Talent is everywhere. Visibility isn’t.
We’re changing that.
Podium Project
The Podium Project is a live speaker showcase and accelerator program designed to amplify women and underrepresented voices—so more leaders with powerful messages get seen, heard, and booked.
A high-impact stage experience—built for visibility.
On February 17, 2026, join us for TEDx style, 5-minute talks from 12 featured speakers—plus an opening keynote from Haddie Djemal, a storytelling and visibility expert helping leaders step out of the background and into their voice, and a closing keynote from Dr. Keith D. Dorsey, author of Boardroom Journey who empowers professionals to navigate their path to the boardroom.
Audience tickets are now on sale for $149 and half-day tickets for $75.
Applications to join the program and speak at the upcoming Podium Project are closed.
If you would like to be informed about the next round of applications, please submit an interest form. We’ll keep you posted on dates and timelines!
What you’ll experience as an attendee
Come for the talks. Stay for the inspirational energy. Leave with new perspective and new connections.
You can expect:
An opening keynote from Haddie Djemal
A closing keynote from Dr. Keith D. Dorsey
A lineup of short talks from our 12 featured speakers that are emotional, insightful, and energizing
A room filled with women leaders and underrepresented professionals
A chance to connect, support, and invest in the next wave of speakers
A professionally produced event experience (the kind that feels like “this matters”)
More event details here
Haddie Djemal | Opening Keynote
Dr. Keith D. Dorsey | Closing Keynote
Podium Project Live — February 17, 2026
Location: United Way of Greater Houston
Time: 11am - 3:30 pm
Full Day Tickets: $149 (lunch included)
Half-Day Tickets: $75 (Entry at 1:30)
Who attends Podium Project?
You’ll be in the room with people who care about:
❋ Leadership Development
❋ Entrepreneurship and Community Impact
❋ Equity and Opportunity
❋ Talent, Culture, and the Future of Work
Whether you come to cheer on a speaker, meet potential collaborators, or simply get inspired—this is a room you’ll be glad you were in.
Why the Podium Project Exists
The Podium Project was born because of a truth we can’t ignore: even today, most stages are dominated by men. But every time a woman’s voice is missing, we lose something—a perspective, a story, a lived experience.
We believe the reason so many women aren’t on stage isn’t because they lack ideas or passion; it’s because they often lack the tools to be seen as speakers: experience, polished reels, compelling bios, professional branding photos, feedback, and a community that champions them.
The Podium Project exists to change that. We give women and underrepresented voices those assets. Not only do we provide space to practice, feedback to grow, and confidence to step forward, but we make sure women walk away with world-class video, photography, and storytelling assets.
Be in the room where visibility happens.
Podium Project isn’t just a speaker event. It’s a statement: more voices deserve the mic—and audiences deserve a bigger, better conversation.