Katie Neeves is an inspirational trans woman, who risked all to become who she truly was. Founder of Cool2BTrans, photographer Katie now works as an advocate for trans acceptance and helps to better the lives of those who are trans. A popular choice as a speaker for a range of corporate and public events, Katie is sought to speak on topics such as her journey to womanhood, what it is like to be transgender and how to positively manage change.
On a mission to raise awareness of the issues that continue to face Trans people, Katie came out as transgender after she had lived 48 years of her life as a man. In doing so, Katie risked her livelihood as a photographer, but nonetheless continued on her journey for acceptance and to live her true identity. Katie founded Cool2BTrans as a medium in which transgender people could both inform and educate on the issues that still continue to face trans people, pushing the fact that trans people deserve happiness as everyone else does. In recognition of her dedication to the LGBTQ+ community, most recently Katie has been awarded the Hero of the Year Award at the British Diversity Awards.
Since coming out as trans, Katie has become a popular choice as a speaker for a range of corporate and public events. A role model of diversity and inclusion, Katie is often seen helping a variety of organisations to ensure that they involve diverse and inclusive practices in the workplace and to ensure that other transgender people are not discriminated against at work. She is regularly asked to speak on her own journey to becoming a woman, releasing the person who was trapped behind having to pretend to be a man. Additionally, Katie is known for her impactful Trans Awareness Training sessions, which aim to improve education on trans issues in the workplace and offer actionable steps to prevent discrimination. Most recently, Katie was honoured with the Trans in the City Trans Community Champion Award 2022 and has just been announced as a presenter for a BBC Sound podcast series. In 2023, Katie was also honoured with recognition on the 2023 DIVA Power List.
Now a popular inspirational speaker for conferences, keynote speeches and after dinner tales, Katie has given various talks for educational establishments, companies, hospitals and business groups. Katie is also keen to appear on discussion panels, standing up as a role model for the trans community so their voices are heard. As a speaker, Katie is booked to share the raw and honest story of her long walk to womanhood, and also covers topics of what it is like to be transgender, how to support those who are transgender, positively managing change and preventing trans discrimination. A passionate and personable speaker, Katie is the perfect choice as a speaker to bring awareness to a fantastic community and various pressing issues surrounding it.
How to hire Katie Neeves
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Katie Neeves for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
Katie's official speaking topics are listed below:
- My long walk to womanhood
- What's it like to be transgender and how can I support those who are?
- Positively managing change
- Preventing trans discrimination at work
Official Feedback from In-Person & Virtual Events
"The event was a success. Katie was a true inspiration to all who attended the event. I have had so many positive comments even from upper management! I hope to have Katie back again for other events. She truly is an inspiration!" - Bob Eastman
"Overwhelming feedback highlighted how valuable it was to hear a first-hand experience of someone navigating gender and having Katie speak in a way that was so open, emotive, educational and also humorous helped everyone better understand the importance of trans awareness and the gender spectrum. In particular, many were grateful to learn more about what gender dysphoria is, and how both sex and gender go beyond the binary as a means of then better understanding the trans experience and the issues the community face. Overall, everyone found the talk very inspiring and incredibly educational - thank you Katie for your time!" - Josh, Account Executive, WE Communications
"Katie has been a joy to work with for our session at Aviva. Katie talked to us about her own transition along with tips on good allyship. The session was really well received and we had lots of good questions and feedback. Katie’s sessions are filled with lovely humour making the audience feel at ease. I would love Aviva to work with Katie again and I can’t recommend her sessions highly enough. Thanks again Katie" - Joanne, Aviva
"Katie delivered a powerful, insightful and engaging session on her own personal journey and tips for being a trans ally. She is very open and honest about her own lived experience and has a unique way of telling her story and educating people in a humorous and uplifting way. Thank you Katie!" - Kelly, Ofcom
"I had the pleasure of working with Katie on an online Pride event. She's one of the most articulate and entertaining people I have seen in this format. Good humoured, well educated and a consummate professional. I would happily work with Katie again and sincerely hope we will. She's very talented and I could see her presenting a talk show on a major TV channel." - Natalie, Rhondda Pride
"I just wanted to drop you a message to say how much I enjoyed your webinar on Friday, really insightful and also your sense of humour kept it so engaging. Will def check out your company to see if we can do any work together in the future.Thanks Katie for me it was the most interesting webinar so far and definitely the funniest" - Emma Buckley
"I had been following Katie's journey for some time, I found her story not only inspirational but her approach made me connect and really want to work with her. I love Katie's approach, she shares her stories with warmth, wit and stacks of humour. Her story really captures the challenges she has faced. After working with Katie you will truly understand why she creates game-changing noise about Trans Rights and the role that you play as an Ally. Katie's mission to educate and push for real change is critical, she has found the perfect way to connect with individuals and businesses. Her work will change the way people think, behave and will ultimately change the world for sure. Katie is a true professional and a beautiful person with an incredible story to tell. I look forward to working with her again in the future." - Jo, The Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo).
"Katie provided a great Trans Awareness session to colleagues from emh group last week. People are still talking about how enlightening and informative it was. She also made it personal, poignant, accessible and, characteristically for Katie, good fun! I highly recommend Katie as a Trans Ambassador to any organisation committed to equality, diversity and inclusion – if you are interested in learning more about trans issues, and how to be an inclusive employer, a learning and development session with Katie Neeves is a great place to start. Thank you Katie!" - Joanne, emh group
"Inspirational storytelling at its best. I was lucky enough to listen to Katie’s story and can openly and honestly say it was incredible to hear. I can honestly say it was eye opening, informative and inspirational to say the least. What a journey you’ve had Katie. Thank you for sharing it." - Byron, Virgin Media
"An excellent session which was funny, moving and educational. Katie is a skilled speaker who really engages her audience. The feedback we have received has been incredible. Thank you Katie!" - Mick Lawlor, Partner on the disputes practice at DLA Piper.
"Katie attended our International Women’s Day panel at Virgin Media yesterday and what an honour that was. An inspirational speaker with a fantastic sense of humour that really shone through. Katie has been incredibly engaged throughout all the planning and a real joy to partner with on our IWD plans. In a very short time I’ve already learnt a huge amount from Katie and I’d really encourage others to take the opportunity with Katie to learn and grow.”- Danielle Peel, Project Delivery Lead at Virgin Media
"We booked Katie to run two Trans Day of Visibility workshops for Virgin Media belonging networks. She was engaging, hilarious and amazing. Every bit of feedback we received from those who attended was beyond positive. I personally have never laughed and learnt so much in one hour!" - Chloe, Mobile Trading & Online Sales Graduate, Virgin Media
- 2023 - Named on the DIVA Power List 2023
- 2023 - Winner of the Boots Hero of the Year, Burberry British Diversity Awards
- 2023 - Winner of the Training and Development Award, This is Us Awards
- 2022 - Nominee for the LGBT+ Positive Role Model award, National Diversity Awards
- 2022 - Trans Community Champion, Trans in the City
- 2022 - Awarded the Trans in the City Trans Community Champion Award
- 2021 - Nominee for the LGBT+ Positive Role Model award, National Diversity Awards
- 2021 - Nominee for the LGBT+ Positive Role Model award, National Diversity Awards
- 2019 - Founder & Trans Ambassador for Cool2BTrans
- Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts Manufactures & Commerce