Transformational Speaker | From Trauma to Triumph | Leadership & Purpose
I’m a transformational speaker who helps people turn pain into purpose. From foster care, teen motherhood, and homelessness to building thriving businesses, my story proves that your past doesn’t define your potential. Raw, real, and deeply inspiring, my signature talk From Caterpillar to Butterfly empowers audiences to rise above fear, rebuild confidence, and embrace the power of transformation that lasts long after the event ends.
I don’t just speak…..I shift rooms. My message awakens purpose, heals hearts, and motivates action long after the mic is down. If you’re ready to inspire real change, I’m your speaker.
5 reviews
Nique
February 23, 2026I’ve heard a lot of speakers, but Erica is different. She doesn’t just get on stage and tell a story she moves people. You can feel it.
What makes her so powerful isn’t just where she’s been foster care, teen motherhood, homelessness it’s how she owns it. She speaks with honesty, strength, and zero pretense. It’s raw, it’s real, and it hits you in a way that sticks.
Her From Caterpillar to Butterfly talk isn’t just inspiring it’s activating. You walk away thinking differently about your own life. About your pain. About what’s possible. She has this way of breaking down walls without even trying, and suddenly the whole room feels lighter, more open, more ready.
Erica doesn’t just motivate for the moment. She shifts the atmosphere. She reminds you that your past doesn’t get the final say, you do.
If you want a speaker who actually makes an impact, not just noise, she’s it.
Hired as: Motivational Speaker
From Caterpillar to Butterfly
i truly appreciate you taking the time to leave a review. If we are incapable of taking the worst moments and using them to make the best parts of our present and futures; then we have truly missed one of life's most beautiful lessons
Angel W.
February 22, 2026Erica Corpening is not just a speaker—she’s an experience. From the moment she takes the stage, she commands the room with authenticity, vulnerability, and undeniable purpose. Her signature talk, From Caterpillar to Butterfly, is raw, real, and deeply transformational. Erica doesn’t simply share her story; she invites you into it, showing what’s possible when pain is transformed into purpose. The impact of her message lingers long after the event ends, leaving audiences inspired, empowered, and ready to take action.
Hired as: Motivational Speaker
From Caterpillar to Butterfly
thank you so much for your feedback.
Shaketa C.
February 22, 2026Erica Corpening is nothing short of phenomenal. From the moment she began speaking, she commanded the room with authenticity, grace, and purpose. Her story is powerful, but what truly sets her apart is how she connects it to the audience in a way that feels personal, healing, and empowering.
Erica doesn’t just tell her story—she creates a shift. She inspired reflection, sparked meaningful conversations, and left everyone feeling seen, motivated, and renewed. Her message of transformation, resilience, and purpose resonated long after the event ended.
If you are looking for a speaker who is real, impactful, and capable of changing the atmosphere in the room, Erica is the one. I would absolutely book her again and highly recommend her to any organization, school, church, or event seeking real, lasting impact.
Hired as: Motivational Speaker
Elmora E.
October 5, 2019This very inspirational and highly motivated woman left a lasting impact on 9 women! You inspired and motivated women to create vision boards and come together in fellowship, LOVED IT, LOVED IT, LOVED IT!!! And you yourself are an inspiration and proof that when you set your mind and heart to accomplish a goal, you WILL succeed! Thank you so much again, times 9, and I will be scheduling you again, the ladies said they wanted more, lol!
Hired as: Motivational Speaker
Pt
May 20, 2019Erica's experiences are so inspiring. She spoke at an Impact Junkie event and all the attendees raved about her touching story of transformation despite the trails she has experience. I recommend her for students and adults who need to see their true potential.
Hired as: Motivational Speaker
From Caterpillar to Butterfly
Thank you so much for your feedback. It fills my heart with joy to know that my experiences along the way can make a positive impact to other people. I pray that I make a different in as many lives as possible while here
Price range: 💰 $500 – $3,500+
Languages: English
Gig length: 30 - 360 minutes
Erica Corpening is a Transformational Speaker, Published Author of Break the Trauma Bond, and Spoken Word Artist whose message bridges healing, leadership, and personal growth. A survivor of domestic violence and traumatic brain injury, Erica brings lived resilience to the stage — blending powerful storytelling, original poetry, and actionable strategies that help audiences turn pain into purpose and step boldly into success.
Whether keynoting a corporate conference, women’s empowerment retreat, youth summit, or faith-based gathering, Erica delivers an authentic and emotionally unforgettable experience that moves hearts, builds confidence, and sparks real change.
Booking Options:
✨ Keynote Experience (45–60 min) – For conferences or large groups focused on transformation, leadership, and mindset mastery.
🌿 Workshop / Breakout Session (90 min–Half Day) – Interactive format with journaling, reflection, and practical tools for immediate implementation.
💻 Virtual Experience (30–60 min) – Perfect for online events and summits. Same passion and energy as in-person sessions.
Author & Spoken Word Experience:
Erica is the published author of Break the Trauma Bond and incorporates powerful spoken word and original poetry into select keynote experiences. Signed books and custom poetic closings are available upon request.
Travel & Deposit Policy:
All bookings require a 50% deposit to secure your date, with the remaining balance due 7 days before the event.
Travel outside a 50-mile radius of Richmond, VA may include additional fees for mileage, lodging, or airfare.
Virtual events must be confirmed at least 72 hours in advance.
Cancellations within 14 days of the event are non-refundable, but dates may be rescheduled based on availability.
Erica Corpening is a Transformational Speaker, Published Author of Break the Trauma Bond, Spoken Word Artist, entrepreneur, and fearless advocate for those whose voices have been silenced by trauma, injustice, and broken systems.
Her life is not just a testimony... it is evidence of generational transformation.
Becoming a mother at 15 years old, Erica faced statistics that predicted failure. Instead, she rewrote the narrative. Through resilience, faith, discipline, and relentless determination, she not only built a life of purpose .... she raised a daughter who defied the odds and graduated high school at just 15 years old. What once looked like limitation became legacy.
A former foster youth who later stepped in to help raise her younger sisters, Erica understands instability, responsibility, and survival at a level few can authentically articulate. After surviving domestic violence and a traumatic brain injury that nearly cost her life, she rebuilt herself spiritually, mentally, and emotionally ....returning with a deeper calling: to give voice to the voiceless.
Erica advocates for domestic violence survivors, foster youth, juvenile lifers, and individuals impacted by a broken judicial system. She stands for those who have been overlooked, underestimated, or silenced — reminding them they are not alone, not powerless, and not defined by what happened to them.
Once labeled and limited by a felony conviction, Erica refused to allow her past to define her future. Today, she is a successful business owner of over a decade, helping individuals, entrepreneurs, and small businesses build financial literacy, structure, and sustainable growth. Her life stands as living proof that redemption is real, leadership is developed, and setbacks can become strategy.
Her message is rooted in one unshakable truth:
You already possess the power you are searching for.
Through powerful storytelling, faith-rooted resilience, practical leadership principles, and original spoken word poetry, Erica equips audiences to reclaim their voice, own their narrative, and step boldly into influence ..... even after devastation.
Whether addressing corporate leaders, youth summits, women’s empowerment conferences, faith communities, justice reform advocates, or entrepreneurial audiences, Erica does not simply motivate.
She activates.
She equips.
She transforms.
***Based in Virginia Beach, Erica is available for keynotes, workshops, and conferences nationwide.**
• Wireless handheld microphone or lavalier microphone
• Basic sound system suitable for audience size
• Podium optional
• Table for books/materials (if applicable)
• 30 minutes arrival prior to event start time
Erica is adaptable and comfortable speaking in conference settings, corporate environments, churches, schools, retreats, and outdoor venues. Virtual events supported via Zoom or preferred platform.
Saturday
Personal Occasion
1:00pm - 4:00pm
•
Williamsburg, VA
Saturday
Personal Occasion
12:00pm - 3:00pm
•
Williamsburg, VA
• From Trauma to Triumph – Turning Pain into Purpose
• Break the Trauma Bond – Healing After Abuse
• Strategy Over Survival – Moving Smart in Difficult Seasons
• Faith, Fire & Forward – Rising After Setbacks
• Rewriting the Narrative – From Labels to Leadership
• Financial Empowerment for Emerging Leaders
• Finding Your Voice – Empowering the Silenced
• Faith-centered leadership
• Resilience and trauma recovery work
• Justice reform advocacy
• Financial literacy education
• Women’s empowerment movements
• Lisa Nichols
• Sarah Jakes Roberts
Erica prefers a clear stage space to allow movement and audience engagement. She connects best when able to move freely and interact with attendees. For spoken word segments, soft lighting is appreciated but not required.
Motivational Speaker
