Keynotes & Facilitated Conversations
Storytelling, mental health, and human-centered tools for thriving workplaces and communities.
Signature Keynotes & Topics
"Patlee doesn't just speak; she creates a space where the room can finally breathe."
Dr. Patlee Creary is a conflict transformation scholar, author, and social entrepreneur. Grounded in over two decades of peace and conflict research, MBSR-informed mindfulness practices, and executive leadership, she delivers keynotes that help organizations, teams, and communities navigate friction, protect human capacity, and lead with clarity.
1. The Power of Story:
Building Connection Across Diverse Teams
Themes: Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging | Community Building | Culture
Description: In multi-faceted workplaces and organizations, true inclusion requires moving beyond compliance checklists to real human connection. Patlee explores how structured, empathetic storytelling breaks down barriers, deepens empathy, and fosters a genuine sense of belonging across diverse teams. Key Takeaway: Warm, practical communication tools to help teams listen deeply and cultivate psychological safety.
2. Rooted & Rising:
Mental Wealth & Workplace Well-Being
Themes: Workplace Mental Health | Stress Reduction | Burnout Prevention
Description: High-performing teams cannot sustain momentum if people are running on empty. Drawing from MBSR-informed mindfulness practices and her background in peace and conflict work, Patlee introduces the "Rooted" framework—offering calm, practical tools to regulate stress, protect human capacity, and prevent burnout. Key Takeaway: Actionable, daily reset techniques for managing stress and staying grounded in high-pressure environments.
3. "Let's Fix This":
Human-Centered Conflict Transformation
Themes: Communication | Leadership | Navigating Change
Description: Conflict is rarely a sign that a team or community is failing—it is simply a signal that something needs care and attention. Patlee reframes friction into an opportunity for growth, guiding audiences through human-centered approaches that resolve tension, restore trust, and bring shared clarity. Key Takeaway: A simple, thoughtful framework for approaching difficult conversations with confidence, care, and intentionality.
4. Purpose-First Ventures:
Social Impact & Sustainable Growth
Themes: Social Entrepreneurship | Creative Leadership | Mission-Driven Growth
Description: Growing a small business or non-profit with a social mission presents a delicate balance: honoring your core values while maintaining operational health. As a social entrepreneur, Patlee shares grounded insights for scaling purpose-driven work while protecting the well-being of the people behind it. Key Takeaway: Practical strategies for aligning mission, growth, and team capacity.
5. Reclaiming Sovereignty:
Narrative, Identity & Self-Witnessing
Special Focus Option: Ideal for Equity Summits, Black History Month, International Women’s Day, and Creative/Personal Growth Events
Themes: Personal Sovereignty | Identity & Narrative | Self-Reclamation
Description: Inspired by her book Rebel. Mother. Queen., Patlee offers a powerful reflection on letting go of external pressure, rejecting performative expectations, and stepping into quiet, fierce personal strength. Through poetry, spoken word, and storytelling, this keynote invites audiences to return home to themselves and author their own legacy. Key Takeaway: Creative reflection practices for setting firm boundaries and honoring personal agency.