About Thanh Nguyen, MEEE, MBA

– Bestselling author, speaker, coach.

I’m Thanh Nguyen, a bestselling author, speaker, and certified leadership coach dedicated to helping individuals and organizations create positive, lasting change. With over two decades of experience as a corporate leader—including serving as Vice President of Engineering and earning two U.S. patents—I’ve combined technical expertise with the human side of leadership to deliver transformative results.

As an immigrant who started from humble beginnings, I’ve faced and overcome significant personal and professional challenges. These experiences fuel my passion for empowering others to rise above setbacks and create meaningful impact in their lives and organizations. I firmly believe leadership is the lid that determines success, and by raising that lid through growth and resilience, we unlock unlimited potential.

As a co-founder of The Encourage Team and a certified coach mentored by John C. Maxwell, I use proven strategies and relatable stories to inspire and equip people to lead courageously, live positively, and achieve extraordinary growth. My unique approach blends leadership principles, real-world experience, and a deep commitment to resilience, positivity, and courage.

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Take That Next Step

Take bold steps toward your dreams, even when fear and uncertainty stand in the way. Life doesn't always reveal the entire path, but by embracing courage and making the most of what you have in the present, you can build your best life one step at a time.

The Power of Authenticity

When you stop using your energy trying to be someone you're not, you can channel it into doing what’s right and meaningful. As a result, you’ll naturally attract the right people and opportunities into your life.

Pause with Purpose

Rather than rushing from one thing to another, sometimes the best way to grow is to pause, reflect, and choose what truly matters, allowing us to do what’s important instead of simply what’s next.

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Featured Keynotes

Courage: Step into Growth

What if the hardest moments of your life were also your greatest teachers? In this deeply moving and empowering keynote, Thanh Nguyen shares her journey from surviving war-torn Vietnam to thriving as a successful leader in corporate America. With authentic storytelling and practical wisdom, she inspires professionals to embrace uncertainty, bounce back from setbacks, and lead with courage, authenticity, and purpose—because real growth happens outside your comfort zone.

Key Takeaways:

Courage Is Taking the Next Step, Even When You're Afraid
Attendees will learn how embracing uncertainty and fear can lead to unexpected strength and growth.
Do Your Best—It’s the Antidote to Regret
Real-life insights on how excellence, not perfection, helps you rise from failure and build resilience.
Authenticity Builds Influence
Discover why leading with your true self—especially in challenging environments—fosters connection and inspires trust.
Growth Comes from Criticism (Even the Unfair Kind)
Learn how to reframe criticism, uncover hidden truth, and use it as fuel for personal and professional development.
Gratitude and Purpose are Game-Changers
Tap into the transformative power of gratitude and reconnect with your deeper “why” to stay grounded, focused, and fulfilled.

Leading in Crisis

When everything feels uncertain, great leaders become anchors. In this timely and actionable keynote, Thanh Nguyen blends powerful storytelling, neuroscience, and real-world experience to reveal how calm, purpose-driven leadership transforms chaos into clarity. Audiences will walk away with the tools to inspire hope, lead with confidence, and foster trust—even in the most unpredictable moments.

Key Takeaways:

How to Stay Grounded Under Pressure
Discover research-backed tools to regulate your nervous system and lead with calm, not chaos.
Connect Teams to a Deeper Purpose
Learn how anchoring to a meaningful “why” fuels resilience, clarity, and motivation—even when everything feels off course.
Inspire Hope Without Denying Reality
Balance honesty and optimism to build credibility, momentum, and emotional safety.
Communicate with Transparency and Consistency
Overcome the leadership silence trap by delivering timely, clear, and compassionate communication that builds trust and reduces fear.
Lead with Clarity and Compassion
Make swift, confident decisions while still prioritizing empathy and human connection—because how you lead during crisis is how you’ll be remembered.

Women Leadershift: Unlocking the Power Within to Rise and Lead Boldly

Too many brilliant women hold back—not because they lack ability, but because they’ve been taught to doubt their own power. In this empowering keynote, Thanh Nguyen shares five transformative shifts every woman must make to rise into confident, authentic leadership. Through heartfelt storytelling and actionable insight, audiences walk away inspired to release guilt, own their voice, set boundaries, and lead boldly—on their own terms.

Key Takeaways:

Learn the Five Inner Shifts Every Woman Leader Must Make
From guilt to self-compassion, from silence to self-advocacy—discover the mindset shifts that elevate leadership.
Lead Authentically Without Burning Out
Embrace your strengths, set healthy boundaries, and stop overcommitting out of fear of being “not enough.”
Find Confidence Without Needing Perfection
Understand why leadership is not about knowing everything, but about showing up fully and empowering others.
Speak Up and Advocate for Yourself with Courage
Practical tools to claim your seat at the table and stop waiting to be “picked.”
Inspire the Next Generation by Stepping Into Your Power
Leadership is legacy. When you rise, you show others what’s possible.

Calm in Chaos: Leading and Living with Presence

In today’s high-pressure world, busy professionals are overwhelmed and burned out. In this inspiring and practical keynote, Thanh Nguyen shares her journey from survival to serenity and reveals how mindfulness can transform the way we live, lead, and work. Audiences walk away with powerful tools to find clarity in the chaos, become more present, and lead with intention—no matter how stressful the day.

Key Takeaways:

Practical Mindfulness Tools for Professionals
Learn simple, science-backed practices to improve focus, reduce stress, and increase effectiveness—without needing hours of meditation.
How to Stay Grounded in High-Stress Situations
Discover how to reset your nervous system in moments of overwhelm and show up as a calm, confident leader.
The Power of Purpose at Work
Gain clarity on your deeper “why,” and reignite your sense of meaning and motivation—especially when work gets tough.
Lead with Presence and Emotional Intelligence
Understand how mindfulness enhances empathy, open-mindedness, and communication—core skills for high-performing teams.
A Human and Relatable Story of Resilience
Thanh’s personal journey from adversity to achievement offers a powerful message of hope, courage, and transformation that resonates across industries.