Leadership Keynote Speaker

Helping teams hit their goals without burning out their people

Charlene Ridley, MBA, created the HEART Goals™ framework to help organizations align goals, decisions, and execution — so they keep their numbers and their people.

Former Deloitte Consulting Manager · Former U.S. Bank AVP · SHRM Speaker

Leadership Strategist | Keynote Speaker Charlene Ridley
Explore HEART Goals™
Book Charlene to Speak

Your goals are set. Your people are stretched.

AI, hybrid work, and five generations in one workforce are changing what motivates people — while traditional goal-setting still asks for more, faster. The result: missed targets, disengagement, and your best people quietly burning out. Charlene’s keynotes give leaders a better way to set, align, and execute goals.

HEART Goals™: The Balanced Partner to SMART Goals

HEART Goals™ is a modern leadership framework that helps organizations rethink how goals are set, decisions are made, and performance is sustained — with aligned teams and without burnout.

HEART stands for Holistic, Energizing, Aligned, Realistic, and Task-Driven, providing a practical structure for aligning people, purpose, and performance.

HEART Goals roadmap: Holistic, Energizing, Aligned, Realistic, Task-Driven goal-setting framework

Ways to Bring Charlene to Your Organization

Keynotes — 60 to 90 minutes for conferences, leadership summits, and company kickoffs. Your audience leaves with a framework they can use the next morning.

Leadership Workshops — Interactive sessions for managers and teams, virtual or in person, built around your organization’s real goals.

Keynote + Breakout — Inspire the whole room, then equip your leaders to apply HEART Goals™ in a hands-on session.

Check Availability
Deloitte logo

Leadership Experience & Speaking Credentials

SHRM – Society for Human Resource Management logo
U.S. Bank logo
View Speaking Topics
National Black MBA Association logo
The Chamber of Catawba County logo
Ladies Lifestyle Network logo
Links Realty Group logo
RBG Network Build Grow logo

100% of attendees rated it valuable

From SHRM chapters to Chamber of Commerce women’s leadership conferences and team workshops, attendees consistently rate Charlene 96%+ engaging, inspiring, and actionable. (Verified by Talkadot post-talk surveys.)

Check Availability

  • “Any corporation, group, event would be lucky to have her as a speaker!”

    “Charlene was incredible and with an audience of almost 90 women, she resonated with every single one of them! Everyone in the room was raving about her and her talk – I can’t wait to have her back!” — Kacey J., Organizer, Ladies Lifestyle Network

  • “A strategy that aligns what the employee wants/needs with the company's bottom line.”

    “Thoughtful, insightful and actionable content related to improving well-being in the workforce, but doing so in a way that is employee-focused in terms of personal & professional goals/motivations. Then develop a strategy that align what the employee wants/needs with the company’s bottom line.” — Attendee, Carolinas Chapter of SHRM

  • “I have somebody for you.”

    “Today’s meeting was so informative and eye-opening, looking at things from a completely different perspective, especially when she mentioned the fact that there’s five generations now in the workforce… I’m already calling people to let them know hey I have somebody for you.” — Monica, Attendee, Carolinas Chapter of SHRM

  • “Charlene is an absolute pleasure.”

    “Charlene is an absolute pleasure. The approach to concepts and redirection of thoughts are really helpful, as well as exciting, providing a positive perspective and takeaway.” — Brian Jones, SHRM Anderson, SC Chapter

  • “Replacing the SMART goal I have framed on my wall!”

    “SMART goals are dumb! Charlene’s framework for goals will be replacing the SMART goal I have framed on my wall!” — Erin, Attendee, Catawba Women’s Leadership Conference

  • “Another perspective to help with burnout.”

    “Very beneficial. Another perspective to help with burnout and being misaligned with work. She is amazing!” — Marisa M., Attendee, Catawba Women’s Leadership Conference

Charlene Ridley seated on stage with a microphone during a leadership keynote

Keynote Speaker, Leadership Strategist, and Creator of the HEART Goals™ Framework.

Charlene Ridley, MBA

I build frameworks that help leaders and organizations rethink how goals, performance, and growth actually work.

About Charlene Ridley