“Mallory Whitfield is a Renaissance woman who does everything from craft shows to drag performing. She’s a digital marketing specialist, entrepreneur, blogger, speaker, performer, author and artist who helps small businesses grow their brands.”
In her theatrical keynote performances, Mallory Whitfield offers a sequin-filled, inspirational exploration of how gratitude, self-compassion, allyship and loving kindness can help you be a better human in a technology-driven world. Mallory creates high-energy, engaging keynote performances and workshops that are customized to each audience. Drawing on decades of experience on stage, she can also serve as a conference emcee, dance party hype girl, karaoke host, panel moderator, or drag performer. (Costumes optional.)
"Mallory is a dynamic, fascinating storyteller who inspires deep thought."
Dr. Frances Lucas, 2019 President of National Speakers Association, New Orleans Chapter
Mallory has decades of experience speaking & performing on stages of all shapes and sizes, across the United States. She has participated in extensive speaking, acting, and performance training with Heroic Public Speaking, The Shakespeare Festival at Tulane University, Loyola University New Orleans, and The New Orleans Drag Workshop, to name a few. (Fun fact: she was one of the first professional "faux" drag queens to perform on Bourbon Street!)
A Multi Passionate Creative Entrepreneur
Mallory started her first handmade business way back in 2004, and along the way, taught herself all about digital marketing and how to run a business. She learned marketing the hard way, making a LOT of mistakes along the way.
In 2014, she switched to a full-time career in digital marketing. Since then, Mallory has worked with hundreds of artists, creative entrepreneurs, and small businesses, teaching workshops on SEO, e-commerce, blogging, social media and email marketing. She’s been a frequent speaker at events like Dear Handmade Life’s Craftcation Conference and New Orleans Entrepreneur Week. As Adjunct Professor at Tulane University's School of Professional Advancement, she taught & developed classes on Digital Media Principles & Strategy and Creating Digital Content.
Mallory is the founder of the Badass Creatives Marketing Accelerator, a mentorship and community for high-achieving, multi passionate creative business owners.
In July 2019, she produced the world premiere of her one-person show about diversity & inclusion, which offers a sequin-filled, entertaining perspective on how we can spread joy, hope, and allyship for a kinder, more inclusive world. Her show offers empowering alternatives, delivered in an entertaining show that's part stand-up, part TEDx Talk, part puppet show, part dance party and all fun.
In 2022, she released her second book, We Are The Weird Ones: Embrace Your Weird for a Kinder, More Inclusive World.
As Featured In…
Mallory has been featured in numerous tv appearances, podcasts, books, and print publications, including BUST Magazine, WWL-TV, Forbes, VICE, Gambit Weekly, Wharton Business Radio on Sirius XM, The Times-Picayune, and many more. In 2016, she was named one of Gambit’s 40 Under 40, which salutes the brightest innovators, artists, and professionals in New Orleans.
Podcast & Video Interview Appearances…
The Sales Leadership Show with Phil Gerbyshak // February 2022 // Embrace Your Weird with Mallory Whitfield
Diversity Dividend, with Jess Pettitt // February 2020 // "I'm constantly curious." interview with Mallory Whitfield
Lunchpool LIVE Show // February 2020 // #CoffeeBreak w/ special guest Mallory Whitfield
Ordinary To Badass, with Marie Sonneman // February 2020 // Show Some Self-Compassion
Studio 78 Podcast, with Nache' Snow // September 2018 // Knowing When to Quit, Stick, or Pivot
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation Sync Up Conference Workshop // May 2018 // Social Media Strategies for Artists panel discussion
Dear Handmade Life // February 2018 // The Elusive Glamour of Quitting Your Day Job
The Kathlyn Hart Show // October 2016 // Paving Your Unique Path
VenturePOP Conference Summer Workshop Series // August 2016 // Balancing a Full-Time Job and Your Side Hustle
More Fun Facts…
Mallory got her start as an entrepreneur selling her handmade clothing and accessories at craft shows. She later wrote a book about what she learned during 10+ years of selling at craft shows.
She won 3rd place in Etsy’s nationwide Upcycling Contest in 2007 for an outfit she made using FEMA blue tarp leftover from Hurricane Katrina.
She's performed in Mardi Gras parades and at Voodoo Music + Arts Experience as part of Noisician Coalition, an eclectic marching band comprised of homemade musical "noise" instruments.
She was once one of the subjects of a documentary for French public television about Carnival and Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
She's also been a member of the 501st Legion, an international fan-based organization dedicated to the construction and wearing of screen-accurate Star Wars costumes.