Kristi Straw is a leadership consultant, bestselling author, and speaker renowned for her ability to transform leaders and organizations through innovative strategies. As the founder of Lighthouse Leadership Consultants™, she is dedicated to empowering individuals to align their leadership and personal brands with purpose and impact. Kristi’s frameworks, such as UNICORN Leader™ and Authentic Authority™, inspire bold, actionable leadership approaches. Recognized as one of Charlotte’s Top 50 Most Influential Women, Kristi champions empathy, innovation, and strategic growth to help leaders create lasting legacies.
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before starting your corporate journey/venture/initiative.
I grew up in a small town surrounded by cornfields—no stoplights, no diversity, and no room to express emotions freely. I spent summers detasseling corn and navigating a world that often felt stifling. I constantly felt like “too much,” with no outlet for the big dreams or emotions I carried. I wanted to escape, to experience a world where I could finally breathe, express myself, and feel alive. That drive to break free and create a different life shaped everything I do today.
What motivated you to start your business/initiative? What inspired you to say, “YES, go for it”?
What motivated me to start my business was the rampant toxicity, racism, and elitist behaviors I saw in corporate environments—patterns that crushed creativity, alienated people, and made workplaces unbearable for so many. It wasn’t just frustrating; it was a call to action.
I launched Lighthouse Leadership Consultants™ to dismantle these harmful practices and create frameworks that foster trust, authenticity, and inclusion. Saying “YES” wasn’t about fixing one company; it was about rewriting the playbook for leadership so it serves everyone—not just those already at the top. It was time for change, and I was ready to lead it.
What change would you like to see in the world, and what is your advice to young women entrepreneurs?
If I could share one message with young women entrepreneurs, it’s this: be yourself, and bet on yourself—every damn time. The world needs your voice, your ideas, and your leadership in its most authentic form.
The change I want to see is a world where leadership isn’t about power plays or fitting into a mold—it’s about embracing Authentic Authority™. It’s about leading with trust, compassion, and inclusion, creating environments where everyone—not just the privileged few—can thrive.
My message is simple: don’t shrink yourself to fit into spaces that weren’t built for you. Be bold, take up space, and know that your authenticity is your greatest superpower. The world changes when you bet on yourself and lead with unapologetic confidence.
What are your thoughts about women in leadership today?
Women in leadership today are doing more than breaking glass ceilings—we’re burning the cape that was handed to us without consent. For too long, we’ve been expected to carry the invisible mental load, balancing everything from workplace excellence to societal expectations without complaint. The truth? We didn’t ask for this load, and it’s time we stop silently shouldering it.
Leadership isn’t about martyrdom—it’s about impact. It’s about saying “no” to outdated norms and “yes” to leading authentically, unapologetically, and sustainably. Women today are reshaping what leadership looks like, and that starts with rejecting roles we didn’t choose and stepping fully into roles we deserve.
We’re not here to prove we can do it all—we’re here to do what matters most, with power, clarity, and bold boundaries. Let’s lead, let’s innovate, and let’s say it loud: no more capes, no more invisible burdens!
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your journey, and what is your personal motto?
The most important thing I’ve learned in both my personal life and professional journey is that fear isn’t the enemy—it’s a sign that you’re on the edge of growth. The key is to “Be scared. And do it any damn way.”
That motto has guided me through every leap, whether it was stepping into rooms where I felt out of place, starting my own business, or standing up to systems that didn’t serve me or others.
I’ve also learned the power of saying no to what doesn’t align and yes to the things that light me up, even if they’re terrifying. True success, both personally and professionally, comes from betting on yourself, embracing the discomfort of growth, and leading with authenticity every step of the way. Fear might be part of the process, but it never gets to hold the pen!
What would you like to say to young women leaders and entrepreneurs reading this?
The world will try to convince you to shrink, to compromise your values, and to carry burdens you didn’t ask for. Don’t let it. Your strength lies in staying true to who you are—your wholeness is your power.
Be scared. And do it any damn way. Take up space, set boundaries, and say no to what doesn’t serve you. Leadership isn’t about fitting into someone else’s mold; it’s about breaking it and building something better.
The world needs your boldness, your authenticity, and your unapologetic vision. Lead fiercely, stay rooted in your worth, and remember: those who can’t handle your brilliance weren’t meant to be part of your journey anyway. Stay whole, and let them choke.
