Dr. Lauren Young
Keynote Speaker | Author | Founder, The GRL Initiative
She was the girl who felt tolerated. Then she built the table.
Dr. Lauren Young doesn’t speak from the corner office. She speaks from the messy middle — from the identity shifts, the rooms she wasn’t sure she belonged in, the real work she did when nobody was watching. Your audience won’t just hear her. They’ll feel seen.
Ed.D. | 20+ Years in Education & Athletics | Vermont Principals’ Association | Author, Lead Anyway (July 2026) | Executive Coaching Certification, CCL
Most leadership speakers have arrived somewhere. Lauren Young is still in it — and that’s exactly why audiences can’t stop listening.
A former high school teacher, tennis coach, assistant principal, and elementary school principal, Dr. Lauren Young now serves as Executive Director of Athletics and Activities for the Vermont Principals’ Association — overseeing high school athletics statewide and fighting every day for the access, belonging, and opportunity that young athletes deserve.
She is the founder of The GRL Initiative, a national platform empowering girls and women to lead with authenticity, courage, and heart. And she is the author of Lead Anyway: The Glow-Up Guide to Leadership That’s Real, Not Perfect — publishing July 2026 with Amplify Publishing.
Known for her humor, honesty, and refreshingly direct voice, Lauren brings two decades of real-world leadership experience to every stage. She doesn’t hand you a blueprint. She hands you a mirror — and a pep talk.
Leadership from the middle of the climb.
Keynote Topics
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This isn’t a “how to lead like a CEO” talk. It’s a “how to lead when your kid’s lunch isn’t made and you’re still wearing yesterday’s mascara” talk.
Based on her debut book, this keynote is for every woman who has ever doubted she was a leader — and showed up anyway. Part memoir, part pep talk, and part call to action, Lead Anyway blends real stories, hard truths, and the kind of honesty that makes a room go quiet and then erupt.
Takeaways: Why leadership doesn’t require perfection — it requires persistence. How to stop performing confidence and start building it. What it means to lead from the beautiful, messy middle.
Best for: Women’s leadership conferences, annual summits, ERG events, education and athletics conferences.
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You can be in the room and still not belong in the room. These are completely different things — and the difference is costing organizations their best people.
This talk draws on Lauren’s research, lived experience, and 20+ years leading in spaces not built for her. She breaks down what belonging actually looks like in practice, why fitting in is exhausting and unsustainable, and what leaders can do today to build cultures where people bring their full selves.
Takeaways: The difference between fitting in and belonging. How leaders unknowingly create cultures of performance. Practical shifts that build real belonging starting Monday morning.
Best for: Leadership teams, DEI programs, education and athletics organizations, women’s ERGs.
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Boomers. Gen X. Millennials. Gen Z. Gen Alpha. All in the same buildings, the same meetings, the same Zoom calls — each speaking a completely different leadership language.
Millennials are the hinge generation: raised on analog, navigating digital, and now tasked with translating between everyone else. This talk gives leaders the language, the framework, and the permission to lead across generational difference — without burning out in the middle of it.
Takeaways: What each generation actually needs from leadership. How to translate without resentment. Why being the bridge is a leadership superpower, not a burden.
Best for: Mixed-generation leadership teams, K–12 education conferences, HR and organizational leadership events.
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What happens when leadership is messy, visible, and fully human? When you make mistakes in front of people and have to lead through them anyway? This talk is about the permission that comes from dropping the act — and what becomes possible when you stop performing certainty and start modeling honesty. Takeaways: Why people follow humanity, not perfection. How to lead through public failure without losing authority. What it means to grow into leadership in real time. Best for: Emerging leaders, women’s leadership programs, principal and administrator conferences, student leadership events.
Who Lauren speaks to
Lauren’s talks resonate across industries — anywhere women are leading, learning, or figuring it out in real time.
Women’s leadership conferences and summits
K–12 education and school leadership events
Athletics and youth sports organizations
Corporate women’s ERGs and DEI programs
University and student leadership programs
Associations and nonprofit annual conferences
Healthcare and higher education organizations
Millennial and mid-career leadership programs
What audiences say
“She said the things we’ve all been thinking but were afraid to say out loud.”
— Vermont Women in Leadership Summit“Honest, funny, and exactly what we needed.”
— Student-Leadership Conference Attendee“Every detail was thoughtfully executed. We're thrilled with the outcome.”
— NADC conference attendee
Lead Anyway
The Glow-Up Guide to Leadership That’s Real, Not Perfect
Lauren’s debut book publishes July 2026 with Amplify Publishing. Part memoir, part pep talk, and part call to action — Lead Anyway is for every woman who’s been figuring it out in real time and refusing to wait until she feels ready.
Available for pre-order July 2026.
Ready to bring Lauren to your audience?
Lauren is booking keynotes and workshops for Fall 2026 and beyond. Speaking engagements fill quickly around the book launch — reach out early to check availability.
When you reach out, include: your event name, date, and location; audience size and type; what you’re hoping your audience will take away.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. Lauren works with event organizers to tailor each talk to the specific audience, theme, and goals of the event. She can adjust focus, examples, and takeaways to fit your context.
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Lauren offers keynotes (45–60 minutes), half-day workshops, breakout sessions, and panel facilitation. Both virtual and in-person engagements are available.
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Yes — Lead Anyway publishes July 2026 with Amplify Publishing. Book orders for events can be arranged. Reach out to discuss bulk copies for your attendees.
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As early as possible — especially for Fall 2026 and Spring 2027, which are filling quickly around the book launch. Don’t wait!
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Please reach out directly to discuss fees. Lauren works with a range of organizations and budgets — the best first step is a quick conversation.