Speaking
Good leaders give advice based on experience; great leaders take the time to “listen and provide guidance rooted in understanding. Stacey has experience in spades. But, her undeniable gift for observing a situation and identifying real solutions that play to a person’s strengths sets her apart.”
Kari Miskit
Chief Communications Officer
stacey kauffman
Leaders are quietly suffering. Executive burnout is at an all-time high, and 46% of middle managers are looking to quit their jobs (Gallup). Behind closed doors, even the most successful executives question whether their achievements have come at too high a personal cost. Stacey Kauffman gets it—because she’s been there.
After a rapid ascent to Regional Vice President in a billion-dollar media company—earning four promotions in eight years—Stacey realized what so many high-achievers eventually do: success without alignment isn’t really success at all. That realization sparked a new mission: to help leaders stop merely surviving and start leading with clarity, confidence, and sustainability.
Through The Grounded Leader framework, The SK Collective executive advisory, and The Rising Executive Mastermind, Stacey provides a 360-degree approach to leadership transformation. Whether through personalized executive strategy, an immersive mastermind experience, or foundational leadership training, she helps leaders reconnect with their purpose, optimize their businesses, and create cultures where both performance and well-being thrive.
Known for her direct, reality-based style, Stacey doesn’t sugarcoat leadership—but she does make it sustainable. As a former executive leader at Audacy, she managed complex 24/7 operations, drove revenue growth across hundreds of businesses, and led high-performing teams—all while navigating the unspoken pressures executives face. Her leadership earned her recognition in Sacramento Magazine’s 100 Notable Business Leaders and the Sacramento Business Journal’s 40 Under 40.
Today, Stacey is redefining how organizations cultivate resilient, authentic leaders—ones who drive business success without sacrificing themselves in the process.
Reconnecting Purpose with Performance
Today’s leaders are overwhelmed—stuck in task overload, reactive firefighting, and emotional weight that’s pulling them away from strategy, culture, and connection. In this energizing and practical talk, Stacey Kauffman shares a three-step process to help leaders rise out of the chaos, reconnect to their purpose, and lead with clarity and intention. Through rediscovery, reframing, and re-engagement, leaders learn how to drive performance and culture—without burning out in the process.
Breaking Free from Success Without Fulfillment
Many leaders look successful on paper—but inside, they’re running on fumes. In this powerful session, Stacey Kauffman shares her journey from burned-out executive to purpose-driven leader, offering real talk and practical tools for redefining success on your own terms. Through honest storytelling and actionable strategies, she helps high-achievers set boundaries, align with their values, and lead with clarity, ambition, and fulfillment—without losing themselves in the process.
Speaking Topics
Employee Engagement + Culture, Getting Unstuck with a Growth Mindset;
Self-Leadership;
Leadership Development;
Success Beyond Sport: Lessons from Court to Career
Six Steps to Transform Conversations, Build Trust + Connect
Communication is at the core of trust, connection, and results—but too often, we’re distracted, not fully present, or focused on what to say next instead of truly listening. In this interactive session, Stacey Kauffman introduces the six-step LISTEN framework to help teams and leaders engage in conversations that are clear, empathetic, and productive. Whether navigating tough conversations or everyday collaboration, participants will learn how to be fully present, ask better questions, and foster connection through intentional communication that actually drives outcomes.
They say your children can be your greatest teachers. I have found that to be true; here are mine!
mission
I am mission- and purpose- driven, and it is important to me to share those values with the businesses I work with and the people I surround myself with. I am grateful for the opportunities, mentors, resources and experiences on my journey thus far, and that is why helping others and paying it forward is important to me. I truly believe in the adage that the rising tide lifts all boats!
My core value is integrity. It is more important for me to get it right than to be right, and I am willing to get uncomfortable, take risks, and make mistakes in that pursuit. I believe especially as leaders, it is our responsibility to set that example, and to create safety and vulnerability around that idea. My team, partners, family and friends know they have my commitment that, “I will not always get it right, but I will always make it right.”
I view my “life is a work-in-progress journey” in four key areas: personal growth, professional growth, leadership growth, and impact. My mission here is to share some of what I’ve learned along the way, in hopes it may help you or your business. Some things you can learn from others or osmosis, and some you have to learn for yourself. I’m hoping you’ll find at least a few of the former around here.
I got a chance to listen to Stacey Kauffman at Elite By Choice where she presented her session - Grounded Leader. I loved the session because she talks about truly how to focus on the individual and retain employees for the long run. The biggest takeaway is in the one on ones with people, making sure to respond and not to react. She did a great job of having us roleplay and practice in the session with a partner. The practice helped us realize that we don't need to be there to help and bring up our experiences, but actually hearing them on the issues and letting others share. I always would try to relate to the situation about my own experience and she really helped showcase how that isn't the appropriate time and that has already impacted my relationships with my teams.