Dr. Elizabeth King is the founder & chief inspiration officer for the Suits, Stilettos and Lipstick (SSL) Foundation. SSL is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower women and children from all walks of life to be resilient, self-confident, and purposeful leaders through education, mentorship, and community outreach.
Dr. King, LCSW, CHt (Clinical Social Worker and Certified Hypnotherapist), is a successful businesswoman, a mental health expert, motivational speaker, author, radio-TV personality, coach, and philanthropist. Dr. King is recognized as a thought leader and visionary in mental health, education, and women’s empowerment. She also has extensive experience in business and program development, non-profit management, consumer membership acquisition, and large-scale event production.
Her relentless pursuit of spreading hope and empowering others everywhere she goes has led to her life’s work, or as she affectionately refers to it as her “love walk.” As a result, she is proud also to be regarded as a disruptor!
Born in the Dominican Republic, she contracted polio when she was three years old and endured 36 operations and physical therapy to claim a high degree of mobility and wellness. The inner strength required to reach this point has had a profound impact on her life’s work. She relocated at the tender age of five with her mother, maternal grandmother, and four siblings to the United States, settling in New York City. The family returned to the Dominican Republic when she was 14 years old, where she completed high school. Shortly after graduation she relocated to South Florida and has never left.
Dr. King’s extensive academic career includes :
Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Computer Information Systems and a minor in Education from Nova Southeastern University
Master of Social Work from Florida International University
Educational Leadership certification from Barry University
Doctor of Education from Nova Southeastern University.
Dr. King worked for Broward County Public Schools from 1989 to 2007. She started as a classroom teacher, then went on to become a social worker and family counselor, and then as an administrator overseeing over 30 dropout prevention programs. She also has served as an adjunct professor at Nova Southeastern University. In 2007, she left the school system to open up her counseling practice and holistic center. In her clinical practice as a psychotherapist/hypnotherapist, she specialized in post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, parenting, and women’s issues. She retired from her clinical practice in June 2022 and is currently dedicated full-time to running SSL and sharing her message through keynote speaker appearances. She published her first book in 2012, entitled Dr. King’s Simple Guide to Holistic Health…Lessons Learned from My Personal Journey. Dr. King is currently working on writing her second book.
She is proud that, in 2022, SSL celebrated 10 years of serving the community. The organization has had a positive impact on thousands of women and children because of Dr. King’s commitment to making a difference.
Dr. King has been honored for her philanthropy with many prestigious awards:
2016 President’s Lifetime Achievement Award
2017 American Business Women Association (ABWA) Wonder Woman Award
Hispanic Woman Distinction Award
100 Outstanding Women of Broward County Award
PR Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Award, and
National Association of Women Business Owner (NAWBO) Bravo Award Finalist.
As a speaker, Dr. King captivates her audiences with personal stories combined with her knowledge, and always leaves audiences motivated, empowered, and inspired. She has delivered countless keynote speeches and presentations to Fortune 500 companies and top government agencies on mental health, leadership, and business development.
In her free time, she enjoys traveling, hanging out with her daughter and grandchildren, and learning to play the congas. You will never find her without her red lipstick, which she refers to as her “war paint.” Her signature color is red.