Discussion Document for Be Your Own Cheerleader

Hi Frank, Jeff, & Alex,

Thanks for taking time out of your schedule to speak to me today. I’m excited about the potential to partner for the ConnectivITy Conference in Nashville on Oct 21st & 22nd.

Below are the details of my keynote experience and all that is included.  You'll also find a session description, bio, and some graphics / visuals you can use to promote the event.

Feel free to share this page with the other decision-makers and stakeholders involved.  I've got the date tentatively held on my calendar, so let me know as soon as you're ready to lock it in.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me (917) 584-2775 or neelu@neelukaur.com.

Warmly,

Neelu

The Keynote: Be Your Own Cheerleader

In just 45 minutes this perspective-shifting keynote tackles imposter syndrome, boosts confidence, and teaches self-advocacy to anyone who struggles to speak up, while showing those with the loudest voices the value of bringing everyone into the conversation.

  • Understand why self-advocacy can be so challenging

  • Articulate their value and impact to ensure their contributions are recognized and appreciated

  • Redirect thinking from invalidating self-talk to positive encouragement

  • Learn actionable techniques for robust self-advocacy

Line drawing of a swirling, abstract design with two circular shapes on each side.

Why should employees speak up and be heard?

Employees are no longer happy to be cogs in a wheel; measured, judged, and easily replaced. Your people are invested in your future. They want to make a difference.

But — for complex social, cultural, and personal reasons — many of them believe their contribution is either unwanted or of less value than that of someone higher up the chain.

At best, this means you miss out on diverse contributions to conversations. At worst, this can impact employees’ health and leave them searching for new roles.

When you give people the tools and encouragement to speak up, you unlock a creative, innovative future for your business, with a side of increased job satisfaction and reduced employee turnover.

  • A gray rectangular bar with white text that says 'AI is the future'

    "Refreshing. Encouraging. Empowering!"

    - Lauren Eastwood, Project Manager, Bloomberg

  • The Aramark logo with black text and a stylized red figure next to it.

    "Neelu is an amazing speaker. Her enthusiasm is infectious!"

    - April Russell, Development Manager

  • American Staffing Association logo with blue and white colors.

    “Neelu's session was truly inspiring and packed with actionable points I will take into my everyday life”

    Participant from 'Be Your Own Cheerleader: Embracing Self-Advocacy in the Workplace'

  • Lucille Ball as Lucy Ricardo from I Love Lucy TV show

    “Mindset changing”

    - Jacob Anning, AGA National Leadership Conference Participant

  • Sony Music logo with a red brushstroke circle and black text.

    "Neelu did a fantastic job of providing strategies and kept us engaged throughout the session."

    Participant from 'Be Your Own Cheerleader: Embracing Self-Advocacy in the Workplace'

  • Guidehouse logo with a stylized green and black arrow symbol followed by the word 'Guidehouse' in bold black letters.

    “Uplifting and encouraging for young professional women of color. I’ve never been to anything like this and it’s about time I did!”

    Participant from Guidehouse AAPI & Women's LeadHERship Event

  • The Genworth logo with the company name and a blue circular geometric design.

    “The event was amazing and Neelu is a fantastic speaker. Her passion for the subject really shines through!”

    Participant from 'AAPI + Allies Self Advocacy Session'

  • Logo with stylized letters U, K, G in dark teal color.

    "Genuine, personable, relatable, energetic and encouraging; more than we could have ever asked for in a guest speaker"

    Jeremy Casupanan, Senior Strategic Alliance Manager

  • Presidio logo in blue text.

    “Inspiring and actionable!”

    Participant from 'Be Your Own Cheerleader - Embracing Self Advocacy in the Workplace'

Resources

Feel free to download and use these resources to promote your event:

Promotional graphics
Stage intros
Long and short bio

The Experience

This live, in-person keynote session will last approximately 45 minutes + 15 min Q&A. It centers on Self-Advocacy in the workplace for tech professionals. In the talk I provide strategies that enable every member of your audience to see their capabilities and achievements in a new light, setting a tone of positivity and self-efficacy. Senior leaders will walk away with powerful self-awareness and deep insight into the unspoken barriers their teams face—equipping them to lead with greater empathy, elevate unheard voices, and cultivate a culture where advocacy, inclusion, and authenticity are the norm, not the exception.

Black and orange decorative object with floral design on a marble surface.

Working With Neelu


Partnering with me as your keynote speaker includes much more than a 1-hour talk.  I'll collaborate with your team before, during, and after the event to create an outstanding experience for your audience.

Whenever possible, I will:

  • Meet with your team to prepare for the event and ensure that what I'm delivering matches your goals

  • Attend the entire event for the day (not just my session) and interact with your attendees

  • Participate in a breakout session, Q&A session, and / or private VIP reception

  • Signed copies of my book

  • Travel a day in advance to ensure I can arrive on time and be well rested

A woman giving a presentation. She is wearing a rust-colored blazer, black pants, and black sneakers. She holds a small device in her right hand and a microphone clipped to her blazer.
Book cover titled 'Be Your Own Cheerleader' by Neelu Kaur, with a yellow background, purple and green text, and a stylized cheerleader megaphone graphic.

Be Your Own Cheerleader

My groundbreaking guide is designed to empower Asian and South Asian women with self-advocacy and self-promotion skills in Corporate America. 

While it specifically addresses the challenges of balancing Eastern and Western cultures, its insights on self-advocacy and embracing achievements are universally relevant. 

Intersecting leadership with wellness, I offer a comprehensive approach beneficial for all professionals across all backgrounds seeking to enhance their career and personal well-being.

The Fee Includes:

  • Pre-Event Planning Meetings

  • Attendance at 2 day Conference

  • 45-minute + 15 min Q&A (in-person) Opening Keynote Session

  • 120 copies of Be Your Own Cheerleader shipped to the venue

  • Book Signing

  • Promotion on Social Media

  • Qualitative & Quantitative Feedback Post Event

  • All travel expenses (airfare, ground transportation, hotel, and meals)

Total Fee: $12,000 USD

Next Steps

Let’s spread self-advocacy skills!

I have Oct 21st and 22nd tentatively reserved, and I'm excited about the possibility of delivering the Be Your Own Cheerleader opening keynote to ConnectivITy. I can hold the date for at least a few weeks, so you have time to discuss it. Please let me know if you have any questions!

Talk with you soon

Warmly,

Neelu

Who is Neelu Kaur?

Neelu Kaur is an organizational psychologist, author, and keynote speaker, renowned for her expertise in self-advocacy and innovation. Born in India and raised in America, Neelu's unique experience has deeply informed her approach to empowering professionals in the workplace.

Over her 15-year career, Neelu has worked with top-tier Fortune 500 organizations to unleash innovation by elevating every voice.

Neelu's book "Be Your Own Cheerleader" and keynote programs address the challenges we all face in self-advocacy and self-promotion. She is dedicated to empowering people with the tools and strategies they need to confidently assert their value in the workplace.

With a BS from NYU Stern School of Business and an MA in Social and Organizational Psychology from Columbia University, Neelu combines her strong academic foundation with real-world experience. She is a certified NLP (NeuroLinguistic Programming) Coach, Yoga Instructor, and Ayurveda Specialist. This multifaceted expertise enables her to offer a holistic approach to leadership and personal development.

A woman giving a presentation in front of a screen at a conference, holding a remote control, wearing a rust-colored blazer and black pants.