header-bar
close-bar

About Kristen

Pic+for+bio+page

Kristen Schmitt is the founder of Thrive to Lead, LLC., and brings 25 years of experience coaching formally and informally in complex sales and leadership environments. Before creating her coaching and consulting practice, Kristen held various sales leadership roles for Pearson Education, attaining top performer awards at both district and senior management levels.

Over time, Kristen built multiple teams of individuals who thrived professionally and personally, while she also excelled at developing and retaining top talent.

Kristen holds a BBA from Central Michigan University and is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) through the International Coaching Federation (ICF). She is also certified to administer and interpret Hogan Personality Assessments. Kristen is a member of ICF, Vistage International, NAWBO, and the Conway Center for Family Business. She resides in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband, JT, and two children, Joey and Allison.


"Kristen is an amazing leader and a gifted manager. As a former direct report, she taught me all of the fundamentals I needed to build a successful career. She understands how to get the best out of people and get results. Working with Kristen inspired me to also become a manager and I have since built my own top performing team.

— Matthew Pastier, Customer Advisor, Enterprise Books, Amazon
Matt Pastier - Testimonial Image-1

Ken Ackerman-1
"Kristen has presented to two peer groups that I lead, in both live and virtual environments. Her content is fact-based, yet inspirational, and she does a superb job of engaging everyone in the group. In feedback, Kristen received the highest possible ratings from our members."

— Kenneth A. Ackerman, Vistage Chair and Warehousing/Logistics Expert

Product Strip