A keynote isn’t just a speech. It’s a spark. It’s a shared moment that can move people from comfort to conviction, from knowing to doing, from silence to strategy. That’s why I speak.

Over the past decade, I’ve delivered more than 150 talks across eight countries. I’ve addressed audiences from hundreds to thousands, speaking on some of the most urgent challenges facing public education, higher education, policy, and justice. I’ve stood before communities calling them to action. And at every podium, I bring the same commitment: to deliver a message that is informed, inspired, and intentionally built for impact.

Who Brings Me In—and Why

Organizations don’t hire me just to “fill a keynote slot.” They bring me in when they want to shift culture, build clarity, and move people toward meaningful action. I’m invited to speak by university leadership teams, school districts, national and regional nonprofits, philanthropic foundations, businesses, professional associations, and civic organizations. These are entities that understand the value of strategic storytelling, honest analysis, and clear calls to action.

Whether it’s a campus struggling to respond to political pressure, a nonprofit preparing its leadership for a new era of engagement, or a school district trying to lead through rapid change, I tailor every keynote to the moment and the mission. And I offer to stay connected beyond the speech, supporting follow-up dialogue and collaboration.

Rooted in Experience and Action

My message isn’t theoretical. It’s rooted in real work. I’ve served as a tenured professor, provost, dean, policy advisor, and civil rights advocate. I’ve led institutional change from the inside and worked in coalition from the outside. I’ve testified before Congress and state legislatures, chaired national education task forces, advised governors and future presidents, and organized alongside communities fighting for equity.

When I speak, I don’t just bring ideas—I bring strategy, history, lived experience, and a deep respect for the people in the room doing the work. That’s why I’ve been invited back by multiple organizations. That’s why my keynotes continue to open doors and ignite dialogue in institutions of all sizes.

Where I’ve Spoken

I’ve delivered keynotes for national organizations including NEA, AACTE, NCTE, GEAR UP, AASA, NPE, NAACP, CSG, Urban League, the U.S. Department of Education and many more (See my CV). My keynotes seek to inspire action and challenge inequity with research, lived experience, and bold leadership. I’ve also spoken at more than 30 universities across the U.S. and abroad—including institutions grappling with questions of academic freedom, institutional integrity, and inclusive excellence.

International Experience, Local Relevance

Education isn’t just a domestic issue. The challenges we face in the United States—from attacks on public education and teacher professionalism to rising authoritarianism and disinformation—are deeply connected to global patterns. I’ve spoken in eight countries, including Brazil, Portugal, Canada, China, Thailand, Mexico, and Japan. In every setting, I’ve emphasized the importance of connecting the local to the global, of understanding how resistance travels, and how communities learn from one another.

But even when I speak to global audiences, I stay grounded in the local context. I listen to what matters to the people I’m speaking to. I read the room. I build bridges between national debates and the everyday realities of educators, students, and families.

Topics That Resonate—and Drive Results

Here are just a few of the topics I’ve spoken about:

• Reclaiming public education in an era of privatization and disinformation
• The moral courage required of leadership in today’s political climate
• The rise of algorithmic bias and AI in education—and why ethics matter
• Culturally sustaining curriculum and the fight for historical truth
• Building truly inclusive institutions that go beyond performative equity
• Academic freedom and shared governance under political attack
• Rethinking college access and student success through a justice lens
• Intersectional advocacy: where race, class, gender, and policy collide
• Leading with clarity when the costs of silence are too high

Every keynote is built from scratch. I don’t recycle talking points. I learn about your context, your community, your goals. Then I design a message that fits the moment—and moves your people forward.

The Power of the Q&A

If you’ve ever seen me speak, you know that I live for the Q&A. That’s where the real work begins. I don’t believe the most valuable ideas always come from the podium. I believe in dialogue, in listening, and in co-creating knowledge with the audience. I encourage questions. I welcome challenge. I respect curiosity.

That openness creates a space where people feel heard—and where new possibilities emerge. I’ve had university trustees raise their hands and share how they’ve changed their thinking. I’ve had students line up to talk about what they’ve never heard said so plainly. I’ve had clients invite follow-up workshops and deeper partnerships. These are not just events. They are turning points.

If you want to get a feel for my speaking style and Q&A engagement, visit my YouTube channel: youtube.com/user/JulianVasquezHeilig.

Why Now?

We are living in a moment where courage is being tested. Educators are being silenced. Public institutions are under attack. History is being rewritten. Students are being left behind in systems designed to sort rather than support. And leaders are being forced to choose between convenience and conviction.

In times like these, a keynote is not a luxury. It’s a necessity. It is a moment to pause, to ground ourselves in truth, and to ask: What kind of institution do we want to be? What kind of world are we preparing our students for? And what are we willing to do to get there?

A great keynote doesn’t provide all the answers. But it does name the right questions—and invite people to wrestle with them in community. It sparks vision. It builds momentum. And when done with care, it leaves the room more ready, more focused, and more united than it was before.

Let’s Work Together

If you’re organizing a conference, summit, strategic retreat, convocation, or speaker series and want a keynote that is research-informed, politically aware, and unapologetically justice-driven, I’d love to connect and discuss the opportunity.

Let’s make the moment matter. Let’s bring clarity, courage, and community to your next gathering.

I’m now booking for 2025 and 2026.

Reach me at jvh@alumni.stanford.edu