Book IWD Speaker: Dr. Kaitlin Harkess

Clinical Psychologist & Author helping women lead with confidence, wellbeing & resilience to accelerate workplace equality

Dr. Kaitlin N. Harkess is a Clinical Psychologist, author, and speaker who bridges cutting-edge psychological science with body-based practices to support wellbeing, resilience, and sustainable leadership.

With over a decade of clinical and academic experience, Kaitlin is passionate about empowering individuals and organisations to move beyond burnout, manage stress effectively, and create environments where women can thrive.

Her book, The Somatic Workbook for Nervous System Regulation and Anxiety Management, integrates psychological skills with nervous system regulation strategies to help people manage anxiety and overwhelm.

Kaitlin has presented at conferences, in universities, and within workplaces, where her engaging and accessible style inspires audiences to take practical, compassionate action.

As the host of the Wisdom for Wellbeing podcast, Kaitlin connects with thought leaders across psychology, wellness, and leadership. She brings this breadth of perspective into every keynote, helping workplaces not only understand the science but also apply it in ways that create meaningful change.

Based in Adelaide on Kaurna land, Kaitlin offers dynamic and interactive sessions that leave audiences equipped with strategies to manage stress, regulate emotions, and support inclusive cultures of care and resilience.

Progressing gender equality requires more than policies and good intentions. It requires women who are resourced, resilient, and ready to lead. When stress, overwhelm, and burnout dominate our workplaces, women’s energy and potential are often the first to be depleted. By building strong foundations of wellbeing, we create the conditions where women can rise, lead, and thrive - and where equality can truly flourish.

In her keynote, Kaitlin explores how wellbeing practices, from psychological strategies to embodied tools, can fuel the clarity, courage, and creativity needed for women to dismantle barriers and drive progress. She highlights how tending to mental and physical health is not a luxury, but an essential part of sustaining momentum for equality in workplaces and beyond.

Through a mix of evidence-based insights and practical strategies, Kaitlin equips audiences with accessible ways to restore balance, manage stress, and step forward as steady, compassionate leaders. Most importantly, she invites women and allies to reflect inward, because the bold futures we envision for workplaces are built on the foundations we nurture within ourselves today.

This speech will leave audiences inspired, grounded, and empowered to accelerate action for gender equality not by pushing harder, but by leading from a place of wellbeing and strength.

Key Takeaways:
- Understand how stress and burnout disproportionately impact women’s leadership and career progression.
- Learn evidence-based wellbeing strategies that support women to thrive under pressure.
- Discover how women’s wellbeing and resilience fuel collective action for equality.
- Gain practical tools women can use to set boundaries, restore balance, and sustain energy.
- Leave with inspiration and clarity to accelerate action for gender equality while supporting women’s success at every level.

Some Random Facts:
- Kaitlin is originally from Canada and has made Adelaide home since 2010.
- She’s both a Clinical Psychologist and a Registered Meditation and Senior Yoga Teacher, blending science and practice in her unique approach.
- She loves ocean swims, hiking in the Adelaide Hills, and reading a good book in the sunshine.
- Her cat often sneaks into Zoom sessions, much to audiences’ delight.

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