Hi! I'm Jennifer Knowles, Growth and Change Expert for Leaders and Teams

► Who I Help
I work with:
-Leaders who feel stuck and need clarity
-Teams facing change and struggling with communication overload
-Organizations seeking leadership development and talent management support
-High achievers desiring coaching to unlock growth, well-being and career advancement

If you've ever asked:
"How do I engage and retain top talent?"
"What's the best way to prepare my team for organizational change?"
"How can I improve leadership skills across my company?"
      - this is where I can help.

My Mission:
►Amplify the talents of your leaders and teams, unleashing human potential for exponential growth

What I Deliver:

► I create custom coaching, training and keynotes that align with organizational goals, blending research-backed insights with practical application. 

Together, we can:
1.  Increase leadership potential
2. Transform corporate culture
3.  Elevate careers to new heights
4.  Transform change into opportunity
5.  Build productive teams
6.  Create happy workplace environments

► Challenges Organizations Face Today
-Rising stress and burnout among employees
-Constant change and uncertainty in business environments
-Retention struggles with top talent
-Engagement gaps leading to lost productivity
-Leaders needing new skills for future-ready workplaces

► Benefits of Working with Dr. Jennifer

Organizations that partner with me see measurable improvements in:
1. Talent Attraction & Retention- Reduce turnover and retain top performers
2. Positive Work Environments- Foster collaboration and well-being
3. Change Readiness- Equip teams to embrace transitions with confidence
4. Stronger Teamwork- Increase trust, clarity and efficiency
5. Strategic Clarity- Provide a clear roadmap for success
6. Productivity & Engagement- Unlock more energy, focus, and results

► Client Outcomes
 "Dr. Jennifer Knowles is a beacon of inspiration in leadership and talent development. Her ability to seamlessly blend research-backed insights with practical applications has consistently led to positive transformations, empowered teams, and elevated leadership capabilities.”

 "We love Dr. Jennifer. She leads with a big heart and has lots of passion for her work. She cares about us and has the gift to take complex ideas and break them down into simple steps."

► Services
1. Leadership coaching (1:1 and group)
2. Change management programs
3. Talent development workshops
4. Keynote speaking on growth, change, and leadership
5. Research-informed organizational development solutions



Jennifer Knowles

I'm thrilled to have been selected to have my own column in Inc. Magazine.

My column is called Second-Act Founders. I'll be writing about what it takes for corporate leaders and founders to walk away from "good enough," pivot, and create meaningful work. 
 
Stay tuned for more! I start in March.

Jennifer Knowles, Ph.D

I help develop effective leaders + high-performing teams | Harvard Executive Leadership Coach | Best-Selling Author | Professor of Business | Tedx Speaker

This morning I completed my 100th HIIT workout at the gym. Which got me thinking…

Slow and steady wins the race. I go twice a week, consistently.

The instructor who took my picture told me that he sees so many people come four times a week, and then quit.

But like in life and work, playing the long game vs the quick sprint tends to win. 

All those days when we put our head down and work, and not see immediate gratification, but know we’re working towards something bigger.

Like working towards that promotion 
Showing up on LinkedIn 
Finishing the next project (for me it’s a book!)

📌What is that one thing that you consistently work towards? 

Have a great day!

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Happy National Sons Day. To every mom raising sons, and to every son reading this, thank you for being you and contributing to this world. 

I never dreamed I'd be a mom of three boys. But it is the most fun, loud, chaotic, and rewarding thing I have ever done. My Three Sons isn't just a TV show title in my house. It's my life. I've heard more poop and fart jokes than anyone should endure, ever! 

And I wouldn't trade it for the world.

A big part of why I work is to create a better future for my boys. 

I want them to grow up knowing that hard work, courage, and a willingness to start over and try something new are part of the game.

📌 To every parent building something bigger than themselves — what do you want your kids to say about the way you lived and worked?

Cheers to you and all the sons in your life!

Quotes Needed for My Inc. Article

I'm writing an article for my new Inc. column about the importance of personal branding for founders.

If this sounds like you and for a chance to be quoted in the article, email me a one to two-sentence (max) quote about the actionable tips to utilize personal branding for founders. I’m especially interested in people who have left corporate/traditional jobs where personal branding was often discouraged, and their experiences with personal branding as they start their own businesses.

My email ➡️ jennifer @ impactfulchange dot com

Please share with anyone who you think may be interested. 

If it's a fit, I'll let you know if I'm using your quote and send you the link once it's published. Thanks!

John Spears Coaching 

I founded and lead a mission-driven executive coaching and consulting practice that supports senior leaders and purpose-driven organizations navigating growth, change, and transformation. I coach executive teams and C-suite leaders to lead with courage, clarity, and accountability—enhancing strategic alignment, inclusive decision-making, and organizational culture. I design and facilitate leadership development programs focused on emotional intelligence and equity, and advise clients on internal transformation, including structure redesign and cross-functional collaboration. My work centers on addressing organizational friction and unlocking collective leadership during times of complexity and transition.

President and CEO of John Spears Coaching & Consulting 

The ONE Campaign

Chief Operating Officer

Steered the organization through a critical strategic and structural reformation, realigning our operations with our core mission. I led a targeted workforce reduction, retaining key capabilities while enhancing efficiency, resulting in a 30% cut in labor costs. Additionally, I directed a significant operational restructure to improve processes and foster cross-functional collaboration, laying the groundwork for sustainable growth. During this period, I also ensured a smooth transition of leadership, maintaining continuity to preserve staff morale and business performance.

Interim President

Chief Operating Officer (Acting)

As Chief of Staff, I was the strategic advisor to the President & CEO of The ONE Campaign and Product (RED). I served as the key liaison to a prestigious board of directors, guiding the creation of strategic priorities and overseeing workflow to achieve our key performance goals. I was instrumental in the transformative rollout of the organization's core Mission, Vision, and Values, steering its widespread acceptance across a global workforce in 9 international offices.

My leadership was critical in navigating a public relations challenge, effectively mitigating risks and protecting our organization’s reputation. Furthermore, my role expanded to include leading initiatives in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), ensuring these foundational principles were interwoven into our organizational fabric and practice.

Chief of Staff

Chief Operating Officer (Interim)

USAID

In my role as Senior Advisor to the Administrator and Deputy Administrator of USAID, I served as the principal advisor to the Administrator and Deputy Administrator of USAID on the management and operations, Asia and LGBTQ portfolios, supporting the management and operations for a workforce of 10,000 and $22 billion budget. I initiated strategic agency-wide reforms to enhance operational efficiency, realigning processes with organizational goals and industry best practices, including a comprehensive HR transformation, which modernized our approach to talent acquisition and development. This crucial initiative improved operational efficiency and increased employee engagement. As a representative for the Office of the Administrator and the Deputy Administrator, I facilitated key interactions with the U.S. Government Interagency, domestic businesses, and international governments, fostering relations and promoting USAID's mission and agenda.

Senior Advisor, Office of the Administrator

US Small Business Administration

•Managed SBA’s Regional Innovation Cluster Program by developing contract award criteria; overseeing implementation, oversight and data analysis; and developing policy on growing and expanding the program
•Leveraged and managed a $7.1M budget and team of four to innovate, incubate and implement new cutting-edge programming to accelerate the growth of entrepreneurship and spur regional economic development 
•Initiated and maintained stakeholder engagement strategy that led to numerous partnerships, including relationships with the JPMorgan Chase Foundation, Harvard Business School and the State Science and Technology Institute
•Advised the Administrator and Associate Administrator on policy issues and program development related to entrepreneurship, economic development and skills initiatives

Director of Clusters and Skills Initiatives

•	Developed and implemented policies and procedures for cross-program office coordination within the Agency and cross-agency collaboration to ensure federal programs are aligned, key deliverables are met and the Administration’s priorities are advanced
•	Assisted in leading a national staff of over 200 and set strategies, policies and priorities to influence $500 billion a year in federal contracting
•	Managed the Office’s external engagement, including Congressional matters (hearings, briefings, questions for the record), media inquiries and stakeholder relationships to ensure the Administration’s key messages are delivered in a clear and cogent manner
•	Led priority projects and manage federal government employees (civil servants and political appointees) to ensure key milestones and deadlines are met in a timely and effective way
•	Evaluated and advised on the Office’s organizational structure, operational effectiveness, budget priorities and management challenges

Senior Advisor, Office of Government Contracting and Business Development

Organizing for America

•	Established and monitored progress on short-term initiatives, long-term programs and organizational building needs
•	Built broad coalition in support of President Obama’s legislative agenda through engaging elected officials at federal, state and local levels; state and local party officials; constituency groups; and volunteers
•	Developed and grew online interactive communications presence using Twitter, Facebook, and the OFA State Blog
•	Led the Indiana Democratic Party’s 2010 Coordinated Campaign:
     o	Developed overall strategy, successfully led political outreach and ensured operational continuity
     o	Managed Coordinated Campaign leadership staff (Field Director, Press Secretary, New Media Director) and broader team of seven Regional Field Directors and 25 Field Organizers

State Director

Obama for America

•	Successfully implemented the Pennsylvania field plan to shift Monroe County from a 2004 red county to a 2008 Obama-Biden Campaign win by a margin of over 10,000 votes and 17 points
•	Managed a staff of four long-term volunteers, 200 volunteers and over 850 Get-Out-The-Vote volunteers
•	Met goals and optimized voter contact through recruiting, training and maintaining volunteer teams
•	Planned and staffed events for Obama surrogates (Sen. Bob Casey, Gov. Ed Rendell)

Field Organizer, Northeast Pennsylvania

International Justice Mission

•	Ensured excellence in all communication from the Office of the Vice President, including, but not limited to, speeches, email, and written correspondence
•	Served as a liaison and primary point of contact between the Vice President and the public
•	Prepared documentation and briefings for the VP’s meetings, projects, and reports
•	Comprehensively managed the VP’s calendar and task list to ensure appropriate prioritization and follow-up

Executive Assistant, Field Operations

•	Interviewed Sri Lankan government officials, civil society leaders, and power actors to obtain information regarding the state of affairs in the area of human rights in Sri Lanka
•	Acted as the office’s primary accountant to ensure compliance with generally accepted accounting principles
•	Co-planned and implemented a staff retreat for IJM’s South Asia regional offices (over 90 staff in attendance)

Assistant to the Legal Liaison, Sri Lanka

•	Established IJM’s Operational Field Office in Kolkata, India, which included hiring staff and procuring office space and equipment, and ensured that the office was functional within six weeks
•	Provided high-level support to the Regional Director of Operations for South Asia
•	Successfully executed a salary survey which was used to establish an entirely new pay scale for the South Asia region
•	Ensured that all of IJM’s procedures met United States Government grant guidelines in the South Asia region

Regional Assistant, South Asia

You’re ambitious, driven, and already making an impact – but you know there’s more.

After pouring your heart into your work, sacrificing time, relationships, and even your well-being, you’ve hit a point where it feels like you just can’t break through to the next level.

You may be feeling:

↳ Stuck, despite your success
↳ Unclear about the path forward
↳ Burdened by the weight of leadership and life's demands

Balancing the pressures of leading at the highest levels with personal fulfillment is a real challenge. 

You’re constantly juggling the needs of your organization, your family, and yourself—often feeling like you're not showing up fully for any of them.

Deep down, you know there’s more to achieve, but the road ahead feels unclear. 

The gap between where you are and where you want to be is filled with doubt, uncertainty, and the belief that you're capable of more.

That’s where I come in.

I specialize in helping high-performing leaders like you unlock the next level of their growth—professionally and personally. Together, we’ll break through the patterns that are holding you back and build a strategic path forward that aligns with your true aspirations.

What does working with me look like?

Together, we will:

↳ Uncover what’s truly holding you back and create a roadmap that leads to your full potential.

↳ Identify and interrupt the patterns that keep you feeling stuck and replace them with growth-focused strategies.

↳ Equip you with the tools to make confident, effective decisions—even when faced with uncertainty or pressure.

Through our partnership, you’ll gain clarity, re-energize your leadership, and develop the mindset needed to confidently navigate challenges while staying grounded in your purpose.

Why me?

I've been where you are. From my roles in the U.S. Government to the C-suite of global organizations like Bono’s ONE Campaign, I know firsthand what it’s like to lead at the highest levels while striving for a full, balanced life as a dad and partner.

As an International Coaching Federation-certified coach, I go beyond advice—I help create real, transformative change. 

If you’re ready to unlock your next phase of growth, without sacrificing what matters most, check out my Featured Section to book a strategy call with me.

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The Battle

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John Spears

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Jennifer Knowles's LinkedIn Performance

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