Business & Leadership Keynote Speaker
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Maria Flynn speaks at conferences, companies, organizations, and universities on:
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→ Advancing innovation through entrepreneurship
→ Using mindset to improve execution, adaptation, and perseverance
→ Creating urgency and accountability to get things done
→ Leading and influencing people
→ The value of a STEMM foundation
→ Partnering and business development
about
MARIA FLYNN
![MariaFlynn_BookPostcardline](https://makeopportunit.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/MariaFlynn_BookPostcardline.png)
Leveraging experience as an entrepreneur, executive, engineer, investor, and coach, Maria works with select high-growth leaders, companies, investors, and entrepreneurial support organizations, helping them Make Opportunity Happen, which is the title of her book, keynote, and workshops.
As CEO of Orbis Biosciences, Maria built a technology company that improved pharmaceutical manufacturing, won awards for its novel innovation, and was acquired by Adare Pharmaceuticals. As Managing Director of Techstars Kansas City, Maria invested in and coached companies across health tech, biotech, fintech, deep tech, and consumer tech. As a business growth guide through her company Ambiologix, she has worked with founders from over 30 companies.
Maria was a Director at Cerner Corporation, where she held P&L responsibility for a life sciences business unit that provided drug safety software and services to pharmaceutical companies. She also created a new enterprise within Cerner for regional healthcare software.
Maria was named one of Entrepreneur Magazine’s Entrepreneurial Women to Watch and received the Pipeline Entrepreneurs’ Inspiration Award and Central Exchange’s STEMMy Enterprising Innovator Award. Maria is the Founder and Chair of the Advisory Board of Digital Health KC and serves on the Board of Directors of BioNexus KC. Maria earned degrees from the University of Chicago, Stanford University, and Kansas State University.
As seen on:
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At our National Summit, Maria’s insights reaffirmed the essence of entrepreneurship—where seizing opportunities requires relentless dedication, resilience, and unwavering perseverance. Through her engaging stories and audience interaction, Maria inspired our audience and showed that success isn’t merely a stroke of luck, but a culmination of strategic actions and tenacity in navigating the unpredictable landscape of entrepreneurship.
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Christy Scott
Executive Director, Uncharted Learning and INCubatoredu
We were honored to feature Maria Flynn as our Keynote speaker at the 2023 STEMMy Awards at Central Exchange. Maria’s keynote was truly inspirational and genuine, resonating deeply with everyone in the audience. Her captivating narrative of her career journey and her wisdom gained, coupled with the heartwarming presence of her cheering family and friends, left a lasting impression. The invaluable lessons she shared are indispensable for anyone navigating their path in STEMM, regardless of where they are in their professional journey.
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Ann Hackett
Central Exchange Leader
Keynote fees start at $5,000 (plus travel).
“People connect to stories. I am obsessed with other peoples’ stories and what I can learn from them. I loved the storytelling in Make Opportunity Happen and how it offered a great overview of how to get started and the most common challenges on the journey. … The practical advice, tips, and resources are helpful – all the things to consider.”
– Emily Brown
Co-Founder and CEO at Attane Health
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