I remember exactly where I was when I had my first panic attack.

Life was full and, ironically, seemed as smooth as could be. I was standing barefoot in front of the stove, with my then four-year-old daughter and two-year-old son noodling around in the family room. My daughter excitedly padded up to me, clutching a Disney book that rivaled the size of her body, exclaiming...

"Mommy, look, it’s you!"

I was convinced she was about to show me a picture of Jasmine from Aladdin or maybe (maybe) Pocahontas. But, no. She whipped the book around, and staring me square in the face, I was eye to eye with Maleficent. (Yes, that Maleficent. Horns and all.)

And then I felt it: the inner quake.

The floor falling out below me and the walls closing in. How could this be?

I was doing everything right. I was working, wife-ing, and mommy-ing as best as I could, and this is how my daughter saw me? So I did what any sane woman on the brink of a nervous breakdown would do—I immediately  texted the now-infamous picture to a good friend, and then called to inform her that I was hands down the worst mom in the entire world.

And, without missing a beat, she quipped, "All I see in that picture is a powerful woman with a fierce sense of style."

And just like that, I could breathe again. Right behind it were the tears—buckets of them. I cried tears of gratitude for dear friends like this, relief for still having a pulse, and overwhelm that had been building for months (maybe years). 

See, at the time, I was the director of training and programs at an organization where our main purpose was to help women successfully transition back into the workforce. I was super passionate about it.

But now? I felt like a total fraud.

Who am I to teach these women how to confidently transition when I can’t even handle life myself? Never should I be in this position of leadership! (Because don’t we just go straight to absolutes when we have a mental spiral? Who’s with me?)

The pressure is real. Balancing career, family, personal growth, and everything else that comes with life—it can feel impossible at times. But late one night—when anxiety attacks and brilliant ideas battle for our attention—I remembered.

I remembered why I was doing the work I was doing. These women needed real women at the front of the room teaching and coaching them who GOT IT, who understood how tough it is to be ambitious in your career and still juggle being a devoted mom, a loving partner, a caring friend, a dependable daughter...you get the idea. The list goes on, and on.

And then it hit me: These women were walking into companies more prepared than the people interviewing them. That’s not right. That’s when I knew—I needed to go higher.

If I really wanted to create change, I had to work with the decision-makers. The leaders. The ones shaping workplace culture.

I needed to help them become clearer, more confident, and more courageous leaders, so their impact could ripple out through their teams and organizations.

Because authentic leadership starts with embracing our full humanity. We don’t need leaders who pretend to have it all together. We need leaders who are clear, confident, and courageous because they’ve faced doubt, fear, and failure—and learned how to lead anyway.

So, here’s my hope for you:

Whether you join me in my signature communication and leadership program, Lead Out Loud, attend a keynote or workshop, or even tune into a Sow to Speak podcast episode—

I hope you leave feeling more whole, more connected to yourself, and more empowered than ever before.

Because now, more than ever, we need leaders who are awake, courageous, compassionate, and fully themselves.

And if that means owning my Maleficent energy? Well, I’ll be over here polishing my horns.

MEET KRISTY

founder of Sow to Speak

Kristy Mandour, founder of Sow to Speak, is a seasoned public speaker and communication coach specializing in emotional intelligence and actionable mental wellness. She is an ICF-certified coach with a Bachelor of Science from the Roy H. Park School of Communication at Ithaca College and a Master of Arts from Emerson College.

Dedicated to the mission of rehumanizing the workforce, with a rich decades-long professional background in human dynamics, Kristy effortlessly weaves her insights to intersect the arts with science in every aspect of her work. 

She goes beyond the conventional coaching style, offering a transformative experience for high-achieving creative leaders and ambitious, passionate entrepreneurs. With a blend of relatability and competence, Kristy serves as a beacon for leaders navigating the complexities of effective communication in the modern workplace and world.  Kristy's impact extends beyond coaching engagements; it resonates in her down-to-earth and captivating tone as a writer, speaker, and host of The Sow to Speak podcast. 

Kristy lives in upstate NY with her family and their dog, Walter.

MEET NICOLE

Client Relationship Manager

Adventure-seeker fueled by good food, heavy lifts, and the excitement of exploring new places. When I'm not at the gym or planning my next trip, you’ll find me spoiling my nieces and nephews—because being the cool aunt is a full-time job!

With 10+ years in Administration and Operations, I love helping people tackle everything from the smallest challenges to the most complex problems—I thrive on figuring things out.

And above all, I love working with all our Sow to Speak clients, supporting them every step of the way!

OUR VALUES

Authenticity

Be real. Show up as you are, not who you think you "should" be. When you lead with your true self, your message has a way of sticking—because it’s you.

Empowerment

I’m here to help you take charge of your voice and your impact. No more holding back or second-guessing. You’ve got what it takes—I’m just helping you own it.

Growth

It’s all about getting better, one conversation at a time. No need to be perfect—just keep showing up, learning, and becoming the leader you’re meant to be.

"Working with Kristy initially gave me some wonderful new perspectives, and the ongoing coaching really allowed me to develop some great habits and share them with my team.

It wasn’t long before we brought Kristy in to work with the entire team.  Thank you for all you do; we appreciate it more than you know. “

Jon Earl,

Managing Director, The Earl Savery Group at Baird

You’re Meant for More

Let’s Make It Happen.

You’re Meant for More

Let’s Make It Happen.

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