Hi, I'm Michael Kennard

Writer Trainer Recruiter Leadership Coach

My Services

Non-Profit Board Member

Previous experience serving on a Board of Directors for a 501(c)3 organization within the Behavioral Health space. Currently seeking out new opportunities to give back in a similar capacity.

Start-up Advising

Based in the heart of Silicon Valley, I can assist your start-up with defining its talent strategy.

Executive Search

Specialized in providing bespoke, executive search services targeting senior level leaders (Director, Senior Director, Managing Director, Vice President)

Speaking

Speaking

A charismatic, humorous, and self-deprecating story teller; a recovering English Literature and Philosophy major constantly on the search for forums to discuss the big ideas of our times, and / or the comically mundane minutiae of our daily existence.

Pursuing an Examined Life

Pursuing an Examined Life

Experienced team leader, fitness enthusiast, and professional coach, skilled at helping his clients navigate transitions, and transform themselves professionally and physically to enable them to live an optimized life. Offering a holistic approach to ensuring you're living the best way for you.

Corporate Trainer

Corporate Trainer

Seasoned workshop facilitator and leader of cohort-based leadership development programs. 

Marketing & Communications

Marketing & Communications

I help people, teams, and brands revolutionize the way they tell their story.

Strategic Advisory Services

Strategic Advisory Services

With over 10 years of experience recruiting and leading talent acquisition teams in Silicon Valley, an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management, and a decade of experience working with a top tier consulting firm - I bring a global mindset and a consultant's toolbox to all my projects.

Angel Investing

Angel Investing

Discerning investor always seeking out opportunities to fund game-changing, world-advancing, and life-enhancing companies. Member of ASU InvestU, an Arizona State University and Thunderbird Investor Network.

About Me

What I Do

I am a story teller at heart. And an adventurer. I build things. I help people transform themselves, whether that's physically or professionally. I inspire people to seek out the adventures they are destined for. 

Contact Me Contact Me Checkout my LinkedIn Profile Checkout my LinkedIn Profile

Are you feeling stuck in your career? Struggling with defining your path forward? Life is too short to live a sub-optimal life. It's time to change. The best time was yesterday. The next best time is now.

Click here and let's get started

My Skills

The Anti-Walter Mitty

Like many high school students in the ’90s, I read The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. I found it to be the most profoundly sad book that I had read up to that point in my life. Well, perhaps second saddest book. Where the Red Fern Grows is the only time I book brought me to tears in a classroom.  I never wanted to become Walter Mitty. A man for whom adventures were just dreams, who felt powerless over the direction of his life. I never wanted to just “live the life that everyone else is living.” I made a decision to chart my own course. I studied the things that I wanted to learn more about. And I’ve built a career around following my curiosity – not the crowds. I will be the first person to admit that I am not a conventional leadership coach. Nor am I a conventional recruiter. Or a recruiting team leader.  My pedigree is unique. I’ve traveled the world. I’ve fought forest fires in Colorado. Idaho, Utah, and all up and down California. I surf (poorly). I climb mountains. I coach little league. I fly drones. I’ve built a life that is profoundly satisfying. And nothing brings me more joy than helping others do the same. And it’s accumulation of those rich experiences that enables me to do that better than most. 

Idea Generation
Team Building
Workshop Facilitiation
Leadership Coaching

Projects

H/T to DUTTON

 

Do you remember the Dos Equis spokesman from the mid-2000’s? “The Most Interesting Man in the World?” The second I saw that commercial, with the images of a dashing silver-aged man, trotting around the globe, running from bulls in one moment, then hustling games of jai-alai the next, I knew – I wanted to live a life like that. 

I’m not going to pretend like I’ve lived a life anywhere near as exciting as my fictional hero, but it has inspired me to follow my curiosities, and seek out variety in all that I do, and that includes my professional life. I’m always working on projects on the side. Below you’ll find a few of the ones I’m working on at present.

 

Want to learn more about what I’m working on? Check out my projects page for more information. 

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Testimonials

Leadership Workshops Facilitated

I have worked with some of Silicon Valley’s largest companies to improve their culture of communication and teaming. I am a certified DiSC trainer, and I leverage that tool in my leadership workshops. 

Speaking & Panel Engagements

I have had the opportunity to speak with students and alumni about careers in consulting at the following universities:

Get In Touch

Address
Address
Mountain View, CA
Phone
Phone
602-573-7443

Let's Connect!