From the time her mother affectionately called her Tiger for her fierce determination, Keri Kersten has been discovering what it truly means to lead with heart. She wasn't the child who commanded a room or chased titles; she was the observer - the one paying attention to how people talked, reacted, softened, or shut down. Those early instincts to listen deeply and notice the emotional undercurrents of a moment became the foundation of her life's work.

Keri has spent her career helping individuals and organizations see beyond what they believe is possible. She blends strategic thinking with a compassionate, whole-systems perspective, shaped through decades of experience in learning, leadership development, and organizational change. Colleagues know her as someone who can take a complex challenge - a merger, a transformation, a team in conflict - and create clarity, connection, and forward movement.

Her leadership philosophy is rooted in lived experience. Early in her career, standing in front of classrooms filled with people older and more experienced than she was, she wrestled with balancing confidence and humility. She learned to speak honestly about what she knew and what she didn't, a practice that continues to guide her approach today. Moments of feedback, vulnerability, and repair - like navigating tough conversations or receiving challenging critiques - shaped her belief that leadership is less about authority and more about the willingness to stay open, curious, and human.

Keri holds a Master of Science in Learning and Organizational Change from Northwestern University and has led teams and transformation efforts in global organizations across industries. But ask her where she has grown the most, and she'll point to the stories: the employee who rebuilt a relationship with his mother-in-law after learning new communication skills, the colleague who bravely voiced concerns that changed the course of a major project, the teams who discovered new possibilities when they felt heard.

At her core, Keri believes leadership is an act of compassion - a daily commitment to seeing people clearly, honoring their humanity, and helping them become their best selves. And she strives to do the same in her own journey, one courageous step at a time. Keri lives outside of Chicago with her husband, Jeff, of 21 years, and her 14-year-old twins, Norah and Halas.