At heart, I'm a storyteller. I believe in the transformative power of stories to inspire audiences, foster empathy, and influence public policy.

Whether I'm taking a brand in a new direction, crafting positioning for a product line, or convincing a CFO to invest in a new initiative, I know that a compelling narrative drives success.

What makes me an unforgettable speaker is my willingness to be vulnerable in a way that makes people feel seen. My writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and CNN, and I'm a Moth StorySlam winner. You can follow my writing on my Substack, @flybravely.

The shortest stories

The shortest stories are names and the most powerful names evoke an emotional reaction or complete clarity in just a couple of words. Working for Martha Stewart in the early aughts, I oversaw the development of her paint line for Kmart. Our copywriter, Kelly, she set out a large piece of paper covering the copy department’s table covered on color swatches. Whenever someone came by her desk, she invited them to pause for a moment and name a color. I don’t recall if any of the names I wrote became paint colors, but I do know that one of my proudest moments was when Gael Towey and Martha Stewart were presented with names for the “Bed in a Bag” program at Kmart. The name I came up with, The Complete Bed, was selected. Sheets, shams, comforter, bedskirt—all in one bag. The Complete Bed tells you what you need to know and elevates the concept from a bargain bag to a cohesive design solution.

Later, I oversaw the development and marketing for Food Network’s candle program. The candle fragrances were derived from Food Network recipes including one for homemade pancakes. Waking up to the smell of pancakes is something I remember from childhood. Sundays, the morning my father was at home with us for breakfast, he would often pull out the cast iron skillet and we would start our morning with hot pancakes drowned in Aunt Jemima syrup. They weren’t just pancakes, they were a Sunday morning ritual. The candle fragrance, “Sunday Morning Pancakes” resonated universally. Emotionally it took people to a moment in the week where everything hits pause for long enough to sit around the breakfast table without having to rush off to school or work.

Storytelling for change

I am a persuasive storyteller who believes that sharing stories fosters empathy and be a catalyst change. I have captivated audiences from The Moth stage to the New York State Assembly to Capital Hill. Through my experiences, I have witnessed the positive impact of helping legislators understand how policy impacts people and have proudly been a part of the group advocates who contributed to legalizing surrogacy in New York State with the passage of the Child Parent Security Act.

Advocating for IVF access in Washington, DC. June 2024.

Speaking Engagements

As a sought-after speaker, Lia’s talks address topics including:

Consumer Product Licensing & Retail Partnerships: Strategies for building brands, forming partnerships, and monetizing creative assets.
Product Innovation: Approaches for inspiring creative teams to develop resonant, commercially viable products. This is often paired with an innovation workshop.
IP Licensing & Brand Management: Monetizing creative assets without devaluation
Artist & Archive Management: Insights into studio operations, archive licensing, product collaborations, and book launch strategies.
Navigating Life After Loss: Strategies and perspectives for coping with major personal challenges.
The Workplace and Emotional Impact of Infertility: Integrating personal and professional perspectives on the challenges of infertility.
Healing Through Creativity: Exploring the role of creative expression in recovery and everyday wellbeing.
The Hidden History in NYC: Stories about the unusual and unknown parts of NYC. From the secret sound installation in Times Square, to industrial graffiti, Lia entertains and. educates New Yorkers and tourists alike.
The Accidental Archeologist: Off the beaten path, on a beach in Brooklyn, items left behind when buildings were claimed and torn down by eminent domain litter the shoreline. Through captivating photography and historical maps, Lia taked you through the history of the beach known as Dead Horse Bay.

Lia combines executive leadership and lived experience to deliver fresh insights on innovation, brand building, workplace transformation, creativity, and resilience.

Storytelling on stage at The Moth GrandSlam, February 2026

REsolve.org advocacy day 2019 to 2024
I support the national fertility associations’ efforts by directly engaging with policymakers in Congress and the Senate, I share my traumatic personal experiences with fertility treatments to galvanize political momentum for vital new legislation. I speak from the heart so my story resonates on a human level and compels action.
parent child security act speaker 2020
I invited to Albany to share my story of loss and surrogacy before New York State legislators, alongside renowned figures including Andy Cohen, Reshma Saujani and Michelle Buteaux. My testimony about the profound hardship my husband and I endured helped galvanize support for legalizing commercial surrogacy in New York.
Corporate speaking engagements
- Art Expo, New York. Getty Images: The Art and The Business. Speaker, 2018.
- Duke University. Entertainment, Media & Arts Conference. Seminar leader, 2014
- International Home and Housewares Show, Chicago Innovation Insights. Speaker, 2014.
- LIMA Licensing Expo. Las Vegas. Case Studies in Brand Licensing. Panelist, 2012.
- AdAge Hack Competition Judge representing Food Network, 2012.
- FUSE Design and Branding Conference. Chicago. Speaker, 2011.

UPLIFTERS LIVE, March 2026 Creativity Workshop
Led a creativity workshop for women during the annual Uplifters Live podcast to foster confidence, connection, and an ongoing creative practice.
The MOTH, February 2026 Grand Slam
One of ten Grand Slam storytellers who performed at the Williamsburg Hall of Music in February 2026 telling a story under the theme of “Game On”.
The Rye Nature Center, November 2025
Wind Phone dedication speaker on the topic of processing grief and loss through the practice of using a wind phone.
Uplifters Live, March 2025 panelist
Panelist on the topic of resilience.
The Collaboratives, may 2025
Seminar on how to be a trailblazer in business presented to
the moth, May 2024 Story Slam winner

Winning storyteller of the night. Told a 5-minute story (without notes) during a live event in Brooklyn. The evening’s host and co-author of How to Tell a Story, Kate Tellers remarked:

“One of the reasons I love storytelling is that it gives us a moment to mark and underscore those moments in our lives that we never want to forget and to bring people into our lives whom we never want to forget and introduce them to hundreds of people at once.

In our darkest stories there is always levity so I thank you for being able to weave that in too. That was really brilliant.”

You can view Lia’s full speaker profile on the Innovation Women website.

six-word stories

For sale: baby shoes, never worn.

Legend claims Ernest Hemingway penned this line, winning a bet that he could craft a complete story in just six words. While the tale's authenticity is debated, it perfectly illustrates the power of concise storytelling.

My six-word memoir is:

Optimist tackles glass half-empty. Again.

What’s yours?

Substack Newsletter

My Substack newsletter, Fly Bravely, sits at the intersection of creativity, discovery, motherhood, and advocacy. Read it for free or sign up to have stories delivered directly to your inbox.

Visit Fly Bravely Substack