Budgets are tight,

resources are scarce

 

but you can still be the hero

we’ve thought of everything…

All of our session are:

  • Easy to host. With 100+ women’s groups and ERGs under our belt, we’ve got the logistics dialed in.

  • Budget friendly. We know you have limited budgets and resources (we even offer some no-cost options).

  • Highly interactive. These are dynamic, conversation-driven sessions - not some boring, generic one-size fit-all lecture - with polls, live chat and discussion.

  • Immediately actionable. Attendees walk away with practical and effective techniques they can implement the same day.

  • Trauma informed and psychologically safe. Designed specifically for women, LGBTQ+, caregivers, neurodivergent and marginalized employees

  • Welcoming. Though designed for marginalized folks, they are delivered in an inclusive manner that welcomes allies.

My work is built on one core truth:

Our identity shapes our nervous system

And when you layer socialization on top of that? You get a predictable pattern of survival responses:

  • People-pleasing to avoid being labeled “difficult”

  • Self-doubt and second-guessing every decision

  • Negative self-talk that cuts you off at the knees

  • Overwhelm that never seems to let up

  • Perfectionism that burns through every ounce of energy

  • Chasing validation as proof you’re allowed to take up space

This isn’t a random toxic trait, it’s conditioning.

👋🏻 Hi! I’m Gretchen DeKnikker, tech exec turned executive coach.

For over 20 years, I worked the high-pressure, fast-moving world of tech. On paper, I was doing everything “right.” I was capable, reliable, and the person people counted on. In reality, I was also overfunctioning, second-guessing myself, and secretly wondering if I was cut out for the industry.

I know what it’s like to be rewarded for being helpful and agreeable, while quietly paying for it with burnout, self-doubt, and stalled visibility.

That lived experience is what shapes my work now.

I don’t believe people need to be fixed. I believe they need language for what’s happening, straightforward tools that work in the real world, and permission to stop carrying what was never theirs to begin with.

sessions

All of my talks blend cognitive behavioral tools with intersectional mindset work to help your members recognize those internal patterns, regulate their nervous systems, and build the grounded confidence required to speak up, set boundaries, and be visible in their careers.


Each session is interactive, immediately useful, and designed for people who are exhausted, overextended, and still trying to lead with excellence. Your members walk away feeling seen, supported, and equipped with simple and effective tools they can use the same day. (More on logistics in the FAQs below)

  • That relentless inner voice questioning every email, replaying every meeting, and nitpicking everything you do isn’t “just how you are” - it’s learned. In this session, you’ll understand where that negative self-talk comes from, why it shows up hardest for people in marginalized identities, and how it quietly keeps you playing safe. You’ll learn practical tools to interrupt the critic, build a supportive internal voice, and show up with more confidence, ease, and willingness to be seen without waiting for external validation to give you permission.

    Key Takeaways

    • Understand exactly how your inner mean girl is keeping you stuck in the shadows - even when your work is excellent.

    • Learn a simple, practical framework to shift that voice from constant evaluation to grounded self-trust.

    • Stop painstakingly analyzing every win and start actually feeling proud of your work.

    • Walk away with four fast daily practices to help you take the compliment, trust your judgment, and step into the spotlight without second-guessing.

  • This session is for anyone whose self-care keeps falling apart under the weight of real life. If you’ve tried routines, habits, or “just make more time” advice and still feel depleted, this workshop shows you why. You’ll learn how patterns like perfectionism, people-pleasing, negative self-talk, and indecision quietly drain your energy—and the simple, fast-working strategies that actually calm your nervous system, stop work from living rent-free in your head, and help you feel grounded and recharged with the same job, same responsibilities, and same busy life.

    Key Takeaways:

    • You’ll understand why your self-care hasn’t been working.

    • You’ll identify your dominant stress pattern.

    • You’ll learn the interrupter that fits your pattern.

    • You’ll know how to complete the stress cycle.

    • You’ll leave with a simple way to protect your energy.

    • You’ll stop treating exhaustion like a personal failure.

  • This session is for anyone who looks confident on the outside but doesn’t actually trust themselves on the inside. We’ll break down the difference between performing confidence and being self-assured — the kind of self-confidence that comes from believing you can handle whatever happens, not from saying everything perfectly. You’ll learn why self-doubt and overthinking are predictable nervous-system responses, especially for people in marginalized identities, and how they show up in meetings, feedback, and high-visibility moments. The focus is on building internal steadiness so you can speak clearly, advocate for yourself, and walk away from hard conversations without replaying them or questioning your worth.

    Key Takeaways:

    • How to recognize when “I’m not ready” is a thought pattern, not a fact

    • Why the behaviors that built your reputation may now be limiting your visibility

    • How to separate readiness from action and stop waiting for confidence to arrive first

    • How to interrupt self-doubt in real time instead of spiraling afterward

    • Clear language for high-stakes moments without overexplaining or apologizing

    • A practical framework for shifting from being helpful and low-maintenance to being visible and influential

    • Concrete next steps you can use immediately

    • A grounded sense of self-trust that doesn’t depend on working harder

  • Scheduling your recharge time as a priority isn’t just a luxury reserved for the non-partnered, child- and mortgage-free jet set. We all know for long-term productivity, it’s important to take care of ourselves, but we never get around to it. And we tell ourselves it's because we’re too busy while simultaneously beating ourselves up for scrolling social media and procrastinating.

    So much of the time we are on autopilot, working our way through the week’s tasks and obligations, cat herding the humans in our lives, and blocking and tackling the seemingly endless tasks that inevitably pop up and throw us off track.

    But what if we approached it all with a conscious and deliberate attention that allowed us to accomplish what was important AND still have time for ourselves to rest, recharge and restore? Or even more revolutionary, not get it all done and still feel great!

    Learn tips to get more done in less time (no Hogwart’s required) so that your needs aren’t always last on the list, consistently carve out time for yourself without feeling guilty and stop letting last-minute obligations blow up your plans.

    Key Takeaways:

    • Learn how to say no to a boss, coworker, family member, or volunteer request without over-explaining or spiraling afterward

    • Understand why guilt shows up when setting boundaries—and why it doesn’t mean something wrong was done

    • Practice simple, real-time phrases to use when caught off guard

    • Recognize the specific thought patterns that keep the automatic yes in place

    • Leave with a clear plan for where and how to start setting boundaries immediately

    • Feel more grounded, confident, and less afraid of being seen as “difficult”

  • Tired of freezing up in high-stakes moments? It’s time to take charge and handle those nerve-wracking conversations like the powerhouse you are! In this one-hour interactive workshop, we’re breaking down how to master any high-stakes interaction—whether it’s asking for a raise, speaking up in a meeting, or navigating conflict with a difficult colleague. You’ll learn bold strategies to calm your nerves, stay grounded, and communicate with confidence. Say goodbye to stress and second-guessing, and hello to owning every room you walk into. This is your moment, and it’s time to show up like the boss you are!

    Key Takeaways:

    • A simple way to stay grounded when the stakes feel high

    • Clear language for boundaries, pushback, and visibility

    • Tools to interrupt self-doubt before it hijacks the moment

    • A framework to separate facts from the story your brain is telling

    • The confidence to say what you mean without over-explaining

    • A plan to prepare strategically instead of over-preparing

  • Big Scary Audacious Goals is all about ditching the small stuff and going after the career and life you really want. In this high-energy session, you’ll learn how to break through the fear and self-doubt that keep you playing small and start setting goals that feel as bold as you are. We'll dive into actionable strategies to turn those wild dreams into tangible outcomes and show you how to harness your ambition without burning out. If you're ready to claim your power unapologetically and rewrite your success story, this is the session for you!

    Takeaways:

    • A clear roadmap to set bold, audacious goals that feel true to you

    • Practical tips to overcome self-doubt and fear of failure

    • Strategies to balance ambition with self-compassion (so you don’t burn out)

    • A newfound sense of clarity and confidence to go after what you really want

What Your Members
Walk Away With

  • Language for what’s happening in their nervous system under stress

  • Tools to interrupt negative self-talk and indecision

  • Clear frameworks for boundaries and high-stakes conversations

  • A grounded, self-trusting approach to leadership and visibility

4,000+ Attendees

“Whoever organized this – bring her back!”

— Ashley, ResMed Women's ERG member

“Thank you for giving us language to express what we feel. I’ll use this every day.

This session was a game-changer for me. Thank you for making us feel seen and heard..”

I feel lighter after this session. It’s like a weight has been lifted off me.”

“I finally feel like I’m not the only one dealing with this. Thank you for this session.”

I can’t believe how much this hit home. I really needed this today.”

“This was incredible – so validating and helpful.

100+ Organizations

"We’ve hosted many workshops across our seven ERGs, but most of them never seemed to go past surface-level advice. Gretchen had our group engaged from the start - using relatable polls and personal stories that made everyone feel seen. She offered small but powerful mindset shifts that felt both immediately doable and genuinely transformative. I’d absolutely recommend it to other ERGs looking for something real and impactful." —Trey Gibbons, Pride ERG Co-Lead, Vericast

Need to get approval or executive buy-in?

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YOU MAY HAVE Questions…

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