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Dr. Ali Atkison

Speaker.

Author.

VP of Learning + Development for HRD*.

The quality of leadership is limited by the quality of thinking behind it.

Whether leaders are making decisions, navigating disagreement, developing others, communicating across teams, or leading through uncertainty, success depends on how they think—and how they help others think.

Dr. Ali Atkison helps leaders become better thinkers—and build better thinkers.

SIGNATURE KEYNOTES

Every presentation explores one central idea: Better thinking creates better leaders.

Most leadership development focuses on what leaders should do. Dr. Ali helps leaders improve the thinking that drives those actions.

These signature topics serve as a foundation; each keynote is tailored to your audience and goals.

Stop Being the Smartest Person in the Room

How Great Leaders Develop Thinkers

Through Deliberate Doubt

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Lead What Only You Can Lead

Keeping Human Judgment in the Driver’s Seat

in the Age of AI

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What If We're Wrong?

Using Deliberate Doubt to Make Better

Strategic Decisions

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Click. Learn. Forget.

Why Learning Doesn't Stick—and What Leaders Can Do About It

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When Others Dig In

Helping Leaders Think Clearly When

Conversations Get Hard

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How's Your Computer-side Manner?

The Hidden Communication Mistakes That Undermine Understanding

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IDEAL FOR

Ideal for organizations committed to developing stronger leaders and better thinkers—from executive retreats and leadership conferences to association events and corporate learning experiences.

Dr. Ali's Bio

Dr. Ali Atkison is a keynote speaker, author, and leadership-development expert who helps leaders challenge assumptions, avoid thinking traps, and make better decisions in complex environments. As Vice President of Learning & Development at HRD –

The Leadership Development Company, she brings more than 20 years of experience helping organizations turn insight into action and learning into lasting performance.

Ali is the author of How's Your Computer-side Manner? and a frequent conference speaker known for blending research, practical tools, humor, and audience engagement to create experiences that are both thought-provoking and immediately applicable.

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

"Excellent presenter and presentation! My only complaint is that her talk wasn’t longer—we
need more of this!”
“Dr. Ali Atkison is a dynamic speaker who has a unique ability to combine data, technology, and trends into an interactive presentation. She is well-prepared, approachable,
and is truly an exceptional speaker on every level.”
"Thank you for being a part of our growth journey. Though it is tagged as leadership growth,
it is far more! What you offer are insights and strategies to help us be better
humans. Period."
“Ali’s engaging style and well-though-out content made a challenging subject enjoyable and meaningful for our group. Ali is excellent at customizing her content for the audience
and responding to feedback along the way. I highly recommend Dr. Ali!”
“Ali was amazing to work with! Her knowledge of the adult brain and presentation skills greatly impressed our staff. The information was all very digestible with
multi-sensory examples. Ali’s warm and fun personality certainly added to
her presentation. Staff have asked for more, so we look forward to
working with Ali again in the future. I highly recommend taking advantage of
Ali’s expertise!”
"Dr. Ali's ability to break down communication barriers and provide practical, actionable
strategies was incredibly valuable. We’ve already heard great feedback from
staff who found her session both engaging and thought-provoking."

Interested in Inviting Dr. Ali to Your Next Event?

Click the button below to provide us with information about your event and get in touch with Dr. Ali!

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