Kimberly S. Reed
Kimberly S. Reed on Why Optimists Always Win
Kimberly S. Reed
Keynote Speaker
Award-winning Global Diversity, Equality, Inclusion and Belonging Executive and Advisor; Best-selling Author, Optimists Always Win!; Cancer Ambassador; Top Chief Diversity Officer, The POWERLIST 2023
Kimberly S. Reed is a powerhouse in transforming culture into a business growth engine. A global DEIBC strategist and Rolling Stone Culture Council contributor, she equips leaders to move beyond the checkbox and create workplaces where belonging fuels performance — and the bottom line.
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Kimberly S. Reed is a DEIBC (Diversity, Equality, Inclusion, Belonging, Culture) executive strategist, global keynote speaker, author, and trusted advisor who helps leaders move beyond the checkbox to make belonging, culture, and equity integral to their organization’s DNA. For nearly two decades, she has guided Fortune 50/500 companies, global boards, and high-impact teams in transforming culture into a measurable competitive advantage. Drawing from her own powerful diversity journey, Kimberly built a nationally respected DEIBC consultancy that partners with C-suites, boards, and executive teams to embed diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging into global business strategies that drive results.
From Boston to Dubai, she has stood on stages, facilitated global summits, and entered uncomfortable conversations with one goal: to help organizations evolve beyond performative statements and into purposeful, measurable, lasting change.
Kimberly’s inspiring insights have earned her global media recognition and awards, and the distinction of being one of the most sought-after DEIBC experts.
The 2x Power-List, Top Chief Diversity Officer is a leading expert in driving culture change and DEIBC impact globally. She is a true global diversity revolutionary, and her vision and dedication have not only propelled organizations to new heights of excellence but also strengthened the core values that foster inclusive and vibrant workplaces.
An award-winning global speaker and lecturer, and bestselling author, Kimberly wrote Optimists Always Win! – Moving from Defeat to Life’s C-Suite (Simon & Schuster/HCI Communications), with 100% of proceeds supporting cancer charities.
In 2024, Kimberly received the Rising Star Award presented by DigitalConfex in Dubai, which is a prestigious honor recognizing exceptional professionals who are at the pinnacle of their careers, driving transformative change on a global scale.
Kimberly is deeply engaged in her community, serving on multiple professional and nonprofit boards in roles ranging from member to executive council and board chair. She is also a board member of the American Cancer Society, and a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Phi Beta Omega Chapter, and The Links Incorporated, two esteemed global Women’s organizations dedicated to service. In 2025, she was named to the Nasdaq Center for Board Excellence, a prestigious network of forward-thinking board members and leaders dedicated to enhancing corporate governance and board performance. That same year, she was also invited to join the Rolling Stone Culture Council, an exclusive community of global influencers and changemakers shaping the future of culture, leadership, and innovation.
Kimberly’s impact and leadership were further recognized when she was honored as a 2025 Philadelphia Titan 100—a distinction awarded to the region’s top CEOs and C-level executives who exemplify vision, influence, and trailblazing excellence within their industries.
Kimberly has a B.A. in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations and Public Administration from Westchester University and a Master of Education, Adult Organizational Development and Public Policy from Temple University. She also has received her certification in Global Organizational Leadership, Human Resource Management, Temple Fox School of Business and received certifications in Training and Development and Communication and Conflict from Temple University.
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Kimberly S. Reed
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Kimberly S. Reed
Kimberly S. Reed on Why Optimists Always Win
Kimberly S. Reed’s Speech Topics
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Redesigning the Future: Your Organizational Diversity Visioning Board 2023 and Beyond
As we continue to unscramble the Rubik’s Cube at the top of 2023, the emphasis on people leadership, culture, emotional intelligence, talent, and mental health has risen on the list of C-suite concerns. Dialing up empathy and connectivity in uncertain times is critical to building a solid culture — DEIB is change.
In this session, participants will be guided through a “vision board” exercise on how to improve and set their DEIB organizational priorities to empower and implement change through each area of organizational ecosystems for sustainable growth and results.
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Diversity, Equality, Inclusion, and Belonging Requires Authentic and Innovative Leadership
If leadership is about getting results through people, authentic leaders will be successful every time! Authentic leaders consciously create and foster genuine connections with others, and they are committed to building trust, optimism, hope, and commitment within their teams.
In this interactive and energetic keynote or workshop, leaders will learn tips and techniques to leverage the power of leading with authenticity and integrity to foster greater employee engagement, DEIB, and sustain an environment where everyone feels they can succeed and thrive.
After hearing this keynote/session, participants will:
- Understand what authentic leadership entails, and how to bring the full power of their authentic self to their leadership role;
- Learn how to communicate and align their teams behind a shared, ambitious, and ethical vision that supports the organization’s goals;
- Explore ways to create and sustain deeper connections with the people they lead and inspire them to achieve greater results;
- Understand the importance of creating a leadership philosophy that supports the long-term success of the organization with value-based, courageous leadership.
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The Evolution of DEI and “B” — What It Means to Our Nation and the Workplace
We all know that the world is becoming more diverse; post-millennial generations entering the workforce will be the most diverse in history, according to research from the Pew Research Center. Given this reality, many organizations want to proactively leverage the power and benefits of a diverse workforce. During this keynote/session, we are going “back to the basics” to learn more about diversity, equality/equity, inclusion, and belonging, and how incorporating these important concepts into your day-to-day life and professionally, benefits everyone in your organization and ultimately creates a culture where everyone can succeed. The future of work will require us to educate ourselves, and adopt more innovative approaches to sustaining a culture of inclusivity and diversity.
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Works by Kimberly S. Reed
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Kimberly S. Reed
Optimists Always Win!: Moving from Defeat to Life’s C-Suite
Kimberly S. Reed Topics & Types
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