Kathy Dempsey
- Creator of SHED®, a proven system for navigating change and transformation
- Former ER trauma nurse and hospital executive with 30+ years of change leadership experience
- Interactive keynote speaker helping organizations build resilience, adaptability, and effectiveness
Kathy Dempsey Speaker Biography
Kathy Dempsey, RN, MEd, CSP is an award-winning, high-energy, interactive keynote speaker and creator of SHED®, a change management system that equips organizations and people to navigate revolutionary change.
For more than 30 years, Kathy has helped leaders and teams successfully navigate disruption, uncertainty and transformation by identifying what is holding them back, letting go of what no longer works and moving forward with greater resilience, energy and effectiveness.
Her expertise was forged in the real world. Kathy began her career as an ER trauma nurse, where navigating sudden, high-stakes change was part of the job. She later became a hospital executive and led Memorial Health Care System’s organizational development initiatives to become one of the Top 100 hospitals in America. Those experiences became the foundation for her practical SHED® approach to change.
Kathy has worked with leading organizations including Verizon Wireless, Aetna/CVS Health, Mayo Clinic, Cedars-Sinai, Johns Hopkins, Disney, Delta Air Lines, Honeywell, Home Depot, Walmart, Bayer and SHRM. Her work has extended beyond the keynote stage to enterprise-wide SHED® initiatives, leadership development, employee training and long-term licensing programs.
More than 20 years ago, Kathy developed the SHED® Style Assessment, which helps people understand how they naturally respond to change and how to navigate it more effectively. It has been used by more than 500,000 people.
Kathy is the author of nine books, including the award-winning SHED or You’re Dead®. She holds the prestigious Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation.
Kathy doesn’t just talk about change. She equips people to SHED® what is holding them back and successfully navigate what’s next.
Book this SpeakerFeatured Videos
Speech Topics
Shed or You’re Dead: How to Stay Alive & Thrive in the Midst of Turbulent Change
Millions of dollars and thousands of hours are lost each year due to the inability to get employees to move forward with changes. The bottom line: NO organization can thrive unless their people can SHED. Our rapidly changing environment continually demands more and more of us each day. Every time another change, regulation, or stressful event occurs, you have a CHOICE! It’s an opportunity to navigate the challenge, SHED and move forward! Managing smart in turbulent times is one of the most critical skills for today’s professionals.
Shed or You’re Dead® — How to Stay Alive & Thrive in the Midst of Healthcare Change! (Healthcare audiences only!)
Millions of dollars and thousands of hours are lost each year due to the inability to get employees to move forward with healthcare changes. The bottom line: NO organization can thrive unless their people can SHED. The healthcare environment continually demands more and more of us each day. Every time another change, regulation, or stressful event occurs, you have a CHOICE! It’s an opportunity to navigate the challenge, SHED and move forward! Managing smart in turbulent times is one of the most critical skills for today’s healthcare professionals.
Who Killed Communication?
Experience this highly interactive engaging murder mystery that takes a closer look at what kills communication within organizations. This session will help you identify the 9 characteristics of an outstanding communicator, understanding the barriers that prevent good communication and acquire 31 strategies for keeping communication alive! Each attendee will develop an action plan on how to improving communication within their organization. By the end of the session, with everyone’s help the murder mystery is solved. Miss Communication (miscommunication) always kills communication!
Books
