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“For our annual DEI summit, Kyla shared with our members a very thoughtful presentation about empowering underrepresented voices. We also had a fireside chat with Kyla about navigating creativity and entrepreneurship, Asian media representation, and the importance of diverse storytelling. I know our audience of diverse professionals got so much from her session and I'd highly suggest Kyla for future events.”

"Kyla Zhao delivered a tailored presentation that beautifully connected storytelling to the heart of what we do at Roth Staffing. She wove in elements of the staffing industry, like purpose, human connection, and meaningful work, while connecting to our Company specific systems, creating a compelling discussion that resonated with our coworkers across the nation. Her message was inspiring, relevant, and perfectly aligned with our mission."

“Kyla recently spoke as the keynote speaker at our Girls Global Ready Annual Gala to over 100 young women. Her talk was not only inspirational but extremely practical, focused on real tangible experiences. Her personal stories perfectly supplemented greater lessons that she wanted to pass on to the audience. Without hesitation I would recommend Kyla for future speaking engagements!”

"Kyla is not only a gifted writer but a dynamic, generous, and compelling storyteller who commanded the room with her presence, power, and warmth. Behind the scenes, she was an absolute dream to coordinate with: organized, efficient, ultra-prepared, and willing to jump on prep calls to ensure everything went smoothly! I hope we get to work with Kyla again very soon." 

"Our students loved the session with Kyla. It was very entertaining and they gained some great insights into the writing process, the various stages involved in creating a book and were inspired by the message that everyone can be a writer. We'd love to host her again in the future. There was a great balance of information and interactivity and the students were engaged throughout. They told me a number of times over the next few days how much they enjoyed it."

“Attendees were deeply grateful that she spoke about many topics as part of this session: her writing journey, the book publishing process, work-life balance, and so on. Kyla was thoughtful, warm, and engaging throughout—her responses were both insightful and down-to-earth, making the session feel personal and approachable. Her natural storytelling ability and authentic presence created a memorable and inspiring session for all attendees.”

"Thank you so much for your wonderful talk—it was both engaging and insightful. We've already received a great deal of positive feedback from attendees, and we truly appreciate the time and thought you put into your presentation. It was a pleasure collaborating with you, and we’re grateful for the impact you made on the event."

“Kyla's book event was fantastic. She not only talked about her novel, but also gave revealing insights about the writing process, from original idea to publication . It was entertaining and valuable for aspiring writers and readers alike. I would highly recommend Kyla for your next literary program”

"It was wonderful to have Kyla visit our campus and share her experiences as a writer with our students. Her talks were inspirational and, what's more, interactive and fun for our Middle School learners who had a ball and followed up with endless questions. Kyla facilitated her sessions with ease and was a fascinating speaker who connected brilliantly with her audience."

"Kyla Zhao delivered two inspiring and engaging talks for our 3rd–through 6th–grade students. She made the writing process feel accessible without oversimplifying it, and her message that anyone can be a storyteller truly resonated. Students left eager to write, read May the Best Player Win, and pseveral teachers are also planning to add her book to their class read-alouds. She’s a dynamic speaker who connects beautifully with students, and I highly recommend adding her to your list of visiting authors."

"Kyla's book talk at Tencent was truly engaging and thought-provoking. Her insights and reflections were both inspiring and informative. Kyla's ability to connect with the audience and foster open communication made the event a truly enriching experience."

“Kyla is a wonderful, eloquent speaker who was able to engage an audience of all ages, and was able to blend serious topics with moments of levity.”

"Kyla Zhao is not only an exciting voice in modern fiction, but also an inspiration to those fortunate enough to hear her speak. A born storyteller who is as at home on a stage as well as on the page, Zhao made the hour she spent with our team fly by as she outlined her career as an author, her passion for inclusivity in literature, and how she draws from her community to craft novels that span genres and have resonated with readers of all ages. Neatly traversing the analytical and the artistic, Zhao presented her creative process to a more-technically-inclined audience with clean, beautiful logic, and instilled in them all a desire to make something new, and with any luck, something that would make the world just a little bit better for someone else who might see themselves in the story."

“Kyla was an engaging speaker that inspired me as the moderator, our planning committee, and the audience. People continue to stop me to let me know how much they enjoyed her as a speaker. Beyond her speaking and writing skills, she also made the planning process extremely easy. She was responsive to questions, interested in what would be effective for our audience, and her materials included everything needed. I highly recommend Kyla if you’re looking for a vibrant and inspirational speaker for your organization, particularly on AAPI issues.”

“Kyla’s book talk was truly empowering. Her advocacy for challenging gender stereotypes and addressing imposter syndrome is inspiring and touches on core issues that resonate deeply with many women engineers, myself included. Kyla is fantastic to work with - she’s both communicative and transparent.”

“Kyla was an amazing speaker during our recent Masterclass, which she led with utter professionalism, preparation and openness. By sharing her life journey and experience, Kyla profoundly inspired the participants with her enriching advice. What makes Kyla unique as a speaker, is her genuine passion for writing and her full time career, as well as honesty, resilience in spite of adversity and commitment to sharing important stories of women of colour and women in the workplace. I highly recommend collaborating with Kyla, as she for sure will deliver the best quality work, while remaining kind and supportive throughout."

"Kyla Zhao's visit was truly memorable. With an engaging and interactive delivery accompanied by a beautifully designed slideshow, she brought a special vibrancy to the event. The students were enthralled, eagerly lining up to have their copies of the book signed. Kyla answered questions with eloquence and insight, leaving a lasting impression on everyone. Her presence added a unique and inspiring element, and we couldn't have asked for a better guest!"

"Kyla Zhao’s presentation on book publishing and navigating societal expectations as an Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) author was nothing short of inspiration.  She offered Arcadis invaluable insights into the world of publishing, sharing not only her journey as a writer but also the unique challenges AAPI authors would face. Her ability to articulate the intersection between creative expression and cultural identity was both thought-provoking and empowering.  Through her presentation, Kyla highlighted the pressures AAPI authors often face with publishers. Yet, she emphasized the importance of staying authentic and true to one's voice, proving that diversity in storytelling is a strength, not a limitation. Her vulnerability in sharing her personal experiences resonated deeply with us and our audience, especially her reflections on balancing her creative aspirations with societal expectations.

Kyla’s presentation was not only informative but also a call to action for aspiring authors to challenge norms and embrace their unique perspectives. Her success in publishing serves as a beacon of hope for other AAPI creatives navigating similar struggles. I left her talk feeling inspired, motivated, and more aware of the critical need for diverse voices in literature. Kyla Zhao is undoubtedly a role model for writers everywhere, and her dedication to breaking barriers is a testament to the power of storytelling in reshaping narratives.

We would highly recommend working with Kyla, and would love to continue to work with Kyla on future opportunities and DEIB Group upcoming events."

“Kyla brings her great intelligence, compassion and storytelling to girls’ and women’s chess and is an inspiring young star in the field of contemporary fiction. She is an important and timely voice in the world of chess and uses her personal experience as an inspiration for anyone who has ever felt performance anxiety or unwelcome at a chess tournament.”

“Kyla delivered an inspiring and insightful keynote and addressed the challenges faced by people who identify as AAPI, such as the bamboo ceiling. She also openly shared her profound insights relevant to writing and career transitions. In short, Kyla's speech is authentic, passionate, and uplifting. The talk provided valuable insights and ways to engage positively with one another and empower us.”

"Kyla was able to share some great insights about her books and tell her story that resonated with our Slalom community. We all appreciated her tips on balancing a full time job and pursuing her time to write, and the willingness to take risks and not only focus on what you’re good at. It was great to learn how Kyla brought her authentic self into her books. I highly recommend inviting Kyla for any speaking engagement. Kyla has such an interesting story and a variety of experiences in Fashion, Tech, Communications, and Psychology."

"Kyla gave an entertaining and engaging presentation to students about the art of writing. Through sharing how her personal experiences in the chess world inspired May the Best Player Win, she encouraged students to write the books that they would like to read. Kyla's positive, uplifting, and well-prepared talk offered students opportunities to participate. Kyla was a joy to work with, and we would love to host her again."

"You already know on paper that Kyla is high echelon, but what is not on her biography is her direct and dynamic delivery—it comes off as warm storytelling but is actually a masterclass in communication. Kyla’s presentation contains takeaways to appease both sides of the brain: from the publishing process, the biological science of communication, and tactical approaches for improved corporate communication to her personal career journey, the demographics behind and in media, and her driving why’s. Moreover, Kyla writes into fiction what she demonstrates, particularly for Asian women: Take up space; you are the main character in your narrative.

After Kyla's talk, my inbox popped with compliments on her, her journey, and the tactical information she gave us to employ ourselves. She made it seem effortless, but it takes great skill and intuition in knowing what an audience can relate to and then consume!"

“Kyla gave a fantastic presentation to our group, an organization dedicated to empowering girls and young women through chess, community and competition. The girls were fascinated by her stories and how kindly she answered all of their questions. Kyla is a wonderful storyteller and an engaging speaker who can appeal and relate to many different age groups. We are so grateful for the time that she spent with us.”

"Kyla Zhao's presentation was incredibly inspiring and insightful! Her personal journey into writing was captivating. I loved her practical dual-career advice and her writing tips. The conversation about the publishing industry and her challenges as a person of color really opened my eyes. Truly a fantastic session!”

"Kyla's online session with our students was highly engaging, interactive as well as inspiring! She spoke about her writing journey and it was insightful to hear her talk about the various components that make up a book as well as the work that continues after publication. Kyla's breakdown of the writing process for "May the Best Player Win" was incredibly relevant for our students, particularly the importance of the drafting and editing stage. She explained the creative process clearly and has inspired a number of our students to take up writing! We would absolutely recommend Kyla for any literary talks."

“I had the pleasure of attending the presentation of May the Best Player Win and it was truly inspiring and insightful. She brought her book to life with insights that resonated with me and I believe with many of the audience in attendance. There’re so many deep messages that this book has that many of us female chess players failed to be vocal about and so much that you can learn from.”

"Our AAPI month programming, centered on the power of storytelling for identity, was enriched by Kyla. She shared her creative and publishing journey, leaving our community inspired by the world of books and creativity. Kyla, thank you for showing us the dedication involved in bringing your book to life and for highlighting such an important AAPI story."

"Kyla's passion for writing and her dynamic, interactive style captivated our students from start to finish. Her approachable and friendly demeanor made her a wonderful role model, leaving a lasting impression on everyone. Her ability to tailor her presentations to each age group was remarkable. For younger students, she introduced complex topics like gender equality in an age-appropriate and engaging way, while her high school presentation delved deeper into these critical issues, sparking thoughtful discussions. She inspired budding writers by sharing her journey and providing practical insights into the writing process. We would highly recommend Kyla Zhao to any school looking to inspire their students to read, write, create and work towards their dream."

"Kyla Zhao is a dynamic and engaging speaker, full of sharp insights and honest observations. Her stories channel her experiences as a Singaporean girl and also build other worlds to bring her books alive. The specific writing tips she offered are unique, personal and extremely helpful. All of her accomplishments serve as a model that will inspire audiences. Kyla Zhao's voice is one you won't want to miss."

“Kyla has spoken twice at our bookstore to celebrate the release of her novels, The Fraud Squad and Valley Verified. She is an engaging, dynamic speaker and graciously answered questions from the audience both times. We received such positive feedback from our customers after Kyla’s first appearance, and we were thrilled to host her for the second time this year. Kyla is wonderful to work with, as she is always organized and comes prepared. We can’t wait to collaborate with Kyla again soon!”

“Kyla’s sharing of personal vignettes and her writing journey was deeply inspirational to attendees, many of whom are young people, come from similar backgrounds, and have shared the same challenges in the past few years. Many attendees had read Valley Verified and there was a vibrant discussion around the novel. The evening was seen by all as a delightful experience and a resounding success, setting a precedent for a high-quality gathering bridging culture and entertainment.”

"We were delighted with Kyla Zhao's author talk for our 3rd–6th graders at Almond! Her presentation was interactive, engaging, and perfectly tuned to the students’ interests and level of understanding. By sharing her own journey—including moments of self-doubt and the courage it took to write May the Best Player Win—she inspired so many of our students to start writing stories and even dream of creating their own books. Kyla answered every question with respect and enthusiasm, making each student feel heard, and she generously stayed to sign books afterward. We’re so grateful for the creativity and encouragement she brought to our school community."

"Working with Kyla was a dream. She was incredibly generous and easy to work with. Her presentation deck was one of the best I've ever seen. Her talk was interactive and the students were super engaged. Even the teachers were impressed!"

"A HUGE thank you to you for the most amazing workshop with our Year 3 and 4 students. I was absolutely thrilled with the session—you delivered it so well, and it was clear how inspired the children felt afterwards. I especially loved how targeted and bespoke it felt for our students. It was such an engaging and inspiring opportunity for our youngest writers."

"Kyla Zhao's visit to our school was a resounding success! Her presentations for our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders were tailored to each audience, striking a brilliant balance between being engaging and highly informative. Kyla expertly wove together her personal experiences as both a chess player and the author of May The Best Player Win, making immediate and meaningful connections with our students. She captivated our young writers by incorporating fun elements like puns and famous opening lines, all while sharing about the entire process that goes into writing and publishing a book. We were so impressed by her ability to inspire our students."

“Kyla’s passion for writing and perseverance in advocating for the Asian community through her stories capture the audience’s attention. Listening to Kyla speak reignited my belief in myself and encouraged me to pursue my dreams regardless of the statistics. She is authentically herself, and her presentation showed me that no matter what, we should not give up because we all have stories inside us that, if we dare, can change the communities we’re part of.”

"From the beginning of the event planning process to the day of the event, Kyla was amazing to work with - she is a strong communicator who is engaging, focused, and inspiring. This resulted in an event that received rave reviews from our community. We look forward to collaborating with Kyla in the future!"

"Kyla Zhao's visit to Synergy School was an absolute delight for our elementary students. Her presentation was both entertaining and substantive—students were engaged by the fun, interactive elements throughout. One student shared afterwards that it's sometimes hard for them to focus for so long, but Kyla kept their attention throughout by playing interactive games. The students were absolutely delighted by her willingness to be playful and authentic with them. 

Beyond entertainment, Kyla delivered meaningful content that resonated deeply with students and teachers. Both teachers and students appreciated how Kyla clearly explained aspects of the writing process with fun examples—from developing interesting characters and ideas for stories, to the reality that good writing takes many drafts.

Kyla is an excellent speaker who knows how to connect with young audiences while inspiring them to embrace the writing process. The enthusiastic questions and the line of students waiting to talk with Kyla afterward spoke volumes about the impression she made. Chess fever has gripped Synergy School, with students gathering around multiple chessboards in the school yards. We're so grateful to Kyla Zhao for sharing her time and talent with our Synergy School community."