karen walrond is an award-winning author, speaker, & leadership coach.
and she’s on a mission to create a kindness revolution.
Her books encourage readers to identify their values and inner light and use them to make the world brighter for others. Audiences around the world have left her keynotes inspired with hope and a renewed determination to serve. And her one-on-one leadership coaching sessions, workshops and retreats, rooted in the tenets of positive psychology coaching, have helped hundreds of clients unearth their gifts and past triumphs to lead with confidence, compassion and kindness.
Karen and her family split their time between Houston, Texas, USA and Bath, UK.
“Karen inspires us to claim our voices and own the parts of us that make us authentic, beautiful and strong.”
— Brené Brown, New York Times Bestselling Author
AUTHOR
Karen’s books inspire readers to look within themselves for the truth of their own light. The Beauty of Different features the portraits and stories of people who have discovered their differences are their superpowers, and they have learned to thrive, against all odds. The Lightmaker’s Manifesto teaches us how to unearth our passions and gifts, so we can joyfully advocate for justice, peace, and liberation. The award-winning Radiant Rebellion helps us radiantly rebel against the fads and assumptions that hold us back, redefine the adventure of getting older, and create a shining future of expanded potential. And with her Seven Attributes of Intentional Amateurism, her newest book, In Defense of Dabbling (September 2025) guides readers to joy-filled, self-transcendent living.
Each book illustrates and reminds us all that our uniqueness, skills, and stories have the power to connect with ourselves and with othersin the most beautifully different, radiant ways.
Grab one of her books here.
“She’s an inspiring and empowering speaker. What a phenomenal woman!”
— Nyasha Smith, Attorney and Co-Founder of Blogalicious Social Media Conference
SPEAKER
Karen’s dynamic keynotes and workshops include concepts of self-empowerment and self-compassion, creativity and innovation, leadership and ethics, and diversity and belonging. She has spoken at audiences around the world, including conventions, conferences, corporations, universities, professional legal and medical organizations, and many others. Her TEDxHouston talk on the subject of resonance and "looking for the light" has reached over 100,000 viewers, and counting. With both storytelling and vivid imagery, Karen providesconcrete solutions that organizations can embed in their cultures, and individuals can easily implement in their lives.
Contact Karen about speaking at your organization’s event here.
“She asks the type of questions that will get you moving toward the answers you’re seeking. Trust me — Karen’s the real deal.”
— A’Driane Nieves, artist & activist
leadership Coach & facilitator
One-on-one coaching, consulting, ecourses & retreats.
Karen is the former Chief of Staff of Halliburton Energy Services, a Fortune 200 corporation, as well as the former Chief Counsel of Landmark Graphics Corporation, one of the largest software companies in the oil and gas industry. In addition, Karen is trained in positive psychology coaching from the Wholebeing Institute, using the science of well-being and research-based assessments and interventions to bring about greater satisfaction, purpose and fulfillment in life.
As a self-taught photographer (and journaling evangelist), she uses creativity and self-expression to help clients from all walks of life discover their own gifts and superpowers, develop their leadership skills, and learn how to use them in a way that allows them to thrive.
Register for a one-on-one coaching session here.
Contact
Let’s Connect
If you'd like to work with Karen, you can reach her at:
Karen Walrond
Chookooloonks Media LLC
650 W. Bough, Suite 150-108
Houston, Texas 77024
United States of America
Or simply click the button below to land directly in her inbox.