let’s MEET Kolleen
Dr. Kolleen Dougherty is a dynamic keynote speaker, author, certified life coach, and Ivy League–trained, double board-certified anesthesiologist and critical care physician. With over two decades of leadership in the high-pressure, male-dominated world of medicine, she brings firsthand insight into what holds women back—and what it takes to rise.
MORE ABOUT Kolleen
Kolleen authentically shares her story and how she overcame a biased environment to rise to new heights. Engaging is an understatement!
All women need to hear her!
KOLLEEN’S KEYNOTE TOPICS
“Doctoring While Female: The Hidden Cost of Gender Bias in Medicine”
Overview:
A compelling blend of personal narrative and national data, this keynote exposes the deep-rooted inequities women face in medicine—from pay gaps and promotion delays to everyday microaggressions. Dr. Dougherty reveals how gender bias affects not just physicians, but patient care and healthcare systems as a whole.
Key Takeaways:
Gender bias in medicine is systemic and measurable – Inequities like pay gaps, slower promotions, and microaggressions aren’t isolated incidents; they’re part of a broader pattern affecting women across the field.
Bias has real-world consequences beyond careers – The inequities women face impact patient care quality, team dynamics, and the effectiveness of healthcare systems.
Awareness and action can drive change – Understanding the scope of inequity and sharing personal experiences empowers individuals and institutions to implement solutions that promote equity.
“Breaking Barriers: How to Navigate and Transform Male-Dominated Workspaces”
Overview:
With over two decades in high-pressure, male-dominated environments like the OR and ICU, Dr. Dougherty shares practical tools and lived insights on how to challenge toxic culture, build credibility, and create pathways for equity—even when the system wasn’t built for you.
Key Takeaways:
Challenging Toxic Culture is Possible – Even in male-dominated, high-pressure environments, individuals can identify and confront harmful behaviors.
Credibility is Built, Not Given – Strategic communication, consistent excellence, and assertive presence help women gain authority and respect in systems not designed for them.
Equity Requires Actionable Pathways – Small, intentional steps—mentorship, advocacy, and systemic interventions—can open doors and create lasting change for women in medicine.
“Bias, Burnout, and the Battle to Be Seen: Reclaiming Your Power in the Workplace and in Life”
Overview:
This keynote speaks to professionals—especially high-achieving women—who are exhausted from being overlooked, underestimated, or silenced. Dr. Dougherty explores the emotional and professional toll of invisibility, and how reclaiming power starts with redefining worth, voice, and vision.
Key Takeaways:
Invisibility Has Real Costs – Being overlooked or underestimated takes a measurable emotional and professional toll. The connection between bias, burnout, and retention
Reclaiming Power Starts Within – Redefining your own worth, voice, and vision is the first step toward influence and recognition.
Action Transforms Frustration into Impact – Intentional strategies for asserting yourself can shift how others see you and create opportunities for meaningful change.
GET CRYSTAL CLEAR, ACTIONABLE STEPS to confidently use your power and stop being sidelined.
After hearing KOLLEEN, your audience will gain:
A clear understanding of how systemic bias operates-and practical tools to challenge it without burning out.
Proven strategies to break free from imposter syndrome, over-functioning, and the pressure to constantly be proving yourself.
The courage and clarity to lead even when the environment isn’t built for you - you will know how to reclaim your power.
Real world language and scripts to advocate for yourself with authenticity, clarity and confidence.
Don’t wait to obtain the tools needed for achieving your personal and professional goals.
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"Doctoring While Female is a must read for all women entering the workforce. Dr. Dougherty shares the real life stories she faced as a female physician — similar to what many other women face at work. The invaluable lessons learned after two decades of practicing medicine in a world of mansplaining, interruptions, and being bypassed by less experienced men for promotions are relatable, and her advice on how to move through it, despite these hurdles, provide insightful and actionable advice for readers.”
Julie Roginsky & Gretchen Carlson; Co - Founders of Lift Our Voices
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“Doctoring While Female is part memoir, part wake-up call. Dr. Dougherty takes you behind the scenes of academic medicine and shows what it’s really like to be a woman in a male-dominated world. It’s raw, smart, and unflinchingly honest. Whether you’re a fan of Grey’s Anatomy, a working mom, raising children, or just want a powerful read—you’ll be entertained, enraged, and deeply moved. She doesn’t just tell her story—she gives women real tools to navigate the workplace minefield. It’s a must-read for anyone who cares about equity and change in the workplace”
Tiffany Moon, M.D., FASA; Real Housewives of Dallas; CEO/founder of LeadHerSummit; author
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"Dr Dougherty, through her candid sharing of her life story, brings the reader into the medical world and what it is like behind closed doors of academic medicine. Vying for promotions and non-clinical time allocation, attending meetings, professional peer reviews and even what shoes one picks can be fodder for comment by the male majority. Filled with timely statistics on what it means to work in male dominated American careers, Dr Dougherty uses her life as an example to bring these damning statistics to life. I was fortunate enough to have Dr. Dougherty as a mentor for the seven years I practiced Anesthesia with her."
Jenny Thompson,M.D.; Pediatric Anesthesiologist; 12 time Olympic medalist
Let’s Get Started
