Elisabeth Burks (she/her) brings over 20 years of experience at the intersection of culture and commerce, driving revenue and relevance for cultural icons like John Legend, global brands like Samsung, and entertainment giants like Sony Music and TIFF. As a visionary strategist, she guides organizations and leaders through the challenges of boardrooms and the marketplace—delivering transformational insights and strategies for leadership, business growth and cultural relevance. As founder and CEO of Known Entity, Elisabeth specializes in creating cultural and commercial strategies that move markets and mindsets. Elisabeth holds an EMBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management and the Schulich School of Business, and a B.A. in Media and Cultural Studies from The New School in New York City. A proud mother and wife, she is a sought-after public speaker and moderator and a passionate advocate for youth and social impact.
“Elisabeth’s extensive experience is distinguished as a unique and trusted advisor for top-tier businesses. Her specialized expertise provides a compelling strategic vision on how to harness cultural trends to drive commerce in today’s fragmented market. Her approach, equally strategic and sincere, is both refreshing and inspiring.” —Veronica Gaik, Executive Director, Brand Sales & Partnerships at TikTok Canada
Elisabeth Burks Speaking Topics
- First to Culture, First to Market: Capturing Consumer Shifts for Competitive Advantage
Highlights how staying ahead of cultural movements gives businesses a first-mover advantage in the marketplace. Shares strategies for identifying emerging trends and aligning brand and product offerings with evolving consumer values. - Culture as Currency: Building Cultural Capital for Business Growth
Explores how organizations can leverage cultural insights and societal shifts to drive relevance, engage consumers, and fuel commercial growth. Unpacks how cultural movements and consumer trends are reshaping commerce and how businesses can stay ahead by aligning their strategies with cultural shifts. - Cultural Tailwinds: How to Harness Social Movements for Long-Term Business Growth
Explores how brands can leverage cultural movements (e.g., sustainability, social justice) to not only stay relevant but also drive long-term brand loyalty and profitability.
- Culture-Driven Commerce: How to Build Brands that Resonate and Drive Revenue
Shows how brands that authentically engage with culture can drive deeper consumer loyalty, increase relevance, and create more sustainable revenue streams. Provides customized strategies and actionable insights on how to build cultural capital.
- Aligning Business Purpose with Consumer Expectations: A New Era of Brand Accountability
Explores how consumers are increasingly holding brands accountable for their social, environmental, and ethical practices. Discuss how businesses can align their purpose with consumer expectations to build trust and drive profit.