How to overcome adversity
and live a life of joy
Discover the keys to
crushing adversity
Break the cycle of
trauma and tragedy
Learn to thrive,
not just survive in life
About Kendra
Kendra Petty is an award-winning author, speaker, slayer of adversity, and thriver of life! She has succeeded in an all-male industry, becoming an executive vice president at two firms.
Kendra is a dynamic public speaker, powerful negotiator, and dealmaker. She started her career as an inspirational speaker to motivate others to take action and make changes in their life so they can thrive and not just survive in life.
After dealing with and living in adversity, trauma, and tragedy her entire life, she found her own path to healing and thriving and through that, she opened her eyes to the immense pain and struggle people experience through their own adversity, trauma, or loss.
Combined with her experience and desire to help, she took to the stage with the goal of reaching as many people as possible in the realm of showing people how to overcome adversity, heal, and thrive. Her talks will inspire and motivate people to find their path to healing and break the cycle of adversity pr trauma.
Kendra is a highly sought-after speaker, award winning author, and consultant. Kendra has helped people from every walk of life find healing, peace, and joy. If you are looking for someone to transform your event and help people learn to thrive, not just survive, Kendra is the answer for your next event!
“Kendra’s story is all about resilience - for anyone who has gone through trauma, Kendra is a true north star. Kendra’s determination to lead her best life with a full and open heart is inspiring.”
Brandy Stanley, Vice President , FLASH
Biography
Being the target of a mafia hit, narrowly escaping an abusive cult, and battling breast cancer has caused Kendra Petty to wonder, “How much can one person take?” More, life replied. Much more.
Kendra’s story of survival is unlike any you’ve ever heard. Born and raised in Oklahoma, she began life by enduring the horrific death of her brother killed in an accident while they were together, as well as years of tremendous childhood abuse of all kinds. She survived a mentally ill mother and a stunning breakout from a cult led by her own parents.
Kendra left Oklahoma after high school and moved to New York City, where she graduated college and began building her career as an executive. She married a physically and emotionally abusive spouse with a hidden drug habit. While overcoming yet another abusive relationship in her life, she worked extremely hard to successfully climb the corporate ladder. But when her work put her in the crosshairs of organized crime, it would take every survival tactic she’d learned (and more) to avoid ending up dead, and that’s just the beginning.
She finally realized that the changes she needed to make in her life to not just survive but to thrive in her life could only be achieved by exploding the life she had deliberately created.
Her life and path healing is an inspirational story of resilience, grit, and perseverance, as well as a jaw-dropping thriller that proves that some lives really are stranger than fiction.
While you may find common ground with her battered childhood, her account of attempted murder is so dizzyingly intricate that it feels straight out of a Hollywood movie; sometimes real life truly is stranger, and decidedly creepier, than fiction.
Kendra loves bouldering and scrambling in the mountains of California, Nevada, and Arizona. A boater for many years, she also loves fast cars and traveling.
“Petty's story is a testament to the human ability to not only survive but thrive against all the odds. Thank you for sharing your vulnerable story. Inspiring! Highly recommend.”
Gretchen Schuecking, CEO , The Powerhouse Agent
Why work with Me?
Be inspired and motivated to find your path to overcoming adversity.
Learn steps to take to move towards thriving in life, not just surviving.
I will share some of my path to healing from challenges and difficulties in life.
I provide a unique perspective of resilience and perseverance for those facing adversity.
I will inspire anyone who has dealt with a life-changing illness. difficult/unhealthy relationships, or death to move towards healing and living a full life.
Learn about my professional success as I climbed the corporate ladder, despite my personal struggles.
Hear how to deal with a toxic business environment that’s eroding your mental and emotional well-being.
Learn how to evaluate and act on big choices regarding what to do about hardship or problematic situations.
My story, though quite unique, will inspire people who face interpersonal challenges of all kinds.
"Petty’s real-life account..of attempted murder is so dizzyingly intricate that it feels straight out of a Hollywood movie ...A thoroughly riveting and often enlightening true story of proliferating hardships."
Kirkus Reviews
“Petty provides an impactful message about resilience, the value of self-forgiveness, and a reminder to value how far they have come rather than becoming moored in the past.”
Book Life
“Kendra Petty is a passionate speaker. She is determined to inspire others to push through life’s adversity and challenges. Kendra keeps the audience on the edge of their seats with her inspirational story and path to healing. You feel her enthusiasm for life and are drawn into her lighthearted sense of humor as she retells the unimaginable events of her life and how she overcame tremendous adversity and learned to thrive in life.”
Sheila Couey
“Kendra Petty can capture an audience! She has a unique gift of telling her story in such a way that we feel her pain and sadness but leave with a sense of triumph! Her flawless presentation is exciting and uplifting. She is immensely interesting and easy to love.”
Donna Ried, Educator, Multi Business Owner and Eternal Student
“Kendra Petty is the real deal. She talks with candor and humor about her life, her adversity and her recovery from that adversity. As a successful business leader and a genuinely caring human being, you will find her story compelling and a healing process from start to finish. She delivers it in spades from the stage and will leave you wanting more.”
April O’Leary, CEO, O’Leary Publishing
"Kendra is an exceptionally skilled and knowledgeable presenter. Her confident and articulate delivery effortlessly commands attention. Her wealth of information and compelling life story are conveyed with ease, captivating the audience and fostering engaging interactions. Undoubtedly, Kendra stands as an exceptional addition to any speaker series or event, leaving a lasting impression on all who have the privilege of experiencing her presentations."
Angela Clark, CEO Natiowide
Speaker Engagements
My engagements are in-person or virtual. The following are options to work together at your event:
Opening Keynote
I will get your event kicked off with momentum, excitement, and a little bit of humor! (or a lot of humor if you prefer). Because the opening keynote sets the tone for your event it is so important to choose the right speaker. First impressions are everything as you start your event, so I will work closely with you to understand the goals of the event and make sure my keynote is aligned with those goals. I will deliver an exciting and moving opening keynote that leaves your audience excited to be there.
Closing Keynote
Your attendees will remember how they feel when they leave your event. My closing keynote will motivate and inspire your attendees to utilize what they learned and to feel excited about the event. I will work closely with you to understand the goals of the event and make sure my keynote is aligned with those goals. I will deliver a memorable closing keynote that leaves your audience glad they attended your event.
Panel Discussions
As a panel member I bring my many years of experience to be able to complement the panel. The focus is to meet your goals for the panel and align with the event’s theme and focus. I will work with you to understand those goals to ensure the delivery of my input on the panel matches your goals. I will ensure my participation and value add are motivational and inspirational.
Workshops & Breakouts
Your audience will leave the workshop or breakout ready to apply the practices and methods that I share with them. My goal is to make it very interactive and challenge the audience to dig in and learn how to overcome adversity and start living a life of joy and happiness. I deliver my topics in a captivating and engaging way. I provide a rewarding experience that's both motivational, inspirational, and applicable to people from all walks of life.