Dr Katie Ford FRCVS - Keynote Speaker - Author - Co-founder of Vet Empowered

Your audience looks fine on paper. That's the point.

The highest performers in any room are often the ones quietly waiting to be found out. Dr Katie Ford inspires high performers and entrepreneurs to stop proving, own their value, and make an impact without losing themselves along the way.

Co-founder of Vet Empowered, delivering coaching and development to some of the UK's largest veterinary groups. Somatic and trauma-informed coach. MSc in emotional wellbeing. A decade of work on the imposter phenomenon.

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Dr Katie Ford, imposter phenomenon keynote speaker, delivering a keynote at BVA Live
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Now booking 2027. Keynotes from £3,500 plus travel.

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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

24,000+

Following her work online

Showreel

Watch Katie on stage

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

Signature talks

Three talks. Built around your people.

Every talk is tailored to your event, your people and your time slot. Katie delivers in person or virtual: signature keynotes at 45 minutes, TED-style slots at 20 minutes, expanded sessions and workshops up to 3 hours, and bespoke content built together. She speaks to healthcare, veterinary, legal, finance and tech audiences, from conference main stages to leadership programmes.

  1. 01

    You're Not an Imposter. You're Human.

    Katie had 27 letters after her name and still felt like a fraud. This talk is that story, alongside what the research really says. The imposter phenomenon (popularly referred to as imposter syndrome) is often reduced to a confidence problem with a quick fix. The reality is more nuanced: it's shaped by our workplaces and cultures as much as by the voice in our heads, and it is never a personal failing. This talk honours that complexity, and offers a far more human way through.

    Audiences leave with: a kinder way to meet the voice in their head, practical tools for the days it's loudest, and the reassurance that they're far from alone.

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

  2. 02

    Courageously Yourself: How One Person Changes a Profession

    Katie didn't set out to change anything. She just started being honest, out loud, at a time when it felt risky. This talk is about what happens when one person stops waiting for permission, and how anyone can start to create change from exactly where they're standing.

    Audiences leave with: the confidence to be a little more visible, a clearer sense of what they want to stand for, and a bigger idea of the difference they could make.

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

  3. 03

    Your Nervous System Is Running the Show

    Why do capable people freeze before the big opportunity, snap in a meeting, or hit every goal and still feel flat? Drawing on her training as a somatic and trauma-informed coach, Katie explains what's happening underneath burnout, people-pleasing and procrastination, and what can actually help.

    Audiences leave with: a better understanding of their own stress responses, and simple ways to steady themselves that fit into a real working day.

    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.

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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

About

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.

Testimonials

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

How it works

Booking Katie is the easy part

  1. 01

    Tell her about your event

    Fill in the quick enquiry form with the basics.

  2. 02

    Have a real conversation

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

  3. 03

    Watch it land

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

Enquire

Bring Katie to your stage

Tell us a little about your event and your audience. Click below to open the short enquiry form. It only takes a minute, and you'll hear back from Katie personally, usually within a couple of working days.

Open enquiry formOr email katie@katiefordvet.com →

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