Words that Move People.
Leadership that Moves Business.
Charlene delivers powerful keynotes as a top female leadership speaker—challenging thinking, igniting courage, and transforming culture through bold, authentic messages.
Trusted by Leading Brands
Organizations that have trusted Charlene to inspire, challenge, and move their people to action.
What Are You?
“What kind of speaker are you?”
I get this question a lot.
And every time, I smile. Because the truth is:
I’m not just a category speaker. I’m a category of one.
I don’t fit inside your box — I’m the reason you need a new one.
The Truth
So I tell them plainly:
I’m the reason you rethink the box in the first place.
l'm a motivational and inspirational speaker — yes.
But also a leadership strategist. A cultural truth-teller.
A woman who didn't rise to the executive level of a $40B engineering and construction firm without collecting a few hard-won lessons, and turning them into sparks of courage for others.
Who I Speak To
I speak to those building up courage of their own.
Yes, I’m a leadership speaker. You can’t lead without knowing how to follow—and when to forge your own path.
The Usual Question
Motivational? Inspirational?
Leadership? Women’s Empowerment?
All of the above.
That’s when they pause. Tilt their head.
And ask again — what they’re really asking is:
“What box can we put you in?”
From Grit to Great
From steel-toed boots on job sites to power suits in the C-suite —
I’ve led where the stakes were sky-high and the spotlight was nowhere to be found.
You can't do that without learning a few things about real leadership.
I Empower Women
I am a woman.
Our pressures are different.
We are expected to lead, but not too loudly. Shine, but not outshine; Be confident, but not intimidating. Be strong, but still be soft; But I’ve learned to flip the script and I’ve got some gems to drop.
So Don’t Write Me Off Because You Can’t Categorize me
Write me in because what doesn’t fit might be exactly what you need.
To transform your leadership team, yourself, and your enterprise.
“Bring a Voice That Moves the Room
Charlene Wheeless doesn’t just speak — she shifts perspectives. Whether you’re planning a leadership summit, a women’s empowerment conference, or an internal company event, she delivers insight, inspiration, and impact.”
Charlene Wheeless is a motivational speaker for women leaders, corporate executives, and organizations ready to turn success into significance.
Why I Speak
From Underestimated to Unstoppable—This is Why I Speak…
I didn’t choose to be underestimated—but I chose what to do with it.
As a Black woman keynote speaker, former C-suite executive, and lifelong barrier-breaker, I speak because I’ve lived the moments where being seen, heard, and valued wasn’t guaranteed. I know what it means to lead while navigating systems that weren’t built for you—and to rise anyway. Today, I use my voice to ignite others. Whether I’m delivering a keynote to 500 leaders, guiding a culture transformation, or empowering women to lead with authenticity, my message is always the same:
It’s choice—not chance—that changes everything.
I speak to remind leaders—especially those who feel invisible, underestimated, or overextended—that their story, their voice, and their leadership matter. Not just in theory, but in business, in culture, and in the bottom line.
This is why I speak.
Signature Keynotes
Each of Charlene’s keynotes blends real-world experience, transformative storytelling, and actionable insight. Whether you're looking to energize your team, shift your culture, or empower your emerging leaders, these keynotes deliver inspiration with impact.
Choice, Not Chance, Changes Everything
Lead with intention. Live with purpose.
Success isn’t a guarantee of fulfillment—especially when you’re stuck chasing approval, perfection, or someone else’s definition of success. In this transformative keynote, Charlene delivers her signature SOAR framework and the powerful tool of “Seven Seconds of Courage” to help audiences stop performing and start choosing. Packed with compelling storytelling and practical insights, this talk empowers leaders to lead boldly, reclaim their power, and make choices that align with who they are and where they’re going.
✅ Best for: Corporate leadership, conferences, all-level employee audiences 🛠 Frameworks: SOAR-M², Seven Seconds of Courage
Unstoppable Women: Leading with Confidence, Clarity & Courage
Own your voice. Take up space. Lead on your terms.
This empowering keynote speaks directly to women leaders who are ready to stop holding back. Charlene delivers an inspiring call to action for women—especially those navigating bias, burnout, and invisibility—to lead with courage, clarity, and unapologetic purpose. Equal parts inspiration and activation, this talk reignites agency and equips women to define leadership for themselves, not through someone else’s lens.
✅ Best for: Women’s summits, ERGs, high-potential women’s programs 🛠 Frameworks: SOAR-M², 7 Seconds of Courage, Impostor Syndrome Reframe
On Stage and in the Moment
Charlene doesn’t just speak—she shifts the room. Here’s a glimpse of her in action at leadership conferences, company offsites, and industry events around the world.
Virtual, Hybrid, or Live—Charlene Delivers Every Time!
Whether in the room or on screen, Charlene brings clarity, courage and connection to every audience.
What Clients Are Saying About Charlene's Keynotes and Leadership Coaching
“Every syllable of this talk rang with truth earned many times over. One participant said it felt ‘like church’—and the whole room agreed.”
— Virtual Leadership Session Attendee
“Charlene didn’t just speak—she shifted the energy in the room. Weeks later, people are still quoting her.”
— VP, Global Tech Company
“Charlene is one of the most authentic speakers I’ve ever seen. She brings truth, vulnerability, and wisdom—and somehow makes you laugh while doing it.”
— DEI & Culture Leader, Fortune 500 Company
“She didn’t just give us a keynote—she gave us a wake-up call. My team left inspired, aligned, and ready to lead with courage and clarity.”
— Senior Executive, Healthcare Industry
“Her story was moving, but it was the call to action that stuck with me. I still have her words on a Post-it note on my monitor.”
— Women in Leadership Summit Attendee
“We’ve brought in a lot of speakers over the years, but none have had the lasting impact Charlene has. She connects, she elevates, and she delivers results.”
— VP, Global Learning & Development
“Charlene spoke with passion and conviction about DE&I and the lived experience of Black women. Her honesty was professional, personal, and incredibly powerful.”
— Brett Jewkes, EVP & Chief Brand Officer, AMB Sports + Entertainment
“Charlene didn’t just challenge our thinking—she challenged our culture. She helped us lead through adversity and lead with heart.”
— Executive Leadership Program Attendee
“I felt like my inner thoughts were spoken out loud and be validated. It’s always great to hear real stories from women who find their life’s path after working for 30+ years in corporate America. I needed this as I am at a crossroads myself after breast cancer.”
— Lunch and Learn Program Attendee
“As a Black woman in PR, I felt seen, empowered, and uplifted. Charlene gave practical, real-world tools for driving inclusion and change.”
— Public Relations Professional
“Our conversations last year have left a deep impression on me and probably changed me forever. I am much more self-authored and in control nowadays, aware of my skills and my little angel and devil that make me a whole human being.”
— Medical Research and Development Executive
“You radiate such power and purpose that I knew instantly you were one of those women who don't just walk in a room… you shift the atmosphere when you tell your story.”
— Award Winning Speaker and Author
Ready to bring Charlene’s Impact to Your Leadership Team?
Let’s talk about how she helps audiences rise, energizes leaders, and transforms company culture from the inside out. Whether you’re planning a keynote or seeking executive coaching, real change starts here.
Don’t wait for the perfect moment—choose the impact you want to create.
Check AvailabilityLet’s make Your Next Event Unforgettable!
Whether you're planning a high-energy leadership summit, an intimate retreat, or a corporate sales meeting, Charlene brings the inspiration, clarity, and impact your audience deserves.
Each keynote is tailored to the moment—and to the people in the room. Charlene delivers more than motivation; she creates messages that move people, shift mindsets, and spark lasting change.