Speaking Engagements

“The audience sat silent, transfixed, as Lisa Kristine took them on a visual journey with photographs as their guide. …. Lisa delivered the most gripping opener I’ve ever seen in a presentation.”
— Carmine Gallo,
Excerpt from his book, Talk like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World’s Top Minds

Lisa Kristine uses photography to expose deeply human stories and to inspire change. For more than 30 years, Lisa Kristine has traveled to the most hidden parts of the world to document the beauty, resilience, and dignity of indigenous people. As a speaker and activist, she uses her voice to amplify the stories of the people she photographs and the causes she believes in.

Lisa regularly delivers keynote speeches and moderates panels around the world at conferences, museums, corporations, and university campuses. She has spoken on numerous TED stages, as well as the Vatican, Wisdom 2.0, Thomson Reuters Summits, and Trust Conferences. Her riveting TEDx talk, Photos That Bear Witness to Modern Slavery, has been viewed nearly 3 million times.

Lisa’s natural charisma and grounded down-to-earth presence allow audiences to connect directly with her and the people whose stories she shares. Her talks take audiences on a journey into the heart of what makes us human.

Whether she is speaking on modern slavery or indigenous wisdom, the thread that runs through all of her talks is the unwavering conviction that we are all one family, no matter our origins, backgrounds or circumstances, and that wherever and whenever we can embrace this kinship is when positive change becomes possible, for ourselves, our communities, and the world.

Lisa speaks on the following topics:

Stories that Bear Witness to Modern-Day Slavery – Bringing to life Lisa’s riveting images documenting enslaved people around the world, this talk shines a light on atrocities hidden in plain sight. With intimate stories, Lisa ignites a dialogue and inspires her audience to take action towards the liberation of the 45 million souls still living in bondage today.

Presence and Wisdom in Indigenous Cultures – A richly illustrated odyssey of the many forms of mindfulness and wisdom as seen through eyes of indigenous peoples, from the deserts of the Kalahari to the mountains of Tibet. A meditation on the relevance of their daily lives and traditions to a modern world in which we are simultaneously more connected and somehow more lonely than ever.

Archiving a Vanishing World – A journey through the rapidly disappearing cultures of indigenous people. As climate change increasingly impacts our world, indigenous environments and communities are responding and adapting in unique ways. Lisa shares the stories of these individuals and communities so that their lives and traditions will not be forgotten — and more importantly, so that they can serve to inspire a renewed interest in preserving their legacies for generations to come.

What others have to say about Lisa’s talks:

“At last month’s Thomson Reuters Anti-Slavery summit, the audience was spellbound by the stories, and images, of humanitarian photographer Lisa Kristine.”
~ Sarah Lazarus, South China Morning Post

“Lisa Kristine has the ability to move – yes, even activate – our hearts and minds. Her body of work is a resounding declaration of faith in the living spirit of humanity and a reminder that we have the power to change.”
~Pat Mitchell, Media Leader, TEDWomen

“In Lisa Kristine’s images we see dignity despite the dire and desperate circumstances. Her work commands a respectful connection between the viewer and the subject, insisting we acknowledge the plights of those in bondage, and allowing us to raise a hand to help.”
~Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Laureate

“Lisa’s photographs of human slavery underscore the beauty and dignity of each person. Unflinching and riveting, they sear into your memory and demand that you pay attention to the issues.”
~ Helen Garrett, Senior Consultant at Amnesty International