Samantha Karlin Biography

Samantha Karlin is a visionary leadership development expert, speaker, and changemaker on a mission to transform how leadership is practiced to create environments where people can truly flourish. As the founder and CEO of Empower Global, she and her team specialize in designing and delivering customized leadership accelerators, cross-cultural training, and workshops that prepare leaders to thrive in a VUCA world—one that is volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. With a global track record of training and speaking for over 10,000 leaders from 48 countries, Karlin is described as engaging, energetic, charismatic, knowledgeable, and funny.

From corporate boardrooms to international NGOs, helping leaders navigate the challenges of today’s turbulent global landscape. Some places she’s delivered captivating keynotes: AWS, Monday.com, The US Department of Homeland Security, Coldwell Bankers, IronSource, Harvard University, The Wilson Center, Graham Packaging, RB, IE Business School, Verizon, Capital One and on!

Karlin also created and teaches the Women’s Leadership Challenge, a groundbreaking program for ambitious women who are ready to break through glass ceilings and lead authentically in male-dominated industries. The program equips women with the confidence, tools, and strategies they need to thrive in today’s world while embracing feminist leadership principles that drive gender equity and system change.

Known for her dynamic, high-energy approach, Karlin’s interactive style keeps her audiences engaged and motivated, whether she’s facilitating a workshop or giving a keynote address. Her unique blend of storytelling, humor, and personal anecdotes makes key concepts relatable and actionable. She has been featured on ABC13 Houston, SABC South Africa, KLTV, and quoted/featured in the Washington Post, Washingtonian Magazine, Conscious Company Magazine, etc. She received the Bellagio fellowship from the Rockefeller Foundation in recognition of her leadership book in progress. Karlin has been educated at the Fletcher School for Law and Diplomacy, Yale University, and Harvard Kennedy School. She is formerly an operatic soprano.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 08/14/2025.

Samantha Karlin Speaking Topics

  • Unshakable: Reclaiming Power, Redefining Leadership

    Samantha Karlin is a world-renowned leadership expert who has trained thousands of women leaders across the globe to own their voice, command the room, and lead transformative change. As the creator of the acclaimed Women’s Leadership Challenge, she brings a rare blend of energy, empathy, and unapologetic truth-telling to every stage.

    In this game-changing keynote, Samantha introduces her proprietary Intrinsic Power Map™ — a powerful framework that helps women derive confidence and authority from their authentic selves, not from outdated expectations or external validation. This talk doesn’t just inspire — it catalyzes. Women leave with practical tools to banish imposter syndrome, amplify their influence, and lead boldly in even the most high-stakes environments.

    Organizations seeking to elevate more women into leadership — and retain them — will find this keynote a strategic imperative. Samantha’s work doesn’t stop with women. Male allies will gain a deeper understanding of the vital leadership capacities women bring to the table — emotional intelligence, inclusive decision-making, and resilience — all essential for navigating the volatility of today’s business landscape.

    Outcomes include:

    • Increased confidence, clarity, and courage among participants
    • Enhanced self-awareness and authentic leadership presence
    • Practical strategies for advancing gender equity and inclusive leadership
    • A renewed sense of purpose and belonging within your organization

    Whether speaking to C-level executives, rising stars, or university students, Samantha electrifies the room and leaves lasting impact.

  • From Transactional to Transformational: Leading in a Globalized World

    As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, leaders must navigate the complexities of diverse cultural dynamics, shifting global power structures, and rapidly evolving expectations of leadership. The most successful leaders are those who move beyond transactional management to embrace transformational leadership that inspires and unites across boundaries.

    In this thought-provoking keynote, Samantha Karlin explores the critical leadership trends shaping the global landscape, from the rise of cultural intelligence as a core competency to the shift toward purpose-driven leadership rooted in connection and empathy. Using compelling case studies from global conflict zones such as Syria and Venezuela, Samantha draws striking parallels between what individuals in crisis demand from leaders—trust, clarity, compassion, and vision—and what employees in corporate settings are increasingly seeking from their leaders. She demonstrates how the transition from fear-based to love-based leadership can inspire loyalty, build resilience, and create environments where people can thrive.

    Through vivid storytelling and actionable insights, Samantha highlights how transformational leadership can bridge divides, inspire diverse teams, and create inclusive, purpose-driven cultures. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of how to lead authentically in a globalized world, equipped with the tools to shift mindsets, build cross-cultural bridges, and create meaningful impact on a global scale.

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Samantha Karlin Videos

Samantha Karlin Speaker Reel

Samantha Karlin Speaker Reel

Samantha Karlin, Top Leadership Development, Political Pundit and Women's Rights Expert Speaker

Samantha Karlin - Tech Live London

Samantha Karlin - Tech Live London

An Ethical Revolution in Tech: How Women Can Lead the Way

Samantha Karlin | TEDxTufts

Samantha Karlin | TEDxTufts

The Power of the Powerless

  • How do I book Samantha Karlin to speak at my event?

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  • What topics does Samantha Karlin speak about?

  • Where does Samantha Karlin travel from?

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Samantha Karlin is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Unshakable: Reclaiming Power, Redefining Leadership, From Transactional to Transformational: Leading in a Globalized World, From Chaos to Clarity: Leading with Confidence in a "VUCA" World, The Neuroscience of Happiness: A Strategic Framework for Human Flourishing at Work and The Voice Within: An Operatic Journey to Authentic Leadership. The estimated speaking fee range to book Samantha Karlin for your event is available upon request. Samantha Karlin generally travels from Washington, DC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Kristie Kennedy, Nicole Yeary, Erika Obando, Angelica Malin and Jasmine Crowe-Houston. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Samantha Karlin for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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