Meet Lisa Tarkington

Portrait of a woman with long brown hair, wearing a black ribbed long-sleeve dress with gold buttons, smiling with one hand on her hip.

Keynote speaker, ICF-certified coach, podcast host, and exited founder who helps leaders and organizations pivot with courage by letting go of what's familiar. She equips them with the confidence, communication, and resilience to lead through uncertainty and become who their next chapter requires.

Trusted by Fortune 100 companies, leadership teams and associations around the world.

Work with Lisa 1:1 →

“Lisa's presentation about leadership gave me actionable items to accomplish.

A lot of speakers will talk about buzzwords but it's hard to get takeaways, but with Lisa's approach and using her strategies, our group was able to set a 30 day plan on some items we needed to address right away.”

Clarissa Lange

Director of Sales, DoubleTree by Hilton

“My purpose to help each person and company I work with become what the next chapter requires” - Lisa Tarkington

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How i started

I have been a visionary since I first started as an entrepreneur in third grade. I am known for, if my mind is set on something, I go after it.

That is probably why I started this journey with $25 in my bank account and a dream, and never looked back.

Years later and a lot of learnings, I am a Keynote Speaker, Associate Certified Coach through ICF, Exited Founder and Podcast Host.

I have a deep passion and purpose for empowering individuals and organizations to create lasting change.

My story draws from my own experiences as a serial entrepreneur, leader and adrenaline moments.

WORK WITH ME

Associate Certified Coach (ACC) from the International Coaching Federation (ICF), Bachelors from Michigan State University, Social Impact degree from University of Pennsylvania, CTI Coach, 2X Business Owner, Certified in positive psychology, mental health first aid, creating wellbeing and coaching.

Athena Award winner, Under 40 Ruby Award Winner, Inspiring Female Entrepreneur, Life Coach of the Year, PNC Bank + Coralus Collective Recipient and Young Professional Rising Star.

300+ speaking engagements & workshops, nearly 1M podcast listeners, 150% grew my business in first year, 12K+ impacted by my work.

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My Credentials

Every leap taught me the same lesson: Courage isn't something you're born with, it's something you choose at the edge, trusting the harness before you're certain, breathing through the fear instead of waiting for it to pass, and moving forward when the path isn't clear yet. That's what I teach in its rawest form, let go of the need for certainty, level up into who the moment requires, and jump anyway.

Those are the same lessons I bring into every keynote, workshop, and coaching room. I'm an adventurer at heart and a guide by design, and I help people Pivot With Courage through their own edges, professional or personal, because growth is always an adventure, and you deserve a guide who's actually walked the trail.

Adventure has always been my greatest teacher. I have:

Bungee-jumped in New Zealand
Surfed in Ecuador
Skydived at 14,000 feet
White-water rafted in Colorado
Ran and hiked in multiple states and countries including 3 marathons and multiple halves
Traveled to third world countries like Haiti and Africa to support organizations and write a book
Exited a nonprofit I gave my heart to
Built 2 companies from the ground up

Adventure is Key

Group of people white water rafting on a river, wearing life jackets and helmets, with one woman excitedly holding a paddle above her head.

Two people on a zip line in mid-air, holding onto the safety handles with mountains and greenery in the background, and a partly cloudy sky above.

Two people skydiving, one man with sunglasses and a woman with goggles, smiling and enjoying the free fall against a clear blue sky.

A person appears to be falling or hanging off a cliff, with a harness and equipment on, overlooking a mountainous landscape with green hills and a partly cloudy sky.

Person walking along a narrow trail beside a lake with lush green trees, tall mountains with snow-capped peaks in the background, and a clear blue sky.

LIFE OUTSIDE MY CAREER

When I’m not speaking, coaching, or working with clients, you can find me outdoors with my husband, Marc, our two Labrador retrievers, Denver and Jackson and our son Lucas.

Together, we enjoy exploring nature and living a balanced life that fuels my passion for helping others achieve their own goals and aspirations.

Between them, my faith, family and friends, I count my blessings everyday.

A bride and groom smiling and hugging outdoors, bride in a white wedding dress with lace details, groom in a blue suit, with greenery and a building in the background.