Keynote Speaker + Career Enthusiast

I help professionals find what makes them painfully different in their career — so they can perform with confidence, stand out in any room, get promoted faster, and actually enjoy the work they do.

Painfully Different

The bold career strategy for standing out, moving up, and finally enjoying your work

Fitting in is the fastest way to be overlooked.

In a world where resumes blur together and job titles sound the same, the professionals who rise aren’t always the most experienced — they’re the most distinct. But standing out can feel uncomfortable, even risky. That’s why most people don't do it. They water themselves down to be “professional,” when the truth is: your most valuable career asset is the very thing you’ve been hiding.

In this energizing and story-packed keynote, Elle Overholt introduces the Painfully Different method — a career strategy designed to help high-potential professionals uncover what sets them apart, articulate it with clarity and confidence, and use it to accelerate their success.

Elle shares how her own career began with rejection, reinvention, and finally, the realization that being “too much” was actually her greatest competitive edge. She blends real-world experience with sharp, strategic insights to help audiences stop playing small and start showing up as who they actually are — not who they think they should be.

Your audience will walk away with:

• A clear understanding of their Personal Value Proposition — and why it matters

• The courage to speak up, stand out, and be seen as leadership material

• A new way to approach career conversations, interviews, and promotion paths

• The mindset shift that turns discomfort into distinction — and distinction into advancement

If you're looking for a keynote speaker who brings energy, clarity, and a no-fluff strategy for real career growth, Elle Overholt delivers. Painfully Different™ is the perfect keynote for high-potential teams, women’s leadership events, emerging professionals, and anyone ready to grow — without shrinking themselves.