Facilitator, Speaker, and Writer
Leadership, Identity, and Grounded Change
I help leaders and teams navigate uncertainty with steadiness and clarity — creating space for grounded next steps.
My work is rooted in the belief that lasting change doesn't come from grand plans, but from small, intentional actions taken with self-awareness and trust.
Featured at Stanford, UC Berkeley, Oxford, and MIT Alumni Events
About Me
I grew up in a small town in Siberia, raised by hardworking parents and grandparents who taught me resilience, care, and the value of community. My grandmother expressed love through food — I still remember her blinis, made with patience and warmth. When I lost my grandparents young, I carried those lessons of strength and connection with me.
At 18, I convinced my parents to let me spend a summer in the U.S. When my internship fell through, I found myself at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York with no plan. I bought a Greyhound ticket, worked by the ocean, made friends from around the world, and discovered that courage is built one uncertain step at a time.
That experience shaped how I lead and live today. I'm a health-tech founder, entrepreneur, and facilitator focused on helping people slow down, listen to themselves, and find clarity in uncertainty. My work is about creating calm, grounded spaces where self-trust can emerge — whether in workshops, talks, or one-on-one conversations.
I also host Ocean Notes, a 1–3 minute micro-podcast of honest reflections that often become the quiet starting point for my talks and workshops.
My approach centers on micro-steps — the idea that lasting change doesn't come from grand plans, but from small, intentional actions taken with self-awareness and courage.
Immigrant Leader
Healthcare Founder
Public Speaker
Community Builder
What I Stand For
I believe that leadership begins with how we relate to ourselves — especially under pressure.
My work is about helping people build self-trust, find steadiness in uncertainty, and lead without abandoning themselves in the process. True leadership doesn't require urgency or burnout — it requires clarity, presence, and the courage to take one intentional step at a time.
Whether speaking to founders, executives, or teams navigating transition, my message is the same: sustainable success starts with listening to yourself, honoring your boundaries, and moving forward with intention.
How My Work Feels
When you're in the room with me — whether in a talk, workshop, or facilitated conversation — here's what you can expect:
- •Calm and unrushed — Space to think, not pressure to perform
- •Structured but not rigid — Clear containers with room to breathe
- •Deep without being heavy — Honest and grounded, never overwhelming
- •Respectful of boundaries — You're invited, never pushed
- •Grounded and human — Real stories, real questions, real presence
Speaker Bio
Svetlana Kaz is a facilitator, speaker, and health-tech founder who helps leaders navigate uncertainty with clarity and steadiness. Drawing from her journey as a Silicon Valley entrepreneur and women's-health advocate, she creates calm, grounded spaces where self-trust and intentional action can emerge. Svetlana has spoken at Stanford, UC Berkeley, and MIT Alumni events — guiding audiences to lead with presence, courage, and depth.
Speaking & Engagements
Svetlana has spoken at Stanford University, Oxford University, UC Berkeley, and MIT Alumni events, as well as leading conferences across healthcare, AI, entrepreneurship, and immigrant leadership. Her audiences span from high school students to global professionals, all drawn to her authentic storytelling and grounded presence.
As an angel investor, community builder, and healthcare founder, Svetlana brings depth and intentionality to every conversation — inspiring people to lead with clarity, self-trust, and courage in every stage of their journey.
For event organizers and program leads
Download Speaker One-Sheet
Everything you need to know about Svetlana's keynote topics, audience takeaways, and speaking experience — in one downloadable PDF.
Speaking Topics
1. Steadiness in Uncertainty: Leading Through Change Without Losing Yourself
In this practical and grounded talk, Svetlana shares how leaders can navigate uncertainty with clarity and self-trust. Drawing from her own journey and the honest reflections she shares on Ocean Notes, she guides audiences through small, intentional actions (micro-steps) that build resilience without burnout. Audiences leave with tools to stay present, trust themselves, and take grounded next steps.
Best For: Leadership conferences, corporate offsites, and founder summits.
2. Inner Leadership: Why Self-Trust and Emotional Intelligence Drive Sustainable Success
Svetlana explores the relationship between self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and sustainable leadership. Drawing from her journey as a health-tech founder and facilitator, she shows how investing in how we relate to ourselves under pressure creates clarity, creativity, and long-term success for teams and organizations.
Best For: Leadership events, HR and people operations programs, and wellness or culture-focused conferences.
Each talk can be delivered as a keynote (30–60 min) or interactive workshop (90 min).
A Micro-Step Approach
Turning overwhelm into grounded action.
My work centers on micro-steps — small, consistent actions that help leaders rewire how they respond to stress and uncertainty. It's not a rigid system, but a gentle way of working that restores focus, self-trust, and emotional steadiness.
It was born from the same place as my micro-podcast, Ocean Notes — small, honest check-ins that help people take one grounded step at a time.
"Resilience isn't about pushing harder — it's about starting smaller." — Svetlana Kaz
What Audiences Say
"The audience loved Svetlana's presence and the transparency she brought to the topic of leadership."
— UC Berkeley
"If I could describe Svetlana's speech in one word, it would be 'Genuine.'"
— Sandy
"I was so moved by Svetlana's vulnerability when sharing about her physical and mental health experiences."
— Christelle
"The Micro-Step Framework made me realize I often create unnecessary mental barriers — when sometimes, just sending one message is enough to move forward."
— Annika
"Svetlana shared such valuable reminders on taking care of ourselves and being the driver to put the company back on track when things derail."
— Priya
Interested in bringing this work to your event?
I'd love to explore how we can create a meaningful experience for your audience. Let's connect.