The significance of women in the leadership space cannot be overstated. From redefining technological advances to promoting inclusivity in the workspace, female leaders are shaping the business space into a dynamic, forward-thinking space that recognizes individual perspectives and experiences. In the world of leadership development, women have made great strides. Their bold vision, empathy, and innovative mindset are helping them to transform traditional frameworks. They promote collaborative learning, mentorship, and real-world problem-solving to create professionally future-ready leaders. One such ‘Catalyst of Change’ is Kelly Lockwood Primus, CEO of Leading NOW.
A transformational leader at heart, Kelly combines decades of emotional intelligence, diverse perspectives, and holistic development to empower future leaders to lead with authenticity and resilience. Under her watchful eye, Leading NOW is helping emerging leaders challenge norms and foster an environment where leadership thrives beyond titles.
Becoming a Necessary Changemaker
Kelly’s journey to leadership is a testament to resilience, vision, and the power of persistence. With over 25 years of experience across industries, she has navigated boardrooms and decision-making tables, often as the only woman in the room. The challenge was not just about being present but being heard. “One of the biggest challenges I faced was speaking up and being heard, as my perspective was very different from everyone else in the room,” she recalls. To gain credibility, she immersed herself in every facet of the business, mastering its intricacies and proving herself time after time.
But Kelly wasn’t just interested in climbing the corporate ladder—she wanted to change its very structure. Driven by a passion for transformation and inclusivity, she embraced an opportunity with Leading Women, a division of Leading NOW. Combining her expertise in marketing and communications, she quickly rose through the ranks, using her influence to redefine workplace dynamics and advocate for gender parity in leadership. Her strategic vision and groundbreaking initiatives not only reshaped organizations but also propelled her to the role of CEO.
Today, Kelly stands as a beacon of change, seamlessly blending decades of experience with cutting-edge research, global insights, and a strategic focus on talent development.
Creating Leaders of Tomorrow
Leading NOW is more than just a global leadership education organization—it’s a catalyst for transformation, shaping the leaders of tomorrow with bold strategies and groundbreaking insights. The company operates through two powerful divisions: Leading Forward and Leading Women.
Leading Forward focuses on building cultures of inclusion, delivering DE&I consulting and inclusive leadership development that challenge norms and shift mindsets. Grounded in proprietary global research and expertise, Leading Forward equips organizations with actionable tools to drive measurable, scalable change. By embedding inclusivity into the DNA of workplace culture, Leading Forward helps businesses unlock their full potential in an evolving corporate landscape. Leading Women is pioneering the path to gender-balanced leadership. With a consultative, visionary approach, it designs disruptive programs that empower women to rise, thrive, and collaborate with male allies. Fuelled by cutting-edge research on talent development and gender dynamics, it delivers customized solutions that inspire transformational change.
Though distinct in their focus, both divisions share a common goal: to revolutionize leadership as we know it. Its workshops boast an impressive Net Promoter Score of 72 powered by a world-class facilitation team with decades of business expertise. “Word-of-mouth from our workshop participants consistently advocate to bring us into their organization,” Kelly shares proudly.
Uniquely Competitive in Dynamic Space
Leading NOW envisions leadership not as a mere position of authority, but as a position driven by vision, mission, and inclusion. While many competitors offer leadership solutions, few can match the unique blend of global perspective, proprietary research, and tailored strategies. The company analyzes external research while also conducting its own proprietary studies—a powerful combination that allows it to pinpoint barriers in leadership and craft customized solutions to dismantle them. This research-driven approach ensures that organizations don’t just develop leaders—they cultivate changemakers who redefine the future of leadership itself.
Leading NOW is a champion of gender parity in leadership. It invests heavily in providing valuable insights to women in business, equipping them with the tools they need to excel. “We provide blogs, articles in industry and business publications, as well as a recurring column in an industry vertical publication,” says Kelly. They also extend their expertise to non-profit organizations with pro bono services. These actions help advance leadership as a collective movement, ensuring that inclusion and empowerment become the hallmarks of modern leadership.
Well Acquainted with Trends and Innovations
The impact of technological advancements in education cannot be overstated. With interactive simulations shaping the future of personalized learning, leadership development is becoming more personalized than ever before. Leading NOW works consistently to be at the forefront of this change. With nearly two decades of success, the company has consistently evolved—refining learning methodologies, integrating technology, and expanding accessibility. Equipped with cutting-edge virtual learning tools, it delivers high-impact online workshops, eliminating the need for extensive travel and ensuring seamless engagement for clients and team members alike.
By leveraging the right innovations, Leading NOW stays ahead of the curve and establishes strategic partnerships. The company has forged alliances with industry and membership associations, bringing its world-class leadership education workshops to in-person conferences and impacting thousands of participants annually.
The Anchor of Leading NOW’s Growth
Leading NOW is shaping the future of leadership, ensuring it is not only transformational but also profoundly human. While the organization invests deeply in helping companies champion inclusivity, it also understands the power of strategic alliances. This commitment to building meaningful relationships—an essential ingredient for modern business success—is something Kelly advocates wholeheartedly. Throughout her corporate career, she has held leadership positions across various consumer product brands, guiding them to new heights.
Yet, for Kelly, leadership isn’t just about achieving success—it’s about lifting others along the way. “I set aside time each week to meet and speak with people outside my organization and network,” she shares. “I do so to learn what motivates others and what their goals are, as well as to share my mission of bringing gender parity to business leadership.” Her dedication to providing guidance, coaching, and inspiration has helped countless women seeking to carve their paths. Her unique relationship-driven approach to leadership has made her a sought-after keynote speaker and Forbes contributor. In recognition of her efforts, she was honoured as the “Most Influential Woman Business Leader” in 2024.
A Team of Championing Minds
“If you want to walk fast, walk alone. If you want to walk far, walk together.” – Ratan Tata
At Leading NOW, success is not measured by individual achievements but by collective growth. The organization thrives as a unified team, where every member—across all hierarchies—has a clear, concise understanding of their responsibilities. Yet, what truly sets them apart is their collaborative spirit.
The team members actively engage in strategic discussions, exchanging insights, perspectives, and experiences. These conversations don’t just create an engaging environment; they challenge the status quo, ensuring that their consultative approach evolves with time. By fostering a culture of shared learning and creative problem-solving, Leading NOW continuously refines its solutions.
An Exciting Mission Lies Ahead
Leading NOW has made a profound impact in its mission to redefine leadership. As a WOSB-certified company, its influence extends far and wide—but at the heart of its success is Kelly Lockwood Primus. Her leadership is more than a title—it’s a movement, proving that when passion meets perseverance, glass ceilings don’t just crack; they shatter.
Beyond leading a company that is reshaping leadership on a global scale, Kelly is on a new mission—one that extends far beyond the office environment. “I’m excited to say that I’m working on a book that will provide the knowledge and research we’ve done so that every woman who wishes to lead will enjoy the benefits of everything I’ve learned so far,” she reveals. With this bold new endeavor, Kelly is ensuring that leadership education is not just for the few but for every woman who aspires to lead and leave their mark on the world.
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