I love speaking.

I’ve spoken at conferences like SXSWedu, ISTE, NCAIS, ISACS and CES.
Companies like Google, Altair Advisors and Leo Burnett have invited me to speak with employees. I’ve also spoken at many excellent public and independent schools.

Looking to book Devorah for a speaking engagement?

Devorah is represented by Michele Fee Smith of American Program Bureau.
Give Michele a call at 617-614-1606 or email [email protected] to learn more.

“Devorah was a pleasure to work with from start to finish, and she was very positively received by our staff, parents and kids. Middle schoolers were raving about her the next day. Not an easy task! Our leadership team especially appreciated the thoughtful feedback Devorah shared with us in our debriefing session.”

Alison Baratta, Head of Middle School, Doane Academy, Burlington, NJ

Popular Talks For Parents

Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive in Their Digital World
Parents today worry that kids are addicted, detached or distracted because of digital devices. Often, adults are less conscious about what they are modelling with their own relationship with technology. Tech-savvy Digital Natives need mentorship to thrive, develop social skills and succeed in a future where they will likely find a job, meet their spouse and build their reputations in interactive, digital communities. Adults can share our own lifetime of social wisdom to mentor children to become the best people that they can be.
Empathy is the App
In the digital world, no skill is more crucial than empathy. My research with Digital Natives shows that kids are highly attuned to the relationship challenges and stressors that constantly-connected digital lives can create. Expanding on my TEDx talk, I show how to mentor kids and teach them the criteria for making thoughtful decisions. This presentation addresses empathy, boundaries and etiquette that can set children up to for a lifetime of success as digital communicators.

Popular Workshops For Educators

Social/Emotional Milestones in the Digital Age
First email account. First gaming avatar. First social media account. First smartphone. There are many milestones involved in growing up in the digital age. This talk for professional (counselors, educators and school leaders) informs audiences about the latest research on digital natives and helps them to appropriately support young people as they encounter and master these digital skills.
Engaging Communities with Tech Initiatives
Drawing on her research with young people, parents and educators, and sharing experiences from a range of independent and public schools, this talk can empower educators to understand parents and students at a deeper level without resorting to assumptions that can hamper engagement and undermine success.

raising kids, kids and technology, digital natives, empathy, mentorship, TEDx, TED Talk

TEDx Talk: Empathy is the App 

Before we try to catch kids doing the wrong things we need to check: Are we modeling the right ways to use technology?

The good news? It’s a skill set. And like any skill, it can be learned. Simply put, you have to learn in order to teach. 

Digital citizenship is not about operating the devices. It’s about conducting yourself with empathy and developing meaningful relationships.

“I have worked with a lot of speakers, and Devorah is a dream come true. She is responsive, meticulous, patient and above all else: an expert in her field. She made my life so much easier in planning a large and complex event. Her speech was thoughtfully researched and 100% relevant. Tons of our attendees approached me afterward to let me know how much they enjoyed it.”

Carrie Alexander, Sr Assistant Director of Admissions, Lafayette College, & Programming Committee: CIVSA 

“Dr. Heitner’s presence and acute understanding of how our students, faculty, and parents are navigating and relating to the digital world inspired our school community to engage in dynamic conversations, deep thinking, and powerful connection. Her relevance, currency, and compassion shone through equally in the middle school workshops she guided, as in the parent talk she gave. Our community was struck by how deeply she understands the beauties and challenges of the digital world and we continue to be inspired by her message that we can thrive as digital citizens.”

Shauna Callahan, Associate Director, Academic Technology