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Putting Courage Into Practice. And in Print.
Kristen’s writing is rooted in lived experience and guided by a deep belief in what’s possible when leaders choose courage over fear. Whether contributing to academic texts, authoring a leadership framework, or sharing personal stories that challenge the status quo, she uses writing as a tool for clarity, connection, and change. Below are selected publications, book chapters, and featured contributions.
Courage Over Fear
Harness The Power Of Agency To Lead In Uncertain Times
From corporate upheaval to societal shifts, today’s leaders face high-stakes decisions that test their values, resilience, and ability to drive meaningful change. Few people understand that better than Kristen Kavanaugh and Mike Randolph, former senior leaders at Tesla whose work in diversity, equity & inclusion and talent development under Elon Musk transformed their approach to leadership. In Courage Over Fear: Harness the Power of Agency to Lead in Uncertain Times, they offer a rallying call for leaders to step up, reclaim their agency, and meet this defining moment with courage and conviction.
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An Open Letter To My Unborn Son: I Am Fighting For Your Generation
An interesting time in our nation’s history awaits — a time where the American values we hold dearly seem less certain. Our public discourse is increasingly contentious. Our leaders, including our president, brush aside moral decency and speak out aggressively against our system of government. Fear and falsehoods are peddled alongside sound science and researched facts. Through it all, the world watches and waits. Despite these uncertain times, I believe there is still hope. We have a moral obligation to unmask the fear, overcome the uncertainty, and shape the world in the image we want to see for the next generation. I have a moral obligation to shape the world in the image I want to see — through you."
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The End of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell
The Impact In Studies And Personal Essays By Service Members And Veterans
I never thought that I would say this, but the DADT policy was a blessing and a curse for me. Despite the negative emotional and psychological impact that the policy had on my life, serving under DADT as a lesbian taught me invaluable life lessons. • I learned the importance of resiliency. • I embraced the need to stand up and fight for others and myself when we are hesitant or unable to stand up for ourselves. • I learned to accept my sexuality and to embrace my experiences. All of this has afforded me the opportunity to help thousands of other service members and veterans who may have had a similar experience serving under DADT.
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