Keynote

Refusing to quit can become your superpower

Daleen Berry has survived an abusive marriage, homelessness, financial ruin, a near-fatal electrocution and a three-year legal fight she took to the West Virginia Supreme Court without a lawyer. In this keynote, the investigative journalist and New York Times bestselling author tells that story, then draws out the lessons behind it: how to keep going, speak up and hold on to hope under pressure.

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Portrait of Daleen Berry

Formats

Keynotes, panels and media appearances, for corporate events, conferences, universities and advocacy organizations.

Daleen Berry on stage at TEDx Connecticut College

TEDx Connecticut College

Silence Isn’t Golden — It’s Red

The story behind her memoir Sister of Silence, told on the TEDx stage.

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What your audience will gain

Five things she leaves a room with.

  1. A blueprint for resilience

    Practical frameworks for facing any challenge and finding a path through.

  2. A new relationship with obstacles

    How to reframe setbacks as evidence of strength, a shift that changes how teams and leaders handle pressure.

  3. The courage to advocate

    Tools for speaking up for yourself and others, and for trusting your own judgment when the experts get it wrong.

  4. Permission to hope

    Why joy is a strategy, and how to sustain it under extraordinary pressure.

  5. Why defiance works

    How to turn rage into a force for positive change without losing yourself.

Other speaking topics

  • Empowering Jane Doe
  • Role of the Leader
  • Problem Solving
  • Mental Health in the Workplace
  • Trust Your Own Judgment

Selected engagements

  • TEDx Connecticut College
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • University of California, Berkeley
  • Penn State University
  • Marshall University
  • West Virginia University
  • Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma
  • Association of Batterers’ Intervention Programs
  • Maine Chapter, NASW

“She mesmerized the audience and received a well‑deserved standing ovation. I would highly recommend her as a speaker to any audience. She will be both engaging and inspirational.”

Susan LambExecutive Director, Maine Chapter NASW

“You are a magnificent storyteller. When I started this show I thought most of my guests would carry the hour, but few have. You will.”

Bob EdwardsLongtime host of NPR’s Morning Edition

“What courage and resourcefulness her journey entailed. It’s a wake-up call for all of us to help end the silence!”

Jacquelyn Campbell, PhD, RNJohns Hopkins University

“Beyond inspiring. Your story gave me hope tonight.”

Carter G.After watching the TEDx talk

Check a date

Tell Daleen about your event, and she’ll get back to you.

Prefer email? Write to daleen.berry@gmail.com