most requested speaker topics

Every student has a story. For some, it’s one of resilience; for others, it’s one of silence—until someone shows up and stays. In this heartfelt and energizing keynote, Nicole Hopkins shares her personal journey as a first-generation college student whose life was changed by a single educator who refused to give up on her. That decision didn’t just impact Nicole’s life—it transformed it. 

Now, after ten years of teaching weekly in an inner-city afterschool program alongside her corporate finance career, Nicole helps attendees explore what it really takes to build trust with students who’ve been overlooked or underestimated. This keynote goes beyond inspiration and into action, offering tools that educators, advisors, and program leaders can implement immediately to foster meaningful, lasting student relationships.

Attendees will leave with:

• A renewed sense of purpose in their work with first-gen, low-income, and underserved youth
• Practical tools to build authentic, lasting relationships with students
• Inspiration to be the “one” who doesn’t quit—because sometimes, that’s all it takes
• Recognize the silent signals of students in survival mode
• Use “connection-based consistency” to build trust over time
• Create small but powerful moments that deepen student engagement
• Maintain boundaries and avoid burnout while still showing up powerfully

This keynote is a rally cry for educators and TRIO professionals: you matter more than you know.

This session breaks down the building blocks of personal finance—budgeting, managing credit, saving effectively, and avoiding common money traps. Designed for people who didn’t grow up talking about money at the dinner table, it brings confidence and clarity to everyday financial decisions.

Nicole simplifies the path to homeownership—from credit prep to mortgage terms to what really happens on closing day. With firsthand expertise as a mortgage lender and a nationally featured home-buying advocate (Hulu’s First Time Buyer), this session is perfect for aspiring homeowners who want real talk, not real estate jargon.

Tailored for first-generation college students and low-income families, this talk tackles what it really takes to succeed financially when you’re starting from scratch. Nicole shares personal stories, real-world tools, and step-by-step strategies for getting ahead—without generational wealth, connections, or shortcuts. It’s honest, empowering, and rooted in lived experience.

Debt doesn’t have to define your financial future. Nicole teaches practical ways to create a real-life budget, prioritize high-interest debt, and make a step-by-step plan toward stability. This session is designed for those feeling overwhelmed, paycheck-to-paycheck, or stuck—it’s judgment-free, actionable, and deeply encouraging.

Drawing on accolades like Oklahoma Magazine’s “40 Under 40” and AFWA’s “National Emerging Leader,” this session empowers women with financial tools, confidence, and mindset shifts. Topics include mastering negotiations, building generational wealth, and dismantling taboos around money conversations.