Speaking and Keynotes
Inspiring Leaders to Lead Without Armor
Unarmored Leadership keynotes are designed to spark insight, inspire courage, and open the door for authentic leadership.
Whether speaking to executives, managers, ERGs, or affinity groups, Susan brings powerful storytelling and practical tools that help leaders recognize the protective “armor” holding them back and learn what it takes to dismantle it.
Why Bring Susan In?
Inspiration + Action: Every keynote blends compelling stories with practical strategies leaders can apply immediately.
Tailored Impact: Keynotes are customized for the audience and can serve as a standalone experience or a launchpad into workshops, coaching, or development programs.
Organizational Relevance: By dismantling armor, leaders build trust, psychological safety, and sustainable influence, directly impacting culture, retention, and performance.
Keynotes
Unarmored Leadership Principles: How to Fearlessly Lead Without Limitations
In this keynote, Susan introduces the Unarmored Leadership model and its guiding principles. Leaders will discover how armor manifests in subtle ways, such as over-preparing, filtering communication, and avoiding conflict, as well as the hidden costs it has on confidence, connection, and trust. Through relatable stories and actionable takeaways, participants leave with a new perspective on how to lead with clarity, presence, and resilience.
Participants will leave with:
· A clear understanding of how armor shows up in leadership and the hidden costs it creates for teams.
· Practical tools to dismantle protective behaviors and replace them with authentic practices that build trust and influence.
· A renewed sense of confidence and clarity in how they show up as leaders, even in uncertain or high-stakes environments.
Audience Fit: Organizations seeking to inspire leaders across levels with a fresh, empowering approach to authentic leadership.
Unarmored Leadership Principles for Women: How to Fearlessly Lead Without Limitations
This keynote highlights the unique pressures women leaders face and how armor can show up as people-pleasing, shapeshifting, or diminishing their voice to meet expectations. Susan draws on her own story and coaching experience to illuminate how women can dismantle these protective behaviors and lead with confidence rooted in their values.
Participants will leave with:
· Insight into the unique forms of armor women leaders often carry – such as people-pleasing or downplaying their voice – and the impact these have on presence and credibility.
· Strategies to dismantle those protective patterns and step into authentic leadership rooted in values and strengths.
· A deeper connection to their leadership identity, equipping them to lead with confidence, courage, and resilience in the face of external pressures.
Audience Fit: Women in leadership, ERGs, affinity groups, or professional networks looking to strengthen authenticity, courage, and executive presence.