Lorraine K. Lee

Bestselling Author (Unforgettable Presence) | Corporate Keynote Speaker | Instructor: LinkedIn Learning & Stanford | Former Founding Editor at LinkedIn & Prezi

I help professionals build an unforgettable presence to increase their visibility, impact, and influence—so they’re no longer the best-kept secret at work.

For a long time, that wasn’t my experience.

I did strong work. 
I stayed prepared. 
I waited for my turn.

And I watched others move ahead while I stayed invisible.

The shift came when I stopped being a passive participant in my career and started taking ownership of how I showed up. 

Within a year, I stepped into a Director role, learned to speak publicly despite deep nerves and introversion, and built a side business alongside my full-time job.

Then, in late 2022, I was laid off.That side business became RISE Learning Solutions, built on more than a decade of experience as a founding editor at LinkedIn, Prezi, and other leading tech companies.

Today, I work with organizations like Amazon, Zoom, and Cisco as a keynote speaker, trainer, and content creator. I also partner with select executives, including Fortune 500 CEOs, to strengthen their presence and thought leadership on LinkedIn and beyond.

My #1 bestselling book, Unforgettable Presence, is the resource I wish I had when I felt overlooked. It’s written for ambitious professionals who want to show up with clarity, confidence, and intention without becoming louder, more performative, or someone they’re not.

WHAT I DO
Keynote Speaker & Trainer 
I speak on presence, communication, presentations, managing up, and modern workplace visibility. My sessions consistently receive 98–100% positive attendee ratings, with 200+ testimonials from teams and leaders.

(Scroll down to see them in my Recommendations.)

Instructor 
I’ve trained 250,000+ learners through 15+ LinkedIn Learning courses (all rated 4.7/5 and above) and teach public speaking at Stanford Continuing Studies.

Content Creator 
As a LinkedIn Top Voice with 330,000+ followers, I’ve partnered with brands including Robert Half, HubSpot, MERIT, Gusto, Notion, and Superhuman, sharing advice and frameworks on topics including presentations, communication, and practical career advice.

LEARN FROM ME:
Grab my bestseller Unforgettable Presence: https://amzn.to/3Hdv79r
Grab my FREE 5-day email course, Invisible to Influential: lorraineklee.com/free-course

🎓 BSJ, Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism
🍰 Outside of work, I’m usually exploring new restaurants, searching for my next favorite dessert, learning golf, or planning my next trip!
👉🏻 Want to work together? Reach out at lorraineklee.com/contact

Top-Rated Virtual Keynote Speaker and Trainer

🎙𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐊: 𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐊𝐋𝐄𝐄.𝐂𝐎𝐌/𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆

🏆 Named a Top Virtual Keynote Speaker - ReadWrite (2020)
🏆 Finalist: Global Conference Speaker of the Year - WomenTech (2022)
🏆 Survey results: Speaker rating: 4.8/5, 100% learned something new, 98% found the session valuable (2023)

𝐋𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐤𝐞𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫, with experience speaking to global audiences ranging from Fortune 100 companies to startups, including Zoom, Cisco, Atlassian, and GitLab. She’s also a 5x-LinkedIn Learning Instructor with more than 300,000 followers on LinkedIn. 

Lorraine speaks on a wide range of topics, and each of her talks receive rave reviews: In 2022, she was rated a 4.92/5 as a speaker with 100% of attendees saying they learned something new.

Popular talks:
➤ How to Have Better Meetings (#2 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘰𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘦-𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘵 𝘈𝘵𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘛𝘦𝘢𝘮 '22 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦)
➤ How to Build Your LinkedIn Presence
➤ How to Make a Memorable First Impression on Video
➤ How to Present Like a Pro
➤ How to Stand Out On Video and Beat Zoom Fatigue

𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐒𝐀𝐘𝐈𝐍𝐆 (More at lorraineklee.com/testimonials)

✨ I [...] recently invited her to speak at Zoom as part of our internal speaker series. Lorraine led a masterclass in engaging an audience virtually, including using cutting-edge tools to elevate virtual storytelling. 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐞'𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬. — 𝘈𝘙𝘜𝘕 𝘑, 𝘡𝘖𝘖𝘔

✨Her presentation was 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐬 on how to improve our video communications. Her presentation encouraged engagement in an authentic way that made everyone enjoy the call. — 𝘚𝘈𝘔𝘈𝘕𝘛𝘏𝘈 𝘓𝘌𝘌, 𝘎𝘐𝘛𝘓𝘈𝘉

I’m now a Contributing Writer for Forbes! 🥳

What an incredible way to kick off 2026.

I'll be writing about the most in-demand topics for your career growth: Presence, Communication, and Leadership.

I want to hear from you: What leadership challenge should I tackle in my next article? Let me know in the comments! 👇

Read my latest pieces here:
How to Make Your Work Visible Without Sounding Braggy: https://lnkd.in/gmUZDvcw

The 2026 Career Conversation Playbook For Leaders Who Want Their Goals To Stick:
https://lnkd.in/g7zF24Ah 

How To Use Your Year-End Review To Increase Visibility All Year Long:
https://lnkd.in/gq8zTKAd

Three years ago, I sent my first newsletter to 47 people.

No one replied.

I published LinkedIn posts that got 3 likes.

I practiced speaking in my living room with only my partner as the audience.

I spent hours perfecting slide decks for events with just a handful of attendees.

Success looked like showing up when there was zero external validation.

It was:

 ↳ Writing that newsletter, even when my open rates were dismal
 ↳ Refining my message when it felt like no one was listening
 ↳ Building relationships without expecting immediate returns
 ↳ Trusting my voice when imposter syndrome screamed loudest

Nobody posts about these moments on social media.

We see the bestselling books, the viral posts, the standing ovations.

We don't see the years of quiet work that precede them.

Looking back, those silent moments of perseverance were actually my biggest wins.

Because success isn't just what happens on stage.

It's who you become on the journey there.
If you're in that quiet phase right now, keep going.

Your work matters, even when no one's clapping yet.

P.S. What are you building in silence right now that you're proud of, regardless of external recognition?

In 2022, I lost my title. It was the best thing that ever happened to my career.

When I was laid off from Prezi, I realized I had been hiding.

- I was hiding behind my business card. 
- I was hiding behind my Director title.
- I was hiding behind the reputation of a tech company.

When that was stripped away, I felt as though I lost everything. 

I figured that if I walked into a room and couldn't tell people what my job was, I wouldn’t know how else to make them listen.

Most of us are "leasing" our confidence from our employers. 

We feel powerful because of the logo on our laptop, not the person behind it.

But logos change. Companies pivot. AI automates the tasks that used to make us feel "productive."

The only thing you actually own is your presence.

It took losing my seat at the table to realize I didn't need anyone's permission to own the room.

I spent the next three years building a portable career. One based on how I communicated, how I led, and how I showed up as a human being.

If you feel the ground shifting under you this year, don't panic. 

1) Use the shift to find your own footing.
2) Invest in the things a layoff can't take away.
3) Invest in the Human Premium™.

(Remind others of their value. ♻️)

P.S. For those who have navigated a career pivot: What was the one thing you kept when you lost the title?

I used to be the "invisible" high performer.

I did the work of three people, but I was the last to be promoted. Why?

1) I thought, "Good work speaks for itself."
2) I felt physically sick at the thought of "bragging"
3) I waited for a pat on the back that never came

I almost gave up on the corporate climb altogether.

So, what changed? 😊

I stopped waiting for "discovery." You've probably heard me say, "work doesn't speak, people do." I realized that if I didn't advocate for my results, I was actually making my manager's job harder. They aren't mind readers.

I stopped seeing visibility as "ego." I shifted my mindset. Sharing a win isn't a brag; it's an update on progress. It's giving your team the data they need to trust you with bigger projects.

I stopped caring about "looking humble." This was the big one. I realized that "humility" is often just a mask for "fear of judgment." In the words of the best leaders I know:

"Don't dim your light just because it's hitting someone else's eyes." 👌

Visibility isn't about being the loudest. It's about being the clearest.

Want the full promotion playbook?

This week’s Career Bites breaks down 3 simple ways to make your work impossible to ignore, plus a ready-to-send wins email template.

📧 Subscribe so you don’t miss it. link in comments 

(Repost for others ♻️)

It’s Wednesday. By now, the "New Year energy" has likely been replaced by back-to-back meetings.

When the calendar gets crowded, most leaders fall back into survival mode: 
They speak faster to save time, over-explain to feel heard, and rush to fill every silence.

This is a mistake.

Command isn’t about the volume of your voice; it’s about the steadiness behind it.

If you want to be the most influential person in the room today, try three non-obvious shifts:

1) Be the last to speak. 

Listen to the chaos, identify the real issue, and provide a path forward at the end. The person who can make sense of the room often shapes its direction next.

2) Master the intentional pause. 

When someone asks you a question, wait two seconds before answering. It signals that you are processing the information, not just reacting.

3) Control your frame. 

On camera, your presence is measured in pixels. If you are too close, you are aggressive; too far, and you are distant. Frame yourself so your hands are visible. Trust is built when people can see your gestures.

Presence isn't a personality trait. It is a technical skill you can choose to employ the moment you hit "Join."

Stop trying to be louder. Decide how you want the room to feel, then enter accordingly.

(Support a colleague today. ♻️)

P.S. What is the one "meeting habit" you chose to leave behind in 2025?

It’s been many (many!) years since I’ve seen my byline in a physical magazine, so this was extra fun to see!

My article, Trade Invisible for Influential, was featured in TD Magazine (Association for Talent Development (ATD)’s award-winning publication).

After studying journalism at Northwestern University, I took an unexpected (and very rewarding) decades long road in tech and now, business ownership.

Seeing my words back in print (serving the L&D community I work with every day as a speaker and author) is truly a special full circle moment. 

Let me know if you read this magazine!
♻️ Repost to help your network grow their careers.

***
If you’re looking to stand out and stop being the best kept secret at work, check out my FREE 5-day email course, Invisible to Influential: 
https://lnkd.in/gxr6UATR

I’m speaking on the same stage as Kenny Ortega next week!

(yes, the High School Musical, Dirty Dancing, Hocus Pocus director-choreographer Kenny Ortega!)

We’ll be speaking at Silicon Slopes Summit in back-to-back fireside chats. 

Just over five years ago, I started public speaking to be more visible at work. 
I never imagined it would lead to speaking to thousands of people, followed by a book signing for 𝘜𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦.

This still feels surreal, and something I’ve never taken for granted.

Thank you to the Silicon Slopes Summit team for having me, and to Mindy B. Young, Krista Parry, and Macy Robison for making this possible!

Let me know if you’ll be in town!

♻️ If you live in Salt Lake City, this is in your backyard! Share with your community.

PS: I have FOUR Discovery Passes at 20% off! You’ll get access to all the Main Stage Sessions and Experience Hall, which will feature facilitated conversations, Pickleball, Networking, and Huddle Huts! Comment SUMMIT below to be entered into the raffle!

I bring good news today. So here it goes:

If you prioritized "how you show up" over "how fast you work" this week, congrats!

You are already outperforming the majority of the corporate world. 
(I mean this literally)

Because in the age of AI and instant replies, everyone is obsessed with speed:

- Speed of email replies. 
- Speed of finishing tasks. 
- Speed of "getting through" the day.

But true leadership presence? That is where the real gap is.

Yes, while everyone is racing to be the fastest, very few are focusing on the human premium, the unique value only a person can bring to a room.

We see it in the data on leadership influence. 
We see it in how teams respond to "present" managers. 
We see it in the Brand Test: do people trust your speed, or your judgment?

The bar for "fast" is high because machines are winning that race.

But the bar for "presence" has never been lower.

The corporate world isn't just looking for more output; it’s looking for more impact.

As LinkedIn crosses 1.3B users, the people who stand out aren't the ones clicking buttons the fastest. They are the ones who show up with clarity, empathy, and authority.

Do with this data as you please.
Or show up for your team today in a way that actually matters, you know. 😉

(Repost for others ♻️)

P.S. How often do you prioritize deep presence over quick tasks? I try to block out 2 hours a day for it.

POV: You’re prepping for a Fortune 500 workshop, and you feel more successful than ever.

I never thought I’d be able to sit in these rooms.

In fact, I haven’t "made it" if we look at it from the typical point of view where success is only about the contract size or the brand name on the slide.

True success to me is all about the depth of the conversation.

Many people in the corporate world are focused on  "performance." I used to be one of them.

We want flawless slides. We want the perfect script. We want impressive data.

But as someone who has finally found their voice, the biggest "hack" wasn’t a system.

It was the willingness to be a real person in a room full of experts.

It’s a type of authority that can't be measured in an Excel sheet, but it is truly felt when you see a leader finally drop their guard and listen.

From day one, my curiosity has been my biggest advantage.
Above all, I prioritized being helpful over being "important."

And sure, I may not sound as "polished" as the people who never go off-script, but I can 100% say that I am rich.

Rich in trust. Rich in stories. Rich in the moments where someone says, "I finally feel heard."

Today, as I prep for this next session, I celebrate you reading this.

You are part of that journey. Your support is felt, and your perspective is seen.

What a privilege it is to be doing this work while you are navigating your own path, too. Thank you, my friend.

PS: Tag one person below who you’ve learned a great lesson from recently. I want to celebrate them too!

There’s a right way and a wrong way to tackle your job hunt in 2026.

Over the last few years, so many of you have told me:

I’m struggling to get my resume past the AI “wall.”
I feel like just another number in a crowded pool.
I need a real strategy for the 2026 job market.

So we’re doing something about it!

I’m proud to be moderating the upcoming LinkedIn Live event, Robert Half Real Talk: Job Search Strategies for the AI Era.

I’ll be joined by TWO amazing, expert panelists, Paige Breedlove Fletcher and Jonathan Javier, who will pull back the curtain on what recruiters are actually looking for right now & how to stand out in this job market.

📅 Thursday, January 29 | 11:00–11:45am PT
Register: https://lnkd.in/gpGgwxPn

Join us to get the clarity and career confidence you deserve. This isn't just a panel; it’s a conversational deep dive to set you up for your future.

See you there!

Register: https://lnkd.in/gpGgwxPn

P.S. Repost to help your network grow in their career this year! ♻️

#RobertHalfPartner

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Influence Digest is a marketing company and online publication that provides high-level knowledge on LinkedIn marketing strategies while highlighting the best tips for a healthy lifestyle. The blog has over 1,000,000 readers globally.

Named A Top 15 LinkedIn Expert in San Francisco

Celebrating those speakers who show excellence in their community engagement and also inspire all community members to aim for the same level of success. Finalists have provided a clear model for other community members to follow and achieved impact with their keynote speeches at the Global Conference.

Chosen finalists are leaders from companies including Microsoft and Cisco.

Finalist for "Global Conference Speaker of the Year"

Invited judge for Content Marketing Awards. Judged Content Marketer of the Year and Rising Star categories.

Invited judge for Women in Content Marketing Awards

Selected finalist for the 2021 Women in Content Marketing Awards for “Content Marketer of the Year” out of hundreds of applicants. Awards co-presented by Content Marketing Institute and Masthead Media.

Finalist for "Content Marketer of the Year"

This article will provide you with the top 28 virtual speakers and what distinguishes them from other speakers: https://www.linkedin.com/redir/invalid-link-page?url=https%3A%2F%2Freadwrite%2ecom%2Ftop-virtual-keynote-speakers%2F

Named a Top Virtual Speaker

Improvisationally Speaking

How to Have Fewer, Better Meetings

Leading Productive Meetings

Speaking Up At Work

Building Your Visibility Online as a Remote Leader

Executive Presence on Video Conference Calls

Writing a Business Case

Effective Listening

Make the Move from Individual Contributor to Manager

Managing Your Career as an Introvert

Executive Presence: Tips for Women

Grit: How Teams Persevere to Accomplish Great Goals

How to Give and Receive Useful Feedback Every Month

Building Resilience

Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant on Option B: Building Resilience

Selling to Executives

Jeff Weiner on Managing Compassionately

Consumer Insight

Intro to Accounting

Intro to Integrated Marketing Communications

Journalists in a Networked World

Marketing Strategy and Persuasive Messaging

Social Network Analysis

Tech and Human Interaction

Web Production

A highly competitive and transformative week-long program at The Poynter Institute focused on the skills and knowledge needed to rise to the highest levels of media leadership. Sessions covered how to handle difficult conversations, hire for diversity and inclusion, build trust in the #MeToo era, master negotiation tactics, find newsroom allies, and more.

The program received hundreds of applications this year. I was accepted into the 2020 Winter Cohort alongside 29 other women: https://www.poynter.org/from-the-institute/2020/meet-the-first-cohort-of-poynters-2020-leadership-academy-for-women-in-media/

NHSI, established in 1931 and affectionately known as the "cherubs program," is the nation’s oldest and largest university-based program for outstanding high school students, offering practical college-level experience in the journalism field. It is led by one of the top journalism schools in the country.

• Developed reporting skills in print and broadcast while gaining practical first-hand experience
• One of only 88 applicants from around the world admitted to this prestigious 5-week journalism workshop; National High School Institute describes admitted applicants as the best high school students in the nation

• One of only 27 applicants in the nation admitted to this prestigious journalism workshop; one of only a few non-seniors selected
• Selected to design and lay-out Editorial page of workshop newspaper, CSPA Reporter, in recognition of high quality of design work at workshop
• Average score of 89.4% on all assignments, near top 5 scores at workshop
• Workshop is the oldest in the country and boasts many famous journalists among its tight-knit alumni; workshop consisted of thirteen intensive 12- to 13-hour days of hands-on training in all aspects of print and broadcast journalism
• Wrote article about George Ramos, 3-time Pulitzer Prize winner and Head of Journalism Department at Cal State SLO; four workshop participants were assigned to interview and write about George Ramos. Out of the four articles written, mine was chosen to be published in CSPA Reporter

Northwestern Council of 100

Corporate Keynote Speaker & Trainer | LinkedIn Learning, Stanford CSP Instructor | Ex-Founding Editor at LinkedIn, Prezi | Author of Unforgettable Presence: Get Seen, Gain Influence, and Catapult Your Career (Wiley 2025)

My career grew exponentially and unexpectedly at the start of 2021 when I decided to get more comfortable with public speaking. 

Full of nerves, I spoke whenever and wherever. In a surprising turn of events, speaking became a small side hustle while I led Prezi's editorial team.

Then I got laid off in 2022. The combination of that side hustle, the personal brand I had created, and my 10+ years of experience as a founding editor at numerous tech firms like LinkedIn and Prezi gave me the confidence to start my own company, RISE Learning Solutions, where I am now a full-time keynote speaker and trainer, content creator, and instructor with LinkedIn Learning and Stanford Continuing Studies.

Looking back, I've realized that all the opportunities that have come my way have happened because of my 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 — both in terms of 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 others see me. I believe being intentional about these two things are the most critical factors to someone's professional success, and it's why I'm so passionate to share all the skills that fuel presence: from presentations and communication to managing up and LinkedIn.

Through everything I do, I make sure that what I share is actionable to help ambitious professionals reach the next level in their careers without overwhelm.

🎙️ Keynote Speaker and Trainer: In 2023, 100% of surveyed attendees say they learned something new; 98% of attendees said they found my sessions valuable; and I received a speaker rating of 4.9/5.  Past clients: Amazon, Zoom, Cisco, and McKinsey and Company.

👩🏻‍💻 Consultant to senior leaders and C-Suite leaders and executives on how to create a strong virtual presence — on LinkedIn and on video.

👩🏻‍🏫 Course Instructor @ LinkedIn Learning and Stanford Continuing Studies. I also create custom courses for organizations. I've empowered more than 250,000+ LinkedIn learners with all 15+ of my courses rated 4.7/5 and up. Watch: lorraineklee.com/linkedinlearning

✏️ Content Creator: I publish on LinkedIn M-Sat, and share bite-sized career and leadership tips through my free weekly newsletter, Career Bites (lorraineklee.com/subscribe).

🏆 Named a LinkedIn Top Voice
🏆Top virtual keynote speaker by ReadWrite
🏆Featured in Inc, Entrepreneur, LinkedIn News, and more

🎓 BSJ from Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism

📧 DM me or email me at contact@lorraineklee.com if you'd like to collaborate! (See what it's like to work with me in my 100+ recommendations 👇🏻)

🥊 Outside of work, I can be found doing muay thai and eating my way through San Francisco

Reach out! contact@lorraineklee.com

Topics and takeaways: lorraineklee.com/speaking

Lorraine K. Lee | Speaker Reel | Top-Rated Virtual Speaker | Keynote Speaker | Fortune 500

Lorraine has spoken at Fortune 500 companies, tech firms, top-ranked universities, government-funded organizations, and more. She has a speaker rating of 5/5 by 96% of attendees, and 100% said they learned something new.

In 2021, she was named a top virtual speaker by ReadWrite. She was also selected as a finalist out of hundreds of submissions for the 2021 Women in Content Marketing Awards (in partnership with Content Marketing Institute) for “Content Marketer of the Year.”

Learn About Lorraine's Services | Speaker, Consultant, Instructor

One of 11 Associate Members out of a total member base of 163* in C100, an invite-only organization. The maximum number of Associate Members (age 35 and under) on the Council is 30. I began my two-year term as Communications Co-Chair on the C100 Executive Committee in September 2021.

Selected as the keynote speaker for C100's Spring '21 meeting.

In 1993, 100 alumnae—top executives from public, private, corporate, and nonprofit organizations—formed the Council of One Hundred (C100) to connect successful Northwestern women with undergraduate seniors and recent female graduates and help launch their careers after graduation. Today, the Council has expanded to support Northwestern women throughout their careers and sponsors events on career, workplace, and life strategies, as well as networking and mentoring opportunities.

A few of the organization's member’s titles are represented below:
-President and CEO
-Executive lifestyle editor
-Chief marketing officer and vice chancellor communications and marketing
-US magistrate judge
-James Beard Award-winning author

*as of April 2021

If you feel awkward on video, this might be why.
(Here’s the camera trick no one teaches.)

I’ve used this across 19 LinkedIn Learning courses, and it works because it’s simple:

Raise your camera slightly so it’s at eye level.
Sit a bit farther back than feels natural.
Look at the lens, not your own face.

That’s it.

Three small adjustments.

An immediate shift in how you come across.
Most people feel calmer the moment they have a clear setup.

Especially overthinkers who get distracted by their own reflection.

Frame first. Then forget the camera and the lead.

Try this in your next meeting.

Presence matters everywhere, not just when you think it does.

PS: I just launched a 5-day FREE email course, From Invisible to Influential. Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/gxr6UATR

(Thanks to the wonderful Moutaz for building out this course for me, and the equally wonderful Jasmin Alić for recommending him!)

(Help a leader grow ♻️)

Here’s the camera trick no one teaches.

Meeting culture has changed. A lot.
(Read this if you feel invisible in your own meetings)

My patience for being interrupted has dropped by 100%. My impact in the room has increased by 50% because of it.

If you’re struggling to be heard, here are 10 simple ways to protect your space.

1) Use the phrase "I’d like to finish my thought"→ Reclaims authority

2) Keep your hand slightly raised → Physical boundary
3) Lower your pitch, don't raise your volume → Calm power
4) Address the interrupter by name → Immediate focus
5) Pivot back to the value → Reminds them why you're speaking

6) Don't apologize for "continuing" → You have the floor
7) Be honest and direct → Your key differentiator
8) Have a "goal" for the meeting → Lead and inspire others
9) Focus on the decision-makers → Target your influence
10) Use "We" vs "I" → Builds team identity + loyalty

Don’t just be a participant in the meeting, be the presence instead. Connect, lead, and protect your ideas every single day.

Outlast the noise in the room this way.

In 6 months, you’ll be glad you stopped staying quiet.

PS: Which of the 10 steps above is the hardest for you? I'd say number 6 is the big one!

I spent years frustrated that I kept getting passed over for promotions.

I used to be the "invisible" high performer. 
I worked hard, stayed late, and delivered results.

But when promotion time came? It was never me. 🥲

I’ve since learned that it’s not about working harder.
It’s about understanding what actually differentiates people who get promoted from those who don’t.

I had so much fun experimenting with Airtable's new product Superagent to help solve this.

My prompt:
"I want to get promoted to senior leader but keep getting passed over. Research what differentiates people who get promoted vs those who don't, and create a 90-day executive presence improvement plan."

It felt like I had a whole team behind me!

20+ specialized AI agents went to work simultaneously:
→ One researched promotion patterns.
→ Another analyzed leadership behaviors.
→ Another built the actual plan.

Instead of a wall of text to sift through, I got a Super Report ✨
→ A rich, visually immersive breakdown with beautiful graphs I could scroll through, insights I could click into, and a veryyy comprehensive 90-day action plan ready to share with a coach or manager, with full citations. 😍😱

(I chose Super Report, but you can choose your preferred output, like slides, websites, and more!)

This is the kind of strategic support I wish I'd had earlier in my career.

If you've ever felt you needed extra support in your career, this might be worth exploring.

Try it: https://lnkd.in/g2PHst6a

#SuperagentPartner 

PS: Airtable gave me a promo code for two months free! Comment "SUPERAGENT" if you'd like to give this a try yourself!

The last time I was here in 2019, I was filming an interview as a LinkedIn editor.

(This time, I was holding the mic as a business owner and creator.)

I still remember being full of nerves anytime I stepped in front of the camera.

Now the nerves are still there, but much quieter. 🤫

Coming back to the San Francisco office as a speaker, author, and creator felt full circle, especially sitting down to interview LinkedIn executive Catherine Fisher.

We talked about networking in the age of AI and the fundamentals that still matter, no matter how much technology evolves.

I also asked the questions I get asked most.
This time, the answers came straight from the source. :)

Watch the conversation below.

I’ve seen people with decades of experience lose a room in minutes.

And I’ve seen first-time managers lead without raising their voice.

Presence isn't a reward for tenure. It’s not something that automatically comes with a VP title or a 20-page slide deck.

It’s actually much simpler than that.

After years of coaching, I’ve realized that the people who "own" the room, the ones we actually listen to, usually master these three things:

They don't speak from their throat; they speak from their belly. They don't rush to fill the silence. They let their words land.

They don't fidget. They don't check their watches. They are completely, 100% present with the person in front of them. That stillness is magnetic.

They aren't there to "perform." They are there to solve a problem. When your goal is to be helpful rather than "impressive," your anxiety disappears.

I’ve watched "quiet" introverts become the most influential people in the company just by making these shifts.

The best part? You don't have to change your personality.

You just have to change how you show up.

If you’re heading into a high-stakes meeting today, remember: 

You don't need to be the most performative. You just need to be the most present.

(♻️Send this to a leader you respect.)

P.S. I used to be the person who stayed on "Mute" for the entire Zoom call. Now, I teach people how to lead them. 

What's one thing you're challenging yourself to do differently in meetings this year?

This is the simplest LinkedIn "hack" for quiet leaders.

Especially if you want more inbound leads.

STOP BEING A BEST-KEPT SECRET!

I'm sure you'll agree with me when I say this:

I used to believe that if I just worked hard enough, the right people would eventually find me. 

→ I was brilliant but invisible. 
→ I had the expertise but no voice. 
→ I was terrified of "taking up too much space."

I almost accepted that I’d always be the last one picked for the big opportunities.

So what changed? 😊

I stopped waiting for permission to have an opinion. Within three months, my inbox looked completely different. I wasn't just getting "likes," I was getting strategic opportunities.

3 easy ways we turned "quiet expertise" into a lead-generation machine:

1) Trade "Perfection" for "Contribution." Stop trying to write a thesis. Share one unique perspective once a week. Clarity always beats volume.

2) Give your network the language to advocate for you. When you speak up, you give others the "data" they need to recommend you in rooms you aren't in yet.

3) Build a "Lighthouse," not a megaphone. You don’t have to be the loudest. You just have to be the most insightful. The bar for "noise" is high, but the bar for "intention" is wide open.

I tested this with hundreds of clients. It always works.

The data proves it: Out of 1 billion+ members on LinkedIn, only about 1% are consistently sharing their perspective.

The table is expanding, and there is a seat waiting for you.

Do with this data as you please.

Or start sharing that insight you’ve been sitting on. 😉

(Repost for the quiet leaders in your network ♻️)

P.S. Are you naturally a quiet leader or an extroverted one? I’m a "recovered" quiet leader myself.

Most people treat their year-end review like a trip to the dentist.

(Something to be endured, checked off, and forgotten by Monday.)

I just published a piece in Forbes about why this is a massive mistake for your career.

If your review is just a checklist of the past, you’ve already lost. If you want to be more visible in 2026, you have to stop "proving" and start "aligning."

In my latest article, I share how to:

Ensure your manager actually sees your value.
Use peer feedback to uncover hidden strengths.
Keep your momentum alive well into the rest of the year.

The review shouldn’t just reflect the year you had; it should shape the year you’re about to have.

Be clear → Be seen → Be unforgettable.

Read the full strategy  here: 

https://lnkd.in/gq8zTKAd

P.S. I used to be the person who "softened" my results because I didn't want to sound like I was bragging. Does talking about your own wins make you uncomfortable, too?

One of the moments I’m most proud of didn’t go the way I hoped.

(It was at a speaker bootcamp.)

I volunteered to go on stage for a few minutes… even though I’d only spoken on stage once or twice before.

Everyone else seemed like a seasoned keynote speaker.
Speaker agents were in the room. Speaker bureaus, too.

I was so nervous I thought I might panic. 
I started speaking…

And halfway through, I completely froze. It was mortifying.

But instead of rushing or falling apart, I paused.

I took a breath, stayed steady long enough for my thoughts to come back, and I got through it.

People came up to me afterwards and said things like:

“That was brave.”
“I’ve been there.”
“Great job sticking with it.”

That experience taught me something I’ll never forget:
Presence isn’t perfection. It’s recovery.

And I carry that same mindset into business, too.

Even when things don’t work out, I still show up with integrity, stay positive, and build relationships for the long term.

P.S. What’s a moment you’re proud of, even if it didn’t go perfectly?

How to fix "low impact" in your professional presence:

Stop focusing only on productivity → Fix your Human Premium™ instead!

You can easily get more authority by:

Prioritizing connection over speed
Not overwhelming people with corporate jargon
Applying the "one sentence" rule when interrupted

Before you say it, NO. This doesn't "soften" your leadership. It just makes you unforgettable.

Take a look at these examples:

"I need to be the most efficient person in this meeting."

↳ Nothing wrong with this goal. But it makes you a commodity. You are easily replaced by a faster process or AI.

"I need to be the most present person in this meeting."

↳ This is a simple, instant shift. Plus, people will WANT to hear your perspective because you’ve built actual trust.

So... want more influence?
Make your leadership "human-first."

And never forget to protect your voice in the room.

(Please repost this for your network ♻️ Thank you)

Most traditional leadership advice focuses on how to be the most noticeable person in the room.

(My approach is a bit different.)

When 𝙐𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 landed on The Next Big Idea Club’s list, it confirmed what I’ve felt for a while: 

The world is looking for more depth.

I didn't write this book to help you win an argument or dominate a room. I wrote it so you could:

1) Stop performing and start leading.
2) Build trust without saying a word.
3) Own your space, even if you’re an introvert.

I wrote many of these chapters while thinking about the leaders who lead with such clarity and impact that they don't need to fight for attention.

Seeing this message reach thousands of desks is incredible.

Remember: When presence becomes your priority, authority becomes your natural state.

(♻️ Share this with someone who is building their own path to leadership.)

P.S. How do you recharge after a big meeting? I’m a "social introvert", I love the stage, but I need a quiet room and a book immediately after! 📚

Bread of Life Mission

Director of Operations

Snohomish County PUD

Guided all aspects of operations, including call center, back-office functions, collections, training, quality assurance, workforce management, business analytics, and support areas. Led a diverse, union-represented team of over 120 employees, including 5 managers and 10 supervisors, within a hybrid work environment.  

• Achieved record call center Service Levels between 2019 & 2023, with an average of 80% of calls answered within 30 seconds or less, with efficient resource management and iterative process improvement. Results were a 34% improvement over prior years.
	
• Reduced incoming call volumes by 28%, from 2019 to 2023 (cut down from 319k to 229k per year), through improved customer self-service and elimination of problem call drivers. This saved the company $2.3MM over the 4 years.

• Directed customer debt recovery efforts post-pandemic, where debt surged to over $17MM in 2021, 7x the normal amount. Accomplished via creative outreaches and guidelines designed to incentivize customer good-faith behaviors. Total debt was reduced by 54% in December 2022 and 71% by December 2023, recovering $12.1MM total.

• Developed and managed annual department budgets between 2019 & 2024, ensuring results always came in under target, by regularly re-establishing resource needs vs. evolving trends and business improvements. Average budget savings of 13% or $2MM per year for the organization, with 2023 being the largest at just under $3MM regained.

• Led employee engagement within an inclusive environment, establishing career advancement and growth opportunities, balanced with regular performance management and progressive discipline.

• Championed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) via monthly Engagement Norm meetings with all teams to foster ongoing growth and model inclusivity. Facilitated open discussions on social justice and diversity.

Director of Customer Service

Led diverse teams, managing call center, quality assurance, and workforce management teams individually during that span. Teams consisted of up to 40 staff members and 4 supervisors simultaneously. Utilized advanced staffing metrics for forecasting, scheduling, real-time adjustments, and historical analysis.  

• Reduced total call volumes by 32% between 2013 – 2018 (dropped from 466k to 319k per year) as Workforce Manager, a resource savings of $987k total during the 5 years.

• Increased employee productivity & morale in 2018 by redesigning department-wide work processes, which improved access to available time off by 348% and decreased call-outs with no additions to staff.

• Developed Quality Monitoring program from scratch, succeeding through employee collaboration and buy-in. Quality Assurance scores rose by 17% within 1 year; first-contact resolution increased by 12%.

• Trained 3-day Process Improvement course for 500+ utility office employees from 2016 to 2019 over numerous sessions. Course curriculum based on simplified Lean Six Sigma principles.

• Organized structured training for 1,000+ employees for SAP Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation in 2015 through cross-functional collaboration, earning 'Team of the Month' in October 2015.

Customer Service Manager

I spearheaded customer functionality development for SAP billing and CRM implementation, focusing on critical areas such as customer information, accounts, payment arrangements, move-in/out/transfer processes, sales & marketing, Key Account management, and conservation programs. My role included gathering requirements, identifying best practices, and creating technical blueprint documents. I acted as a liaison between business stakeholders, the Project Management Office, and IT.

I developed comprehensive test scripts and plans for user acceptance, system integration, and end-to-end scenarios, conducting testing in development and QA system environments, ultimately validating in Production. My effective communication and change management skills ensured the successful implementation of these critical solutions.

Business Analyst

Hello! 👋 

I am an accomplished  Operations & Customer Experience Leader with over 16 years in guiding & improving operations within the public utility and homeless rescue mission sectors. 

What I'm doing, most recently:

👉 I currently optimize daily operations for Bread of Life Mission, ensuring that homeless men in the greater Seattle area have their basic needs met so that greater life-change and healing can grow.

👉I've previously directed Customer Services operations at Snohomish County PUD, including the contact center, walk-in centers, back-office, collections, training, quality assurance, workforce management, business analytics, and support areas; also, was responsible for the utility meter-to-cash revenue stream processes and applications.

Some examples of what I've done:

✅ I reduced customer contacts - by 51% between 2013–2023 through data-driven & iterative process improvement and efficient resource management. This saved the utility & its customers more than $3.29MM.

✅ I implemented innovative ideas to solve unprecedented problems - recovered $12.1MM in customer arrears from the 2021 post-pandemic peak of $17MM (71% recovery within 2 years). I did this through a collaborative approach with employees, deep data-diving, and designing processes to incentivize good-faith customer behaviors. 

✅ I improved the Customer Experience - including record contact center Service Levels between 2019-2023, with an annual avg. of 80% of contacts answered within 30 seconds or less, utilizing efficient resource management using data trending & an iterative process improvement.

✅ I lead with heart and mind, including 93%+ remote workforce as of 2024, balanced with career advancement and growth opportunities and also consistent performance management and progressive discipline.

✅ I increased employee productivity & morale - in 2018, I coordinated a department-wide redesign of all work processes. While unconventional, this improved access to meaningful time off by 348%, led to higher process efficiency, and decreased employee call-outs -all with no additions to staffing, whatsoever.

✅ I reduced budgets - managed annual department budgets of $15MM 2019–2024 always coming below target; give-backs were 13% or $2MM per year, with 2023 at just under $3MM.

Please connect with me if you're looking to make a positive difference in this world! ☺️

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Derek Hermann

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