Be the CEO of Your Career

In complex organizations, high-performing leaders are often operating at the next level without being recognized or positioned that way.

They are influencing decisions, driving outcomes, and holding critical pieces of the business together. But when it comes time for advancement, visibility, or new opportunities, that impact is not translating.

When this gap isn’t addressed, organizations underutilize the leaders already operating at the next level.

Momentum slows. Key talent is overlooked. And the people best equipped to lead what’s next are not the ones shaping it.

Be the CEO of Your Career is designed to close that gap.

Drawing on more than 25 years in senior creative leadership and executive coaching, Karen Kunkel Young shows leaders how opportunity actually moves inside organizations and how to position themselves accordingly.

This keynote equips leaders to::

• Communicate their value in a way that influences decisions, not just informs them

• Maintain visibility and momentum during critical transitions so they are not overlooked at the moments that matter

• Make strategic decisions aligned with business direction, not just their current role

• Operate with ownership at the level they are already performing, before the title catches up

Leaders leave with sharper positioning, stronger influence, and language they can use immediately in high-stakes conversations.

Delivered for corporate leadership teams, professional associations, and universities, this keynote is often brought in at moments of transition, growth, and leadership inflection. It is frequently delivered as a keynote or paired with a workshop to deepen application and drive results.