Recently, I had the honor of keynoting the Toyota Opportunity Exchange, a pivotal event uniting first-tier diversity suppliers with their second-tier counterparts in the automotive industry. Amidst an industry shift towards electric vehicles, suppliers were eager for insights to adapt and thrive.

My role was to offer reassurance and guidance, drawing from over 15 years as a professional speaker and trainer. This event followed closely on the heels of an empowering three-day conference I emceed, where I successfully engaged a crowd through interactive and dynamic activities, including dance. I was inspired to merge my MC personality into my next speaking opportunity and that was the Toyota event.

The core of my keynote centered on an undeniable truth: persistence is the engine that drives success, turning every step, whether steady or stumbling, into a stride towards victory. Whether navigating professional challenges or mastering dance moves, the key is to keep moving forward, embracing each step with the commitment to "finish strong." This became the central theme of my keynote at Toyota's event.

I've honed a unique superpower from my diverse background as an actress, dancer, attorney, and speaking coach: simplifying complex ideas into actionable steps. At the event, I kicked off my keynote with my favorite 90’s jam, "Make you sweat" by C&C Music Factory, leading 1500 suited professionals in a choreographed dance, setting an energetic, unforgettable tone. It was incredible.

I used the dance experience not only to get everyone involved and raise the energy of the room, but to emphasize theory about how people respond to unexpected challenges. I categorized people's reactions to new challenges into three groups: those who resist, those who embrace, and those who try despite uncertainties. The third group which I dubbed "Finish strong," is the one I find most inspiring. They embody the crucial lesson that success isn't a linear path but a dance of steps, missteps, and recovery and staying in the game allows for a strong finish.  Whatever you do… finish strong.

My hour-long session, filled with stories, humor, and interaction, culminated in a standing ovation. I told them to keep standing and that we would “end this thing the way we started.”  As we danced to conclude, I was joined by Jennifer Hoffman from the diversity supplier team, symbolizing our collective journey.

This keynote blended my professional expertise with a passion for dance and engagement, leaving the audience inspired. It wasn't just about starting well; it was about the determination to finish strong in every endeavor.