Amira Martin, LCSW-R | Keynote Speaker on Mental Health, Identity & How People Show Up at Work and in Life
Amira Martin, LCSW-R is a psychotherapist, educator, and keynote speaker who helps organizations, universities, and institutions understand how unseen emotional and cultural experiences shape performance, leadership, and well-being—and how to create meaningful, lasting change.
With over two decades of experience across nonprofit, academic, and private sectors, Amira brings a rare combination of clinical expertise, lived experience, and real-world leadership to every stage.
In addition to her clinical and teaching work, she built a group practice of over 50 providers, demonstrating what it looks like to successfully create inclusive, high-performing environments where others have struggled.
Speaking & Institutional Experience
Amira has delivered keynote presentations, workshops, and institutional programming for:
Colleges and Universities
• Columbia University School of Social Work, NYC (https://socialwork.columbia.edu/)
• Alfred State College, Alfred, NY (https://www.alfredstate.edu/)
• Alfred University, Alfred, NY (https://www.alfred.edu/)
• SUNY Oneonta, Oneonta, NY (Keynote Speaker, Black History Month; Workshops & Campus Programming) (https://suny.oneonta.edu/)
• Hartwick College, Oneonta, NY (Workshops & Student Engagement) (https://www.hartwick.edu/)
• Lehman College – CUNY, NYC (https://www.lehman.cuny.edu/)
• PS 240 Godwin Academy, Brooklyn, NYC (https://www.schools.nyc.gov/schools/K240)
Corporations
• Barilla America, Inc., Dansville, NY (Ongoing monthly workshops and wellness programming for over two years) (https://www.barilla.com/en-us)
Not-for-Profit Organizations & Academic Conferences
• Medgar Evers College, CUNY (Panelist, Social Work Conference – March 2026) (https://www.mec.cuny.edu/)
• The Arthur Ashe Institute, NYC (https://www.arthurasheinstitute.org/)
• NY-ATSA, NY, NY (https://nysatsa.com/)
• The Tommy Foundation, NYC (http://www.tommyland.org/nyc)
Community Businesses
• Therapy Wine Bar, Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, NYC (https://www.therapywinebar.nyc/)
• Noel’s Kitchen, Bed-Stuy, NYC
And many more…
Amira currently provides ongoing emotional wellness programming for Barilla America, Inc., and would be delighted to partner with additional organizations seeking meaningful, impactful engagement.
Signature Talks
Breaking Barriers: How We Keep DEIB in Our Work When Institutions Won’t
A timely and compelling talk exploring how individuals and organizations can move beyond performative diversity efforts and create meaningful, lasting inclusion through everyday action.
The Invisible Load: How Mental Health Shows Up in Everyday Life
An exploration of how unseen emotional burdens like stress, trauma, anxiety, and burnout- impact performance, relationships, and success.
Breaking Generational Patterns: How to Heal When You’re the First to Try
A powerful talk on intergenerational trauma, identity, and what it means to break cycles and create healthier paths forward.
Selected Engagements & Workshops
SUNY Oneonta, Oneonta, NY
Workshop: "Mental Health, Identity, and Resilience in Academic Spaces"
Description: Invited as a keynote speaker for Black History Month, Amira delivered a keynote presentation focused on the intersection of mental health, identity, and lived experience. In addition, she provided workshops and campus programming designed to support student well-being, resilience, and academic success.
Medgar Evers College – CUNY, Brooklyn, NY
Workshop/Role: Panelist – Social Work Conference (March 2026)
Description: Selected as a panelist for the Medgar Evers College Social Work Conference, contributing to discussions on systems of care, equity, and the role of mental health professionals in supporting communities and addressing structural challenges.
Hartwick College, Oneonta, NY
Workshop: "Mental Health, Boundaries, and Student Well-Being"
Description: Delivered workshops focused on supporting student mental health, emotional regulation, and boundary-setting, with practical strategies for academic and personal success.
Columbia University School of Social Work, NYC
Workshop: "Building a Sustainable Social Work Career: Self-Care, Boundaries, and Professional Resilience"
Description: Focused on burnout, compassion fatigue, and strategies for sustaining long-term professional well-being.
Lehman College – CUNY, NYC
Workshop: "BSW Student Graduation Celebration Keynote Speaker"
Description: Addressed the transition from academia to professional life, emphasizing resilience, advocacy, and self-care.
Lehman College – CUNY, NYC
Workshop: "Leadership: Women's History Month Event"
Description: Focused on women in leadership, empowerment, and navigating professional challenges.
Alfred State College, Alfred, NY
Workshop: "Boundaries, Mental Health, and Self-Care for Personal and Professional Well-Being"
Description: Provided strategies for maintaining boundaries and long-term emotional well-being.
Alfred State College, Alfred, NY
Workshop: "Love: How We Love Ourselves and One Another"
Description: Explored relationships, identity, and emotional connection, including LGBTQIA+ perspectives.
Alfred University, Alfred, NY
Workshop: "Making Mental Health Care Accessible"
Description: Focused on reducing barriers and improving access for marginalized populations.
Alfred University, Alfred, NY
Workshop: "The Challenges and Triumphs of Entrepreneurship"
Description: Provided tools for resilience, discipline, and navigating professional transitions.
Alfred University, Alfred, NY
Workshop: "Keynote at 'Girls Brunch'"
Description: Delivered a motivational keynote focused on overcoming adversity and prioritizing mental health.
Professional Advocacy & Public Engagement
National Association of Social Workers – NYS (Western Division)
Representative & Speaker – LEAP Act Press Conference (December 2025)
Selected to represent NASW-NYS at a federal press conference hosted by Congressman Tim Kennedy announcing the Loan Equity for Advanced Professionals (LEAP) Act, advocating for equitable access to graduate education and strengthening the mental health workforce pipeline.
Corporate Programming – Barilla America
Amira has delivered ongoing workshops for Barilla America, Inc., including:
- Self-Assessment: Attachment, ACES, and Toxic Stress
- The Science of Habit Formation and Change
- Navigating the Holidays: Setting Healthy Boundaries
- Time Mastery and Productivity
- Emotional Regulation and Stress Management
- Creative and experiential wellness workshops
- and more.
These sessions focus on practical, real-world tools that employees can immediately apply.
Media, Publications & Expertise
Amira Martin’s work has been featured in:
- Ms. Magazine
- Forbes Health
- Yahoo Life
- Everyday Health
- PsychCentral
- The New York Daily News
She is also the author of multiple books on trauma, relationships, and emotional well-being.
Outcomes & Impact
Audiences who engage with Amira’s work gain:
- Increased awareness of how mental health impacts performance
- Practical tools for managing stress and emotional challenges
- Stronger communication and relational skills
- Greater sense of belonging and connection
- Actionable strategies for leadership and personal growth
Book Amira Martin
Whether you are seeking a keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, or long-term partner for programming, Amira delivers engaging, impactful experiences that resonate long after the event.