Fresh perspective for stronger teams.
Bring Thought Design to Your Event
Organizations rise or fall on the strength of their culture. Our speakers deliver experiences that cut through the noise and show leaders how to create environments where people thrive and teams perform at their best – moving audiences from inspiration to meaningful action.
Our speakers bring the energy and insight to spark transformation – moving audiences from inspiration to meaningful action.
The Thought DesignDifference
Perspective Shifts, Not Pep Talks.
We don’t lecture. We change the way people think about themselves, their teams, and their work.
Science Meets Real Life.
Brain science meets practical leadership tools you can use right away.
Action That Sticks.
We move people from “aha” to actual habit change.
Thriving in Complexity.
Leaders leave ready to navigate uncertainty and build cultures where people do their best work.
We're honored to be trusted by incredible organizations
Keynotes
Courage and Clarity in a World on Fire:
How Leaders Build Safety Intelligence™ in Complexity
The ground is shifting faster than ever. Teams face constant disruption, shifting priorities, and high stakes. In this session, leaders discover Safety Intelligence™, the seven capacities that help them stay clear-headed, courageous, and collaborative, so they can act decisively, recover safety quickly, and sustain high performance no matter the level of disruption. Attendees walk away with practical tools to navigate fear, repair psychological safety, and lead with confidence in even the most complex environments.
Failure By Design:
How Leaders Build Learning Cultures
Innovation requires risk, but most organizations punish it. This session shows leaders how to intentionally create environments where experimentation drives learning, innovation, and growth. Attendees leave ready to leverage failure as a tool for smarter decisions, stronger teams, and transformative results.
The Thinking Skills Today’s Leaders Can’t Afford to Ignore
The Critical Leadership Skills You’re Not Thinking Enough About
Leadership in complexity demands more than experience – it requires the ability to think in new ways. This session equips leaders with the essential thinking skills to make smarter decisions, spark innovation, and build resilient, high-performing teams.
Workshops
Testimonials
Tara has traveled to us to be a presenter at our annual leadership conference both times, and she has been outstanding each time. Her sessions were well designed and provided practical, actionable tools that attendees could immediately apply. Post-conference surveys reflected her impact, with many people naming her as their favorite presenter. Her content was well researched and thoughtfully delivered, and she did a great job connecting with our people.
– Crystal
Your presentation was thought-provoking, convicting, and extraordinarily value-added. Thank you so much for the work done to make such a complex and emotionally charged issue easy to follow with practical tools to allow all generations in the workplace to use energy for good.
– Ally
Thank you so much for your response! I truly enjoyed hearing you speak at the conference and felt as though your session provided some of the most valuable content. Thank you for your dedication to this subject, and kudos on your ability to explain it in such an understandable and relatable way.
– Ashleigh
I enjoyed your session; it was a highlight of the conference for me.
I appreciate your insight and am eager to try to use these shifts in language to encourage others to continue to grow!
– Meghan
Meet the Speakers
Meet Denise McClennen
30+ years of presenting at national and state level conferences and events
Founder & CEO of Thought Design
Member of the 2026 CQ Fellows cohort, recognized as an emerging thought leader in cultural intelligence
Denise McClennen is a seasoned executive coach, speaker, and adult development expert with more than twenty years of experience helping leaders and teams thrive. As the founder and CEO of Thought Design, she brings together brain science, adult learning, and performance research to create experiences that transform the way people think and work together.
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A recognized authority on psychological safety, Denise works with organizations ranging from Fortune 500 companies to school districts and nonprofits. Her approach is both practical and inspiring, equipping leaders to think more deeply, act more courageously, and build cultures of trust and collaboration.
Throughout her career, Denise has served as an executive coach, professor, and facilitator. She holds certifications in multiple leadership and coaching methodologies and has served on numerous boards and advisory councils. At the heart of her work is a passion for creating environments where learning and connection unlock lasting growth for both individuals and organizations.
Meet Cathy Henkenberns
40+ years of experience in education as a teacher, principal, coach, and director of schools
Cathy partners with leaders and teams navigating burnout, complexity, and constant change, particularly in education, healthcare, nonprofits, and women-centered leadership spaces.
With decades of experience in education, she understands firsthand the weight of leadership, the pressure to make high-stakes decisions, support others, and still quietly wonder, “Am I doing this right?” That perspective shapes how she shows up in her work today.
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Cathy brings together practical tools, real-world insight, and a deep focus on psychological safety to help leaders think more clearly, respond more intentionally, and create environments where people and teams can truly thrive. Her work is grounded in a deep belief in mentorship and the power of investing in people.
Before you book your session, you may be wondering...
What type of events do your speakers work with?
Our speakers lead sessions for organizations, businesses, and conferences of all sizes...anywhere learning and leadership growth are the goal!
How do I book a Thought Design speaker?
Fill out the form below or schedule a meeting with Denise to start the conversation about your event.
Do your speakers travel?
Yes! Our speakers travel worldwide for in-person events.
Are virtual speaking options available?
Absolutely. Our sessions can be delivered virtually and remain just as engaging.
Keynotes vs. Workshops - what's the difference?
Keynotes: High-energy, big-picture sessions designed to spark perspective shifts. Keynotes deliver bold ideas, memorable stories, and practical insights—giving audiences mental models and clear takeaways they can start applying right away.
Workshops: More hands-on and immersive. In smaller, interactive settings, participants dig deeper, practice new skills, and work through real challenges. Workshops turn inspiration into action, helping teams build shared language and walk away with concrete strategies they can immediately use.
Do you customize talks for each event?
Always. We tailor every session to match your audience and goals.
Request a speaker.
Ready to bring a Thought Design speaker to your event? Whether you’re planning a keynote, workshop, or retreat, we’ll work with you to create the right experience for your audience and your goals.
Reach out.
Complete this form and we’ll respond to make a plan.
Plan together.
We’ll help customize the session to fit your audience and event.
Inspire Change.
Watch your leaders and teams walk away with insights that last.