Based on Dr. Jessica Kriegel’s groundbreaking book Surrender to Lead, this keynote introduces a transformative, counter-intuitive leadership framework for unlocking adaptability, clarity, and resilience. Through powerful storytelling, research-backed insights, and a practical roadmap for application, Jessica shows how surrender is not giving up—it’s giving way to better leadership.

Participants learn how to stop fighting reality, break out of fear-based decision loops, shift their mindset from control to clarity, and take aligned action that propels teams forward. This keynote is emotional, energizing, and deeply practical. It is perfect for organizations facing uncertainty, disruption, or rapid change.

- Explore the SHIFT™ framework: a five-step method for leading with clarity, alignment, and accountability.

- Examine how surrender unlocks accountability across all levels of teams.

- Apply a new model for leadership effectiveness that aligns purpose, strategy and culture.

Chief Strategy Officer

Culture Partners

Jessica Kriegel is a workplace culture expert, keynote speaker, and researcher. As Chief Strategy Officer at Culture Partners, she leads research that challenges outdated ideas about control, power, and performance—offering bold new frameworks that drive real business results. She’s the host of the CEO Daily Brief and Culture Leaders podcasts, and a frequent guest on CNN, Fox Business, CNBC, and Bloomberg. Jessica holds an MBA and a doctorate in leadership with a specialization in Human Resources Development. She is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity and is also a trained death doula, a role that deepens her presence and perspective as a leader. Her first book, Unfairly Labeled, breaks down generational myths in the workplace. Her upcoming book, Surrender to Lead, launches in January 2026. When she’s not doing all that, she’s cruising around Sacramento, California in a motorcycle sidecar with her eight-year-old daughter.