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
Underrated to Undeniable: SOAR and Be Seen
From invisible to impactful—this is your leadership breakout.
In too many rooms, brilliant people go unseen. This high-impact keynote is for anyone who’s ever felt underestimated, overlooked, or undervalued. Charlene shares her own journey from invisibility to influence—and teaches audiences how to use her SOAR framework to break free from performance traps, unlock their voice, and lead from a place of grounded self-belief. It’s not about proving your worth—it’s about owning it.
✅ Best for: ERGs, DEI audiences, early-to-mid career professionals, underrepresented leaders. 🛠 Frameworks: SOAR-M², Personal Narrative Reframing
Lead the Team You Have: Building Trust, Courage & Cohesion from Within
You don’t need a perfect culture—you need courageous and cohesive leadership.
Culture isn’t created by slogans—it’s created by how leaders show up. Grounded in Patrick Lencioni’s 5 Behaviors of a Cohesive Team, this keynote gives leaders the mindset and practical tools to build trust, embrace healthy conflict, and drive real accountability—even within teams they didn’t create. Charlene blends leadership experience from the boardroom with behavioral insight to help teams move from dysfunction to cohesion.
✅ Best for: Leadership offsites, executive teams, culture transformation initiatives 🛠 Frameworks: The 5 Behaviors, Real-World Leadership Scenarios
Trusted by Leading Brands
Organizations that have trusted Charlene to inspire, challenge, and move their people to action.
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.