Speaking

Vibrant, candid and empowering — as a keynote, a workshop facilitator, a moderator or a panelist. Alison connects deeply with executive teams and individual employees.

book a speaker who connects with humans.

Share more about your event. We’ll shape something around your goals.

signature topics

Starting points, not a menu. Every one of these gets rebuilt around your audience and the outcome you are after.

Courageous leadership

Whether you’re establishing, inheriting, maintaining or evolving — leading a team of humans is complex and takes time, finesse and intentionality. A fresh perspective on the future of human leadership.

Mitigating burnout

What can individuals do amidst a burnout epidemic in our fields? Ten practical ways to shift mindset, behaviours and boundaries.

Leading inclusive teams

Inclusive leadership drives retention, productivity and engagement. But how do we do it on top of everything else? Best practices for managers in the day-to-day.

Coaching without a title

Coaching skills work better without authority. When you can’t affect someone’s performance review, nobody has to wonder what your angle is.

Leading a team of humans is complex, and takes time, finesse and intentionality.
Alison Gretz, ACC

formats

Keynote

30–60 minutes, built for your room rather than my slide deck.

Workshop

Half or full day, hands-on, people leave with something they can use on Monday.

Panel or moderation

I can be on it or run it. Moderating is an underrated craft and I enjoy it.

Podcast guest

A soft spot of mine. Always open to a conversation.

Alison Gretz mid-gesture on a conference stage, a slide and a sponsor banner behind her
On stage14selected appearances since 2016
Alison Gretz in conversation on stage with a guest, both on stools, a city skyline behind the glass
In your ears6podcast appearances, and always open to another
An MPLS MadWomen banner beside a room of people talking at long tables before an eventAlready bookedBio, headshots, key links and tech detailsMedia assets →
Alison Gretz on stage at an MPLS MadWomen event, speaking to a full room under strings of lights

Watch

The Future of Design Leadership

My talk from the DesignX Leadership Conference in Toronto — on redesigning HR, change management and systemic design.

DesignX Leadership Conference, Toronto · 2025

Listen

podcast appearances

I have a soft spot in my heart for podcasts, and love connecting with amazing folks for intimate dialog that we can then share with ya’ll.

At The DenSolving culture before reaching for AI2026 (opens in a new tab)Worthy to LeadEradicating Workplace Toxicity2024 (opens in a new tab)Making Sense of Ourselves · The Sensemakers ClubTeams of One Support2024 (opens in a new tab)Beyond UX DesignThe Myth of the Career Ladder: Why Great Designers Aren’t Always Great Managers2024 (opens in a new tab)Tent Talks · Chicago CampsNavigating the Tightrope of Radical Candor: Leadership, Conflict, and Collaboration2024 (opens in a new tab)Business Drivers · FahrenAn Accelerator for Human-Centered Leaders2024 (opens in a new tab)
A full raked auditorium, listening

“For anyone looking for a KICKASS speaker about leadership, design, and showing up as whole humans — please have Alison Gretz, ACC on your radar! She is bold, brilliant, and will absolutely wow your audience.”

Aïko Thurlow
Entrepreneur & Community Facilitator

selected engagements

A partial history — keynotes, workshops, panels and moderation.

2026
WorkshopDesigning Your CareerAIGA Design Camp, Nisswa
WorkshopCoaching skills for design leadersFemke
2025
KeynoteThe Future of Design Leadership: Redesigning HR, Change Management and Systemic DesignDesignX Leadership Conference, Toronto
PanelistThe Future of Design Leadership: Redesigning HR, Change Management and Systemic DesignDesignX Leadership Conference, Toronto
2024
KeynoteAdvocating for Your CareerADPList’s BeMore Festival
ModeratorWomen in Design LeadershipADPList’s BeMore Festival
PanelistHer Own Boss: A Talk with Women Who’ve Embraced IndependenceTech Ladies
PanelistAuthentic MarketingLearning Journeys International Center for Coaching
2020
WorkshopDesign Your No. 1 Product: YouTarget, Minneapolis
2018
KeynoteA Tale of Two Apps: Target Drive Up & App Launch ExperienceUX Strat, Boston
ModeratorFemale PioneersMpls MadWomen, Minneapolis
2017
WorkshopYour Number 1 Product is YouAIGA Design Camp, Nisswa
KeynoteThe Future of UX is Product DesignAIGA Minnesota, Minneapolis
2016
InterviewerAuthentic Leadership: A Conversation With Tammy RedpathMpls MadWomen, Minneapolis

Already booked? Bio, headshots, key links and tech details are all on the media page. Media & speaker assets.

tell me about your event

The date, the audience, and what you want them still thinking about on the drive home. We’ll shape something around your goals.

Form not loading? Email alison@designbydesign.co and we’ll pick it up there.