Speaking

See full bio here

Kathy as Speaker:

Kathy is a popular speaker for women’s events, writers’ events and more. She clusters speaking events into trips, and is invited to solo programs as well. One example of a clustered speaking tour: she traveled to Minnesota and Wisconsin for a total of 16 events on one round-trip plane ticket.

She is considered a guru for speakers, so will have no problem building a speaking program to fit your event. Professional conferences invite Kathy to serve on faculty as the speaker specialist. She is the longtime speaker columnist for The Christian Communicator. Her book, The Ultimate Speaker’s Guide: Practical Tips, Tools & Takeaways is quickly becoming the trusted guidebook for speakers.

Kathy gets jazzed speaking across the country. Her life is a testimony of God’s sufficient grace in the face of adversity, and she is known for her practical and often humorous messages full of hope and insight. Audiences are impacted by Kathy’s willingness to be transparent during her messages and also wait for one-on-one time with her after her events.

Endorsements:

Kathy-speaking

Engaging, encouraging and enlightening are three words that come to mind when I think of Kathy Carlton Willis. Her engaging style draws the audience in. Her encouraging words lift their spirits and inspires them, and her enlightening messages causes them to look at the circumstances of life from a different perspective. Using scripture as a powerful teaching tool, Kathy shares from her heart reaching out to touch the hearts of others.
– Gerry Wakeland, President CLASSeminars

Kathy blessed our ladies with her smiling outlook in spite of the challenges she has faced. Her upbeat and positive view loudly proclaims that “All things work together for our good when we are called by God.” We are proud to have her as part of our association.
– Brenda Cole, wife of Director of Missions for F.I.R.M. SBC association, Ladies Retreat Director

I am a pastor. I’ve studied God’s Word for years. I wasn’t even sure why I came to this event—I did it as a favor to the event planner. I need you to hear me when I say this: What you said today about grace…wow. I will never be the same again.
– From a minister who attended a Grin with Grace Retreat

I would be remiss if I didn’t thank you for the wonderful message that you so graciously gave us this past Saturday at the conference. There were so many good lessons that you taught us, but I want to especially thank you for something that I’ve been needing to hear my whole life and never heard until you gave it to us. You instructed us to say, “I’m going to give myself the benefit of grace.” WOW!!! In all my endeavors and training that Father God has been working in me, I have always tried to be quick to show love, show mercy and forgive but when talking about grace, I never thought about extending grace to myself. That was a lifechanging truth for me. I’ve always wondered about freedom and wanted to experience it for myself, but it seemed elusive … until now. I’m so thankful to Father God for teaching me this foundational and oh-so-important truth through your ministry. I finally understand what freedom feels like and I can’t put into words how much this truth is changing my thinking, my every waking moment and even expect that my sleep will be sweeter from this point forward. What a gift! Thank you so much for ministering grace to us.
– Pam Wallace, audience member

Listening to a Kathy Carlton Willis presentation is a pure delight. Seamlessly mixing faith and humor with any subject she presents, Kathy speaks with a sincere passion for the writing process. Both her extensive experience in the writing industry and her clear desire to help others in the field are evident in her direct, dedicated, and compassionate interactions with those in attendance. I came away smiling from my experience with this amazing grinning God’s gal.
– Alicia Willsie, WordGirls member and seminar attendee

The LIFT was great! Kathy was such a blessing and what a sweet and powerful spirit the Lord has given her! My ladies were so touched, inspired and blessed beyond their expectations
– Rebecca Smith, pastor’s wife

Thank you so much for speaking this weekend! Your gentle spirit is just what we needed.
– Michelle Rayburn, coordinator of the Arrowhead Women’s Retreat, WI

What a joy it was to have Kathy as our keynote speaker. She was warm and funny, with tons of practical and timely wisdom we were eager to hear. She even went beyond expectations to meet with our writers one-on-one after the retreat. If you are looking for someone to teach and inspire your group, you must invite Kathy Carlton Willis. She will be a blessing.
– Cheri Cowell, Board Member, Word Weavers Annual Retreat

Kathy Carlton Willis is an asset to any conference. Not only will she do the job you asked her to do, she will go the extra mile. Kathy’s servant’s heart makes her aware of the needs around her and she ministers to each person individually even in large groups. She is one of God’s greatest encouragers; you can’t spend time with Kathy Willis and not get a blessing!
– Linda Gilden, Director of Carolina Christian Writers Conference

Kathy was great! She had a perfect mix of fun and seriousness. Her focus was all biblically based and solid as a rock.
– Anne Hover, coordinator for the Episcopalian Christian Women’s Retreat, TX

Customized Events

Kathy can customize an event for faith-based, community, civic and corporate groups.

• Retreats
• Women’s Ministry Events
• Brunches, Teas and Banquets
• Chronic Health Support Groups
• Writer’s Mentoring
• Marketing Seminars
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Fundraisers
• Crisis Pregnancy Centers
• Domestic Violence Agencies

Topics

For Women’s Events

  • Grin with Grace: Grin, Grow, Go and Give with Grace
  • Grin with Joy: Grin, Grow, Go and Give with Joy
  • Your Life on Hold—Don’t Hate the Wait!
  • Unlocking the Secrets of a Balanced Life: Finding the Keys to Your Identity
  • Embracing a Lifestyle of WellBeing/BeingWell (Body, Soul & Spirit)
  • Unwrapping Peace and Joy at Christmas…and Beyond
  • Overcoming Stinky Days: Life Hacks from Job
  • Your Expectations Are Showing: Don’t Let Expectations Get the Best of You!
  • Dream Girls: Learning to Dream Again
  • The Terrible Toos: Exchanging “I’m Too” for “I’m Two”
  • Reinventing Life in the Middle: You can Survive a “Do Over” and Live to Tell About It

For Corporate/Civic Events

• Social Networking that Works (With Your Personality Type)
• It Works for Me! (Maximize Your Home Office Set-Up)
• You Are Who You Are: Branding for business & ministry
• D.R.E.A.M. Goals

Writers Events

Ask for Kathy’s Writer’s Event Topics