Kim Lear Headshot
Report a problem with this profile
[email protected]

Kim Lear        

Generational Trend Researcher, Storyteller, Founder of Inlay Insights & Advisor to FORE

Kim Lear is a writer, researcher, and the founder of Inlay Insights. She is known for skillfully weaving eye-opening statistics, insightful stories, and relevant case studies to make presentations come alive. Previously, Lear was the content director at BridgeWorks, where she focused on generational and millennial trends. Her undergrad research centered on Baby Boomers and longevity, while her post-grad work explored millennials and social media trends. She is currently engaged in her ninth year of a longitudinal study on leadership.

Lear has been acclaimed as one of today's best speakers by Meetings and Conventions Magazine and has presented keynotes for high-profile companies including American Express, Cisco Systems, Deloitte, Disney, General Mills, LinkedIn, Mastercard, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Wells Fargo. Her work has been recognized for its impact on understanding and leveraging generational differences within the workforce.

In addition to her professional contributions, Lear was the head of research for the book "Gen Z @ Work" published by Harper Collins, focusing on the teenage demographic. She has authored whitepapers on topics including generational wealth transfer in the finance sector, retirement trends in the hospitality industry, and Gen Z’s impact on higher education. Lear also serves as an advisor to The Tuesday Company, a political tech startup. She is a volunteer for The 78 Cents Project, helping young women develop strong presentation skills. Her insights into generational dynamics have been featured on NPR and in national publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The Huffington Post, USA Today, and TIME Magazine.

When not delving into the nuances of human behavior, Lear enjoys time with her husband and daughters in Minneapolis. She continues to contribute significantly to discussions on the future of work, emphasizing the importance of understanding and adapting to generational shifts in the workplace.

Speech Topics


Prepare for the Future

If our recent past has taught us anything, it is this: the only constant is change. Now is a critical time to examine the rapidly changing world around us and actively reimagine our future.

Kim’s unique approach to forecasting tracks change over time through a series of longitudinal studies to help leaders find their footing and make the bold future-oriented decisions demanded by this moment.

In this program, we’ll explore how the very things that make us human—our aspirations, values, relationships, and work—have evolved over time. Through a generational lens, we’ll gain critical insights into where we’ve been, how we got to where we are today, and where we may go from here. Supported with cutting edge research and category leading case studies, this program will decode the trends shaping the future and arm audiences with the tools they need to adapt and thrive.

Learning Objectives:

  • Decode the generational trends shaping the future
  • Discover new ways to recruit and retain in a tight labor market
  • Uncover evolving expectations on issue such as: cadence of promotions, sense of purpose, immediate feedback, work/life balance, and compensation
  • Provide examples and case studies of communities and leaders that are creating cultures of change and adaptability in a rapidly shifting environment

Generations at Work

Study after study has shown us that multigenerational teams outperform more homogeneous groups by almost every measure. This can be attributed to their unique and diverse experiences– the more seasoned employees offer wisdom and expertise while those on the younger end offer a fresh and innovative perspective. While the advantages are numerous, it turns out, managing multigenerational teams is easier said than done. Today’s teams are often plagued by issues regarding everything from work ethic and retention to succession and fairness.

The key to understanding and leveraging these generational trends is to recognize that it’s not about “out with the old, in with the new.” Every generation brings value to the workforce.

Kim Lear will give you a closer look into who these generations are, the trends emerging as they adapt to new life stages, and the communication tactics that bring people together. Her research, insights, and original concepts help audiences bridge generational gaps at work and in the marketplace.

Learning Objectives:

  • Decode the generational trends shaping the future
  • Discover communication tactics that bridge gaps, build enthusiasm, and encourage teamwork
  • Uncover evolving expectations on issue such as: cadence of promotions, sense of purpose, immediate feedback, work/life balance, and compensation
  • Provide examples and case studies of leaders and brands that have successfully leveraged generational diversity

Standout Experiences for Every Generation

Our customers and clients have changed. Baby Boomers retirement accelerated throughout the pandemic, Gen Xers are top leaders in their prime earning years, Millennials are now key decision makers at work, buying homes and having families and Generation Z is controlling an increasing amount of money in the marketplace. As each generation enters new life stages, it’s crucial for sales people and relationship builders to see the world through their eyes and meet each customer where they’re at.

On top of these generational shifts, global changes impact all of us–from technology, to increased competition, to the rapid rate of change– what all of us are looking for from service providers is evolving.

Creating experiences that can meet, and exceed these new expectations is imperative. This program explores new research on how brands and salespeople navigate the new landscape of trust, loyalty, expertise, transparency.

Learning Objectives:

  • Decode the generational trends shaping the future
  • Discover innovative ways to capture new audiences without alienating loyal customers and clients
  • Uncover evolving views on efficiency, experience, and influence
  • Explore best-in-class case studies from salespeople and relationship-builders

Related Speakers View all


More like Kim