Lead through disruption by refusing to lead like everyone else.
In moments of uncertainty, strategy alone isn’t enough. True leadership requires courage, empathy, and the conviction to act when the path isn’t clear. Jen Spencer helps executives and teams cut through ambiguity, lead with purpose, and turn rapid change into a catalyst for meaningful transformation.
“ Jen’s strategic leadershipsparked a period of incredible growth and transformation, guiding our team through multiple acquisitions and scaling from ~50 employees to 300+. Her ability to inspire and lead change was instrumental in SmartBug’s success.”
Paul Schmidt, VP, Marketing, SmartBug Media
Recent Speaking Engagements
“
“Jen has an extraordinary way of leading from a place of inclusion and community. She has a natural energy for bringing out the best in people—driving conversations that lead to real, meaningful change. Working with her was a highlight of my career.”
TONIA FLORES SPEIR, DIGITAL STRATEGY LEADER
“
“Jen transformed our marketing department, exceeding subscription revenue goals for the first time in years. She pushed our team to be at the forefront of industry trends, using marketing and social strategies creatively and successfully before they became industry norms.”
JAMI KOZEMCZAK, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
“
“Jen’s marketing sensibility creates programs that don’t just drive pipeline—they lead to new places. She is well-informed, always aligned to business goals, and an empathetic ally who markets in a way that’s right for the buyer.”
MATT HENSLER, GTM CONSULTANT
“
“She is a mentor who genuinely cares about her team’s growth and development. Jen has an innate ability to recognize and leverage individual strengths for the benefit of both the team and the client.”
DAMON YERIAN, SVP, CREATIVE, SMARTBUG MEDIA
“
“Jen’s strategic leadership sparked a period of incredible growth and transformation, guiding our team through multiple acquisitions and scaling from ~50 employees to 300+. Her ability to inspire and lead change was instrumental in SmartBug’s success.”
PAUL SCHMIDT, VP, MARKETING, SMARTBUG MEDIA
“
“Anyone who has spent as little as five minutes with Jen will wholeheartedly agree with this—Jen is dynamic. Her positive energy can fill an auditorium. Her passion and excitement not only put her in a league of her own, but they elevate those around her to new levels of performance and productivity.”
REED WHITE, EXECUTIVE SALES LEADER
“Having been in corporate America for 15 years, I have seen many Keynote Speakers. The buzz following Juan's presentation amongst our sales team was different. The vast majority of people were energized; citing the key concepts and how they can apply in their own lives.”
Kim Osborn
Chief Administrative Officer
Jen Spencer | Growth Executive | Change Leader | Speaker on Authentic Leadership
Jen Spencer is a dynamic growth executive, authentic leader, and transformative voice in modern leadership. With more than two decades of experience driving organizational growth, cultural evolution, and strategic innovation, she helps companies and individuals lead with purpose, empathy, and conviction in times of change.
As Chief Executive Officer of SmartBug Media, Jen led one of the fastest-growing marketing agencies in North America, guiding it through multiple acquisitions and scaling the team from 50 to over 300 employees. Her leadership philosophy is rooted in transparency, inclusion, and real-world results and has inspired teams to exceed revenue goals, embrace agility, and build cultures where people thrive.
A recognized leader in B2B marketing and leadership strategy, Jen has held senior roles at organizations including Allbound, nettime solutions (acquired by Paychex), and Booth, where she currently serves as Chief Growth Officer. Across each role, she has redefined growth by aligning operational excellence with human-centered leadership.
Beyond the boardroom, Jen is a sought-after speaker and author whose debut book, Lead Anyway, challenges conventional leadership playbooks. She speaks to global audiences about authentic leadership, resilience, and leading through uncertainty; empowering others to move beyond fear, rewrite outdated rules, and lead with purpose.
Passionate about mentorship and collective progress, Jen champions the next generation of leaders, especially women navigating complex, evolving industries. Her mission is clear: to help leaders show up as their full selves, turn doubt into direction, and build legacies that last.
Penguin Random House, August 2025
Lead Anyway: How to Build the Career You Want When the Rules Weren’t Written for You
In a world obsessed with titles, playbooks, and perfect timing, Lead Anyway offers a refreshingly honest roadmap for real leadership. Drawing from over decades of guiding companies through transformation, Jen Spencer redefines what it means to lead with courage, empathy, and authenticity.
Through personal stories of pivots, missteps, and breakthroughs, Jen dismantles the myth of the flawless leader and replaces it with something far more powerful: the leader who shows up anyway. Each chapter offers a lived-in perspective on resilience, self-trust, and the art of making space for others while navigating your own doubts.
This isn’t a book about getting it all right; it’s about moving forward when nothing feels certain. With warmth, wit, and hard-earned wisdom, Lead Anyway reminds us that leadership doesn’t require permission; it requires presence.
“
“Jen’s marketing sensibility creates programs that don’t just drive pipeline—they lead to new places. She is well-informed, always aligned to business goals, and an empathetic ally who markets in a way that’s right for the buyer.”
MATT HENSLER, GTM CONSULTANT
“
“Jen transformed our marketing department, exceeding subscription revenue goals for the first time in years. She pushed our team to be at the forefront of industry trends, using marketing and social strategies creatively and successfully before they became industry norms.”
JAMI KOZEMCZAK, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
“
“Jen has an extraordinary way of leading from a place of inclusion and community. She has a natural energy for bringing out the best in people—driving conversations that lead to real, meaningful change. Working with her was a highlight of my career.”
TONIA FLORES SPEIR, DIGITAL STRATEGY LEADER
The moments that test us most are the ones that shape who we become as leaders.
Keynote Topics
Leadership
Lead Anyway: Courage Over Perfection
Leadership Lessons for Those Who Choose Action Over Approval
High Performance
Burn the Résumé, Build the Story
Career Growth Strategies for Leaders Who Turn Experience Into Influence
High Performance
Make the Room (Don’t Just Get In It)
Inclusive Leadership Insights for Those Who Turn Power Into Possibility
High Performance
Permission to Fail: Why Failure is Data
Resilience Frameworks for Leaders Who See Setbacks as Stepping Stones
The Human Advantage:
Building Cultures Where People Thrive
You can’t create performance without people who feel seen, supported, and safe to lead. Today’s leaders must go beyond process and policy, and they must cultivate belonging, empathy, and shared accountability.
Jen Spencer’s keynote blends research, real-world experience, and storytelling to help HR and L&D professionals redefine what modern leadership looks like. From burnout recovery to mentoring the next generation, she offers a grounded, actionable approach to developing leaders who lift others while driving measurable results.
70%
Harvard Business Impact- 2024
say it is very important for leaders to master a wider range of effective leadership behaviors to meet current and future business needs.
50%
Deloitte Insights - 2024
of workers report their team leaders create the psychological safety necessary for them to uncover.
70%
Gallup 2021
Nearly 70% team engagement variance is due to leadership / manager quality
What clients say about Jen
Make the Room: Empowering for the Next Generation of Leaders
Leadership isn’t about climbing higher. It’s about lifting others as you rise. In this inspiring session, Jen Spencer challenges traditional notions of power and success, offering a new model of leadership built on empathy, inclusion, and shared purpose.
Drawing from her own journey, from classroom teacher to CEO, Jen shares practical frameworks for helping leaders “make the room” for others. Audiences learn how to mentor with intention, challenge outdated norms, and create workplaces where people feel safe to contribute and grow.
This keynote empowers HR leaders and organizations to cultivate cultures that celebrate potential, not perfection, because when leaders make space for others, everyone succeeds.
“Jen has an extraordinary way of leading from a place of inclusion and community. Working with her was a highlight of my career.” — Tonia Flores Speir
Confidence is our Competitive Edge.
We are facing more change, economic uncertainty, and technological disruption than we ever have before. In times like these, we don’t just need inspiration—we must ignite action and inspire leaders to build unwavering confidence so they can maximize their career and get to the next level. Because the future doesn’t wait. The question is: Will your team be ready to grow into whatever the future holds?
By developing confidence, we equip leaders with the mindset necessary to break through barriers, supercharge growth and not just navigate change, but thrive in it.
