Gloria Feldt
Leading Activist & Best-Selling Author
Gloria Feldt is an acclaimed expert on women, power, and authentic leadership..
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Full Bio
A teen mom and high school dropout from rural Texas who became a successful CEO and movement leader, Gloria Feldt is an acclaimed expert on women, power, and authentic leadership who delivers inspiring keynotes that motivate with heart and humor and provide practical “power tools” for life and leadership.
Named “the voice of experience” by People, “Woman of the year” by Glamour, and one of “America’s Top 200 Women Leaders, Legends, and Trailblazers” by Vanity Fair, Feldt’s journey from teen mom to president and CEO of the world’s largest reproductive health and advocacy organization, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, inspires both men and women.
Her current book, No Excuses: 9 Ways Women Can Change How We Think About Power – Tools for Leading an Unlimited Life, reveals why women are stuck at 18% of top leadership roles and, through both inspirational stories and practical tools, shows how women can redefine power, lead themselves with intention, and reach parity from the boardroom to the bedroom for their own good and society’s.
Prior to writing No Excuses, Feldt co-wrote the New York Times bestseller Send Yourself Roses: Thoughts on My Life, Love, and Leading Roles with the ever-powerful Kathleen Turner; The War on Choice: The Right-Wing Attack on Women’s Rights and How to Fight Back; and Behind Every Choice Is a Story.
Her commentary has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, ELLE, More, and Ms., among others, and online on The Daily Beast, Alternet, Salon, The Huffington Post, Daily Kos, WIMNsVoices, Women’s Media Center, Truthout, Salon, Women’s e-News, ilfpost, Women’s Voices for Change, and RH Reality Check. She has appeared extensively on television, including CNN, MSNBC, The Today Show, Good Morning America, and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. On her website, GloriaFeldt.com, she writes two popular blogs, “Heartfeldt” and “9 Ways”; she blogs on “Heartfeldt Leadership” for ForbesWoman.com; and she appears on the Sirius XM radio program “Broadside.” Feldt is a sought-after speaker for universities, professional and civic organizations, and women’s groups seeking inspiration, information, and leadership skills. She also tours with an intergenerational panel called Women, Girls, Ladies.
Feldt’s frontline experience has given her a unique understanding of the confluence of the personal and the political in leadership and American culture. She is currently a professor at Arizona State University where she teaches a course on women, power, and leadership. She brought phenomenal growth to the Planned Parenthood affiliates she led in West Texas and Arizona, then served as president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America from 1996 to 2005. Leading the organization to adopt a bold new vision for 2025, her call to “fight forward” scored insurance coverage for contraceptives and accessible emergency contraception. Under her leadership, the Planned Parenthood Action Fund grew into the largest nonpartisan pro-choice action fund. Her life’s passion for social justice, especially for women, is her life’s work.
Gloria Feldt currently serves on the boards of the Women’s Media Center and the Jewish Women’s Archive, and co-chairs US Women Connect.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!
LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!
MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!
SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!
CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!
PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!
FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
The 3 Powers of Executive Intention
The New Roadmap from #MeToo to Women’s Power to Lead
Women, Power & Leadership
The 9 Leadership Power Tools to Advance Your Career
Videos
Gloria Feldt: The War on Women | Big Think
Eldridge & Co.: Gloria Feldt, Take the Lead
Books
News
Testimonials
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