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Crystal Washington

Speaker Featured

Houston, Texas, USA

Technology Futurist specializing in leadership & sales efficiency

Crystal Washington is your indispensable guide to our digital future. As a certified futurist and technology strategist, Crystal has a unique gift: she takes the complexities of tech trends, social media, apps, and the web and translates them into clear, actionable insights that anyone can grasp.

Keynote Speeches

Virtual Keynotes & Webinars
Contact us for more information about this speaker & their virtual presentations. Click here for some of the most popular formats for virtual events.
Future-Proof Yourself: Innovate and Thrive in Times of Uncertainty

The new normal of consistent change is leaving leaders concerned about being left behind. Instead of implementing half-baked, panic-driven ideas, it’s time to identify the breadcrumbs — secret hints — the future has left for us to find. In this talk, technology futurist Crystal Washington will show you how to innovate, thrive, and enjoy the ride!

In this session, you will:

  • Understand the future’s gifts, allowing you to shape and manipulate for your ultimate outcomes.
  • Identify the most under-utilized breadcrumbs of innovation that you already have in your basket.
  • Create a framework to future-proof your career while removing stress!
Generative AI for Leaders: Staying Ahead in a Machine-Driven World

— Highly Customized to Industries and Job Functions —

The AI-driven future of work is here, and generative AI is rapidly becoming a vital tool for achieving business success. Technologies like ChatGPT are no longer just optional productivity boosters—they are transforming how professionals work, innovate, and compete. If you’re not leveraging AI effectively, your competitors already are. In this highly engaging keynote, Crystal Washington will reveal the latest breakthroughs in generative AI and how you can safely harness them to drive efficiency, innovation, and competitive advantage.

In this session, you will:

  • Understand what generative AI is—and isn’t—along with its latest capabilities and limitations.
  • Explore how tools like ChatGPT are reshaping your industry and transforming business operations.
  • Learn strategies for integrating generative AI into workflows to maximize productivity and results.
  • Discover best practices and ethical considerations for using AI responsibly in business.
The Competitive Edge: Spot Trends and Thrive in the Future of Work

In a world where change moves faster than ever, successful organizations don’t just react—they spot what’s next and act confidently. From shifting tech to evolving workplace norms, the future of work is unfolding now. In this fast-paced and interactive session, technology futurist Crystal Washington shows you how to uncover the signals of what’s coming, focus on what matters most, and turn insight into impact.

In this session, you will:

  • Spot the difference between passing fads and game-changing trends.
  • Discover the top shifts reshaping work, leadership, and innovation.
  • Learn simple tools to track trends and stay ahead of the curve.
  • Apply trend insights to boost team performance and future readiness.
The Future-Ready Organization: How to Stay Relevant in an Uncertain World

— FutureBend Organizational Assessments Available as an Add-on —

Disruption is no longer a possibility—it’s a certainty. Organizations that fail to adapt will be left behind. In this high-energy session, Crystal Washington provides leaders with tactics and strategies for becoming future-ready. Attendees will gain practical insights on fostering adaptability, integrating emerging technologies, and developing a resilient culture. Crystal will also introduce FutureBend™ personality archetypes, helping leaders leverage their strengths and recognize potential unseen gaps as they drive their organizations forward.

In this session, you will:

  • Uncover the FutureBend™ personality archetypes and how they influence decision-making.
  • Learn methods to cultivate a culture of innovation and continuous learning.
  • Develop a proactive approach to technological and market disruptions.

Platform Plus Presentations

Unique formats and ways to connect with audiences.
Workshops & Breakouts
2-3 hour deeply interactive session, ideal for demonstrating hands-on ‘how to’ information and techniques.
Pre-Recorded & Webinars
1-3 hours of easily accessible content, perfect for diverse organizations seeking convenient information access.
Keynote Programs
1-1 ½ hour highly engaging in-person or virtual presentations, great for diverse audiences.

Audience reviews:

  • Crystal was an incredible speaker. Our audience was very engaged with her presentation and felt the connection with relevant content to our program. We appreciate Crystal’s professionalism from beginning to end. She was always on top of her presentation and wanted to personalize it to our audience. She went above and beyond. Thank you Crystal for speaking to our First Command Family. We enjoyed having you in New York City with us!
    - J.K., Associate Director - Meetings & Events, FCFS
  • I’m a principal at EVOadvisers, but I’m also the chair of the NAPFA 40th anniversary year conference here in San Diego, National Association of Personal Financial Advisors. Crystal was just a keynote speaker for our second day, and in 12 years of going to conferences and our conferences twice a year, I have never seen a keynote speaker who put forward the level of pre-work and research to really understand our audience or her audience, the way that she did. She got us in a way that I have not seen other speakers who come from outside of our profession. And then she applied what she learned about us to provide education about specific things that we needed to know, which really engaged us, but wrapped all of it in this really fun and entertaining manner that brought everybody in the room into the present. And the combination of knowing your audience and doing the research and then providing information that we can really use that’s actionable, and then making it all so much fun, is something I’ve never seen before in 12 years.
    - Financial Advisor, NAPFA
  • The audience response to her content has been amazing. Crystal’s energy, passion, and expertise simply wows.
    - Associate Publisher, Barron's
  • Crystal recharged the audience, had them laughing, energized and engaged in a topic near and dear to all of us.
    - Manager, Employee Communications - Corning
  • Crystal Washington is an exceptional keynote speaker who set the stage for our conference with incredible impact. As the opening keynote at Rally’s inaugural conference, she knocked it out of the park, leaving our attendees raving about her session. Crystal’s ability to seamlessly blend technology and innovation with humor and laughter was a breath of fresh air. Her engaging and energetic presentation created an atmosphere that truly resonated with our audience, and she was instrumental in establishing the perfect tone for our event. Crystal’s unique energy was exactly what our kickoff keynote slot needed, making her a standout hit at our conference!
    - E.S., COO of Elevate Ventures, Rally Quarterback
  • Crystal was stellar yesterday! I was certainly excited and expecting her to be quite good, but she exceeded my already lofty expectations. We heard all day yesterday, and continue to hear today, how outstanding she was! I cannot thank you enough for making this year’s conference so superlative! And you were so delightful and helpful to work with!
    - Chief Of Staff, WBDC
  • I just finished with Crystal Washington. After 90 minutes of awesomeness, we had about 125 women, all business professionals in the room with her. It was the last day of the conference, the last keynote of the day, 90 minutes, and she rocked it. Crystal had people laughing nonstop, listening to her, every word. She had the moving and walking around, and she was super engaging. She never lost control of the audience for a second, and nobody walked out. I highly recommend Crystal Washington at any event, at any time, for any audience. She really did rock it. From a meeting planner’s perspective, I couldn’t have asked for anyone better to work with than Crystal and her team. They kept me on task. They kept me informed. I never once had to chase after them for a single piece of information. Her subject matter, she knows it, and it was not over anybody’s head whatsoever. She educated them, but she never made them feel dumb. They were taking notes, and then she told them not to take notes. She would send them the PDF, but it was amazingly interesting for me as a meeting planner sitting in the back of the room watching the vibe of the audience, watching Crystal perform, and I was happy the whole time. I felt good as a meeting planner that it was such a success.
    - Independent Meeting Planner, Experience Events
  • Crystal was the perfect person to open our conference on Reimagining Your Personal Brand for the Future of Work. She shared great data, said some hard things our community needed to hear in a loving way, and opened the floodgates for excitement for the learning and development that the rest of the conference had in store. She’s amazing to work with, cares deeply, and, as a bonus, is just a kind, sweet person. I would not hesitate to recommend Crystal or hire her again!
    - R.S., CXO, IAAP
  • Crystal was an incredible speaker. Our audience was very engaged with her presentation and felt the connection with relevant content to our program. We appreciate Crystal’s professionalism from beginning to end. She was always on top of her presentation and wanted to personalize it to our audience. She went above and beyond. Thank you Crystal for speaking to our First Command Family. We enjoyed having you in New York City with us!
    - J.K., Associate Director - Meetings & Events, FCFS
  • I’m a principal at EVOadvisers, but I’m also the chair of the NAPFA 40th anniversary year conference here in San Diego, National Association of Personal Financial Advisors. Crystal was just a keynote speaker for our second day, and in 12 years of going to conferences and our conferences twice a year, I have never seen a keynote speaker who put forward the level of pre-work and research to really understand our audience or her audience, the way that she did. She got us in a way that I have not seen other speakers who come from outside of our profession. And then she applied what she learned about us to provide education about specific things that we needed to know, which really engaged us, but wrapped all of it in this really fun and entertaining manner that brought everybody in the room into the present. And the combination of knowing your audience and doing the research and then providing information that we can really use that’s actionable, and then making it all so much fun, is something I’ve never seen before in 12 years.
    - Financial Advisor, NAPFA
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Speaker Biography

Futurist, author, and Hall of Fame Speaker Crystal Washington equips organizations with the knowledge they need to become “future-proof.”

But Crystal’s expertise isn’t just rooted in her ability to simplify tech jargon. She’s a trusted partner for Fortune 500 giants like Google, Microsoft, and GE, helping them leverage technology to boost profits and productivity. As a highly sought-after Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker, Crystal has captivated and educated audiences worldwide, making the future feel accessible and exciting.

Recognized by Forbes as one of the top 50 Leading Female Futurists, Crystal’s insights have graced the pages of renowned publications like Entrepreneur and Bloomberg Businessweek. With Crystal Washington, you’re not just getting insights into what’s next in tech; you’re gaining a partner dedicated to ensuring you’re equipped to thrive in an ever-evolving digital landscape.