Saying “I don’t know” is actually pretty powerful.
Because it’s the truth that helped me break family traditions, leave my dream job, and build a life and a business I never thought was possible.
Watch Bert in Action
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Meet Bert
Bert has helped and inspired hundreds of students, emerging leaders, and professionals strengthen their voice, presence, and confidence. Known for his energetic teaching style and practical frameworks, he makes communication feel simple, human, and achievable for anyone.
Before speaking full-time, Bert spent six years as an award-winning designer working with brands like General Mills, Target, and Walmart, earning recognition among Minnesota’s top 32 creatives in the advertising industry.
Today, he brings the same storytelling, creativity, and clarity to the stage, helping audiences transform how they communicate in school, at work, and in life.
Awarded among Minnesota’s 32 standout creatives in advertising
National recognition
Featured on MPR News
Sought after by education & community organizations
“Bert Lee is truly an inspiration. His story was captivating, powerful, and filled with wisdom. Hearing him speak was a life-changing experience for so many of us.” —Mo Ik
Signature keynotes
The Courage to
Choose Yourself
Most people don’t struggle with confidence they struggle with permission. In this keynote, Bert Lee shares how breaking away from cultural expectations, family pressure, and a “safe” dream job forced him to redefine success on his own terms. As a Hmong son, Bert grew up navigating tradition, responsibility, and unspoken expectations until he made the difficult decision to pursue a path that didn’t exist yet.
Breaking
Boundaries
Growth comes from having the courage to move without having it all figured out. Bert explores what it means to break generational, cultural, and internal boundaries when there’s no blueprint to follow. Bert shares how recognition as an award-winning creative didn’t mark the finish line, it revealed the next leap. By leaving stability behind, he embraced discomfort and used uncertainty to build a life and business aligned with purpose.
Inspiring
the Future
Talent opens doors, communication keeps them open. Drawing from his experience mentoring students, coaching professionals, and teaching college-level design courses, Bert breaks down the communication skills that truly set people apart. This keynote focuses on translating identity, values, and lived experience into confidence, presence, and leadership.
My keynotes are great for:
High schools & Colleges
Non-profits & Youth Programs
Leadership Retreats & Conferences
Corporate ERGs & Community Groups
Early Career Talent
Career Development
What audiences are saying
For anyone who’s tired of feeling small in big moments
Struggle with confidence, overthink speaking, feel invisible in rooms, want to lead but don’t know how, need clarity when communicating.
Bring Bert to your next event?
What my partners say!
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“I am so glad we chose to have Bert Lee join us for our 2021 Minnesota TRIO Development and Leadership Conference. He was creative and flexible, finding ways to deliver his keynote and breakout using a virtual platform. I would absolutely book with Bert Lee again!”
Caroline Merkle — Director of Educational Talent Search, Century College
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“Bert speaks with a passion that you can sense care, experience, joy, and wisdom in his voice. He's honest and is blessed with a personality that warms up the entire room…Bert, thank you for your presentation and for taking the time to invest in our students' lives.”
Leng Xiong — Hmong and Chinese Language Program Director, Community School of Excellence
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“Working with Bert was a seamless process. Students commented on Bert’s authenticity and his vulnerability to share his story. Students walked away with tools and the confidence to use their setbacks as stepping stones and look at mistakes and failures as an opportunity to grow 10x. Thank you for your time and dedication to this work.”
Britney Hayes — Cargill thrive Program Coordinator, University of Minnesota
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“Bert is great! He was exceptional at connecting with students & sharing his story. He was realistic, yet positive, & provided many relatable stories by which young people could connect. Bert helped students see themselves outside of high school and encouraged kids to start planning & envisioning the life they aspire for.”
Samuel Neisen — Career Exploration & Work-Based Learning Teacher, Brooklyn Center High School
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"Bert was very intentional about crafting a speaking session that met our vision. He was very engaging with our students, passionate, and enthusiastic. During his presentation, he put a lot of emphasis on the phrase “I don’t know”, implying that it’s okay to not know something."
PaDee Vue — College & Career Readiness Coordinator
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"Thank you for the inspiring presentation at Metro State University's Spring Recovery Conference. As a Community Leader, Organizer, and Director at Metro State, I thought of how your story could inspire many young men and women in our communities."
Georgette Gray — Director of MAIR, Academic & Student Affairs
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"Bert has facilitated a number of impactful sessions for my students ranging from high school seniors to recent graduates in virtual and in-person experiences. He brings knowledge, connection, charisma, and excitement to the career development spaces. I'd recommend him to anyone looking for a fun, informative, and impactful speaker!"
Tori Rodgers — Talent Development Pipeline Specialist, Genesys Works
