Molly Kawahata is an award-winning speaker, strategist, and former advisor in the Obama White House, specializing in unlocking the transformative power of hope within organizations. She utilizes the science of hope as a catalyst for positive change, focusing on cultivating transformative leadership, reshaping work cultures, and revitalizing societal narratives. Molly’s workshops have been lauded for improving employee mental health, increasing retention, reducing burnout, and equipping executives to lead some of the highest-performing teams in the world.

Dubbed "the hope whisperer," Molly demonstrates that hope is not a fluffy concept—it’s an evidence-based, highly effective strategy. Her remarkable life story, depicted in the acclaimed Patagonia film THE SCALE OF HOPE (2022), blends her pursuit of climbing steep ice faces in Alaska, her personal journey with Bipolar II Disorder, and her work to transform societal narratives. The film has amassed over one million views on YouTube, streamed on Delta Airlines, and was added to the permanent collection of the New York Museum of Modern Art.

As the Founder of Systemic Impact Strategies, Molly combines evidence-based strategies in organizational development with a unique focus on the science of hope to help organizations drive performance and transformative change. Her expertise has been sought by top institutions, including Amazon, Nike, Netflix, Google, LinkedIn, Harvard, and the U.S. Congress. Molly's keynotes and workshops inspire and provide actionable strategies for individuals and organizations committed to creating meaningful change, resonating globally with audiences ranging from CEOs to tech companies, activists to universities, entrepreneurs to community leaders, and Members of Congress to the public.

Molly empowers individuals and organizations to not only envision a brighter future but also realize their collective power to create it.

Pete Souza