Public Speaking

Looking for a speaker or panelist for your next event?

With charisma, eloquence, and expertise, I would be honored to elevate your next event. Below are presentations I currently offer, both in person and virtually. If what you see doesn’t quite fit, reach out for a custom presentation or speech tailored to your event.

Current Talks

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern

Careers in Marine Science

There are SO MANY different paths that marine science can take you down. In school, most students only learn about one: academia. Without exposure to the abundant opportunities, many students abandon marine science.

This talk is designed to

1) Encourage interest in marine science and conservation

2) Share my winding career path journey

3) Highlight the pros and cons of a dozen different possible career paths in marine science that do not require a PhD

4) Share my favorite job boards, list servs, and entry-level opportunities

View a sneak peek here.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

This presentation is designed for undergraduate or Masters level students studying marine or environmental science. It can be amended for high school students interested in these topics.

Antarctic Geopolitics Things are Really Heating Up!

Ever wondered about the icy, mysterious continent at the bottom of our planet?

What’s really going on down there? How is Antarctica governed? What role does the United States play? What’s with all the tourists? Will the Treaty expire?

Why does it matter?

The answers are fascinating!

I am a peer-reviewed, published Antarctic researcher who specializes in penguins and international policy. I worked with the U.S. National Science Foundation as an Antarctic Environmental Policy Fellow, served on the U.S. Delegation to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) in 2022, aided the U.S. Delegation to CCAMLR, and worked as a Rapporteur at the ATCM in 2024. I also spent a month on deployment at McMurdo Station, and performed an environmental evaluation on an Antarctic cruise vessel. Let me teach you about all things Antarctica!

TARGET AUDIENCE:

This presentation is designed for college students, faculty, or professionals interested in the Antarctic and/or international governance. It can be accompanied by an immersive group activity centered around the ATCM.

What can you actually do to make a difference?

Turn on the news, and you might drown in the deluge of bad news. It sounds like the world is on fire. The unfortunate reality is that most of the environmental disasters you read about are true. What’s also unfortunate is that there isn’t much you can do on a day-to-day basis to solve the issues that mega corporations and governments are responsible for. You may feel that your vote doesn’t matter.

So, what can you do?

I’ll inspire you to make a measurable difference and show you how to:

1) Think global, act local to protect nature and animals in your community

2) Choose where to donate money for conversation, knowing it will be spent on effective boots-on-the-ground work (hint: not all nonprofits are equal!)

3) Make the world a safer place for animals with simple daily actions

4) Enjoy nature and feel good doing so

TARGET AUDIENCE:

This presentation is designed for business gatherings and corporate functions.

How To Fight Back Against“Development” - And Win!

We’ve all been there. You’re driving to work and you notice a bulldozer clearcutting beloved, beautiful woods. Before you know it, there are 700 cookie-cutter apartments in its place built by some outside corporation. You would’ve spoken up, but you didn’t know how, nor did you even know this was happening.

We don’t have a housing crisis. We have a housing affordability crisis.

There is a way to oppose commercial “developments”. To protect and preserve nature, wildlife, and your community. The key lies in (1) deciphering policy, (2) knowing your neighbors and elected representatives, and (3) speaking up intelligently.

I learned this the hard way, from having to do it myself-and winning. That’s why I created the DLAD Project. I can teach you and your community how to fight back and win, too.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

Anybody and everybody. HOAs, community groups, small business owners, town leaders.

Amazing Antarctic Penguins!

Designed for kids K-8th grade, this presentation and classroom activity introduce kids to the thrill of Antarctica! Learn about penguins and seals, how they survive in the coldest place on Earth, and what it means to be an Antarctic researcher.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

Libraries, classrooms and museums, age kindergarten through 8th grade. Presentation can be amended for high school if desired.

Comradery in Conservation

We work in conservation because we love it. We’re extremely passionate. But sometimes, it can be a real bummer.

I share a 12 minute “The Moth Radio Hour”-style story about my eye-opening career path in conservation that finally led me to Antarctica, where something happened that I can’t quite explain. The key takeaways are that we’re all together in fighting the good fight; even if we can’t fix the entire problem, we can make it just a little bit better.

Inspiring, relateable, thought-provoking, with just a smidge of whimsy.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

Environmental professionals, scientists, conservation groups.

Animal Welfare

I became a vegetarian on my own in the fifth grade, as soon as I learned that animals were killed for us to eat them. It was that simple.

In college, I transitioned to become fully vegan.

I welcome any opportunities to talk about a plant-based diet, the pervasive impacts of animal agriculture in North Carolina, and the ways I bring animal welfare to my work as a marine scientist and policy analyst.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

Vegetarian/vegan groups and interested parties

Braving the Waves: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

I was diagnosed with OCD at age 12, and have spent my entire life working to overcome it where I can, and re-frame it to work in my advantage in other areas of my life. This led to me writing my book, half memoir and half self-help guide, published in 2024.

I’ll share information from my book, including:

  • The impact of OCD on relationships, career, and your physical body

  • OCD in childhood vs. adulthood

  • How to strengthen your intuition and decipher it from OCD

  • My experience with various therapies and treatments

  • Easy self-help tools

TARGET AUDIENCE:

Anyone who wants to better understand OCD.

Testimonials

  • "Ally is engaging, open, knowledgeable, and friendly in front of groups. She presents complex topics in an approachable way, and she adapts to her audience. Her first-hand experience in several hands-on, real-world, field-based settings gives her a perspective that many students have yet to experience themselves, but she transports them with her stories and her knowledge. Her intelligence is clear, and she can move you to laughter or tears with her passion for the ocean and the world around us."

    Amanda Cole, Duke University Marine Lab

  • "Ally has visited my undergraduate class on Antarctica twice now to tell them about the Antarctic Treaty System. Her presentations are always well organized, clear, and highly informative and her direct involvement in treaty meetings gives her great insight on this system.  Thus, the students were completely engaged in the discussion and asked lots of questions.  I highly recommend Ally for your meetings on this and other policy and conservation topics."

    Dr. Steve Emslie, UNC Wilmington

  • "Our neighborhood residents recently worked with Ally to fight back against the rezoning and redevelopment of a piece of land that would greatly impact our community.  Ally was very knowledgeable and a wonderful speaker and spoke on our behalf with clear and concise language that showed our passion and engagement on the proposal.  With her help, we were able to make the town council understand that the developer’s proposal was not a good fit for our community at this time.  We know the fight isn’t over, but we are immensely grateful that we had Ally on our side to help us fight!"

    Heide Rumble