Women Empowerment Speaker
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Book a women empowerment speaker who provides humor, strategy and step-by-step tools that stick.
Want a keynote speaker who brings more than just motivation?
Hi! I’m Elaine Lou Cartas, an award-winning women speaker, executive coach, and founder of the Conscious Conversations® framework. I help leaders and their teams reclaim their worth, lead with emotional intelligence, and redefine success without burning out.
Whether you’re looking for keynote speakers who leave lasting impact, or a female speaker who actually walks the talk of diversity and inclusion, I’m your woman.
“I was so impressed with Elaine’s ability to command the room of 20+ executives, coaches and mentors for the training we brought her in to lead to kick off our Cohort #1 Mentorship Coaching Circles. Elaine is such a natural speaker and brings with her an amazing energy that creates an inclusive, safe and inspirational environment.
She spoke to an audience of Mentors for the Project Management Institute’s San Francisco, Bay Area chapter’s coaching circles to provide them with the tools they would need to mentor a group of Project Managers and aspiring Project Managers.
The group was engaged, taking notes, sharing their experiences and gave such great feedback after the training. I am really glad I had her speak to this group to kick off our coaching circles, the wisdom and energy she left them with has certainly made a huge impact on our program.“
— Juliana Wise, MBA, PMP.
I believe empowerment isn’t just a trending topic—it’s a lived practice.
Here’s the truth: Empowerment without tools is just “motivation.”
Empowerment with strategy, story and self-awareness? That’s where success HAPPENS.
I speak because I’ve been where many of your leaders are: successful on the outside, but navigating the pressure to shrink, overperform or fit into a mold that was never designed for them.
That’s why I am more than an inspirational speaker. I bring clarity and emotional intelligence so we can stop surviving systems and start reshaping them.
I believe empowerment isn’t just a trending topic—it’s a lived practice.
Here’s the truth: Empowerment without tools is just “motivation.”
Empowerment with strategy, story and self-awareness? That’s where success HAPPENS.
I speak because I’ve been where many of your leaders are: successful on the outside, but navigating the pressure to shrink, overperform or fit into a mold that was never designed for them.
That’s why I am more than an inspirational speaker. I bring clarity and emotional intelligence so we can stop surviving systems and start reshaping them.
I know what it’s like to be “the only.”
The only woman. The only woman of color. The only one leading a room where no one looks like you or sees the world the way you do.
I was the first one in my immigrant family born in the U.S.
The only woman managing a team of men right out of college.
The only woman of color directing campaigns where my staff was two or three times my age.
And throughout all of that?
Women, especially women of color, kept asking me:
“How are you navigating this?”
So I turned that lived experience into a calling.
Today, I coach and speak so no woman has to navigate it alone cause I know when I’m at a table and I’m the only woman I’m representing other women who deserve to be there too.
Do you ever feel like most “female motivational speakers” sound the same?
✘ Talking points without substance
✘ Generic stories without resonance
✘ Performances instead of presence
I’ve sat in audiences like that, too.
That’s why I do it differently.
Here’s what clients and attendees say about my speaking:
“My favorite part was your ability to let others SHINE. You showed us our own power and knowledge by permitting us to help each other out. It sometimes takes people like you to bring it out of us.”
– Vicki Goizueta, PHR, SHRM-CP Acosta Group
Human Resources Business Partner
Me speaking to 200+ Fortune 500 Executives on Executive Presence
Imagine this at your next event:
A keynote speaker who partners with you to ensure she understands the audiences’ goals and challenges and provides a bespoke experience.
A keynote that invites the room to not just be motivated, but to give them frameworks to create action
Real-world tools for navigating the glass ceiling, overcoming obstacles and HOW to have a personal life outside of work
A speaker who has coached and trained 19,000+ Business Owners Fortune 500 leaders in 58 countries
Storytelling rooted in lived experience, humor and vulnerability plus the space for your audience to reflect on their life experiences or share their story
Actionable insights backed by psychology, leadership research, and Muay Thai / Thai Kickboxing (yes, really)
Because empowerment isn’t one-size-fits-all.
It’s embodied. It’s culturally informed. It’s earned and shared.
Imagine this at your next event:
A keynote speaker who partners with you to ensure she understands the audiences’ goals and challenges and provides a bespoke experience.
A keynote that invites the room to not just be motivated, but to give them frameworks to create action
Real-world tools for navigating the glass ceiling, overcoming obstacles and HOW to have a personal life outside of work
A speaker who has coached and trained 19,000+ Business Owners Fortune 500 leaders in 58 countries
Storytelling rooted in lived experience, humor and vulnerability plus the space for your audience to reflect on their life experiences or share their story
Actionable insights backed by psychology, leadership research, and Muay Thai / Thai Kickboxing (yes, really)
Because empowerment isn’t one-size-fits-all.
It’s embodied. It’s culturally informed. It’s earned and shared.
Me speaking to a 200+ room of Fortune 500
Introducing…
Elaine Lou Cartas, Women Empowerment Speaker & Executive Coach
Helping audiences move from burnout to embodiment, and redefine what success looks and feels like.
In the past 8 years, I’ve worked with 20,000+ clients in 58 different countries.
MSN awarded me as the #1 Business Coach and a Top Leadership and Executive Coach of 2024. LA Weekly acknowledged me as the #1 Thought Leader of 2023 for her Conscious Conversations® framework. I help female leaders and their high-achieving teams to simplify workloads, overcome overwhelm, have conscious conversations and achieve sustainable results by their own definition of success.)
I am also a LinkedIn Learning Instructor. She additionally has courses with Brown, Duke, John Hopkins, USC and LMU.
Book Me for Your Next Conference, Corporate Training, or Women’s Leadership Panel
Why choose me over other “top female motivational speakers”?
Let’s be honest. There are incredible empowerment speakers out there. But what makes me different is that I don’t just speak about empowerment. I live it, teach it, and guide others through it. It’s trauma-informed, culturally grounded, and I keep people engaged with my humor
My background includes:
- Keynoting for 200+ Fortune 500 leaders on Executive Presence
- Winning 1st place in the SCMSDC supplier pitch competition
- Creating online courses with LinkedIn,Brown, Duke, John Hopkins, USC and LMU.
- Coaching high-performing women of color and allies to lead without losing themselves
- Dual Bachelors Degrees in Cognitive Science and Sociology, from University of California, Irvine
- Masters in Leadership & Management from the University of La Verne
- Trauma-Informed and Reiki Certified
- Professional Certified Coach from International Coaching Federation
- Team Coaching Certificate In-Process
This isn’t just a “talk.” It’s a full-service experience.
I engage with you beforehand to tailor the message to your people, not just your theme. I stay after to connect with attendees. And I can provide a personalized workbook that would benefit them. So you receive full service.
Why choose me over other “top female motivational speakers”?
Let’s be honest. There are incredible empowerment speakers out there. But what makes me different is that I don’t just speak about empowerment. I live it, teach it, and guide others through it. It’s trauma-informed, culturally grounded, and I keep people engaged with my humor
My background includes:
- Keynoting for 200+ Fortune 500 leaders on Executive Presence
- Winning 1st place in the SCMSDC supplier pitch competition
- Creating online courses with LinkedIn,Brown, Duke, John Hopkins, USC and LMU.
- Coaching high-performing women of color and allies to lead without losing themselves
- Dual Bachelors Degrees in Cognitive Science and Sociology, from University of California, Irvine
- Masters in Leadership & Management from the University of La Verne
- Trauma-Informed and Reiki Certified
- Professional Certified Coach from International Coaching Federation
- Team Coaching Certificate In-Process
This isn’t just a “talk.” It’s a full-service experience.
I engage with you beforehand to tailor the message to your people, not just your theme. I stay after to connect with attendees. And I can provide a personalized workbook that would benefit them.
Book me if your event values…
Empowerment beyond clichés
Diversity and inclusion that feels embodied, not performative
Speakers who work tirelessly to create safety and impact
Thought leadership backed by real credentials and results
Let me help your audience:
- Redefine their own definition of success
- Rewrite their relationship with work, rest, and self-worth
- Build executive presence
- Rise without replicating toxic systems
Recent Praise:
I may not be in a literal Hall of Fame yet, but the results below speak for themselves:
“One of my favorite learnings from your session is to always take feedback, but you don’t always have to use it (paraphrasing of course). Thank you for the valuable tools!”
– Cynthia Byrnes, Coca-Cola
Director of Customer Service
“I loved the 6-prong framework, I’ve leveraged it and plan to do so, as it’s easy to remember the 6-Ps organized around the visual of the heart. Passion at its core. I just had a real time conversation yesterday. I was part of a team that led a big networking event last week, and when I stepped in and around with the attendees, I owned the room!”
– Brenda Valley, Albertsons
Finance Officer
Speaking Formats:
Keynotes (20–60 minutes)
Workshops (90–120 minutes)
Fireside Chats + Panels
Corporate Leadership Trainings
Retreats & Summits
Available virtually or in person.
California-based, but speak globally.
🎤 Ready to book a powerful women empowerment and motivational speaker who actually gets your audience?
Trained, coached and presented to Fortune 500 Executives & leaders from:
FAQs
Do you customize your talks to different audiences?
Absolutely. From senior leaders in tech and finance to nonprofit changemakers I tailor every talk based on your goals and what the audience needs. In fact, I work with you to create an anonymous pre-survey with the audience to ensure I support them in their goals and challenges.
What’s your speaking fee?
Fees vary based on format, travel, and prep time. Custom quotes are available, just email me at [email protected]
Can you provide DEI-aligned and trauma-informed facilitation?
Yes. I specialize in making audiences feel safe while sparking transformation. That’s the core of my Conscious Conversations® methodology.
Do you customize your talks to different audiences?
Absolutely. From senior leaders in tech and finance to nonprofit changemakers I tailor every talk based on your goals and what the audience needs. In fact, I work with you to create an anonymous pre-survey with the audience to ensure I support them in their goals and challenges.
Do you work with a speakers bureau?
While I’m not part of a speakers bureau, many organizations find it easy to book me directly. I provide full service support from pre-event coordination to post-event debriefs making the process smooth for your team and event planner. Ready to book the perfect speaker for your event? Email me at [email protected]