What happens when a former military mechanic lands on the TEDx Dubai stage and chokes up mid-speech—only to be met with a standing ovation? Karen Holliday shares how grit, vulnerability, and unexpected twists led her to speak her truth—and why it changed everything.

In this episode, I’m joined by Karen Holliday, a seasoned operations executive, TEDx speaker, and leadership mentor with over 30 years in the mail and logistics industry. A U.S. Army veteran who started her career as a truck mechanic, Karen’s path is defined by resilience and service. She’s held senior roles in both corporate and nonprofit sectors, most recently as COO, before launching her own leadership consulting firm. Karen is committed to helping women leaders rise with confidence, compassion, and authenticity. She’s also a certified life and health coach, an active volunteer with SCORE and women’s mentorship programs, and a strong advocate for well-being. Her TEDx talk in Dubai reflects her core belief: vulnerability is a superpower, and every woman’s story matters.

Throughout this episode, Karen shared powerful insights from her personal and professional journey. She reflected on the early influence of mentors, the challenges of rising through male-dominated industries, and the importance of intentional career growth. She also spoke about the emotional process of preparing her TED Talk and how it resonated with a diverse, international audience. Karen offered a fresh perspective on generational shifts in the workplace, the evolving role of technology, and the need to lead with integrity. Her stories and outlook are a testament to authentic leadership and the impact of staying true to your values.

Tune in to episode 222 of Joy Found Here as Karen Holliday shares how her journey from military mechanic to TEDx Dubai speaker helped her reclaim her voice and purpose. Discover how mentorship, vulnerability, and a bold leap into entrepreneurship shaped the most powerful chapter of her life.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• From mechanic to mailroom: A career built on connection (3:50)
• The power of a mentor who sees your potential (6:20)
• Confidence born from survival, not circumstance (12:10)
• Leadership rooted in paying it forward (14:40)
• Leaping into entrepreneurship after 30+ years (16:00)
• Landing a TEDx talk in Dubai (19:00)
• Breaking down during her talk—and the audience’s response (23:30)
• On the future of work and generational shifts (27:40)
• Why personal brand is built on integrity and action (31:40)

Connect with Karen Holliday:

• LinkedIn
• Karen’s TEDx talk

Let's Connect:

• Website
• Instagram

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