My name is Ali Ingersoll and I inspire audiences to Keep Moving Forward by turning Setbacks into Super Powers
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Transformational Keynote Speaker on the power of how to "Keep Moving Forward"
Over 500,000 Audience Members Inspired
Aliβs extraordinary life experience and unapologetically honest perspective have made her a sought-after speaker for organizations worldwide. With over 500 keynotes and training workshops delivered β including her TEDx talk, βTurning Paralysis into Purposeβ β Ali blends storytelling, neuroscience, and dark humor to turn inspiration into action. Her presentations donβt just make audiences feel good; they motivate real change in how they think, work, and lead.
Connection
Ali will connect with your audience as she speaks on transformational change and overcoming adversity to find your super power .
Education
Ali educates professionals and organizations on how to embrace adversity in the unknown in order to advance change.
Energy
Ali performs with magnetic energy on stage, to inspire your audience through compassion and entertainment.
Authenticity
Ali shares her story through the lens of her own l lived experience of disability, inspiring audiences to embrace their own adversity.
Motivation
Ali motivates audiences to reframe their thinking and embrace adversity to discovery new solutions to everyday problems.
Previous Clients Include:
Ali brings a powerful story and inspirational message when she speaks. She spoke at our Annual MedTech Conference in Anaheim California with over 4000 attendees to Becton Dickinson (CEO) Tom Polen for a fireside chat on health equity access. Comments and feedback were overwhelmingly and enthusiastically positive. She quite frankly was the highlight of our conference day.
RAY BRISCUSO, Executive VP, Conference & Events Advamed / Advanced Medical Technology Association
Ali is creative and incredibly organized.Β Sheβs very thorough in her research and well-prepared for her projects.Β Β Aliβs candor and willingness to share her personal realities as a woman with a disability has helped open the line of communication among her peers.
DEBBIE MYERS, Executive Director of North Carolina Spinal Cord Injury Association
βWorking and collaborating with Ali has been a pleasure. She is always well prepared, extremely knowledgeable, and a highly influential advocate for the disability community. I highly recommend Ali to speak to your group about some of the most difficult issues that many of us in the disability community have to navigate.β
ANNIE STREIT, Grassroots Advocacy Manager, United Spinal
"Ali Ingersoll is a passionate disability rights advocate whom I have had the pleasure of working with for several years. Ali possesses the drive and passion that can light up a room. She infuses her intelligent analysis of situations with energy and humor. Having Ali as a friend and follow advocate brings me great joy and I hope you get the opportunity to hear her speak!"
KAREN ROY, LCSW, Disability Advocate, Numotion Brand Ambassador, Ms. Wheelchair America 2019
"Ali provides a powerful and eye-opening message about successfully navigating both providers and payers in submission of insurance claims for disability services. Honesty, persistence, and perseverance are her trademarks as she creates a pathway for obtaining fairness of coverage for individuals with disabilities. A must have speaker!"
KENNETH W. VANCE, President 2022-2023, NC Chapter of Health Financial Management Association
βWhen Ali takes the stage people listen and find themselves living more actively and with a newfound purpose. Her story and voice pull you in, wishing to learn more, and simultaneously she transfers her perspective and energy into audience action. It's both magical and empowering to witness how she catalyzes an audience to find their voice."
JOSH BASILE, Trial Attorney at Jack H. Olander & Associates, Community Relations Manager ataccessible, United Spinal Association Board member
"I have known Ali for over five years and continue to be amazed at the qualities she exhibits in every facet of her life. Ali is intelligent, articulate, very well liked, persuasive, well-educated and is a good listener. She has always exhibited great leadership skills and has demonstrated how to bring people together to achieve a common goal."
JERRY STALLS, Owner of Stalls Medical & Adaptive Vans
βAli Ingersoll is a dynamic advocate for people with disabilities.Β Her life experiences make her the perfect consultant to life planning for people with disabilities and those who love and support them.β
VICKI SMITH, Executive Director for Alliance of Disability Advocates
βI have listened to Ali speak in front of Congress, and in front of crowds, and she is simply a motivator that has brushed off her difficulties and got back in the game. Ali has visible challenges but works harder than others to overcome her challenges. She can teach you what it takes to motivate yourself and others."
GREG A. PACKER,Β Past President of US Rehab
βAli has an incredible gift for public speaking and the ability to engage an audience from start to finish. We were absolutely honored to have her as our speaker for a truly inspirational event.β
ASHLEY DAVIS,Β Global Disability and Neuro-Inclusion Leader for Cisco
βAli Ingersoll is a force of natureβa true Renaissance woman. Ali brings an uncommon strength of character and sense of purpose to her disability advocacyβshe is the kind of person who makes us all proud to be disability advocates.β
VINCENZO PISCOPO,Β CEO for United Spinal Association
Most Requested Keynote Presentations with Ali Ingersoll
Keynote #1
The Art of Moving Forward: Outmaneuvering Chaos, Adapting Like a Pro, and Still Having Fun
DESCRIPTION
Have you ever doubted yourself, felt uncertain, or perhaps a bit stuck? Discover how our greatest strength lies within. Ali shares her inspiring journey of resilience and adaptation after becoming a C6 quadriplegic following a diving accident. Overcoming hopelessness and despair, she discovered her internal strength to embrace her reality and adapt to her new normalβthe unknown.
Through her compelling story, Ali highlights the remarkable power of the human mind to triumph over limitations we all face. Drawing from her personal experience, Ali offers practical insights and tools to navigate lifeβs uncertainties. Learn how to persevere and thrive in the face of visible challenges to unlock invisible opportunities in our everyday lives.
DESCRIPTION
Have you ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or paralyzed by circumstances β at work or in life? Youβre not alone.
In this high-energy, deeply human keynote, Ali Ingersoll β speaker, resilience strategist, and professional problem-solver β blends unforgettable storytelling, brain science, and dark humor to show audiences how to outmaneuver chaos and adapt with grit and grace (and a few laughs along the way).
Drawing from her journey of becoming a C6 quadriplegic after a diving accident, battling the healthcare system, and ultimately changing national legislation, Ali delivers practical tools to:
- Redirect attention when crisis hits, to stay clear-headed and focusedReimagine success so
- setbacks become catalysts instead of roadblocks
- Reclaim responsibility to take action and keep moving forward
Audiences donβt just feel inspired β they leave with neuroscience-backed strategies, a renewed sense of possibility, and the motivation to act.
Whether your team is facing industry disruption, organizational change, or personal hurdles, this keynote is your blueprint for turning visible challenges into invisible opportunities β and having a little fun in the process.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Participants will learn how to apply brain-based strategies to stay calm, think clearly, and make better decisions under pressure. Theyβll reframe success and happiness using neuroscience-backed tools to move from burnout to purpose-driven action. Finally, theyβll discover practical ways to build personal ownership and team-wide resilience β turning challenges into opportunities for growth at work and in life.
DESCRIPTION
Have you ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or paralyzed by circumstances β at work or in life? Youβre not alone.
In this high-energy, deeply human keynote, Ali Ingersoll β speaker, resilience strategist, and professional problem-solver β blends unforgettable storytelling, brain science, and dark humor to show audiences how to outmaneuver chaos and adapt with grit and grace (and a few laughs along the way).
Drawing from her journey of becoming a C6 quadriplegic after a diving accident, battling the healthcare system, and ultimately changing national legislation, Ali delivers practical tools to:
- Redirect attention when crisis hits, to stay clear-headed and focused
- Reimagine success so setbacks become catalysts instead of roadblocks
- Reclaim responsibility to take action and keep moving forward
Audiences donβt just feel inspired β they leave with neuroscience-backed strategies, a renewed sense of possibility, and the motivation to act.
Whether your team is facing industry disruption, organizational change, or personal hurdles, this keynote is your blueprint for turning visible challenges into invisible opportunities β and having a little fun in the process.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Participants will learn how to apply brain-based strategies to stay calm, think clearly, and make better decisions under pressure. Theyβll reframe success and happiness using neuroscience-backed tools to move from burnout to purpose-driven action. Finally, theyβll discover practical ways to build personal ownership and team-wide resilience β turning challenges into opportunities for growth at work and in life.
Keynote #2
Culture as a Superpower: Turning Connection into Competitive Advantage
DESCRIPTION
Workplace burnout costs U.S. businesses over $300 billion every year β and the hidden driver is often a lack of connection, trust, and true belonging.
In this keynote, Ali Ingersoll shows leaders how to transform workplaces from checklists to communities. Through unforgettable storytelling, brain science, and her own lived moments of exclusion, Ali reveals how to shape culture so every person shows up, speaks up, and feels seen.
Participants will come away with tools to:
- Cultivate genuine connection and trust so teams feel united, not divided
- Spot and dismantle subtle barriers that hold people backβeven with good intentions
- Use neuroscience-backed practices to build psychological safety, well-being, and engagement
- Turn belonging into a business advantage β boosting performance, retention, and innovation
This isnβt about policies or compliance β itβs about measurable outcomes. When leaders get belonging right, they reduce burnout, keep top performers, and build cultures that drive revenue, innovation, and long-term growth.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE
This presentation will empower and equip participants with innovative concepts and action strategies to create an impactful inclusion framework to reduce workplace burnout and increase employee retention.
DESCRIPTION
Workplace burnout costs U.S. businesses over $300 billion every year β and the hidden driver is often a lack of connection, trust, and true belonging.
In this keynote, Ali Ingersoll shows leaders how to transform workplaces from checklists to communities. Through unforgettable storytelling, brain science, and her own lived moments of exclusion, Ali reveals how to shape culture so every person shows up, speaks up, and feels seen.
Participants will come away with tools to:
- Cultivate genuine connection and trust so teams feel united, not divided
- Spot and dismantle subtle barriers that hold people backβeven with good intentions
- Use neuroscience-backed practices to build psychological safety, well-being, and engagement
- Turn belonging into a business advantage β boosting performance, retention, and innovation
This isnβt about policies or compliance β itβs about measurable outcomes. When leaders get belonging right, they reduce burnout, keep top performers, and build cultures that drive revenue, innovation, and long-term growth.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Participants will learn how to build trust and psychological safety so employees actually want to show up β and speak up. Theyβll uncover the sneaky barriers that drive burnout and turnover, and learn brain-based strategies to boost well-being and performance without adding fluff or busywork. The result? Belonging stops being a buzzword and starts becoming a business advantage β fueling retention, sparking innovation, and driving real revenue growth.
Keynote #3
The Art of Being Pleasantly Persistent: Mastering the Science of Getting to "Yes"
DESCRIPTION
Weβve all been told that persistence is the key to success β but too often, persistence gets a bad rap. Push too hard, and you risk burning bridges. Stop too soon, and you miss opportunities.
In this fresh, high-energy keynote, Ali Ingersoll β speaker, strategist, and neuroscience nerd β shows audiences how to turn polite persistence into a powerful tool for growth. Through storytelling, science, and a dose of dark humor, Ali teaches how to reframe βnoβ as the start of the conversation, build relationships that actually last, and stay motivated without burning out.
Audiences will walk away ready to:
- Understand the neuroscience of motivation and influence β why persistence works (and when it doesnβt)
- Communicate in ways that build trust, connection, and mutual respect
- Use βpleasant persistenceβ to navigate challenges, negotiate better, and close loops that move projects forward
- Shift from feeling pushy to feeling purposeful β turning follow-up into a superpower
This keynote isnβt about being louder, bossier, or more aggressive β itβs about mastering the art and science of staying in the game long enough to win.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Join Ali for a thought-provoking exploration into redefining happiness and challenging your vision of what a successful life encompasses. This presentation will empower participants with a fresh approach to personal and professional growth.
DESCRIPTION
Weβve all been told that persistence is the key to success β but too often, persistence gets a bad rap. Push too hard, and you risk burning bridges. Stop too soon, and you miss opportunities.
In this fresh, high-energy keynote, Ali Ingersoll β speaker, strategist, and neuroscience nerd β shows audiences how to turn polite persistence into a powerful tool for growth. Through storytelling, science, and a dose of dark humor, Ali teaches how to reframe βnoβ as the start of the conversation, build relationships that actually last, and stay motivated without burning out.
Audiences will walk away ready to:
- Understand the neuroscience of motivation and influence β why persistence works (and when it doesnβt)
- Communicate in ways that build trust, connection, and mutual respect
- Use βpleasant persistenceβ to navigate challenges, negotiate better, and close loops that move projects forward
- Shift from feeling pushy to feeling purposeful β turning follow-up into a superpower
This keynote isnβt about being louder, bossier, or more aggressive β itβs about mastering the art and science of staying in the game long enough to win.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Participants will learn how to harness the neuroscience of motivation and influence to reframe βnoβ as the beginning of the conversation, not the end. Theyβll discover practical ways to build trust and connection without coming across as pushy, master follow-up strategies that keep momentum alive, and stay energized through challenges without burning out. The result? A powerful shift from persistence that feels exhausting to persistence that feels purposeful β driving better relationships, better results, and bigger wins.
Keynote #4
Healthcare Reimagined: Humanizing Care & Driving Equity That Works
DESCRIPTION
Healthcare today is a paradox: we have the science, technology, and talent to transform lives β yet providers and patients alike are burning out in record numbers.
Enter Ali Ingersoll β known as the βEnergizer Bunny on Wheels.β After navigating hundreds of health insurance appeals (armed with peer-reviewed research), and helping drive landmark Medicare legislation in 2023, Ali brings both humor and hard-earned credibility to one of healthcareβs toughest conversations.
Through laugh-out-loud moments (yes, even about prior authorizations), unforgettable storytelling, and practical strategies, Ali takes audiences inside both the patient experience and the provider reality β revealing whatβs really at stake: trust, empathy, and equitable care.
Healthcare equity isnβt just a buzzword β itβs the difference between another clipboard-flinging day and a system that actually works. This keynote moves audiences from empathy to action, equipping them to create a future where everyone β patients and providers β can win.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Join Ali for a thought-provoking exploration into redefining happiness and challenging your vision of what a successful life encompasses. This presentation will empower participants with a fresh approach to personal and professional growth.
DESCRIPTION
Healthcare today is a paradox: we have the science, technology, and talent to transform lives β yet providers and patients alike are burning out in record numbers.
Enter Ali Ingersoll β known as the βEnergizer Bunny on Wheels.β After navigating hundreds of health insurance appeals (armed with peer-reviewed research), and helping drive landmark Medicare legislation in 2023, Ali brings both humor and hard-earned credibility to one of healthcareβs toughest conversations.
Through laugh-out-loud moments (yes, even about prior authorizations), unforgettable storytelling, and practical strategies, Ali takes audiences inside both the patient experience and the provider reality β revealing whatβs really at stake: trust, empathy, and equitable care.
Healthcare equity isnβt just a buzzword β itβs the difference between another clipboard-flinging day and a system that actually works. This keynote moves audiences from empathy to action, equipping them to create a future where everyone β patients and providers β can win.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Participants will leave with the tools to see the whole patient and uncover what pain, fear, and barriers lie beneath the surface; navigate systems more effectively by turning insurance appeals into a strategic game they can win; combat burnout through connection, resilience-building, and sanity-saving mindset shifts; and align equity with outcomes so doing the right thing also drives efficiency, trust, and better patient results.
βAliβs gift for storytelling, connecting the facts to the heart and building bridges of empathy means that by the time you finish listening to her, there will only be one question left. When do we start?β
MARY FERNANDEZ,Β Lead Disability Inclusion Consultant for Cisco Systems
I donβt just live with paralysis β I use it as a catalyst for transformation.
Every day, Iβm inspired to help others uncover purpose, whether in their work or their lives, by blending psychology, neuroscience, and a healthy dose of humor. Together, we redefine what happiness, success, and responsibility really mean β and why they matter.
Most importantly, I believe itβs not just what you do, but why you do it.
Using my own story as a lens β not the focus β I step on stage to shift perspectives, spark action, and change lives.
Because hereβs the truth: this isnβt about me. Itβs about helping others find their path forward β with a little science, a little strategy, and maybe a laugh when they least expect it.
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Ali Ingersoll's Top Speaking Engagements
Becton Dickinson National Sales Meeting
Association of Executives of North Carolina 70th Anniversary Annual Conference
ALS Foundation Annual Conference
Healthcare Financial Management Association of North Carolina Annual Conference
Permobil Foundation Fundraiser
Becton Dickinson (BD) Med-tech Conference
Ali's Amazing Story
Assurant Keynote for Employee Resource Group Launch
North Carolina Parks and Recreation
Disability Matters: Inclusion for All Employees
Ali Ingersoll Competes in the National Storytelling North Carolina Competition