Speaking
Academic yet inspirational.
A Google GSV Education Innovation Fellow and AASA thought leader, Dr. Birks grounds visionary ideas in real-world data — for summits, corporate retreats, and education conferences.
Signature Keynotes
Three talks. One throughline: light.
Leading at the Edge of Change: The AI Literacy Mandate
Dr. Birks demystifies the AI landscape, reframing technology as a tool for equity. She shares her blueprint for creating “AI-Ready” ecosystems that prioritize human connection while leveraging machine intelligence.
Refined by Fire: Leading Through Fragility and Crisis
Drawing from her AASA articles, Dr. Birks explores why compassion is the secret ingredient to high-stakes accountability — and how leaders build the psychological safety teams need to innovate without fear of failure.
The Power of the Village: Radical Community Engagement
Moving from “engagement” to “empowerment” — a toolkit for aligning diverse stakeholders, from parents to CEOs, around a shared mission for social and economic stability.
Formats
Selected Engagements
On national and international stages.
- 2026
AASA National Conference on Education
Nashville, TN — four sessions
- 2025
ASU+GSV Summit
San Diego, CA — Preparing Students for Future-Ready Careers with an AI-Focused High School
- 2019
Yale University
New Haven, CT
- 2018
Yale University
New Haven, CT
- 2014
Columbia University Teachers College
New York, NY
- 2013
International Presentation
Brazil
Full list of 20+ presentations (2002–2026) available in the speaker kit.
Book Dr. Birks
Invite her to your stage.
Share a few details about your event and audience. Requests are typically answered within a few business days.