Collective Brains Academy

Kristen Knowles is a seasoned HR, People, and Culture Executive with an exceptional track record in scaling organizations during periods of hyper-growth, moving from start-up to scale-up, and integration during mergers and acquisitions. Kristen is a driving force for transformative change. Her professional journey is evident in  her dedication, innovative thinking, and unwavering commitment to creating high-performing organizations and courageous leaders. Kristen's mission is to empower organizations to create brave cultures and develop courageous leaders through her customized leadership solutions. 

With a focus on transformative programs, culture design, and executive coaching, Kristen knows the critical importance of culture in any organization. During times of growth, culture can be particularly vulnerable. Kristen's expertise lies in ensuring that organizations not only preserve their culture but also enhance it during these challenging phases. She emphasizes the value of inclusivity and bravery in embracing change, leading innovation, and harnessing the strengths of every team member to foster growth. As the President and Consultant at Brave Leaders Group, Kristen has pioneered a full-suite leadership coaching and consulting firm. Her belief is clear: off-the-shelf leadership solutions don't cut it. She champions the idea that leadership programs should be tailored to the unique culture of an organization, not the other way around. Kristen brings award-winning, data-backed, customized solutions that increase performance, engagement, and retention at all levels, ensuring that organizations achieve measurable success. Kristen's career path is a tapestry of diverse experiences. As Vice President of People and Culture at OBMedia, she spearheads HR, recruiting, culture, training, and people operations for a company that operates remotely across multiple states and Europe. At Magnopus, as the Global Head of People & Culture, she navigated the transition from a start-up to a mid-size organization while expanding internationally. Her impact at naviHealth, where she was the Director of Leadership & Talent Development, was marked by world-class talent development and management initiatives. At Asurion, she doubled retention rates in under two years and filled over 88% of jobs with internal candidates in 2017. She has led the design and implementation of award-winning leadership development programs, winning accolades for Best Coaching Program and Best Training Program.

One of Kristen's most inspiring qualities is her innate ability to mentor and lead. Her journey is a testament to her dedication to fostering innovation and courage in the workplace. Her turn-around and team intervention practices have built trust and high-performing teams, especially during times of change, reorganization, and leader transitions. Kristen is not just an HR and culture expert; she is a visionary leader who instills bravery, inclusivity, and excellence in the heart of organizations. Her career journey is a source of inspiration, and her mentoring abilities are a beacon for those aspiring to make a transformative impact in the world of HR and leadership.