Krista Bourne is a former Verizon COO, career strategist and workplace commentator who shares unfiltered strategies that help professionals build careers by choice not chance.
Without a college degree, a working mom, and often the only Black woman in the room, Krista rose from the mailroom to COO of Verizon’s Consumer Group, with 30,000 employees and $100 billion in annual revenue.
She has navigated every political landmine, championed countless careers and exited early on her own terms.
Nowhere else can organizers and individuals gain unprecedented access to the advice of an unapologetic former C-Suiter.
Krista Bourne is a former Verizon COO, career strategist and workplace commentator who shares unfiltered strategies that help professionals build careers by choice not chance.
Without a college degree, a working mom, and often the only Black woman in the room, Krista rose from the mailroom to COO of Verizon’s Consumer Group, with 30,000 employees and $100 billion in annual revenue.
She has navigated every political landmine, championed countless careers and exited early on her own terms.
Nowhere else can organizers and individuals gain unprecedented access to the advice of an unapologetic former C-Suiter.
Forget the "career path."
You need a career plan.
My Career, By Design
From Verizon's mailroom to COO
1998
Where It All Began
Senior Representative in the Mailroom
Age: 23 years old
Where others saw entry-level, I saw opportunity. With vision and determination, I transformed a “job” into a lifelong plan.
2005
The Next Step
Director of Rochester Call Center
Age: 30 years old
A director position! I hesitated to apply, unsure if I was truly ready. But on the last day, I found the strength and submitted my application.
The Big Move
Market President
Age: 41 years old
I took on my largest P&L—$12 billion in annual revenue. Sometimes you have to bet on yourself before anyone else will.
2016
The Final Seat
Chief Operating Officer
Age: 47 years old
I negotiated this move using my best asset—myself. I knew my value, my non-negotiables, and had a fact-based conversation about what I wanted.
2022
Today
Living On My Own Terms
When it was time to exit, I didn’t panic. I planned. I had built a life that gave me options. And that made all the difference.
Diversifying My Skillset
Sales Director
Age: 34 years old
I could stay comfortable in customer service, or I could get the sales experience that would make me 'most qualified,' not just qualified.
2009
Hard Work Paid Off
Regional President
Age: 37 years old
I was accountable for $3B in revenue, but beyond the P&L, this was proof that diverse experience, strategic risks and a growth mindset pays off.
2012
Keynote Speaking and Corporate Programs
Leadership & career resilience for the modern workforce.
Now she's sharing the playbook they don't teach in leadership development programs. The unwritten rules. The moment to stop waiting for your next step on the career path and start designing your own plan.
Whether it's as a keynote, an expert source or podcast guest, Krista brings C-suite credibility with uncommon candor, delivering career strategy and commentary that help professionals build leverage, set boundaries and navigate in today's era of unrelenting change.
Krista is an expert on career resilience, workforce disruption, reskilling, leadership, executive transitions, women in leadership and building careers by design. She is available for:
- Expert commentary
- Podcast interviews
- Media interviews
- Panels
- Corporate conversations
- Keynotes
Featured In
Audience Member
Krista lights up when she sees ambition in others and can help shape their path.
Krista conveys a vision that’s inspiring, actionable and accountable—all in one narrative.
Mentee
Krista seamlessly blended expertise with charisma, delivering insightful and thought-provoking content that resonated with our guests. Her ability to inspire and motivate is unparalleled, making our event an
unforgettable experience.
Usher’s New Look Foundation
Words That Move
A love letter to the laid off
Career Advice
You're not starting over, you're starting from experience.
Speak Up More
Has staying silent about your work ever cost you a bigger opportunity?
Career Advice
Power of Personal Decisions
Do not chase titles. Learn. Let every role contribute to who you want to become.
Career Advice
Career Advice
Be Intentional
Success rarely shows up for people who haven’t decided what it looks like.
Career Advice
Career Advice
Patience Is Not a Virtue
What are you waiting for? Don’t wait to be chosen - choose yourself.
Plan Not Path
The problem with the Career Path "logic" is that it assumes stability, whereas a Career Plan expects change.
Career Advice
Career Advice
Words That Move
Plan Not Path
The problem with the Career Path "logic" is that it assumes stability, whereas a Career Plan expects change.
Career advice
Patience Is Not a Virtue
What are you waiting for? Don’t wait to be chosen - choose yourself.
Career advice
Speak Up More
Has staying silent about your work ever cost you a bigger opportunity?
Career advice
Be Intentional
Success rarely shows up for people who haven’t decided what it looks like.
Career advice
Power of Personal Decisions
Do not chase titles. Learn. Let every role contribute to who you want to become.
Career advice
A Love Letter to The Laid Off
You're not starting over, you're starting from experience.
Career advice
