Speaker & Moderator

Laila Frank

Laila Frank is a journalist and US expert who provides sharp insight into the complexities of American politics. She is known for her work for NPO and VRT, and her podcast Welkom in Washington. With her experience as a campaign specialist and political advisor, she offers unique perspectives on topics such as abortion, American democracy and the 2024 Presidential Elections. As a moderator, Laila combines humor, energy and sharp analysis, while reading the audience and adding depth.

Rate indication: Price on request
Available for booking as: Day chairman Interviewer ConversationLeader Panelist Speaker
Languages: Dutch English

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About Laila Frank

Laila Frank is a journalist, moderator and US expert. She regularly provides commentary on American current affairs on Dutch and Flemish television and radio for outlets including VRT, NPO Radio 1, BNR, Sophie & Jeroen and Op1. She writes for De Groene Amsterdammer and produces narrative podcasts. In her writing and podcasts, she seeks depth and the stories behind the news. In 2023, she won the Herman Wekker Award for her journalistic work. The jury praised her creativity, charm and engagement with the country, stating: “she shows that not everything is black or white and that it is precisely in the grey areas that we come to understand a country’s culture and history.”

Journalism

Laila chose journalism after a fourteen-year successful career as a campaign specialist and political advisor. In 2012, she joined the Obama campaign in Philadelphia for several months. There, she got to know America from the inside. That left her wanting more and in 2018 she changed course. She transitioned into journalism to pursue her own ‘American Dream.’ In contrast to most US correspondents, she chose the West Coast in search of a different perspective on the country. She lived in Los Angeles and Philadelphia and now divides her time between the Netherlands and the US.

Travel

Her travels are her inspiration. The encounters and observations along the way are what she brings to the stage as a speaker. She connects small, personal encounters to major social, political and economic developments in the country. In doing so, she draws on her travels across the US, her work and life there, and her background in the political world.

Welkom in Washington

In 2021, Laila drove 20,000 kilometres across the country, visiting places named Washington for her podcast Welkom in Washington. In it, she explores how Americans keep their country running at a time when politics in Washington DC barely delivers change. In 2024, in the lead-up to the Presidential Elections, a second season follows in which she examines the role that American myths and narratives play in the other Washingtons.

Research

America is a country full of contradictions: generous, warm and full of opportunity, yet also harsh, raw and unforgiving. In her work, she explores these different sides of American political culture beyond clichés and headlines.

Moderator

Laila is also frequently engaged as a moderator and operates just as smoothly in English as she does in Dutch. As a clown in a youth circus, she learned how to read an audience. As a journalist, she learned how to tell stories. As a political advisor, she learned how to shape processes. As a speaker and moderator, she brings these qualities together.

Themes

Sessions

Laila is the leading journalistic expert on this topic in the Netherlands. For years, she has been reporting on abortion in the US. Over time, Laila has spoken with dozens of activists on both sides of the spectrum, doctors, women and their partners, politicians, historians and legal experts on this subject. She brings all of this knowledge with her and reflects on what is happening in the US, as well as what this could mean for the Netherlands and for Europe.

Laila takes clients through the history, present and future of women’s rights in the US. They encounter anti-abortion activists, doctors and women who, despite or because of abortion legislation, have made choices that impact the rest of their lives.

Clients gain an understanding of the social, political, cultural and economic forces behind the abortion debate in the US.

As a speaker and moderator, Laila brings both humor and depth. As a clown in a youth circus, Laila learned how to read an audience. As a journalist, she learned how to tell stories. As a political advisor, she learned how to shape processes. As a speaker and moderator, Laila combines these qualities.

Laila takes clients to places where the headlines stop. Deep into the capillaries of the country, where clients meet Americans who can precisely explain what is happening in the nation. A journey through the country in an election year; what are the major trends and what do small towns in America tell us about the big race in Washington DC? Clients gain deeper insight into the dynamics of the Presidential Elections, hear stories “from the ground,” meet Americans across the country and get a behind-the-scenes view of the nation.

As a speaker and moderator, Laila brings both humor and depth. As a clown in a youth circus, she learned how to read an audience. As a journalist, she learned how to tell stories. As a political advisor, she learned how to shape processes. As a speaker and moderator, Laila combines these qualities.

Laila teaches clients how American democracy is structured. Why do Americans have so little trust in their democracy and institutions? The Dutch often think they understand the country, but the political system is very different from that in the Netherlands. Laila takes clients to the founding of the Federation, to activists trying to change democracy, and to Washington DC to explain how democracy works there. Clients meet Americans who can precisely explain what works and what does not in the democracy, and what the future holds for the US.

A journey through the country, visiting places and meeting Americans who are important to American democracy; what are the major trends and what do small towns in America tell us about democracy and about the major race in Washington DC?

Clients gain deeper insight into how American democracy and elections work. This also helps them better understand the dynamics of the Presidential Elections, they hear stories “from the ground,” meet Americans across the country and get a behind-the-scenes look at American democracy.

As a speaker and moderator, Laila brings both humor and depth. As a clown in a youth circus, Laila learned how to read an audience. As a journalist, she learned how to tell stories. As a political advisor, she learned how to shape processes. As a speaker and moderator, Laila combines these qualities.