If you want to empower your group with inspiration – Liz Ferro is just what your event needs. Liz’s
message is unique, motivational and inspiring. For more than 8 years, she has been empowering audiences both small and large as a Speaker, Author of “Finish Line Feeling” and “Girls With Sole – A Girl Power Guide To Unleashing Your Inner Superhero, and Founder of Girls With Sole.
Liz uses her incredible story to remind your group of the POWER they all have inside of them. Her personal journey, and how she presents it, elicits positive energy, transcending all audiences.
Liz Ferro brings POWER to every occasion!
Liz is available for:
KEYNOTE ADDRESSES
BOOK SIGNINGS
WOMEN’S CLUBS/GROUPS
CORPORATE MEETINGS
ROTARY CLUB MEETINGS
ATHLETIC EVENTS
BOOK CLUB MEETINGS
K-12 AND COLLEGE CAMPUS PROGRAMS
MEDIA INTERVIEWS
MARATHON EXPOS
To book Liz for an event, email her at: liz@girlswithsole.org
See the TODAY SHOW clip here!
Biography
Liz Ferro was born in Rochester, NY and lived in four foster homes before her adoption at the age of two. As a child, she was sexually abused by a neighbor and found solace in fitness and running. To date Liz has crossed many finish lines. She has completed 75 marathons, 2 50K Ultras, 5 Ironman Triathlons, and countless other road races and triathlons. The empowerment gained from sports led her to found the non-profit organization Girls With Sole, which has received extensive national attention for its innovative and successful programming. Liz’s story evokes positive energy and inspiration.
Liz has completed a 26.2 marathon in all 50 states, and on The Great Wall of China in Beijing, to raise awareness and funds for Girls With Sole.
She has been featured on the NBC TODAY Show, and in SELF, Runner’s World, Town & Country, Traditional Home and Family Circle Magazines.
She is the recipient of the 2016 Medical Mutual Pillar Award; 2015 Women Who Excel Entrepreneur Award; 2014 SELF Women Doing Good Award; 2012 Longines Women Who Make a Difference Award; 2011 Classic Woman Award; and the 2011 American Red Cross of Greater Cleveland Hero Award.
Liz is a mother of two, wife, athlete, speaker, author of “Finish Line Feeling”, and the Founder and CEO of Girls With Sole.
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT THE WOMEN’S JOURNAL EMPOWERMENT EVENT
Medina, Ohio
March 12, 2020
SPEAKER – ROCK YOUR WORLD – 2019 HOLISTIC HEALTH AND HEALING EXPO
North Olmsted, Ohio
October 19, 2019
PANELIST SPEAKER ON NATIONAL WEBINAR FOR CITY PARKS ALLIANCE
Washington, DC
October 2, 2019
POWER PRESENTATION AT HYLAND SOFTWARE – WIN
Westlake, Ohio
September 10, 2019
SOLE POWER PRESENTATION AT LCCC
Elyria, Ohio
September 4, 2019
BOOK WORKSHOP FOR “GIRLS WITH SOLE – A GIRL POWER GUIDE TO UNLEASHING YOUR INNER SUPERHERO AT OM ON YOGA
Richmond, Virgina
June 6, 2019
SPEAKER WORKSHOP PRESENTER AT UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
Ann Arbor, Michigan
April 13, 2019
KEYNOTE SPEAKER – SIRVA CORPORATE LUNCHEON
Independence, Ohio
April 3, 2019
KEYNOTE SPEAKER – “WALK A MILE IN HER SHOES” ST. JOHN FISHER COLLEGE
Rochester, New York
March 30, 2019
SPEAKER AND BREAKOUT SESSION LEADER – SHAPE SOIREE HEALTH AND WELLNESS EVENT
Richmond, Virginia
October 20 & October 21, 2017
KEYNOTE SPEAKER – ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS CORPORATE LUNCHEON
Cleveland, Ohio
September 12, 2017
SPEAKER AND BREAKOUT SESSION LEADER – CHILLOCOTHE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WOMEN’S CONFERENCE
Chillocothe, Ohio
September 7, 2017
SPEAKER – ROTARY OF WOOSTER
Wooster, Ohio
JULY 24, 2017
SPEAKER- MAKING WAVES EVENT – ATHLETA CROCKER PARK
Westlake, Ohio
JUNE 25, 2017
SPEAKER – FOREST CITY CORPORATION – WE LEAD EXCELLENCE WOMEN’S GROUP
Cleveland, Ohio
JUNE 22, 2017
SPEAKER – WAYNE COUNTY WOMEN’S NETWORK
Wooster, Ohio
MARCH 8, 2017
KEYNOTE SPEAKER – NATIONAL CRIME VICTIM’S RIGHTS WEEK
Batavia, Ohio
APRIL 5, 2017
KEYNOTE SPEAKER – VOICES FOR CHILDREN BREAKFAST-WAYNE COUNTY CHILDREN SERVICES CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH
Shisler Conference Center, Ohio State University, Wooster, Ohio
APRIL 27, 2017
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY LEAD NOW YOUTH LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
NOVEMBER 10, 2016
Liz was invited by Congresswoman Kristi Noem to be the Keynote Speaker at the Conference.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT WELD (WOMEN IN ECONOMIC LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT) MEETING/SEMINAR
SEPTEMBER 8, 2016
Topic: Resilience and Reinvention
BREAKFAST CLUB WOMEN’S PHILANTHROPY MEETING
OCTOBER 19, 2016
Topic: Girls With Sole and How It Came To Be
ST. COLUMBKILLE SCHOOL KICKOFF MEETING FOR SCHOOL MARKETING
KEYNOTE
SEPTEMBER 13, 2016
Topic: Balancing Volunteerism, Motherhood, Work, and Achievement Through Resilience
19TH ANNUAL STARK COUNTY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COLLABORATIVE TRAINING SEMINAR
SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
This Seminar, sponsored by the Stark County Domestic Violence Collaborative, is offered to law enforcement officials, prosecutors, judges, social workers, victim advocates probation officers, first responders, medical personnel and counselors. Liz spoke on her survivorship and the work she does with Girls With Sole.
CLEVELAND SHRM (SOCIETY FOR HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT) WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP LUNCHEON – KEYNOTE SPEAKER
JUNE 22, 2016
Topic: Success Through Resilience
Y-NOT TALK? YWCA’S WOMEN’S FORUM
FEBRUARY 19, 2016 NOON
Topic: Personal Empowerment
ROCKY RIVER HIGH SCHOOL SERVICE LEARNING PROM FASHION SHOW
MARCH 9, 2016 7:00 PM
POWER PRESENTATION
MARCH 31, 2016 8:30 AM – Cleveland State University
Child Development Class Presentation
KEYNOTE SPEAKER – ANTI-BULLYING EVENT
APRIL 8, 2016 10:00 AM – Lorain High School
KEYNOTE SPEAKER – POSITIVE ADDICTION PROGRAM
MAY 6, 2016 – St. Charles School, 2175 W Elm Street, Lima, Ohio
Liz delivered a POWERful Keynote Address, followed by running the event’s 5K
BEREA BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN EVENT
JANUARY 8, 2015 6:00 PM – COLONY ROOM – BALDWIN WALLACE UNIVERSITY
Topic: The POWER of the Sole
ROCKY RIVER HIGH SCHOOL SERVICE LEARNING CLASS
JANUARY 28, 2015 10:00 AM – ROCKY RIVER HIGH SCHOOL
Liz shared her personal story and tailored her POWER talk around believing in yourself and how you can use your personal journeys to help others.
URSELINE COLLEGE ART THERAPY DEPARTMENT
MARCH 2, 2015 1:00 – FRIZCHE CENTER/WASMER GALLERY
Topic: Mind, Body and Sole and the Art of Healing Through Non-traditional Forms of Therapy
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS HOGEYE MARATHON KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT MARATHON PASTA DINNER
MARCH 28, 2015 6:30 PM – ARKANSAS CHANCELLOR HOTEL – 2ND FLOOR BALLROOM
Liz Ferro joined Olympian Carrie Tollefson to deliver her Sole POWER – Generating The Finish Line Feeling Keynote at the pre-race dinner for the Hogeye Marathon.
BOOK SIGNING
APRIL 4, 2015 1:00-3:00 – THE LEARNED OWN BOOK SHOP IN HUDSON, OHIO
STEP INTO THE FUTURE WITH STEPSTONE ACADEMY CELEBRITY FASHION SHOW
APRIL 18, 2015 7:00 – BOHEMIAN NATIONAL HALL CLEVELAND, OHIO
Liz was a “celebrity model” and walked the runway for this fundraiser.
SENIOR RESOURCE NETWORK/UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS PARMA, OHIO
APRIL 23, 2015 9:00 AM
Topic: Sole Power – Generating The Finish Line Feeling
CUYAHOGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE WESTERN CAMPUS – HONORS PROGRAM SPEAKER SERIES
APRIL 29, 2015 7:00 – 9:00 PM – ROOM G04 A & B
Topic: Sole POWER – Powering The Future One Step at A Time
STATE CONFERENCE FOR BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN
MAY 15, 2015 – NOON – CROWNE PLAZA NORTH HOTEL – COLUMBUS, OHIO
Topic: Be POWERful
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR NORTH OLMSTED, OHIO
MAY 21, 2015 – 11:30 AM
Liz tells the Girls With Sole story to empower and inspire.
BOOK SIGNING
MAY 24, 2015 – 10:00 AM UNTIL NOON – ATHLETA – BEACHWOOD MALL- CLEVELAND, OHIO
Topic: POWER TO THE SHE – Liz spoke about the “Finish Line Feeling” and signed books.
HEALTHY WOMEN BUILD HEALTHY COMMUNITIES – WOMEN’S HEALTH AND WELLNESS DAY – CLEVELAND, OHIO
JULY 22, 2015 – NOON-4:00 – FAIRHILL PARTNERS, 2ND FLOOR MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM
Girls With Sole and St. Luke’s Foundation teamed up to present this fabulous day of fitness, wellness, education and fun for women in the community!
SOLE ESSENTIALS- AN INTRO OF GIRLS WITH SOLE TO THE LOWCOUNTRY SYMPOSIUM – CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
SEPTEMBER 8, 2015 – 6:00-8:00 PM – CHARLESTON SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
GIRLS WITH SOLE WORKSHOP – ORANGE GROVE CHARTER SCHOOL – CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
SEPTEMBER 9, 2015 – 3:00-4:00
Girls With Sole programs introduced to students and faculty.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER – PROBATION APPRECIATION WEEK EVENT – CUYAHOGA COUNTY JUVENILE COURT – CLEVELAND, OHIO
SEPTEMBER 18, 2015 – NOON – 9300 QUINCY
MEET THE AUTHOR SERIES – LAKEWOOD LIBRARY – LAKEWOOD, OHIO
OCTOBER 22, 2015 – 7:00 PM
Meet the Author presentation and Book Signing.
PRESENTATION TO THE STUDY CLUB – CLEVELAND YACHTING CLUB – ROCKY RIVER, OHIO
NOVEMEBER 3, 2015 – 12:30 – 1:30
Topic: Sole Power-An Introduction To Girls With Sole
WELLNESS CONNECTION SPEAKER SERIES – CLEVELAND CLINIC MAIN CAMPUS
NOVEMBER 18, 2015 – NOON – LERNER EDUCATION BLDG. ROOM NA5-08
Topic: The Power of the Sole
Past Events
* KEYNOTE TJ MAXX CORPORATE LEADERSHIP MEETING
* KEYNOTE NEO ADOPTION SERVICES (NEOAS) INAUGURAL HOME PLATE EVENT AT PROGRESSIVE FIELD
* KEYNOTE RECOVERY RESOURCES AND COMMUNITY CHALLENGE EXEMPLAR AWARD EVENT
* KEYNOTE (TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS) WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SPORTS EVENT
* KEYNOTE (TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS) GIRL SCOUTS OF NORTHEAST OHIO AND JUNIOR LEAGUE OF CLEVELAND EVENT
* SHERWIN WILLIAMS WOMEN’S CLUB
* CLEVELAND ASSOCIATION OF FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES
* KEYNOTE HEALTHY BODIES EVENT AT HATHAWAY BROWN SCHOOL
* KEYNOTE ELYRIA YWCA AND ELYRIA HIGH SCHOOL ALL GIRL 9-12 GRADE ASSEMBLY – WISDOM WALKERS
* JOHN CARROLL UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY STUDENTS WITH RICHARD CLARK
* BALDWIN WALLACE UNIVERSITY PSYCHOLOGY STUDENTS WITH DR. GREEN
* CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF WOMEN’S STUDIES AND EDUCATION
* BELLEFAIRE JCB SAY COALITION AND COUNSELOR’S MEETING
* WORKSHOP AT CLEVELAND RAPE CRISIS CENTER’S CAMP CREATE (FOUR CONSECUTIVE YEARS)
* WORKSHOP FOR “MISSION IN A HANDBAG” JOHN KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS)
Testimonials
“Liz Ferro was our keynote speaker for our 2017 Women’s Conference, Face Everything And Rise. I had read Liz’s book, Finish Line Feeling, before the conference so I could get to know her as a person a little bit better before she spoke to our group. I loved the book and couldn’t wait to meet her! I was not disappointed and I knew that she was perfect for our conference. Liz was engaging, funny, motivational, high energy, and she delivered her story with such emotion and realness that it electrified the room. Liz set the tone for the day and it was amazing! Liz also did a breakout session for us on the topic health and wellness. The attendees were recharged and refocused and ready to tackle their health goals. I had one attendee email me the next week to let me know that she took Liz’s book with her on a beach vacation. She said, “I knew it would not be your typical “beach read” but wanted a safe, peaceful place to absorb her story”. Liz definitely made an impact at our Women’s Conference.”
–Bobbi Kellough, Member Relations & Events Manager, Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce
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“Liz was engaging and exciting. She is a passionate advocate for healthy living, girl empowerment, and strengthening the lives of those whom she comes in contact with. Her personal resilience serves as a powerful platform.”
-Dr. Annemarie M. Grassi, Junior League of Cleveland President
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“Liz was able to speak to the girls in such a way that kept them engaged and interested. Her enthusiasm for life, physical activity and health is incredibly infectious. She is passionate and an inspiration.”
–Sondra Miller, President and CEO, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center
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“Liz spoke to our women’s running group on the giving and receiving of power, and literally knocked our socks off. Just her dynamic presence brings energy to the room, but her message is so much more. One cannot help but to be inspired by Liz’s life story. Her message is smart and powerful and her delivery is polished and genuine, humble yet fiercely driven. Your audience will laugh and cry, but most of all, they will be empowered to defy the odds and to cross their own finish line, as impossible as it may seem.”
-Laurie Kortowich, Lifestyle Director at Del Webb / Pioneer Ridge
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“I heard Liz Ferro speak at a Domestic Violence event and was so impressed with her program and her presentation that I wanted to recreate it at my church. She certainly did not disappoint! She spoke with passion and enthusiasm and even did some interactive exercises with the ladies who were present. I have so much respect for her and what she is doing it was a joy and a privilege to have her join our mission day.”
-Jan Hart
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“Liz Ferro delivered an eye-opening presentation, and did an amazing job as keynote speaker for the Greater Cleveland Association of Family & Consumer Sciences organization. She shared chilling facts and feelings of her own life path and the impact of being a child in the foster care system with the sexual/emotional abuse which became a governing monster of her behavior that, as a child she did not know how to tame. This story and organization is something we ALL need to embrace. It’s a must for parents, educators and a society who values children as a foundation for our future.”
-Anne Bellone, President of the Greater Cleveland Association of Family & Consumer Sciences
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NEOSC Meeting 12/10/14
COSE is the sponsor of the Northeast Ohio Safety Council (NEOSC) on behalf of The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC). Governor Kasich and the BWC Administrator, Stephen Buehrer implemented a Health and Wellness Initiative to all the Safety Councils in the state. When the information of this initiative came across my desk I thought, I wanted to find a speaker that was fun and lived this initiative.
Her message was fun, energetic and motivational. Liz engaged with members of the Safety Council at our breakfast meeting, bright and early and they happily participated in a portion of Liz’s presentation.
Liz was very well received at this meeting. Our members truly embraced her message, asked questions, made donations and even purchased her books.
-Maureen Gallagher, NEOSC Manager
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