KEYNOTES

Leilani M. Brown inspires change through compelling keynotes.

Leilani standing at a podium giving a presentation

Leilani M. Brown delivers presentations that combine practical wisdom with infectious enthusiasm. Her engagements provide both information and inspiration, thoughtfully crafted to meet your organization's specific needs.

DYNAMIC DELIVERY FOR LASTING IMPACT

As a professional speaker, Leilani delivers compelling presentations and workshops, whether to large audiences of over 1,000 people or in smaller, interactive sessions and guest lectures. She prides herself on providing inspiration and motivation while offering concrete, actionable insights with clarity and a dose of humor. Attendance satisfaction often exceeds 95%.

Leilani brings more than insights—she brings transformation. As a recognized leader in workforce development and cultural innovation, her dynamic sessions combine inspiration with actionable strategies that leave audiences ready to succeed, lead, and create change. Her unique blend of humor, relatability, and expertise ensures lasting impact.

PREVIOUS ENGAGEMENTS

Previous engagements have included:

  • The Liberal Arts Career Network

  • NYC CEO Jobs Council

  • Small College Career Alliance

  • U.S. Chamber of Commerce Talent Forward Conference

  • Host of the Executive Leadership Council's Mid-Level Manager's Symposium

  • Women's Leadership Forum

  • The Citadel

  • Various companies, colleges, universities, and membership associations

  • FROM CAMPUS TO CAREER

    Prepares students for successful workplace transitions by addressing the hidden curriculum of professional life. Students learn onboarding essentials, including digital presence management, time mastery, and strategic relationship building— skills that employers expect, but seldom explicitly teach.

  • ACT LIKE YOU BELONG. BECAUSE YOU DO.

    Empowers students to navigate workplace cultures with confidence and authenticity. This impactful talk helps diverse students recognize their value while developing essential professional presence that opens doors to opportunity.

  • THE THINGS NO ONE TELLS YOU

    Reveals the unwritten rules and unspoken feedback that may ultimately determines career advancement. Students gain insider knowledge about the behaviors, attitudes, and subtle professional cues that influence how they're perceived in the workplace.

  • MANAGING YOUR PERSONAL BRAND

    Equips students with strategies to intentionally craft their professional identity. This practical session shows how to align personal values with career goals and company culture to stand out in competitive job markets.

  • NAVIGATING EARLY CAREER CHALLENGES

    Provides actionable strategies for overcoming the most common obstacles new graduates face. Students learn to transform entry-level positions into launching pads for meaningful career growth.

  • ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR TODAY'S WORKPLACE

    Focuses on the crucial, but often underestimated, “soft skills” in high demand in today’s job market. Students gain practical tools for effective communication, problem-solving, and collaboration that immediately increase their workplace value.

  • BUILDING PROFESSIONAL CONFIDENCE AND PRESENCE

    Teaches students how to project capability and confidence in professional settings. This session provides concrete techniques for everything from executive communications to navigating difficult conversations.

  • PREPARING FOR JOBS THAT DON'T YET EXIST

    Equips students with the adaptability and foresight needed for tomorrow's economy. This forward-looking talk helps graduates cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset and sharpen the transferable skills needed for long-term career resilience.

YOUR FIRST JOB LIVE

Also offered in a customized, interactive format recorded in-person on college campuses and at corporate events, the Your First Job LIVE experience allows audiences to engage directly with thought leaders in discussions about career development, workplace culture, and personal branding. Always dynamic and impactful, these sessions fosters real-time connections between seasoned professionals and emerging talent.

Book Your First Job LIVE—an interactive experience bringing career conversations to life at your event.

Leilani M. Brown headshot 2

ABOUT LEILANI M. BROWN

Leilani M. Brown is the founder and CEO of Giant Steps, LLC, a consulting firm at the intersection of strategy, culture, and the future of work. The firm serves a diverse portfolio of clients, including executives and boards from corporate businesses, non-profit organizations, arts and cultural institutions, healthcare, and educational organizations such as colleges, universities, and independent schools. Leilani is also the host of "Your First Job," a podcast about early career experiences and bridging generational gaps in the workforce.

Before founding Giant Steps, Leilani was an award-winning executive at leading companies, including Stride, Starr Insurance Companies, The Economist Group, MetLife, and American International Group.

Leilani also serves as Vice Chair for Middlebury College, her alma mater, and is a board member for the Charleston Literary Festival.

For over 15 years, Leilani has been a board member and trustee for various non-profit, education, and arts and culture organizations. Her previous board roles include President of the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning, Chair of the Governance Committee for Buckley Country Day School, and Secretary for the Executive Leadership Council.

Her book, "From Campus to Career: 25 Tips for Your First Professional Year," is a celebrated career advice guide for interns, new graduates, and young professionals. She is a sought-after keynote speaker at colleges, universities, companies, conferences, and national events. Recognized as a thought leader on workforce development, equity, and inclusion, her opinion articles have appeared in Newsweek, Fortune, EdTech Digest, Authority Magazine, and Scary Mommy.

Leilani holds a Bachelor of Arts from Middlebury College and a Master's in Public Administration from New York University. She also holds a Directorship Certification® from the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD).

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING:

"Leilani's masterpiece has been a favorite of our students. When we asked her to speak during one of our sessions, the students were in awe of the tremendous nuggets of knowledge that she dropped. Many of those who've moved onto corporate roles speak about her expertise, professionalism and spirit."

- Leader, Fortune 100 Technology Company

"Leilani Brown was an outstanding keynote speaker at our annual Small College Career Alliance conference. She is incredibly engaging and thoughtful—her empowering content and stories, all tailored to her audience, challenge us to reconsider our assumptions about life, work, and purpose. And all done with warmth and humor. Truly the highlight of the conference."

- Chair, Small College Career Association

"Once again, Leilani has translated her invaluable experience as a corporate executive, marketing guru, and performance coach to provide an insider's view to emerging young professionals. It was the best part of our two-day conference."

- Fortune 500 Chief Human Resources Officer