Speaking

See Your Organization Differently.

What if the hardest challenges at work aren't business problems, but human ones?

Tara brings an anthropologist’s eye to leadership, organizational culture, and the changing world of work. Drawing on research and real-world leadership experience, she helps leaders recognize the unwritten rules that shape behavior and see familiar challenges in new ways.

A Different Lens. A Practical Perspective.

Tara's keynotes examine the everyday details most of us take for granted: who speaks first in a meeting, which rules everyone follows but no one wrote down, how a new initiative gets quietly embraced or quietly ignored.

As audiences recognize their own organizations in her stories, they begin to understand why their teams behave the way they do, and they leave with practical ideas for leading differently.

Want to go deeper after the keynote? Tara also designs leadership programs and coaching that build on her talks.

Where She’s Spoken

USAA · TEDx · City of San Antonio · University of Chicago · Veteran’s Administration (VA) · U.S. Air Force · UT Health · Non-Profit Leadership Council · Bexar County Women’s Bar Association

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Every organization runs on rules no one wrote down. Tara’s talks bring those rules into view and show leaders and teams what to do about them.

Browse the topics below to find the right session for an upcoming conference, retreat, or leadership program.

  • Leadership happens in the space between the org chart and the way work actually gets done. These interactive sessions help leaders navigate that space: reading the culture, building influence across teams, and guiding people through change with clarity and confidence.

    • Work Doesn’t Speak for Itself: Visibility and Influence for Senior Leaders

    • The Leader as Anthropologist: Five Ways to See Your Organization Differently

    • The Curious Leader: Asking Better Questions in the Age of Easy Answers

  • These interactive sessions help organizations understand what holds women back, give women leaders practical ways to redefine their value and make their impact visible, and build workplaces where more people can lead.

    • Who Made the Rules for Women? The Hidden Cultural Code of Women’s Leadership

    • The Hard Work Trap: From Doing It All to Deciding What Matters

  • Every organization has two cultures: the one described in its values statement and the one people actually live.

    • The HIdden Rulebook: How to Decode Your Organization’s Culture

    • The Future of Belonging: Why People Join, Why They Stay, and What Makes Community Last

  • Behind every strategy, new tool, and change initiative are people deciding whether to embrace it. These interactive sessions reveal what really drives behavior at work and help organizations build the curiosity, adaptability, and trust that change requires.

    • Why Is Everyone Pretending This Is Normal? The Anthropology of Work

    • Change Happens in the Hallway: Why Transformation Succeeds or Fails at the Human Level

Client Feedback

  • Ashley Alvarado [CEO of Texas Public Radio]

    “Tara has a remarkable ability to ask the right questions, bring different perspectives into the conversation, and help people see familiar challenges in new ways.”

  • Dr. Jill Fleuriet [President of Salem College & Academy]

    "Tara is my #1 go-to for women and leadership. She is an innovative and engaging presenter who knows how to connect with her audience, from college students to C-suite executives.”

  • Dr. Rebecca Tapia [Section Chief, Veterans Affairs]

    “Dr. Schwegler gained rave reviews and multiple requests that she be invited back. Her unique and intriguing perspectives are both approachable and actionable for women at all levels of leadership.”

  • Brett Finley [CEO of North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce]

    “Tara’s insightful presentations not only captivated our audiences but also sparked meaningful discussions. Tara’s expertise and passion for driving positive change make her an invaluable asset to any event or program focused on leadership.”

  • Dr. Monica Verduzco-Gutierrez [Professor and Chair, UT Health San Antonio]

    “Tara’s workshop was novel and opened our eyes. She inspired us to realize our worth and armed us with practical techniques to negotiate in the future. Her knowledge of leadership development is excellent and engaging.”

  • Asia Ciaravino [President and CEO of The Public Theatre]


    Tara has the unique ability to ideate in collaboration with others as well as activate simultaneously. I always look forward to working with and learning from Tara.

  • Kristi Meyer [Director, UTSA Top Scholar Program]

    “Tara’s presentation was engaging, interactive, and fun! Her session was the most highly rated of the entire conference!”

Work with Me

Get in Touch

Anthropology is the missing link in leadership development.

Standard frameworks often miss the unwritten cultural norms that dictate executive success. By bringing an anthropological lens to leadership development, I help executives decode complex organizational dynamics, challenge hidden assumptions, and lead authentically.

Contact me to learn more about how embedding social science into your talent strategy can elevate your leadership capability.