This week, I had the honor of hosting the very first Women in AI Rockstars session.

What started as a talk about public speaking turned into something so much deeper: a moment of connection, truth, and shared courage.

I began by sharing my own story.

How I started speaking just three years ago.

How I hesitantly added “speaker” to my LinkedIn profile before I fully believed it myself.

How I faced rejections. How I stood in rooms full of people thinking, “Do I really belong here?”

But I kept going.

And now? I get to help others step forward too.

Then something beautiful happened.

Other women started opening up – not just about speaking, but about what was really holding them back:

💬 “I used to be confident… but after maternity leave, I feel lost.”

💬 “I’m not technical enough – do I even belong on stage?”

💬 “In my culture, we’re taught not to stand out too much…”

💬 “What if they find out I’m not the expert they think I am?”

And I felt every single word.

Why does this matter?

Because tech and AI need more voices.

More stories. More perspectives.

Not next year. Now.

My Top Tips for Starting with Public Speaking (from experience!)

✨ 1. Show yourself as a speaker.

Add “speaker” to your bio. Say it out loud – even before you feel ready. Visibility starts with you.

✨ 2. Create a Sessionize profile.

It’s a great way to find events and submit your sessions. Start small, with local meetups or online opportunities.

✨ 3. Choose 2–3 session topics to focus on.

Don’t reinvent the wheel each time. Reuse and improve your talks. It saves energy and builds confidence.

✨ 4. Add something personal to every story.

People connect with stories, not slides. Why does this topic matter to you?

✨ 5. Dare to be creative.

Play with metaphors, characters, or humor. I’ve done “Super Mario meets Copilot” and “Barbie’s AI Dreamhouse” – and people loved it!

✨ 6. Learn from rejections.

If a session isn’t accepted, ask for feedback. Don’t take it personally – take it as fuel.

✨ 7. Ask for help and speak together.

Co-presenting can be a great way to start. Ask others for support. That’s what community is for.

✨ 8. Share before, during, and after.

Post on LinkedIn. Say thank you. Share photos. You never know who you’ll inspire just by showing up.

✨ 9. Speak from experience, not perfection.

You don’t have to be “the expert.” Share what you’ve learned. That’s enough. That’s powerful.

✨ 10. Set your own rhythm.

Once a month? Once per quarter? That’s okay. Just make space for it – because your voice matters.

Here’s what I believe:

You don’t have to be fearless to speak.

You just need one reason that’s stronger than your fear.

And if you’ve ever thought, “Maybe this is for me…”

It is.

Join us.

Speak with us.

Be seen. Be heard. Be part of the change.

Because one voice can make a difference.

And many? We make a movement.

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