Nia F. Luckey, LSSBB, GRCA
Background
Nia Luckey is a renowned cybersecurity expert, keynote speaker, and author, known for her leadership in Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC), project management, threat intelligence, and cloud security. As a co-author of The CISO Playbook (Routledge, 2023), she has provided strategic guidance to Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) worldwide.
Despite being in the top 1% of her profession, Nia sought to expand her thought leadership beyond the cybersecurity industry by landing a TEDx talk. She knew that a TEDx stage could amplify her message, establish her as a leading voice in leadership and innovation, and open doors for more speaking opportunities. However, she had previously submitted TEDx applications without success and needed a structured approach to stand out and get selected quickly.
The Challenge
With a demanding career in cybersecurity, Nia needed an efficient, strategic, and proven process to secure a TEDx talk. She also wanted expert guidance on refining her topic, ensuring it was engaging and aligned with TEDx’s core themes.
The Solution
Nia partnered with Tara LaFon Gooch to accelerate her TEDx journey. Through Tara’s proven framework, Nia received:
- Strategic TEDx Topic Development – Crafting a powerful and unique idea that resonated with TEDx organizers.
- Application Optimization – Writing a compelling TEDx application that stood out in a competitive pool.
- Speech Refinement & Coaching – Developing a talk with a strong narrative structure, memorable takeaways, and impactful delivery.
- Direct Connections to TEDx Organizers – Leveraging Tara’s network and industry knowledge to identify the best TEDx opportunities.
The Results
Within just 30 days of starting the process, Nia landed her TEDx talk, positioning her as an emerging thought leader on a global stage.
But the success didn’t stop there.
The very next month, Nia secured her first paid speaking engagement, proving that TEDx was a powerful catalyst for expanding her career and influence.
Expanding Her Influence
Nia also joined Tara’s exclusive speaker community, Talk Your Way to the Top, where she continues to refine her speaking skills, connect with other high-caliber speakers, and leverage insider strategies to book more paid speaking engagements.
She was also a featured guest on Tara’s GRASP Confidence podcast, where she shared her journey of:
- Becoming a leader in the male-dominated field of cybersecurity.
- Overcoming imposter syndrome and stepping into thought leadership.
- How confidence, resilience, and continuous growth have shaped her success.
Key Takeaways
Nia’s story is a testament to the power of expert coaching, a clear strategy, and taking decisive action. With Tara’s guidance, she went from TEDx hopeful to booked TEDx speaker in 30 days and landed her first paid speaking engagement the following month.
Now, as a member of Talk Your Way to the Top, Nia is actively building a sustainable and profitable speaking career, leveraging her TEDx talk and thought leadership to inspire, educate, and lead on even bigger stages.
