Bold Leadership. Powerful Presence. Transformational Impact.
Dr. LaKeesha Walrond delivers compelling keynotes, executive coaching, and leadership training designed to elevate visionaries, empower organizations, and drive meaningful change. With decades of expertise in education, leadership, and strategic development, she partners with companies, associations, and institutions to inspire excellence and cultivate unstoppable leaders.
Meet Dr. LaKeesha – The Catalyst for Confident Leadership & Lasting Impact
Educator, visionary leader, sought after speaker, and consummate change agent, the Rev. Dr. LaKeesha Walrond is a force faithfully encouraging those she encounters to embody their infinite possibilities. Dr. Walrond is a dynamic speaker who draws both national and international audiences. She has spoken in over 20 states in the US and engaged audiences in India, South Africa, Ghana, Canada, Bahamas, South Korea, St. Lucia, Mexico, and Guyana.
Rev. Walrond has received numerous recognitions including honors from the New York Liberty WNBA Basketball Association, the National Action Network, the McDonald’s GospelFest, NCNW, NAACP, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., The Positive Community, Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement, The Black Author’s Festival, Union Theological Seminary and Morehouse College. She has preached Homecoming and Founder’s Day services in Sister’s Chapel at her alma mater, Spelman College and her portrait hangs in the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel at Morehouse College.
Dr. Walrond has a passion for children and education. She worked in the public-school system in North Carolina for eleven years as a teacher, a coordinator for special education programs, assistant principal, and as a principal. From June 2019 to August 2024, she served as the first woman President of New York Theological Seminary. During her tenure, NYTS began of a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) program at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility and graduated 16 incarcerated women in its first two years. Her challenging five-year term concluded with NYTS relocating its campus and engaging in a strategic partnership with Union Theological Seminary, ultimately saving the institution’s mission and legacy. Former New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio named October 26, 2019, “Rev. LaKeesha Walrond Day” in the city of New York.
Dr. Walrond answered her call to the ministry in December of 1995 and began her journey in ministry serving as an Associate Minister at Zion Temple UCC in North Carolina for six years. She served as the Executive Pastor and Chief of Staff of First Corinthian Baptist Church (FCBC) in Harlem, NY for thirteen years, As Chief of Staff, she used educational and organizational strategies to maximize FCBC’s capacity and influence in the community and abroad. As Executive Pastor, she implemented strategies to create a culture of learning which evolved into a community of learners. For the past five years, Pastor LaKeesha and has been serving FCBC as Preaching Pastor focusing her attention on preaching, speaking, coaching and consulting.
In an effort to authentically reach the hearts of women, Dr. Walrond launched the Getting to
Greatness (G2G) Women’s Conference in 2013. In 2024, G2G become Getting to Greater, honoring the call to engage in greater peace, joy, love, living, giving and serving. As founder of CEO of G2G, she is relentless in her pursuit to empower women to Work Smart, Rest Well, Play Often, and Dream Big through leadership development and a sevenfold wholeness emphasis - spiritual, emotional, mental, psychological, sexual, financial and physical wellness. She is the author of My Body is Special (2017), which is the first of her six-part “Let’s Talk About It” (LTAI) children’s book series, written to help end sexual violence against children.
A native Texan, Dr. Walrond earned her undergraduate degree from Spelman College, a Master of Education (MEd), Master in School Administration (MSA), and Doctor of Philosophy in Special Education (PhD) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Master of Divinity (MDiv) from Union Theological Seminary in New York, NY - where she later served as a trustee for three years.
Her Story: Transcending Trials to Triumph
Dr. LaKeesha Walrond’s story is one of resilience, transformation, and unwavering purpose. Born into circumstances that tested her spirit early, she faced childhood challenges that could have defined her—but instead, they refined her. She learned early that pain can be a teacher, struggle can be a stepping stone, and faith is an anchor in the storm.
Determined to rise beyond her circumstances, Dr. LaKeesha pursued higher education, excelling as a student, leader, and visionary. She balanced motherhood, academia, and the demands of leadership, all while deepening her commitment to empowering others. Her time in ministry strengthened her ability to guide people through life’s most difficult seasons, while her tenure as a university president proved that strong leadership requires both strategy and heart.
But her journey was never just about personal success. It was about using her experiences—the hardships, the victories, and the lessons in between—to pave the way for others. Today, she stands as a powerful force for leadership, transformation, and personal reinvention. She has dedicated her life to helping individuals and organizations embrace their challenges, harness their strengths, and step boldly into their purpose.
Dr. LaKeesha’s message is clear: Your past does not define you—your choices do. Your struggles are not barriers—they are building blocks. And your purpose is waiting—it’s time to rise.
AS FEATURED IN:
Strategic Insight & Transformational Leadership for the Modern Workforce
In today’s rapidly evolving workplace, organizations need more than inspiration—they need tangible strategies that fuel performance, strengthen leadership, and cultivate a culture of excellence. Dr. LaKeesha Walrond delivers high-impact keynotes, workshops, and executive coaching tailored to the real challenges corporations, associations, and institutions face today.
Building Leaders. Strengthening Organizations. Driving Results.
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Future-Ready Leadership: 68% of executives believe their organizations lack the leadership to drive long-term growth. Dr. LaKeesha equips teams with high-performance decision-making frameworks that create sustainable impact.
Building High-Performance Cultures: Learn the principles of agile leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and developing next-generation leaders to future-proof your organization.
Women in Leadership: Companies with diverse leadership teams outperform industry averages by 25%—Dr. LaKeesha provides tangible strategies for developing and retaining women in executive roles.
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Beyond Diversity: Building Cultures of Excellence: Only 35% of employees feel truly connected to their organization’s vision. Learn how to foster belonging, trust, and performance-driven engagement.
Talent Retention & Advancement: The average cost of replacing an employee is six to nine months of their salary. Dr. LaKeesha delivers strategies that reduce turnover and develop internal talent pipelines.
Equitable Leadership & Advancement: Companies with clear career mobility pathways experience a 34% increase in employee engagement. Learn how to create a workforce where leadership development is accessible and strategic.
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Preventing Leadership Burnout: 77% of executives report burnout, impacting productivity and decision-making. Learn evidence-based strategies to sustain peak performance without sacrificing mental well-being.
Workplace Well-Being & Employee Retention: Organizations that invest in well-being programs see a 21% increase in engagement and a 41% decrease in absenteeism. Learn the science behind creating cultures that retain top talent.
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Commanding the Room: Strong executive presence increases the likelihood of career advancement by 72%. Learn how to enhance credibility, communication, and persuasion to lead with confidence.
High-Stakes Communication: Whether leading boardroom discussions or addressing crises, effective leaders influence outcomes through clarity, composure, and impact.
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Preparing for Workforce Shifts: With the rapid pace of technological advancement, it's estimated that 85% of the jobs that will exist in 2030 haven't been invented yet. Leaders must equip their teams to adapt, innovate, and thrive in evolving industries.delltechnologies.com+4huffpost.com+4linkedin.com+4
AI, Automation & Human Leadership: As automation reshapes business, organizations need leaders who drive innovation, problem-solving, and human-centered strategies.
Sources: Deloitte – Burnout Survey & Workforce Trends - Deloitte Workplace Burnout Survey; Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) – Burnout & Employee Retention SHRM Research on Burnout; American Psychological Association (APA) – Workplace Well-Being & Productivity - APA Healthy Workplaces Research; Dell Technologies – Future of Work & Job Evolution - Dell Technologies Future Workforce Report; Flair HR – Employee Engagement & Stress Statistics - Flair HR Burnout Statistics; Spill Chat – Executive Presence & Leadership Impact - Spill Chat Workplace Burnout & Leadership Stats
My Body is Special- 2nd Edition
'My Body is Special,' is the first book of a six part - 'Let's Talk About It' series designed to end child sexual abuse. Eva, the main character of the book, shares a conversation that she had with her mother about body safety with readers. She explains the importance of taking good care of our bodies. She also warns readers about persons who would want to engage in unhealthy touches with children. By the end of the book, Eva has given each reader the tools to determine; what to say, what to do, where to go and who to tell if they ever encounter a person who has a 'bad touch' on the agenda. The hope is that parents and other loving adults will engage this sensitive subject with children in a way that affirms child safety and empowerment. This book is written specifically for 5 to 7 year old children but can be shared with children of all