Alexis Redding Keynote Speaker

Award-winning educator at Harvard Graduate School of Education
Co-author, The End of Adolescence (Harvard University Press)
Leading expert on Gen Z mental health & young adult development

Alexis Redding's Biography

Dr. Alexis Redding is an award-winning educator at The Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) where she is a faculty chair of the Higher Education Program. She also co-leads the Transition to Adulthood Lab at Harvard, where she examines generational connections and lifespan development. Her co-authored book The End of Adolescence: The Lost Art of Delaying Adulthood (Harvard University Press) and writings in The Atlantic share this research on cross-generational understanding.

A developmental psychologist with 25 years of experience working with and supporting young adults during the college years and in the transition to the workforce, she is a leading expert on mental health for Gen Z and is the inaugural faculty chair of the Mental Health in Higher Education Professional Development Program at Harvard. She has a forthcoming book on this topic, Mental Health in College: What Research Tells Us About Supporting Students (Harvard Education Press).

Redding is a TEDx speaker (Why we keep telling young adults the wrong stories), and her work has been featured in venues including The New York Times, NPR, USA Today, and Teen Vogue. She is a contributor to Fast Company, Inside Higher Ed, and The Harvard Business Review, among other publications. She also serves as Harvard’s official Commencement commentator.

Redding was a presidential scholar at Harvard University and earned her doctorate in human development and education from HGSE. She also holds an Ed.M. in human development and psychology from HGSE, an A.B. from Harvard College, and a Graduate Certificate in counseling from UCLA.

MENTORSHIP IN THE MODERN WORKPLACE

Why traditional mentorship falls short—and how to build systems that actually work.

Many organizations invest in mentorship programs with the best intentions—yet struggle to see meaningful results. One-to-one, informal mentoring models often fail to scale, unintentionally exclude key employees, or place too much burden on a few senior leaders.

In this talk, Dr. Alexis Redding — developmental psychologist and Harvard Graduate School of Education faculty co-chair — reframes mentorship as a system, not a relationship. Drawing on research, organizational case studies, and insights from higher education and workforce development, she shows how companies can design mentoring ecosystems that are high-impact, scalable, and sustainable.

You will learn how to:

Move beyond outdated “find a mentor” models
Use micro-mentorships to provide timely, targeted support
Build mentor pods that reduce burnout and increase access
Align mentorship with retention and performance goals
Create mentoring structures that scale while remaining human centered

MANAGING AND LEADING GEN Z EMPLOYEES

What early-career professionals actually need from today’s leaders

Gen Z is often described in extremes—either as entitled or as the most values-driven generation yet. The reality is more nuanced. Today’s early-career employees are navigating unprecedented transitions into work amid rapid technological change, economic uncertainty, and shifting norms around success and well-being.

In this talk, Dr. Alexis Redding cuts through the stereotypes to offer a research-based, practical guide to leading Gen Z effectively. Grounded in developmental science and workplace research, she explains what Gen Z expects from managers, how they approach work differently, and how leaders can unlock their potential as employees, consumers, and change agents.

You will learn how to:

Understand Gen Z’s developmental and workplace context
Set clear expectations without reverting to command-and-control
Provide the right balance of autonomy, feedback, and support
Build trust across communication and work-style differences
Engage Gen Z in ways that boost motivation, retention, and results
Recognize and appreciate generational similarities that build connection and collaboration

LEADING MULTIGENERATIONAL TEAMS IN THE AGE OF AI

Turning generational differences into a strategic advantage

For the first time, up to five generations are working side by side—while AI is rapidly reshaping how work gets done. Differences in communication styles, career expectations, definitions of loyalty, and comfort with technology can either fuel friction or unlock extraordinary collaboration.

In this talk, Dr. Alexis Redding shows leaders how to navigate generational dynamics with clarity and confidence. Drawing on research in adult development, organizational behavior, and change management, she offers concrete strategies for building intergenerational trust and synergy—especially as AI transforms roles, workflows, and identities at work.

You will learn how to:

Decode generational differences without resorting to stereotypes
Address conflict rooted in mismatched expectations
Leverage AI as a bridge, not a wedge, between generations
Foster mutual learning and psychological safety
Build teams that are adaptable, resilient, and future-ready

DESIGNING ORGANIZATIONS THAT ATTRACT AND RETAIN TALENT

Why culture alone isn’t enough—and what actually keeps employees engaged at work

Organizations that rely on perks or mission statements without investing in development pathways, mentorship, and manager capability struggle to retain top talent—especially across generations.

In this talk, Dr. Alexis Redding makes the case for intentionally designed support systems as a competitive advantage. She connects mentorship, leadership development, Gen Z expectations, and future-of-work preparedness into a cohesive framework that helps organizations attract, engage, and retain high-performing employees.

You will learn how to:

Identify gaps in your current support infrastructure
Align development pathways with real employee needs
Design mentorship and learning systems that scale
Prepare managers to support employees through transition and change
Build a talent ecosystem that drives performance and loyalty

THRIVING AS GEN Z IN A MULTIGENERATIONAL WORKPLACE

How early-career professionals can decode unspoken norms and make a meaningful contribution at work

Entering the workforce can feel disorienting—especially in organizations shaped by norms that were never designed with Gen Z in mind. Early-career professionals often struggle to decode expectations and build influence without overstepping.

In this talk, Dr. Alexis Redding speaks directly to Gen Z employees, offering a roadmap for navigating multigenerational workplaces with confidence and credibility. Grounded in developmental psychology and real-world workplace insights, she helps young professionals understand how organizations work—and how to contribute ethically and effectively.

You will learn how to:

Decode hidden power dynamics
Communicate across generational differences
Build credibility without sacrificing authenticity
Turn early-career uncertainty into momentum

She brings research-backed insight as Faculty Chair of the Higher Education Program at The Harvard Graduate School of Education, helping leaders make smarter decisions about learning, talent and institutional culture.
She co-leads Harvard’s Transition to Adulthood Lab, equipping organisations to understand generational dynamics and support young adults through the shift from education into work.
She offers deep expertise on Gen Z mental health as the inaugural Faculty Chair of Harvard’s Mental Health in Higher Education Professional Development Program, giving audiences practical strategies to strengthen wellbeing at scale.
She is a clear, credible communicator with a proven public platform as a TEDx speaker, contributor to outlets including The Harvard Business Review and Fast Company, and Harvard’s official Commencement commentator.