Training Specialist & Bystander Intervention Expert; CEO & Founder of Pure Praxis; Former U.S. Department of Defense Facilitator
Kelly Pfleider Biography
Kelly Pfleider is a nationally recognized training specialist, bystander intervention expert, and the CEO and founder of Pure Praxis, Inc., a women-owned performance education company dedicated to preventing sexual assault, workplace harassment, and other social issues through live theater. Pfleider identified that conventional lecture-based methods often lacked the emotional engagement necessary to drive meaningful change, leading her to leverage storytelling and theater education as tools for social impact.
Pfleider holds a Master of Arts from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Arts from California State University, Long Beach. Before founding Pure Praxis, she developed expertise in education and public service, serving as a training facilitator and specialist with the U.S. Department of Defense. Her experience in higher education includes roles as professor of communication at California State University, Long Beach, and professor of communications at Golden West College. Earlier in her career, she was assistant director of InterACT at California State University, Long Beach. These positions strengthened her skills in curriculum development, facilitation, and audience engagement, which became foundational to Pure Praxis.
Under Pfleider's leadership, Pure Praxis has drawn on nearly two decades of experience and thousands of hours dedicated to advancing training, performance, and the development of upstander and bystander resiliency workshops. The company uses live, scenario-based theater to help organizations practice essential moments—such as communication, accountability, and support—while addressing challenging topics like sexual assault prevention, workplace culture, suicide, and boundary-setting. This approach, which Pfleider terms "Cultural Rehearsal," enables participants to actively engage with and internalize key concepts.
Pure Praxis has established a strong reputation in both civilian and military sectors. The company was awarded a multi-year contract with the Department of the Navy to implement sexual assault prevention, retaliation awareness, and workplace harassment trainings. Pfleider has led discussions and educational performances at venues including the Pentagon Auditorium. She has also expanded Pure Praxis' reach by providing customized programming to diverse groups, such as students and major league baseball teams. The company has collaborated across multiple countries in the military, corporate, and education sectors, producing numerous shows and reaching thousands of audience members.
Pfleider's work extends into higher education and beyond. Pure Praxis has led comprehensive Title IX in-person and virtual training initiatives for Cal Poly Pomona, educating faculty, staff, and students on responses to sexual assault, workplace harassment, and implicit bias. The company offers programs addressing campus sexual assault, Title IX compliance, anti-harassment solutions, suicide prevention strategies, and DEI best practices. Through a combination of academic rigor, theatrical methods, and advocacy for social change, Pfleider contributes to building safer and more empathetic communities.
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Kelly Pfleider Speaking Topics
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Collectively Changing Cultures with Kelly Pfleider: Empowering Bystanders for Social Transformation
TRAINING SYNOPSIS: Passionate about creating positive societal transformations, I am a dedicated expert in bystander intervention and social change. With a deep understanding of the power of individuals to influence collective action, I specialize in equipping communities and organizations with the knowledge and skills to make a difference. Through years of research, training, and hands-on experience, I have honed my expertise in fostering inclusive environments, combating discrimination, and challenging harmful behaviors. I believe that every person has the capacity to be an agent of change, and my mission is to empower them to act.
My approach blends evidence-based strategies, practical tools, and entertaining workshops to educate individuals on recognizing and intervening in situations where harm or injustice occurs. By building awareness, empathy, and effective communication skills, I enable bystanders to step forward, disrupt harmful dynamics, and promote positive social norms.
Whether it's addressing issues of sexual violence, racial inequality, or other forms of oppression, I work collaboratively with diverse communities to foster dialogue, raise awareness, and cultivate safe spaces. I strive to create lasting impact by facilitating conversations, organizing advocacy campaigns, and partnering with local organizations to drive systemic change.
With a commitment to ongoing learning and staying abreast of the latest research, I continuously refine my methods to adapt to the evolving social landscape. By combining theory with practical application, I ensure that my interventions are both evidence-based and contextually relevant.
If you are seeking a passionate and experienced professional to train your team, speak at an event, or collaborate on a social change initiative, I am here to support your goals. Together, let's harness the power of bystander intervention to create a more just and inclusive world.
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Just Joking: Workplace Sexual Harassment Bystander Intervention
TRAINING SYNOPSIS: As a workplace harassment bystander intervention training expert, I am deeply committed to fostering safe, respectful and inclusive environments within organizations. With extensive experience and a passion for empowering individuals, I specialize in providing comprehensive training that addresses workplace harassment while equipping employees at all levels with the skills and knowledge to intervene effectively.
Enjoy an example of the ultimate team building workshop led by Kelly Pfleider titled 'Just Joking'. SYNOPSIS -We observe the daily routine of a workspace both in professional and social settings. Among them is BLAKE, someone who promotes humor but frequently crosses boundaries into inappropriate behavior. Despite this, BLAKE's actions are tolerated by their colleague, CARSON. However, when MORGAN, a new team member, joins the unit, BLAKE's behavior escalates to levels of harassment and hazing. As BLAKE's aggressive behavior towards MORGAN continues, the unit's morale and efficiency suffer, resulting in a toxic and unprofessional work environment.
In this unique storytelling experience, audience members are invited to actively participate in rewriting the story using their ideas, improvisational skills and humor. Through collaborative and interactive engagement, the audience becomes co-creators of a dynamic and ever-evolving narrative. Using actors to help tell someone's story can be a powerful way to enhance empathy and understanding. By leveraging the skills of actors, the story can be effectively conveyed, encouraging empathy and promoting dialogue about important issues.
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How do I book Kelly Pfleider to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Kelly Pfleider for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Kelly Pfleider, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Kelly Pfleider or any other speaker of your choice. -
What are the speaker fees for Kelly Pfleider
Speaking fees for Kelly Pfleider, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Kelly Pfleider are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Kelly Pfleider, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does Kelly Pfleider speak about?
Kelly Pfleider is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Author, Business, Business Leadership, Disruptive Thinking, Executive Leadership, Female Leadership, Inspirational, Motivational, Performing Arts, Professional Development, Sexual Assault Recovery, Social Activism, Strategic Leadership, Thought Leadership, Women -
Where does Kelly Pfleider travel from?
Kelly Pfleider generally travels from Portland, OR, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent. -
Who is Kelly Pfleider’s agent?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Kelly Pfleider for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Kelly Pfleider for your next private or corporate function. -
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Kelly Pfleider is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Collectively Changing Cultures with Kelly Pfleider: Empowering Bystanders for Social Transformation, Just Joking: Workplace Sexual Harassment Bystander Intervention, No Offense: Micro-aggressions and Implicit Bias Bystander Intervention, That Night: Sexual Assault Bystander Intervention and But She's my Girlfriend "Peer-Pressure and Intimate Partner Violence". The estimated speaking fee range to book Kelly Pfleider for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Kelly Pfleider generally travels from Portland, OR, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Donna Orender, Linda Alvarado, Summer Jelinek, Fran Hauser and Silvia Vasquez-Lavado. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Kelly Pfleider for an upcoming live or virtual event.
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