Laser Talks, Fireside Chat & Panel

Katie McCleary, MFA, is a CEO, graduate professor, author, and professional speaker who helps people understand human dynamics so they can work with greater clarity and purpose. She is the CEO of LQ™ Listening Intelligence, where her team brings the science of listening into the workplace through the ECHO® Listening Profile, a scientifically validated cognitive assessment. LQ™ Listening Intelligence equips professionals with agility and practical strategies to transform listening from a soft skill into a measurable, strategic capability.

McCleary is the co-author of Bridge the Gap (McGraw Hill), named a Top 3 Business Book of 2022 by Inc. Magazine. She has delivered three TEDx talks with more than 4 million views, teaches graduate-level leadership at Pacific University, and is the host of NPR-CapRadio’s leadership podcast The Drive. Her insights are featured in media outlets including Forbes, New York Post, ComputerWorld, and Investor’s Business Daily.

Early in her career, she founded 916 Ink, a literacy nonprofit that has transformed thousands of young people into published authors who know the power of their voice and story. She was named a Real Miss America by Mashable.com and received PBS KVIE’s Heart of a Hero Award for her work in schools, prisons, and vulnerable communities.