Kathy Dempsey

Kathy B. Dempsey is the President of Keep Shedding! Inc. and a recognized expert in change management. As a former hospital executive, she played a crucial role in leading Memorial Health Care System’s organizational development, propelling it to become one of the top 100 hospitals in America. Dempsey holds the prestigious Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation, the highest earned speaker’s designation globally. Her dynamic presentations and deep expertise in leading and managing change help ignite individuals and organizations with the skills and motivation they need.

Dempsey’s transformational journey began as an ER/trauma nurse, where she was the first healthcare worker in America to be diagnosed with AIDS due to workplace exposure, a diagnosis later proven to be false. This misdiagnosis, initially seen as a terminal condition, drew significant attention from the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Living with this misdiagnosis for three months proved to be an intense, transformative experience for Dempsey, shaping much of her future work in change management and resilience.

Dempsey’s acclaimed book, "Shed or You’re Dead®: 31 Unconventional Strategies for Growth and Change," is an award-winning title, having received a Writer's Digest International Book Award. She has also contributed to two New York Times bestselling "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books and co-authored "Irresistible Leadership" and "Thriving in the Midst of Change". Additionally, she edits and publishes "60 Seconds of Shedding," a popular monthly e-newsletter subscribed to by over 14,000 readers worldwide. Her approach not only provides inspiration but also delivers practical tools for people to lead and master change effectively in their lives.