Kathi Kulesza
Turning Strong Performers Into Recognized Leaders | Leadership Keynote Speaker
Travels from Las Vegas NV, USA
Audience Feedback
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Attendees Find Valuable
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Would See Again
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Talks Given
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Speaks on:
Authentic Leadership
Emotional Leadership
Employee Experience
Gender Equity
Personal Growth
Relationship Management
Speaks to:
Associations & Membership Orgs
Community & Civic Organizations
Formats:
Training
Keynote
Workshop
Audience members say
Key Audience Outcomes
Participants gained practical insights and actionable strategies for improving communication and conflict resolution skills.
Attendees felt more prepared and confident in their leadership abilities, with a better understanding of their own style and how to adapt to others.
Many participants experienced a shift in mindset, becoming more open-minded, empathetic, and focused on continuous growth.
Participants learned valuable techniques for managing emotions, de-escalating conflicts, and fostering a more positive and productive work environment.
Attendees discovered new resources and tools to support their professional development, including recommended books, articles, and future training opportunities.
Kathi's Bio
Meet Kathi Kulesza, a leadership strategist and keynote speaker who helps managers become the kind of leaders people choose to follow—especially when times are tough. With a career that spans everything from opening hotels and leading high-stakes brand conversions to directing loyalty programs and customer experience initiatives, Kathi brings real-world leadership lessons to life on stage. Her signature framework, ApologyFree™ Leadership, is built on lived experience—not theory. Known for asking the questions others avoid, Kathi challenges leaders to think bigger, act braver, and lead with both courage and connection. Her high-impact sessions blend storytelling, strategy, and soul to deliver lasting change for teams and organizations. Whether she’s guiding executives through culture change or equipping emerging leaders with practical tools, Kathi’s goal is simple: help good managers become unforgettable leaders.
Private
Varies based on date, location, and engagement type
What you will receive
A detailed quote with pricing, availability, add-ons, and travel info that's ready to share with your team.
Kathi Offers the Following Talks
Leadership Isn’t What You Do—It’s Who You Decide to Be
Think Like a Leader: Learn how to shift from task-driven management to identity-based leadership by mastering your “ToBe” list.
Be More Human: Understand how small, meaningful moments of connection drive trust, loyalty, and retention—without budget or burnout.
Be a Sounding Board: Gain tools to listen more deeply, support your team emotionally, and lead conversations that build psychological safety.
Show more >
ApologyFree™ Leadership for Women: Lead with Power, Presence, and No Regrets
Learn how to stop overcompensating and start owning your leadership identity.
Use self-awareness and empathy as tools for building influence, not burnout.
Reframe internal narratives and imposter feelings to lead with unapologetic confidence.
Build trust and engagement by becoming a leader who truly listens and reflects.
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Think Like a Leader: Confidence Is Contagious. So Is Fear.
Learn a 3-step framework to build confidence and lead with courage in high-stakes environments.
Understand how mindset rituals like Victory Files and "I Am" statements foster authentic leadership presence.
Discover how to activate courage in real-time moments of pressure, from boardrooms to breakrooms.
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From Burnout to Buy-In: Human Leadership That Works
Learn how small, intentional acts of human connection build long-term team engagement.
Understand the emotional ROI of presence over performance.
Apply the “Be More Human” principle to increase trust, retention, and morale—without budget.
Show more >
How Childhood Voices Become Corporate Ceilings
Recognize how early experiences may be shaping your leadership identity today.
Explore how “proving” can become a trap, even when it drives success.
Learn mindset shifts to lead from self-worth, not old wounds.
Show more >
Audience & Client Feedback on Kathi
1 / 12
I feel more prepared and confident on my journey to being a leader. Kathi's personality is golden; she is engaging; and she touches on topics that I personally have experienced and on some I will very well experience in the near future. (see talk report)
Attendee
This training was really helping in understanding communication amongst introverts, and it really provided a lot of help of avoiding conflict through better communication strategies that I'll remember and takeaway! (see talk report)
Attendee
The sessions were insightful, practical, and filled with actionable advice. I left feeling motivated and equipped with new skills to enhance my leadership journey. Thank you! (see talk report)
Attendee
This was an awesome course to address disparities in the workplace and provides internal/external changes or skills we can address to be the best leader you can be. (see talk report)
Attendee
Kathi has great stories of her experiences that reflect the ideas I'm her session. Very relatable, sensible, and easy to apply with team members. Thank you! (see talk report)
Lisa
This session was very informative about how to reflect on myself and how it can better my leadership skills . (see talk report)
meliza vargas
Definitely sign up for this seminar, it's very beneficial & Kathi does a great job keeping attendees engaged. (see talk report)
Attendee
She was very motivational and provided applicable interventions to use in daily life. Great presentation! (see talk report)
Attendee
Kathi is passionate about what she does and an excellent leader and teacher (see talk report)
Attendee
Frequently Asked Questions on Working With Kathi
What should I know about working with you?
I'm easy to work with, highly collaborative, and committed to your event's success. I take time to understand your audience and goals, customize my content accordingly, and deliver an engaging experience with practical takeaways attendees can use immediately.
What's included in your fee?
My fee includes a planning call, audience and event customization, presentation delivery, and reasonable pre-event coordination. My goal is to ensure your audience receives a relevant, engaging, and actionable experience.
Can you customize your presentation for our specific audience and event theme?
Absolutely. I customize every presentation to reflect your audience, industry, event theme, and desired outcomes, ensuring attendees leave with practical insights they can apply immediately.
What kind of promotional support do you offer to help market the event?
I’m happy to support event promotion by providing a professional headshot, bio, session description, social media posts, and other marketing materials to help your team generate interest and attendance.
How do you engage audiences post-event?
My goal is lasting impact, not just a great presentation. Depending on the event, I may provide follow-up resources, audience Q&A, networking time, or additional support to help attendees put key ideas into action.
Do you offer extras (book signings, meet-and-greets)?
Yes. Depending on the event, I'm available for meet-and-greets, audience Q&A, leadership discussions, VIP sessions, workshops, and other activities that enhance the attendee experience.
My organization has a limited budget. Do you have any flexibility in your pricing?
Yes. My fees reflect the experience, customization, and impact I bring to each event. That said, I understand every organization has unique budget considerations and I'm always open to a conversation to determine the best fit.
Will I receive post-event materials (slides, recordings, handouts)?
Yes. Available post-event materials vary by program and event needs. We'll discuss options such as handouts, resources, slides, and recordings during the planning process.
What is your policy on event recordings and media rights?
I'm happy to work with event organizers on recording and media rights. Since every event is different, we'll discuss recording, livestreaming, and post-event usage in advance to ensure expectations are clear for everyone.
What are your specific travel requirements?
My travel arrangements are designed to ensure a reliable, stress-free event experience. I typically request the most direct flight available, lodging at the event venue or host hotel, and standard ground transportation.