Sara Canaday

Sara Canaday began her journey working full-time while she earned an MBA. As she quickly started climbing the ladder of corporate America, she repeatedly observed a surprising phenomenon: the most successful people weren’t necessarily the ones with the highest IQs or best job skills. She recognized instead that career advancement was much more closely linked with how people applied their knowledge and talents—their capacity to collaborate, communicate, and influence others. Today Sara serves as speaker, educator, author, and owner of Sara Canaday & Associates. This venue has given her the opportunity to teach and advise thousands of leaders in diverse situations, inspiring many of them to move from insight to action with dramatic career results.

Her first book You, According to Them: Uncovering the Blind Spots that Impact Your Reputation and Career speaks to thousands of professionals who want to think, work, and lead at a higher level.

And, inspired to help leaders thrive in our fast-isn’t-fast-enough world, her newest release Leadership Unchained: Defy Conventional Wisdom for Breakthrough Performance helps leaders reconnect with what it means to be a leader.

She lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband Brandon, her daughter Taylor, and her son Cole. She proudly follows the same advice she shares with her clients: be honest with yourself, never stop finding ways to improve, and—if all else fails—head to Starbucks for a double mocha latte with extra whipped cream.