping women find balance and purpose.
They followed it with The Confidence Code, which reveals that confidence is a learnable skill, not just an innate trait. These books empower women to aim higher and lead more fulfilling lives.
Following the success of The Confidence Code, parents requested a version for younger readers. Katty and her co-authors responded with The Confidence Code for Girls, which debuted at #1 on the New York Times list. It helps girls become bold, brave, and fearless.
The follow-up, The Confidence Code for Girls Journal, and Living the Confidence Code, provide tools and real-life stories that inspire young readers to believe in themselves. These books are available from major retailers like Penguin Random House.
In their latest book, The Power Code, Katty and Claire explore how women lead and wield influence in today’s world. The book outlines a new model of power designed for and by women.
It encourages both women and men to embrace a broader, more meaningful approach to success and leadership. The book offers fresh insights for anyone seeking to live and lead with purpose.
Beyond journalism, she is a sought-after keynote speaker and event moderator. Audiences praise her for engaging storytelling, global awareness, and insightful interviews. Whether she’s on stage or on screen, Katty Kay delivers clarity, context, and impact.
Katty has covered some of the world’s most pivotal events—U.S. elections, financial crises, wars, pandemics, and the rise of new global powers. She brings depth to her reporting by connecting complex issues with human stories.
Her international background allows her to offer global audiences a perspective that goes far beyond headlines. In 2018, Katty even made pop culture history. She was featured in a Jeopardy! question and satirized on Saturday Night Live—both in the same week.
Topics
Decoding DC
News and politics are moving at lightning speed. Leaders in Washington, DC are upending everything we know about politics. Never has there been so much dramatic news. But what does it all mean – for you and your organization?
Longtime DC journalist Katty Kay has covered both the first and now the second Trump administrations and is well-sourced on both sides of the political aisle. She sorts through all the noise to explain what you really need to pay attention to – decoding what is performance and what is really changing America and the rest of the world.
It has never been more important for business leaders to get an authoritative, objective take on events in Washington. After years living and reporting around the globe, Katty marries her insider access with an outsider’s perspective, bringing a truly global perspective to American politics.
The Confidence Code
Confidence! With it, we can take on the world; without it, we don’t ask for raises, request that important meeting, or take risks. In the success equation, research shows that confidence is even more critical than competence.
But what is confidence? Where does it come from? Are we born with it or do we acquire it? And why do women have less of it than their talents deserve? This speech can be tailored to women or girls/parents and is based on Katty’s bestselling books on the subject.
Katty Kay inspires audiences with the latest scientific research and anecdotes from her own career and the many women and girls she interviewed. Katty’s experience is like that of so many women, even senior women, whose lack of confidence is what really holds them back.
The good news then is that being confident is a choice. Katty’s talk inspires audiences to take action – to go outside their comfort zones, to try new hard things, to take risks, to be prepared to fail and to discover the secret to success.
Moderator, Discussion Leader & Interviewer
As a journalist, Katty Kay regularly interviews scores of political dignitaries, business leaders, and cultural icons for her news broadcasts. She brings that talent to corporate, association, and organization events where she’s interviewed noted figures from a wide variety of backgrounds including Condoleezza Rice, Anna Wintour, Dan Levy, Michael Lewis, Cynt Marshall, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Carlo Ancelotti, Anoush Ansari and scores more.
The skill, grace and humor Katty brings to in-person and virtual events as a panel moderator, discussion leader, and interviewer will get the most out of her guest/panelists and create a memorable experience for the audience.
Other speaker topics include:
- Non-partisan Washington Political Update
- Global Political Update
- Role of the Media
- Women and Confidence
- Workplace Advice for Women
- Raising Confident Girls
- Women and Leadership
- Moderator, Interviewer, and Host
Katty Kay
Resources
Podcasts
Books
“She may have been our best speaker (ever) – delightful and substantive and a pleasure to work with – our members just loved
her.”
Vice President, Public Affairs, HR Policy Association
testimonials
“You know who’s a real rockstar? Katty Kay. We are so grateful…She was amazing!!!!”
Manager, Events and Communications Marketing, AssetMark
“It was amazing!!!!!! I got so caught up in the discussion I missed several of my spotlighting queues. She was warm, friendly, engaging, Just Brilliant!!”
McCain Foods
“We received overwhelmingly positive feedback from everyone who attended the session in Austin last Friday. ‘Insightful, empowering and inspirational’ were some of the words used.”
Digital Reality
“Thank you again for joining us for Baker McKenzie’s Global Diversity & Inclusion Forum last week. You were truly spectacular, and the program was extremely well-received by our people and clients.”
Baker McKenzie’s Global Diversity & Inclusion Forum
“Thank you for joining us at the Deloitte 2017 World Meeting. It was a privilege for our most senior leaders to hear perspectives from you, David Cameron, and John Kerry. Your deft moderation of the discussion helped ensure a robust exchange of ideas on global trends and their impact on business. I know we will look back on your session as among the most memorable highlights of our time in Rome.”
CEO, Deloitte Global
“Katty did an amazing job!”
Vice President, Business Banking, Great Western Bank
“On behalf of the entire Ellucian team, thank you for giving up valuable family time last week to join the female leaders. Your message on “The Confidence Code” was profoundly on target and inspirational to all of us!”
CEO, Ellucian
“Fantastic!!!! Katty was simply fabulous. The audience loved her.”
Senior Vice President, Business Development
“Katty Kay was a huge hit with the attendees at NY Cash Exchange! She did a great job of creating a current events message geared to our group’s primary areas of interest and her presentation style was very polished and professional. Her humor provided a welcome balance. Perhaps the highest point was the Q&A session. She is obviously very well informed and quick minded. We would certainly book her again.”
Managing Director, Ruzek Management
“I can’t begin to describe how well Katty connected with our audience. She really resonated with the group as a single presenter discussing politics in DC and the obvious partisanship and discord that threaten our political representatives to govern. Interestingly, she does not give the press a free ride either, as too often, be it television or radio, the media has turned nearly as partisan as our politics. She was engaging, confident and yet self-deprecating at the same time. Doing double duty, she then moderated a business session discussing gender issues in the industry where she performed magnificently. With her recent book, “Womenomics”, it was obvious she knows the concerns and problems of women in the corporate world and their impact in the marketplace. We had several compliments about this session, especially from men. Having said all that, perhaps her most important attribute is her genuineness. She was perfect for our program and our audience. I would not be hesitant to recommend her to any organization.”
President/CEO, NABCA
“It was great to see you again. You were incredibly well-received – both last night and this afternoon. Your message is powerfully and passionately delivered, and really resonates with us. Thank you again for taking the time to join us.”
Kenneth M. Doran, Chairman & Managing Partner, Gibson Dunn
“Katty was amazing…Our audience loved her.”
Public Relations Society of America
“FYI – Katty is killing this presentation! She is so natural and easy going, yet professional. Really enjoyed her.”
Kestra Financial
“Our audience loved Katty Kay for her warmth, genuine connection and substance. Her presentation will absolutely help us shift our focus as an organization and reach more women long-term!”
Chattanooga Women’s Leadership Institute
“She was fantastic! Incredibly well received. So authentic and knowledgeable.”
Director, Multi-Cultural Marketing Strategy, Northwestern Mutual
“Wanted to let you know that Katty was fantastic!! Great way to end the conference session today. She is such a great speaker and her Q&A session was great and we could have went on forever if she didn’t have to catch a flight. She had a lot of interesting questions.”
Executive Director, SAE Detroit Section
“Thanks to Katty the event was very successful. We have gotten back a lot of positive feedback from the group. She was fantastic at the event and the topic was something all of the women could relate including me. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Katty and listening to her. She is a very down to earth person who brings a lot of knowledge and experience to any group that she has the pleasure to speak to their group.”
Executive Assistant, Penske
“Katty Kay was a huge hit with the attendees at NY Cash Exchange! She did a great job of creating a current events message geared to our group’s primary areas of interest and her presentation style was very polished and professional. Her humor provided a welcome balance. Perhaps the highest point was the Q&A session. She is obviously very well informed and quick minded. We would certainly book her again.”
Managing Director, Ruzek Management
“Thank you for being such a great keynote speaker. Your presentation touched our entire membership. The way you set the table with your message of where America fits in today’s Global Economy, was quite skillful and eye opening for those attending. They felt reassured that the USA was still the world leader that they all grew up believing and yes … better days are on their way!”
Education Consultant, Florida Public Pension Trustees Association
“You were absolutely fantastic – and got rave reviews.”
Partner, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP.”
“It was our pleasure to have you appear before our attendees last week in Miami on the occasion of our annual meeting of the American Cotton Shippers Association. Your comments and analysis of domestic and international matters was very well received and enjoyed by everyone I spoke with afterwards. The connections you made with our members regarding their export markets relating to China, Turkey, and others was a very good fit. Your genuine approach to the audience was refreshing and made personal by your wonderful smile and personality.”
President/CEO, ACSA
“Katty was absolutely fantastic. The attendees loved her. Her comments couldn’t have been more well suited for our audience. She’s a very personable person which makes hosting so much easier. I am so glad that we were able to do this.”
Margaret M. Timony, Executive Director, Drug, Chemical & Associated Technologies Association
“I just wanted to let you know that everyone was crazy about Katty. They loved her message and her delivery. I think Katty has converted many of the attendees to BBC News.”
Denise Billing, President, PRMC Foundation
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