Kari Mirabal

CLASSY. SASSY. UNAPOLOGETICALLY KARI.

I’m not your typical keynote speaker—I’m a firecracker in orange heels who knows how to wake up a room. As an award-winning, globe-trotting speaker, I’ve inspired audiences across the country and abroad to break free from canned networking and spark authentic connections that last.

As a co-owner of an IT recruiting company, I spent years connecting professionals to opportunities in technology, healthcare, finance, government, oil and gas, and beyond. Translation? I know people—and how opportunity works. Today, I’ve flipped that experience into something bigger: showing hundreds of thousands of professionals how to leverage networking to transform not just their careers, but their lives.

I specialize in teaching business pros how to create and sustain powerful, authentic connections. My lessons come from real experience, bold moves, and a life that’s proof networking works. And here’s the kicker—I can’t wait to share them with you.

WHY I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS WORK

First and foremost—I’m a proud single mom. My boys are now young men who grew up watching me lead by example as a networking and career coach. They’ve seen firsthand what it means to build authentic connections, take risks, and create opportunities instead of waiting for them.

I’ll be honest—I adore my career. (Yes, I’m that person who can talk about it nonstop.) Why? Because once I learned the strategies that helped me master the art of networking, everything shifted—my career, my confidence, my life. And if it worked for me, it can work for you too.

That’s why I do this work: to help others push past fear, leverage connection, and unlock new opportunities. I’m not just here to coach; I’m here to be the connector who helps you turn possibility into reality.

WELL BEHAVED WOMEN rarely make history

One of my favorite quotes comes from Laurel Thatcher Ulrich: “Well-behaved women seldom make history.” That line has fueled me since I was a little girl—I’ve always known I wanted to use my voice and my ideas to help others learn, grow, and push boundaries.

When I step on stage, audiences can expect the full range—laughter, maybe a few tears, and always practical strategies to Network Smarter. My goal? To wipe out the awkward smiles, the self-doubt, and the painful small talk people associate with networking.

The best outcome isn’t just inspiration—it’s transformation. I want audiences to stop seeing networking as something to dread and start embracing it as the most powerful tool they have for creating new possibilities.

LIFE OUTSIDE OF WORK

Faith keeps me centered. I believe God is faithful, and the universe has a way of putting the right people, projects, and places in my path. Most mornings start with a simple prayer: Who can I serve today? And when challenges show up—you’ll find me running toward them, not away.

Offstage, I live for passport stamps, unforgettable friends, and the kind of laughter that echoes long after the moment’s gone. I’ll admit it—I’m a disaster in the kitchen but a pro at discovering new restaurants (Mexican food has my heart). Once a ballet dancer, always a fan of the stage—I jump at any chance to support live theater.

I also thank my Mom. She stayed in a toxic work environment far too long—a job that drained her—and I saw firsthand how that affected life at home. Because of her example, I vowed never to settle in my career or life, and now I help others do the same.

ORANGE HEELS & BLACK DRESSES – WHY?

What started as orange heels has grown into something bigger: orange shoes. They’ve become my symbol, my reminder, and my message. My brand isn’t just about what I wear—it’s about walking the same walk I challenge my clients to take.

Orange shoes represent more than a spirit of fun—they also symbolize barriers. In my keynotes, masterclasses, and coaching programs, I use #orangeheels as an analogy for the obstacles we all encounter. Early in my career, I had to confront my own “orange heel”—a barrier that stood between me and the future I wanted. Overcoming it became a turning point, and now I help others recognize and push through theirs.

The black outfits represent class. In networking and career transition, you’re bound to hit barriers, but how you carry yourself through them is everything. The black dress reminds me—and my clients—that confidence, integrity, and presence never go out of style, even when the path forward gets tough.