Theresa Collins
Foster Care Advocate, Author of Foster Kid Fierce & Keynote Speaker
About Theresa Collins
Theresa Collins is a nationally recognized foster care specialist, advocate, and the author of Foster Kid Fierce — a powerful testament to resilience, identity, and the fierce determination it takes to rise above a broken system. Drawing from her own lived experience in foster care, Theresa has dedicated her career to transforming how organizations, agencies, and communities understand and support youth in the child welfare system.
As a keynote speaker, Theresa brings raw authenticity and hard-won wisdom to every stage. Her presentations blend personal storytelling with practical, trauma-informed frameworks that equip leaders, social workers, educators, and advocates to create lasting change. Whether she's speaking to a room of nonprofit professionals, government agencies, or corporate teams focused on belonging and equity, Theresa's message is the same: adversity doesn't define you — it can fuel you.
Theresa's work spans keynotes, breakout sessions, and virtual training programs, all built around her signature Foster Kid Fierce framework. Her programs are designed for organizations committed to youth advocacy, trauma-informed care, and building cultures where every person — regardless of background — can thrive.
Speaking Topics
Credentials & Experience
- Author of Foster Kid Fierce
- Nationally recognized foster care specialist and advocate
- Speaker for nonprofits, government agencies, and corporate organizations
- Lived experience in the foster care system — authentic voice for systemic change
- Trauma-informed leadership practitioner
- Programs designed for child welfare agencies, educators, and social impact organizations
Books
- New Release
Foster Kid Fierce: Road Trip to Freedom
T.M. Collins's debut memoir is a raw, road-tested account of growing up in foster care and the fierce determination it takes to build a life of freedom and purpose. Part coming-of-age story, part manifesto, Foster Kid Fierce: Road Trip to Freedom takes readers on a cross-country journey through hardship, survival, and the relentless pursuit of self. Collins challenges readers to reframe adversity as fuel — and offers a roadmap for anyone who has ever felt overlooked, underestimated, or left behind. Now available wherever books are sold.
Programs & Keynotes
Foster Kid Fierce
Signature Keynote
Theresa's signature keynote takes audiences on a journey from adversity to fierce purpose. Drawing from her personal story and years of advocacy work, she delivers a high-impact, emotionally resonant presentation that challenges organizations to rethink resilience, belonging, and what it truly means to support vulnerable youth and the people who serve them.
- ✔Understand the lived experience of youth in foster care and its lasting impact
- ✔Discover the Fierce Framework for turning adversity into purposeful action
- ✔Learn trauma-informed principles that transform organizational culture
- ✔Leave with actionable steps to become a fiercer advocate — in work and in life
Foster Kid Fierce Breakout Session
Interactive Workshop
A deeper-dive breakout session designed for teams, agencies, and organizations working directly with youth in the child welfare system. This interactive format gives participants hands-on tools for applying trauma-informed leadership principles in their day-to-day work.
- ✔Apply trauma-informed communication strategies in real-world scenarios
- ✔Build psychological safety within teams serving vulnerable populations
- ✔Develop a personal advocacy action plan rooted in the Fierce Framework
Fierce Against the Odds
Women's Leadership Keynote
Designed for women's conferences, luncheons, and leadership summits, this keynote celebrates the fierce resilience of women who have overcome systemic barriers and personal adversity to lead with purpose. Theresa weaves her story with broader themes of equity, identity, and the power of community.
- ✔Recognize and own your fierce — the strength forged through adversity
- ✔Build networks of fierce women who lift each other forward
- ✔Lead authentically from your lived experience, not in spite of it
FKF Virtual Training
Virtual Program
The Foster Kid Fierce Virtual Training brings Theresa's framework to remote teams and distributed organizations. Designed for agencies, nonprofits, and government bodies, this program delivers the same transformative content in a flexible, accessible virtual format.
- ✔Engage remote teams in trauma-informed culture-building
- ✔Access the Fierce Framework tools in a self-paced, virtual environment
- ✔Build organizational commitment to youth advocacy from anywhere
Audiences Leave Inspired To
- ✔Understand the real human impact of foster care and child welfare systems
- ✔Apply trauma-informed principles to leadership and organizational culture
- ✔Transform personal adversity into fierce, purposeful action
- ✔Build more inclusive, empathetic teams and communities
- ✔Leave inspired to advocate fiercely — for others and for themselves
Ideal For
- ✔Child Welfare & Foster Care Agencies
- ✔Nonprofit Organizations & Social Impact Conferences
- ✔Government & Public Sector Leadership Events
- ✔Women's Leadership Conferences & Luncheons
- ✔Corporate DEI & Belonging Initiatives
- ✔Education & Social Work Conferences
- ✔Youth Advocacy & Empowerment Events
- ✔Healthcare & Human Services Organizations
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