Jamie McKinney | President & Leadership Coach | The Leadership Laboratory
Jamie McKinney is a leadership coach, speaker, and the creator of Leadership Laboratory, a learning space designed to help women lead with confidence, clarity, and executive presence, especially in male-dominated and technical environments. Her work is deeply shaped by her own professional journey and the early moments in her career when she knew she had strong ideas but felt unsure about how her voice would be received. Those experiences became the foundation of a mission that now supports women leaders and the organizations that invest in them to turn leadership potential into real-world results. At EliteX, we are proud to have Jamie McKinney as part of the edition: Impactful Women in Business, 2026.
In the early stages of her career, Jamie realized that technical knowledge and competence alone were not enough to move forward at the pace she wanted. She noticed that many capable women around her were also being overlooked, not because they lacked skill, but because they struggled with confidence, communication, and visibility. Jamie experienced this firsthand. Once she intentionally developed strong communication skills and executive presence alongside her expertise, her career growth accelerated. Meetings felt different, conversations felt more balanced, and opportunities began to open. What once felt confusing started to feel like a clear pattern, and she knew she had uncovered something powerful.
Leadership readiness is a skill that can be learned.
This realization marked a turning point. Jamie understood that if these skills could transform her own career, they could do the same for other women. She became deeply motivated to share what she had learned in a practical and repeatable way. Her goal was never to ask women to change who they are, but to help them show up fully as themselves while also being confident, assertive, and respected. She believes that kindness and strength are not opposites, and that authenticity can exist alongside authority.
Jamie’s business was built to solve a problem that many organizations quietly struggle with – a thin leadership pipeline when it comes to women. Many companies want to promote from within and retain top talent, but they find that women are underrepresented at senior levels. Jamie works closely with HR and talent leaders to strengthen the female leadership bench without adding more work to already busy teams. Her programs focus on helping high-performing women become high-impact leaders who are ready for the next step.
Through her work, women gain practical tools to communicate clearly, contribute more confidently in meetings, position their work effectively, and navigate complex workplace dynamics with ease. They stop second-guessing themselves and start trusting their voice. Many clients share that this shift does not only affect their professional life but also improves how they show up at home and in their communities. Reduced self-doubt leads to more energy, better focus, and a greater sense of satisfaction overall.
Jamie’s approach has delivered measurable outcomes for organizations as well. Participants in her programs stand out more clearly, influence more effectively, and demonstrate stronger executive presence. In several cases, improved confidence and clarity have led to higher retention, even when that was not the original goal. Women who were considering leaving their roles often rediscover their value, see a future within the organization, and choose to stay and grow. This creates a win for both the individual and the company.
One of the most meaningful aspects of Jamie’s work is witnessing the personal transformations of the women she supports. She measures success not just in promotions or pay increases, but in mindset shifts and confidence gained. Stories from her clients reflect how deeply this work can change lives. She has seen women move from quiet observers to respected voices in the room, from uncertainty to strong self-belief, and from feeling invisible to being recognized and rewarded.
Women lead best when they trust their voice.
Among the achievements Jamie is most proud of are the long-term impacts on her clients’ careers and families. She has worked with women across industries, companies, and even countries, and the ripple effects of their success continue to inspire her. In one year alone, women in her programs collectively increased their merit-based compensation by more than $900,000. These outcomes represent more than numbers. They reflect increased confidence, expanded opportunities, and a stronger sense of agency.
Jamie’s journey as an author also played a key role in shaping her business. Writing her book Speak Up, Sister! allowed her to reach women who needed encouragement and guidance but did not yet have access to coaching. Over time, this work evolved into Leadership Laboratory, which now includes a podcast and a growing community. The platform was created to make leadership growth practical, accessible, and real. Jamie wants women to stop waiting until they feel ready and instead decide they are ready, take action, and prove it through their results.
What Jamie enjoys most about her work is hearing from clients about their wins. Whether it is a presentation delivered with confidence, a promotion earned, or recognition received, these updates reinforce why she does what she does. Seeing her clients’ growth acknowledged and rewarded is deeply fulfilling for her and serves as constant motivation to keep expanding her impact.
Being recognized as an Impactful Woman in Business, 2026, holds special meaning for Jamie. The recognition aligns with her mission and reflects the growing momentum behind her work. For her, it is not just a personal milestone but a signal that the message is resonating and that more women are stepping into their potential. She views this moment as an invitation for others to join the community she is building and to contribute to a broader movement of confident, capable women leaders.
Looking ahead, Jamie remains focused on scaling her impact while staying true to her values. She continues to work closely with individuals and organizations that believe in developing leadership from within and creating inclusive workplaces where women can thrive. Her vision is clear – to make leadership readiness inevitable for women who are willing to invest in themselves and take action. Through her coaching, programs, and community, Jamie McKinney continues to help women turn self-belief into leadership presence and opportunity into lasting success.
Confidence and communication unlock leadership growth.
Jamie McKinney
Email ID – Contact@JamieMcKinney.com
Office Number – (347) 92 – SHERO
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-dandar-mckinney/
Website – JamieMcKinney.com