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​​A Journey Defined by

Curiosity

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A life of service

Fay’s journey of service began at seventeen when she enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. After her military service, Fay continued to challenge herself in new fields, working as a 911 emergency dispatcher while attending college during the day. She ​earned a B.A. in History from Trinity College and later a J.D. from Lewis & Clark Law School. She served the community's most vulnerable as a poverty and elder law lawyer.Later, she negotiated the difficult relationships between the formerly incarcerated and their parole officers for the Oregon Parole Board.  In 2017, her community-minded leadership led to her appointment as a Circuit Court Judge in Linn County, Oregon, making history as the first openly LGBTQ African American to serve in that role​. Through each of these roles, Fay’s guiding question was, “What can I learn from this experience, and how can I serve others better?”

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Inspiring and Engaging Audiences

Sharing candid stories of boot camp discipline, midnight emergency calls, courtroom trials, and hard-won victories for justice, Fay Stetz-Waters lights up every room she enters. 

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Through each story runs a common thread: a willingness to ask “What if?” Fay’s audiences – from executive teams to university students – come away motivated to embrace curiosity as a catalyst for growth in their own lives and organizations.

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A curious mindset can lead to extraordinary paths and impactful change. Fay’s warm, down-to-earth speaking style makes everyone feel included and empowered to ask questions, stay open-minded, and courageously create the future they imagine.

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Invite Fay Stetz-Waters to your organization or campus, and get ready to be inspired to lead with curiosity and make a lasting impact.

Championing the Power of Curiosity

At every step, curiosity has been Fay’s compass. She asked questions and listened deeply. This mindset made her “particularly attuned to people’s experiences” and helped her become “an advocate for change.” As a judge and civil rights leader, Fay learned that staying curious about others’ stories breaks down barriers, challenges assumptions, and forges human connection. She reminds her audiences that curiosity can be revolutionary, leading to innovation and unexpected solutions.

In her keynote speeches and workshops, she translates her journey into lessons for others: encouraging business leaders to lead with openness, helping students see the value of lifelong learning, and showing teams how curiosity drives creativity and resilience. 

As Fay powerfully states, there is “extraordinary strength we possess when we stand together – united through adversity – transforming today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities.”

Ready to start your journey? Let's  talk.

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