They'll Stop Scrolling Through Their Phones. Promise.
With bold honesty and electric energy, Jen delivers keynotes that move hearts, challenge systems, and leave audiences changed—not just inspired.
"Cold-hard-fact - she held 200+ staff attention for the last hour of a full staff training day. This can only be done by a masterful presenter."
Award Winning
Keynote Speaker
Jen doesn't just talk about change—she's lived it.
From suicidal teen to Ph.D. entrepreneur. From classroom teacher to nationally recognized systems strategist. From founding a nonprofit serving 9,000 individuals annually to transforming how organizations think about emotional intelligence.
She brings lived experience, academic rigor, and unapologetic realness to every room she enters.
Meet Dr. Jennifer Ulie
Experience You Can Trust.
SYSTEM TRANSFORMATION SPECIALIST
Dr. Jennifer Ulie is not your typical consultant. She’s a former educator, school board member, nonprofit founder, and nationally recognized systems strategist who brings a rare mix of lived experience, academic rigor, and unapologetic realness to every room she enters.
Invited Expert On
What to Expect
🔥 Energy That Electrifies
No death-by-PowerPoint here. Jen's presentations pulse with the kind of energy that keeps people leaning in, not checking out.
💡Content That Challenges
She doesn't tell you what everyone else is saying. She tells you what you need to hear.
🛠️ Tools That Transform
Every workshop includes brain-based, evidence-backed strategies you can implement immediately.
I was able to hear Jen speak and I instantly felt connected through her energy. She captivated our attendees. She was engaging and entertaining, all while communicating a much-needed message. I would recommend attending a or inviting Jen to speak at any event. Her passion is contagious!
Jen’s presentations are authentic, passionate, and enjoyable as they come. The balance of facts, real-life experiences, and tasteful humor keep audiences engaged from start to finish. Her no-nonsense approach takes the fear out of talking about topics so often considered taboo in our society. This is real and so very necessary to give both adults and kids a fighting chance in our world today. Cold-hard-fact - she held 200+ employees attention for the last hour of a full 8-hour professional development day. This can only be done by a masterful presenter.
Jen presented at our annual Nurse Conference. Her enthusiasm, passion, and expertise were exactly what we were looking for in a speaker. Jen engaged and inspired the audience while focusing on overall wellness. Jen’s perspective is well-rounded and relatable as she shares her experiences from her personal, educational, and community background. As an audience member, Jen will not only educate you, but keep you engaged and laughing. A few quotes from our attendees: “Thank you for caring - your passion is amazing!!”, “Funny with a message” Awesome! Super engaging!”
As a presenter, Jen is able to make topics surrounding school mental health relatable to everyone, no matter what their connection to school mental health may be. Through these presentations, she has been able to transform the methodologies that teachers and schools implement to serve the needs of each and every one of their students.
Recently I had an opportunity to attend one of her presentations. I was wowed. The content was accurate, relevant, and engaging. Perfect for the audience.
She is an articulate voice in raising awareness around how organizational communities can support emotional and behavioral wellness. Jennifer is passionate about reducing stigma and improving wellness literacy and these are goals we can all support.
Jen recently presented to my school staff on the topic of mental health and wellness. Her presentation was not only informative, but her dynamic and energetic style of presentation captivated her audience. Teachers continue to ask when will she be returning to teach us more about what we can do for our students. Jen is able to connect and motivate her audience to understand the importance of utilizing strategies that will benefit all in our school community. Teachers implemented her suggested strategies making a difference in the lives of our students and their families. Jen is making a positive impact in the lives of many. We are fortunate to have Jen’s depth of knowledge and expertise.
It has been an honor and privilege to work with and Jen over the last several years. She has shown great compassion for a very fragile but resilient mental health population in our state and school system. She is a great advocate and passionate about improving access and decreasing the stigma of mental health. I have been involved in her conferences and watched her setup a solid curriculum helping educate a variety of people involved in delivering mental health. She is a true leader in our state with her work and future vision.
Jen presented at our annual Nurse Conference. Her enthusiasm, passion, and expertise were exactly what we were looking for in a speaker. Jen engaged and inspired the audience while focusing on overall wellness. Jen’s perspective is well-rounded and relatable as she shares her experiences from her personal, educational, and community background. As an audience member, Jen will not only educate you, but keep you engaged and laughing. A few quotes from our attendees: “Thank you for caring - your passion is amazing!!”, “Funny with a message” Awesome! Super engaging!”
Signature Keynotes
1. From Surviving to Thriving: Mental Health Literacy as a Life-Saving Skill
Most adults who work with youth are expected to support mental health—but few have been trained in how to recognize the signs, respond appropriately, or integrate support into daily practice. This keynote introduces the essential components of mental health literacy, including how emotional struggles show up in different settings, the role of trauma and dysregulation, and how to take meaningful action without overstepping professional boundaries. The focus is on practical, accessible steps anyone can take to make a difference.
Best for:
Teachers, paraprofessionals, school administrators, juvenile justice professionals, healthcare providers, nonprofit staff, school board members, preservice educators, coaches, school nurses, before/afterschool providers, mental health professionals, elected officials, parent groups, residential and outpatient staff
2. The Dysregulated Brain: Why Kids “Act Out” and What They Really Need
What’s often labeled as misbehavior is frequently a stress response or trauma activation. This keynote helps participants understand the neuroscience of emotional dysregulation and how to distinguish defiance from distress. With practical strategies to support self-regulation and calm, participants leave with tools to respond more effectively—especially in Tier 2/3 settings or with youth who don’t respond to traditional behavior management.
Best for:
Behavioral health staff, classroom teachers, residential and outpatient providers, support staff, school nurses, administrators, paraprofessionals, foster care programs, SROs, juvenile justice teams, online school personnel, faith-based youth workers, coaches, mental health professionals, preservice educators
3. When Systems Harm: Undoing the Damage of Racial, Cultural & Institutional Trauma
This keynote explores how systems intended to support youth often cause harm through racial bias, exclusion, and systemic inequities. Participants will examine how cultural trauma is embedded in everyday practices, how this impacts mental health and behavior, and how to rework systems to prevent further harm. Rooted in both neuroscience and social justice frameworks, this session centers institutional accountability and practical transformation.
Best for:
District and building leaders, DEI and equity teams, school board members, legislators, state/federal education or health agencies, juvenile justice professionals, higher ed faculty, administrators, nonprofit leaders, club facilitators, faith institutions, residential and outpatient organizations
4. Who Do We Expect Kids to Be? Deconstructing Behavior Norms with Empathy & Equity
This session challenges outdated discipline models that disproportionately punish neurodivergent, disabled, and racially marginalized youth. Participants will explore how behavior expectations are often shaped by adult bias, systemic norms, and an overemphasis on compliance. The session provides concrete strategies to reframe student behavior through culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and developmentally appropriate approaches.
Best for:
Educators, school counselors, behavior interventionists, administrators, school boards, online program staff, coaches, social workers, paraprofessionals, juvenile justice professionals, residential facilities, nonprofit staff, school nurses, volunteer programs, afterschool teams
5. Redefining Resilience: The Power of Youth Voice in Mental Health System Design
This keynote highlights the importance of centering youth voice in designing mental health systems, supports, and services. Participants will learn how to build authentic youth partnerships—not tokenized involvement—and will explore real-world models of peer leadership, co-design, and participatory decision-making that improve outcomes and engagement across diverse settings.
Best for:
Youth-serving nonprofits, preservice programs, mental health coalitions, state and local agencies, mentoring programs, group facilitators, school boards, higher ed faculty, policy teams, elected officials, clubs and youth development organizations, faith-based groups, prevention programs
MyMensana 2025