Speaking is how ideas scale.
Ready to go from code to keynote?
Many engineers, product managers, and community builders are sitting on ideas and work that deserve more. A stage. An audience. An investor. They deserve attention, recognition, collaboration. They deserve critique, feedback and the chance to grow. Public speaking is how that happens.
Part Theory
Building Presentations
If you've got knowledge to share but don't know where to start, this is the place. You'll walk away with tangible tools, fresh ideas, and feedback from the group.
- Personal Branding — find your voice, craft a bio, pick the right opportunities
- Devising Your Presentation — choose a topic, draft abstracts that stand out, tell a compelling story
- Delivering Your Presentation — slides, stage, Q&A
Part Stage
Owning the Stage
Through playful improv and stage performance techniques, you'll learn how to be fully present in front of a crowd. We close with PowerPoint Karaoke — a fun and nerve-taming way to put your new skills to the test.
- Warm-Up — introductions, icebreakers
- Improv Exercises — thinking on your feet, get comfortable on stage, use emotions
- Presentation Practice — lightning talks, PowerPoint Karaoke
Conference Offering
From Building Presentations to Owning the Stage
Empower first-time, underrepresented, and seasoned speakers with this public speaking workshop, specifically designed for conferences and community events.
When I started my career in the tech industry I struggled with impostor syndrome and finding my place within the industry. This all changed the first time I attended a community conference. As a member of an underrepresented minority I also deeply understand the importance of seeing yourself represented on stage.
This is why, I offer this end-to-end workshop to encourage potential speakers come up with talk topics, help draft their first abstracts and telling stories that matter. Stand out as an event that truly cares about its community and giving everyone a chance to shine.
Speaking Engagements
With deep experience across software delivery, developer experience, and public speaking, Lian brings a rare mix of technical credibility, performance insight, and emotional intelligence. She's helped fintechs, scale-ups, and open source communities sharpen their message, grow internal talent, and build teams that communicate as well as they ship.
Whether she's building CI/CD pipelines or coaching engineers through their first talk, Lian brings story, structure and clarity to every room she's in and every stage she's on.
Upcoming appearances
Why Lian?
With keynotes, lightning talks, and panels at DevOpsDays, KubeCon, KCD, ContainerDays, and more across Europe and North America.
Grounded in improv and theatre, making technical content more engaging, memorable, and human.
Drawing from her experience as a platform engineer and DevRel, Lian has delivered clear, grounded talks on Kubernetes, GitOps, and cloud-native systems.
Invited to speak on GitOps, community building, and machine learning across a wide range of ecosystems and global events.
Appearing on DevOps Paradox, Beyond Coding, the Dutch Kubernetes Podcast, and others.
Guiding technologists from "not a speaker" to confident, compelling communicators.
What others say
My talks have magically turned from monologues into engaging conversations. Whether you're a pro or a beginner, I can't recommend this workshop enough.
Artem Laiko
Platform Engineer iits-consulting, Public Speaker
In a few minutes you gave me clear direction and support helping me believe in myself the first time I ever took to the stage to deliver a technical talk.
Cortney Nickerson
Head of Community Nirmata, CNCF Ambassador, Public Speaker
Lian is an empowering and encouraging public speaker who uplifts and supports speakers and organisers alike at community and business events.
Andy Repton
Senior Black Belt RedHat