Dr. Kasi Lacey: Psychologist, Keynote Speaker & Executive Coach Helping Women Lead with Confidence

Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business

Hi, I’m Dr. Kasi Lacey — psychologist, keynote speaker, and executive coach. I’m the founder and CEO of H & L Legacy Consulting, where I help high-achieving women build unshakable confidence, navigate career transitions, and lead with authenticity and impact. My work blends psychology with leadership strategy to support women and organizations in creating thriving, values-driven workplaces.

Who are your customers?

I primarily work with high-achieving, mission-driven women—often leaders or aspiring leaders—who feel stuck, undervalued, or burned out in their careers. Many are navigating promotions, pivots, or toxic work environments and need support stepping into their voice and leadership. I also work with organizations and women’s leadership groups to deliver keynote talks and trainings on confidence, burnout, psychological safety, and emotional intelligence.

What was your background prior to starting your own business?

Before launching my business, I spent over 15 years in higher education leadership, ultimately serving as Vice President and Dean of Student Life. I oversaw areas like student services, health and wellness, DEI initiatives, crisis response, and leadership development. My days were spent supporting students through some of the most formative—and often difficult—seasons of their lives, and leading teams who were doing emotionally demanding, mission-driven work.

I also co-led campus-wide strategic planning and worked closely with boards, faculty, and executive leadership to shape policies that impacted everything from student engagement to institutional inclusion. It was high-stakes work that required constant emotional intelligence, diplomacy, and deep care.

Professionally, I was thriving—but personally, I was running on fumes. I had spent so long striving, proving, and holding it all together that I didn’t realize how disconnected I had become from myself. Even with a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, I wasn’t immune to burnout, people-pleasing, or the internalized pressure so many women in leadership carry.

At the same time, my training as a psychologist was a throughline that grounded me. I understood how environments impact mental health. I understood the cost of emotional labor and the weight of self-doubt—even (especially) in high-achieving women. And more than anything, I understood what it meant to support someone through a transformational journey.

That’s what ultimately led me here. My background gave me the tools and credibility to lead, but it was my personal experience—navigating burnout, a toxic workplace, and a deep desire for something more—that gave me the why. Now, as a coach and speaker, I get to use all of it: the psychology, the leadership, the lived experience—to help other women rise with confidence, clarity, and purpose.

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

After reaching the C-suite, I had everything on paper—title, influence, leadership—but inside, I felt completely depleted. I was burned out and, honestly, bored. The work no longer aligned with my values, and the environment I was in wasn’t psychologically safe. I had been calling it what it was: an abusive relationship. And like many women, I stayed “for the kids”—in this case, the students and the staff I deeply cared about and didn’t want to leave behind.

But the emotional toll was too great. I was silencing myself, walking on eggshells, and constantly questioning my worth. The pivotal moment came when a supervisor—someone in a position of power—called me a “belligerent bully” behind closed doors. That moment shook me. Not because I believed it, but because it made something crystal clear: no amount of loyalty or overachievement would protect me in a toxic system that didn’t value psychological safety or emotional intelligence.

That’s when I knew I couldn’t keep shrinking or surviving in spaces that didn’t allow me to lead with integrity. I needed to create something different—not just for myself, but for every woman who’s ever felt stuck, undervalued, or silenced in the workplace. Starting my business was both a leap of faith and an act of alignment. It was the beginning of reclaiming my voice, and now, I help other women do the same.

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

Yes—deep down, I always knew I wanted to do something big and have my own business. I just didn’t always know what that would look like. I grew up watching my dad as an entrepreneur, so the seed was planted early. But like many, I got caught in the comfort (and pressure) of stability. The golden handcuffs of a steady salary, titles, and fear—especially in toxic workplace environments—kept me stuck longer than I’d like to admit.

Still, the desire never went away. I dreamed of building something that reflected my values, that gave me freedom, impact, and purpose. Eventually, that dream got louder than the fear. And once I stepped out, I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be.

Take us back to when you first launched your business; what was your marketing strategy to get the word out and did it go as planned?

When I first launched my business, I’ll be honest—I was terrified to post about myself. Coming from a career in higher education and psychology, the focus was always on the client, the student, the mission—not me. So stepping into the spotlight to talk about my story, my offers, and my voice was a massive mindset shift. Marketing was the one area I had zero training in—but I knew I could learn, experiment, and figure it out as I went.

Joining a mastermind became a turning point. I connected with brilliant, generous women and coaches who helped me see the coaching industry from a new lens and learn about marketing/social media. 

I leaned into my past network—former colleagues, leadership contacts, and relationships I had built with local businesses and chambers of commerce. I showed up on LinkedIn (with shaky hands and a pounding heart), told the truth about what I was experiencing, and started offering value through resume audits, free downloads, and mini workshops. Every post felt like a risk, but I reminded myself that someone out there needed to hear it.

I also made a point to attend the same conferences I dreamed of speaking at—showing up, connecting, and learning from the inside. 

Over time, I realized confidence was the common thread through every challenge my clients brought to me. So I leaned all the way in—shifting my brand to focus on confidence, career clarity, and unapologetic leadership. I brought in more of my psychology background, created signature coaching offers, and started getting booked to speak on the very stages I once sat in the audience for.

Marketing is still something I learn from every single day—but I now see it as a way to serve, connect, and lead. And that mindset shift made all the difference.

What is the biggest challenge you have encountered along the way so far and what have you learned from it?

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced has been embracing visibility—especially as a personal brand. As a psychologist and former higher ed executive, I was trained to stay behind the scenes, to center others, and to maintain a certain professional distance. For years, my role was to support, guide, and advocate for people—not to share openly about myself. So when I transitioned into entrepreneurship, I realized very quickly that the rules had changed.

Suddenly, I had to talk about me—my story, my values, my services. And it felt deeply uncomfortable. Vulnerability didn’t come naturally, especially in a world where women—particularly women in leadership—are often judged for being “too much” or “too emotional” or “not polished enough.” Add to that the fact that I’m a psychologist, and there’s this added layer of expectation to always have it all together. But that just isn’t real life.

Over time, I learned that people don’t connect with perfection—they connect with truth. The more I’ve shared the messy middle—about burnout, fear, imposter syndrome, and the hard decisions I’ve made—the more my message has resonated. I’ve received countless messages from women saying, “I feel seen,” or “I thought I was the only one.” And that’s the whole point.

The challenge of visibility taught me that vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s leadership. By showing up fully as myself, I give other women permission to do the same. And that, to me, is the most powerful form of impact there is.

What accomplishment are the most proud of to date in your business?

Honestly, starting this business from scratch—with no roadmap, no investors, and no guarantees—has been one of the most challenging and rewarding things I’ve ever done. I walked away from a stable C-suite role, entered an entirely new industry, and had to learn everything from the ground up. But what I gained in return was purpose, alignment, and the ability to create something that truly reflects who I am and what I believe in.

I’m incredibly proud of the women who’ve come through my coaching programs and workshops—many of them high-achieving but undervalued, burned out, or questioning their worth. Watching them transform how they show up in their careers and lives has been the most fulfilling part. From negotiating $30K salary increases, to landing dream roles, to walking into rooms they used to shrink in—these aren’t just wins on paper. These are women reclaiming their voices, power, and direction.

Getting paid to speak and share that message on stages across the country has also been surreal. As someone who used to fear public speaking, it’s now one of the parts I love most. There’s something powerful about standing in front of a room full of women and reminding them they’re not broken, they’re just burned out—and that they don’t have to do it alone.

But above all, I’m proud of saying yes to myself. I built a business that models what I teach: confidence, courage, clarity, and authenticity. I didn’t wait until I felt ready. I did it scared, and I did it anyway. That’s what I want other women to see and believe they can do, too

Do you have any recent wins from the last year that you'd like to celebrate with our community?

Yes! In the past year, I’ve delivered multiple keynote talks to corporate and statewide audiences, launched a high-ticket coaching program for women in leadership, and created a suite of digital products to help women confidently apply, interview, and negotiate.

What's next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?

Over the next few years, I’m focused on becoming a nationally recognized speaker and thought leader in women’s leadership and workplace confidence. I’ll be expanding my digital course offerings, growing my team, and partnering with companies who want to invest in their female leaders. My mission is clear: help women lead boldly, live fully, and never doubt their worth again. I also plan to write and publish a book, expanding my reach.

What is your top productivity tip? 

Time blocking and prioritization are key for me. I swear by my “Power Hour” approach—setting aside focused, uninterrupted time each day to knock out my most important tasks. I also regularly ask myself: Is this moving the needle or just keeping me busy? As a mom and business owner, clarity and boundaries around time are everything.

Another big one? Using voice notes (Voxer is my go-to) to brain-dump ideas or send updates to my team on the go. It saves time and helps me stay connected even when my schedule is unpredictable.

On the flip side, how do you avoid burnout?

The truth is—I didn’t avoid burnout the first time. That’s part of what led me here. Now, I pay close attention to my energy, not just my calendar. I build in white space, batch my meetings, and give myself permission to not be available 24/7. I’ve also redefined productivity to include rest. Sometimes the most productive thing I can do is close the laptop and go for a walk on my farm or spend time with my daughters.

I also check in with myself weekly: Is my business still aligned with my values? Am I excited about what I’m creating? Burnout often creeps in when we’re doing too much of what drains us and not enough of what lights us up.

What is your approach to work-life balance / integration?

I don’t believe in perfect balance—I believe in intentional integration. Some days I’m leading a keynote, others I’m folding laundry between Zoom calls. I’ve learned to stop aiming for equal parts and instead focus on alignment: Am I spending time on what matters most right now?

I also want to model for my daughters what it looks like to pursue your passion and make space for family. That means being flexible, giving myself grace, and not measuring my worth by how much I get done.

What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

I wish I had known how powerful it is to trust myself and fully own my voice from day one. In the beginning, I spent too much time worrying about what others would think—former colleagues, people from my old career, even strangers online. I held back parts of myself, afraid of being “too much” or not polished enough. But the truth is: the more I showed up authentically, the more the right people leaned in—and the wrong ones naturally fell away. And that’s exactly what I want. I’m not here to be for everyone. I’m here to serve the women who are ready to lead boldly.

I also wish I had leaned into keynote speaking sooner. It’s where I feel most alive and most aligned. I kept thinking I had to prove myself first—have a certain number of followers, clients, or courses. But I didn’t need to wait. I had a message worth sharing and experiences that could shift the room.

And perhaps most importantly, I wish I had known that fear doesn’t mean you’re not ready. It usually means you’re growing. The moment I stopped trying to be perfect and started trusting myself—fully and unapologetically—everything in my business began to shift.

Entrepreneurship isn’t about fitting in. It’s about standing out for all the right reasons.

When hiring, what is your go-to interview question?

“What part of your work makes you feel most proud—and why?”

This question reveals someone’s values, how they define success, and whether they’re internally motivated. I want to work with people who care about impact, not just output.  Don’t just hire for skill—hire for alignment. You can teach someone systems, but you can’t teach values. I look for people who are flexible, communicative, and emotionally intelligent. I also believe in over-communicating expectations upfront and revisiting them often. Clarity creates safety—and safety creates great work.

If you've raised capital for your business already, what are some of your best tips or lessons learned?

I haven’t raised capital yet—my business has been fully bootstrapped—but that’s been intentional. I wanted to grow from a place of sustainability and alignment, especially with a young family. But I’m always open to partnerships that align with my mission and serve the women I support.

Are you a Mamaprenista? If so, please share your best advice for simultaneously managing a business and a family

Yes—and it’s the most beautiful, chaotic, purpose-driven juggling act I’ve ever taken on. My daughters are a huge part of my “why.” I want them to see a mom who chases her dreams, who creates a life and career rooted in alignment, and who doesn’t settle for burnout, perfectionism, or playing small.

There are definitely moments that are hard—like when I travel for a keynote and miss a school event or bedtime routine. But I remind myself that a mom who is fulfilled, confident, and living into her purpose is one of the greatest gifts I can give them. I want them to grow up knowing they don’t have to choose between success and motherhood, that they are allowed to take up space in both.

My best advice? Let go of the guilt. You can be nurturing and ambitious. You can show up for your business and for your kids. You can model joy, purpose, and boundaries all at once. I also believe in asking for help, communicating openly with my partner, and staying grounded in what matters most to our family—not what social media says motherhood “should” look like. There’s no perfect balance. But there can be alignment. And for me, that’s everything.

What's the one app on your phone you absolutely cannot live without and why?

LinkedIn, hands down. As a leadership coach, keynote speaker, and business owner focused on empowering high-achieving women, LinkedIn is my go-to platform for connection, visibility, and impact. It’s where my ideal clients, collaborators, and corporate partners are already showing up—looking for real conversations around confidence, career growth, and leadership.

What I love most is that it’s a space for meaningful engagement. I can share thought leadership, tell personal stories, spotlight my speaking and coaching offers, and most importantly—build relationships rooted in shared values. Unlike other platforms, it’s not about the perfect aesthetic—it’s about the substance. And for someone who blends psychology and strategy, that’s exactly the kind of space I want to be in. It’s helped me grow my business, land speaking opportunities, and reach the women who need this work the most—all from my phone.

What is your favorite business tool or solution and why?

Canva and Paperbell. Canva lets me quickly create on-brand materials and visual content without needing a full design team. Paperbell is how I manage my coaching clients—it handles scheduling, payments, and contracts so I can focus on showing up fully for my clients. Simplicity is everything when you’re wearing all the hats.

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

Start before you feel ready—and don’t wait for permission. The fear will still be there, but do it anyway. Surround yourself with people who expand you. Ask for help. Celebrate small wins. And most importantly: build a business that feels like you—not one that just looks good online.

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