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REWRITE YOUR NARRATIVE
Too many professionals — especially women — reach midlife feeling stuck, defined by past roles or life circumstances, and unsure how to pursue the dreams they’ve put on hold. Ann helps these individuals rediscover their passions, reframe their stories, and take bold, actionable steps towards a fulfilling next chapter. Drawing on decades of experience on stage, in business, and through profound personal loss and reinvention — including launching a stand-up comedy career at 59 — she shows audiences what’s possible when they rewrite the narrative of what their life can be.
ABOUT ANN
Ann Duke has spent her career informing, inspiring, and entertaining audiences. With a B.A. and M.A. in Theatre and Communications from the University of Michigan, she began as co-owner of the Duke Gallery, gaining national recognition in 20th Century Decorative Arts and Historic Preservation. She wrote for top design publications and lectured internationally, including mounting an exhibit of the work of photographer Edward Curtis at the American Cultural Center in Brussels.
In the corporate world, Ann trained and mentored hundreds of sales professionals, delivering keynotes on negotiation rooted in empathy and listening. As a nonprofit fundraiser, she became a trusted advocate and storyteller for causes she believed in.
After the profound loss of two husbands, a stepdaughter, and her mother, Ann reinvented herself—launching a stand-up comedy career at 59. Now a seasoned performer and co-producer of the Traverse City Comedy Festival, she empowers others to pursue long-held dreams through keynotes, workshops, and coaching—proving it’s never too late to rewrite your story.
ANN'S TALKS
Reignite Your Passion: Embracing New Dreams in the Prime of Your Life
Life is full of twists and turns. Middle age or retirement isn’t the end of your story – it’s the perfect chapter to start something new! Whether you're looking to become an opera singer, run a marathon or master chess, it's never too late to pursue those dreams that once seemed out of reach. Ann will walk you through her story and how she started performing stand-up comedy at the age of 59. In this inspiring keynote, you'll discover powerful mindset shifts and practical strategies to unlock your full potential at any age. Life’s most exciting adventures may be waiting just around the corner. Get ready to embrace the next phase of your journey with confidence and passion. What’s holding you back?
What to Expect:
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Learn how to reframe your mindset and position yourself for success.
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Learn the four-step process to identify and prioritize your dreams and break down goals into actionable steps.
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You’ll discover the top three methods to find support and stay accountable.
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Learn strategies to let go of fear and perfectionism by practicing gratitude and staying positive.
This talk can be customized as a Keynote, Break-Out Session, or Workshop.
Redefine Success: Building a Career You Love - At Any Age
Stepping back into the workforce in midlife can feel overwhelming - especially when the idea of returning to your "first career" doesn’t excite you anymore. You’ve grown, evolved, and your dreams have too. This is your opportunity to design a career that reflects who you are today—not who you were 20 years ago.
In this inspiring and practical talk, Ann will share how she completely reinvented her life and career at 59, launching a stand-up comedy career and co-producing a major festival - proving that it’s never too late to follow a new passion. You’ll learn mindset shifts and actionable tools to help you explore exciting new career paths, overcome fear, and build a professional life you genuinely love.
If you’re ready to move beyond "just getting back to work" - and instead, create work that lights you up - this session will give you the clarity, courage, and strategy to make it happen.
What to Expect:
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Reframe your story: Learn how to shift your mindset from "returning to work" to "reinventing your career."
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Discover your new path: A four-step process to identify passions, transferable skills, and career opportunities aligned with the life you want now.
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Build your support network: Explore top strategies for finding mentors, communities, and accountability partners to keep you moving forward.
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Overcome mindset barriers: Learn proven tools to manage fear, imposter syndrome, and perfectionism—so you can move from hesitation to action.
This talk can be customized as a Keynote, Breakout Session, or Workshop.
TESTIMONIALS
"At two of our major fundraising events we invited Ann to speak, and she was a big hit! Her powerful story of struggle, loss, resilience, and reinvention deeply moved our audience. Ann’s authenticity and strength inspired our donors and helped make these events some of our most successful fundraisers to date.”
Helen Hicks | President and CEO, Macomb County Habitat for Humanity
“Rather than preaching persistence in a straight line, Duke offers a refreshing and relatable message: it’s not about refusing to change course, but about staying connected to your “why” no matter how the road bends. Her concept of the “pivot positive” is both practical and empowering, encouraging viewers to reframe setbacks as moments of redirection rather than defeat.”
David Boyd | Executive Producer/Artistic Director, Catalyst Theater Company Productions
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