Keynote Speaker | Award-Winning Coach | Author | Veterinary Surgeon

The speaker who reminds your audience who they were before the world got its hands on them.

Dr Katie Ford speaks on the imposter phenomenon (popularly referred to as imposter syndrome), creating impact, and the nervous system behind high achievement. Real, human, evidence-based, and actionable - from someone who has lived it in a high-pressure profession, not just read about it.

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Dr Katie Ford, imposter phenomenon keynote speaker, delivering a keynote at BVA Live
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FRCVS

From feeling like an imposter to Fellow of her profession

2023

RCVS Inspiration Award winner

27

Countries where her books have sold in their thousands

22,000+

Following her work online

Dr Katie Ford speaking on stage with a microphoneDr Katie Ford speaking at a veterinary summitDr Katie Ford presenting on stage to a conference audience

Three talks. One promise: your audience leaves different.

Every talk is tailored to your event, your people, and your time slot. Katie delivers in person or virtual, with signature keynotes at 45 minutes, TED-style slots at 20 minutes, expanded sessions up to 3-hour workshops, and bespoke content built together. These are the three she is asked back for again and again, as an imposter phenomenon speaker (imposter syndrome speaker), and on impact and performance.

01

The Imposter Phenomenon: There's Another Way

Katie had 27 letters after her name and Dr before it, and still felt like a fraud. She tried to outwork it, then to outqualify it. Neither worked - and that's the point. So she did the opposite of what the voice wanted: she got honest about it, publicly, and took a proper, evidence-based deep dive into the imposter phenomenon (popularly referred to as imposter syndrome). That realness grew an audience of tens of thousands, opened much-needed conversations across an entire profession, and led to a Fellowship of the very profession she once felt she didn't belong in. This talk is that story plus the research: not a personal failing, not a diagnosis, and nothing to be 'cured' in three easy steps. Unapologetic, deeply human, and grounded in what the evidence actually says.

Audiences leave with: a completely different relationship with the voice in their head, actionable tools they'll genuinely use in a high-pressure working day, and permission to stop performing and start belonging.

Perfect for: conferences, leadership programmes, graduate schemes, any room of high achievers who look fine on paper.

02

Creating Impact Without the 'Ick'

Most people don't want to be famous. They want to matter. Katie went from exhausted clinician to one of the most recognised voices in her profession - not by shouting louder, but by showing up as herself. This talk unpacks how anyone can create genuine impact inside their profession: building influence authentically, sharing a message without cringing at yourself, and leaving everyone you work with an impression of increase.

Audiences leave with: a practical way to find their message, the confidence to be visible, and a bigger view of what impact can look like from exactly where they're standing.

Perfect for: associations, corporate teams, emerging leaders, anyone building a profile or a movement inside their industry.

03

Your Nervous System Is Running the Show

Why do capable people freeze on the big opportunity, snap in the meeting, or hit every goal and still feel flat? Because the nervous system doesn't care about your business plan. Drawing on her training as a somatic and trauma-informed coach - and her own years of running on empty - Katie explains the physiology underneath procrastination, people-pleasing, burnout and 'self-sabotage', and what actually helps. No ice baths required.

Audiences leave with: an understanding of their own stress responses, simple regulation tools that fit into a real working day, and a kinder, smarter way to sustain high performance.

Perfect for: entrepreneurs, founders, executive teams, and high achievers who've read all the productivity books and are still exhausted.

Keen to understand your audience

Something more bespoke in mind? Katie also speaks on self-belief, authentic influence, and entrepreneurship - and builds custom sessions with your team. She'll ask about your audience first, then craft the talk around them.

Start a conversation
Portrait of Dr Katie Ford, keynote speaker and veterinary surgeonDr Katie Ford receiving her Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary SurgeonsDr Katie Ford in veterinary scrubs holding a cat

Hello, I'm Katie.

Dr Katie Ford BVSc CertAVP(SAM) PGCert MSc MRCVS FRCVS is a veterinary surgeon turned international keynote speaker, coach and entrepreneur. She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, awarded for meritorious contributions to the profession, and the winner of the RCVS Inspiration Award 2023 and BrightMinds Wellness Champion 2024.

She is the author of Thank You, Jim and the To An Amazing Vet gift book series, which has sold thousands of copies across 27 countries. As co-founder of Vet Empowered, she provides personal development to some of the UK's largest veterinary corporations. She holds a Master's degree in emotional wellbeing and is a certified somatic and trauma-informed coach.

But here's the bit that matters on stage: Katie has lived every word of it. She spent years feeling like an imposter in a high-pressure profession and tried to outqualify the feeling - it didn't work. What worked was being real: sharing her story authentically, doing the deep dive into the evidence behind the imposter phenomenon (popularly referred to as imposter syndrome), and refusing to dress any of it up. That's what built the audience, sparked the conversations her profession needed, and took her from feeling like a fraud to a Fellowship. She brings audiences along with humility, humour and stories they'll be retelling in the bar afterwards - human, unapologetic, evidence-based, and always actionable.

"I had 27 letters after my name, and Dr before it, yet none of those gave me me."
Thank You, Jim - the book by Dr Katie Ford FRCVS

Thank You, Jim. A guide to the inner critic, for those ready to stop playing small.

What organisers and audiences say

"Katie is one of the most interesting and inspiring people I've worked with. She is able to bring to life complex and difficult subjects in a way that brings everyone along with her, using humility and humour and her own personal stories that leaves the audience all a little bit wiser. A fantastic organiser and speaker that adds so much value and energy to any team."
Paul HorwoodSandstone Communications
"This was the best talk I've attended in years. Imposter syndrome - I felt very seen and learned a lot about how to try and help myself re-focus."
K BorgeatVeterinary Cardiology Specialist
"I'm so pleased that you spoke at our AGM. Your talk was really relevant and helpful. On a personal level I found it wonderful, and I know from speaking to others that I was not alone."
T. DoylePresident, BVLGBT+
"Great communicator, she transmits serenity and trust in everything she does. Plus certainly she has the magic power of making your day better."
MemberConference Organising Committee

Booking Katie is the easy part

  1. 1

    Tell her about your event

    Fill in the quick enquiry form with the basics.

  2. 2

    Have a real conversation

    Katie will come back to you personally to understand your audience, dates, and fit.

  3. 3

    Watch it land

    A tailored talk, delivered with energy, and an audience that leaves different.

Bring Katie to your stage

Tell us a little about your event and your audience. You'll hear back personally, usually within a couple of working days.

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