Speaking
Emi Nietfeld is an energetic, in-demand keynote speaker. Her message — finding the true meaning of resilience — resonates with students, educators, (mental) health care professionals, and women in business and technology.
Selected Presentations
The True Meaning of Resilience - Independent Educational Consultants Association, Family Focused Treatment Association, St. Mary’s College of California, Lafayette Library Distinguished Speaker Series and more
Emi Nietfeld rejects the easy label of an “overcomer.” Even though she kept her dreams alive against the odds and attended a top college, she knows it wasn’t solely due to resilience: success required luck, privilege, and support. In this passionate talk, Emi asks her audiences to throw away the American fantasy that poverty, illness, or any other adversity can be conquered through sheer grit and bootstrapping ingenuity. Drawing on the research about what truly inspires resilience, Emi urges us to shift our focus from encouraging “resilience” and instead address the underlying social problems and provide individuals the support they need to persevere.
Bridging Engineering and Creativity - Harvard University
When Emi Nietfeld entered Harvard, she had a passion for writing and literature, but needed a career that could lift her out of poverty and debt. So she majored in computer science. Now, a successful writer and software engineer, she proves that “passion versus money” is a false binary—and a classist one. In her relatable talks, Emi Nietfeld encourages students that it is possible to follow your dreams outside of a career. Emi shares her personal journey to becoming an author, and how she’s balanced it with her full time “day job.”
Navigating Mental Health in Adulthood - Porterville College
As a teenager who struggled with depression, anxiety, and an eating disorder, Emi Nietfeld often found herself struggling to hide a taboo subject from admissions committees and employers. In reality, no one is entering college—or the workplace—and leaving their identity behind. In this talk, Nietfeld shares lessons from her mental health journey, with practical lessons on how students and young professionals can address their emotional well-being as they navigate higher education and begin their careers. This talk can also be adapted for higher education administration and faculty who want to better understand how to overcome stigma in the application process for incoming students.
Sample Appearances
Testimonials
‘Our students are tired of the status quo. Emi's self-awareness and honesty are exactly what they need.”
― Amaury Avalos, St. Mary’s College of California
“I brought one of the foster youth I work with to Emi’s event: she was over-the-moon inspired.”
― Lafayette Distinguished Speaker Series atendee
“A super insightful speaker. Emi’s talk pushed me to reflect and interrogate the way I approach the idea of "productivity" in my life.”
― Vicki Xu, Harvard Women Engineers Code Conference attendee
“After Emi spoke to our class, I received a text from every single member telling me how grateful they are for her wisdom and candor. We want her to come back!”
― Alyson Shelton, Author and teacher
“Emi warmed our hearts and raised our sights with her intelligence, generosity, candor, and helpful advice. Emi is a gem.”
― Kelly Morgan, Writing teacher
Confident, gracious… Emi is an absolute pleasure to host.
― Cheryl Bronstein, Book Passage
