Press play to watch Sarah move audiences to lead with grit & grace.

Speaker Profile

Sarah Kinlin is a leadership keynote speaker, author, and creator of the Grit, Grace & Goals framework: a mindset approach that helps individuals and teams build confidence, resilience, and leadership.

Drawing on more than 20 years of leadership experience at Johnson & Johnson, Sarah brings real-world insight to every stage, helping audiences pursue big, fun, scary goals with the right balance of grit and grace.

Through powerful storytelling and practical leadership lessons, Sarah equips athletes, leaders, and organizations to grow into their full potential.

Her first book, Grit, Grace, and Goals: Lessons from My Dad, Leader of Nine Kids and a Nuclear Station, was published in April 2025 and continues to inspire readers across sport, leadership, and life.

Sarah lives just outside Guelph, Ontario with her husband Steve and their three children, Frank, Charlie, and Libby.

Book Sarah Kinlin for your next event: Leadership Keynotes & Workshops for Organizations, Teams & Conferences

Current Speaking Topics

  • Grit, Grace, & Goals

    Achieving your goals, requires the right balance of grit and grace.

  • It's Allowed to Be Easy

    Of course, we can do hard things. But why do we make it harder than it needs to be?

  • You are Amazing

    Sometimes achieving goals requires confidence. Borrow my belief in you, that you are amazing!
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Audience Testimonial

Cathy, Guelph Women In Networking

I met Sarah at her very first stage presentation and one year later attended her book launch at the same location to celebrate.

Sarah has a lifetime of leadership experience and knowledge that she shares with her audience in a way that clearly shows she is living her best life and others can too!

Audience Testimonial

Kelly, Teacher

Sarah came to my school and gave a motivational speech on Leadership. Somehow in a gym with a couple hundred grade 4-8 students she was able to make a personal connection to each and everyone. Each student left the assembly feeling empowered with a least one way they could be a leader in their own life. Even parents who attended commented on what a great speaker Sarah was and how sharing her personal experiences with everyone was both touching and uplifting. I hope Sarah can have a chance to come back soon!

Audience testimonial

Claire, Rotarian

"Sarah spoke to our Rotary Club last year and her
personal journey with Pearl Performance Inc. was inspiring and her presentational skills were infectious and powerful. If you want to motivate individuals, work colleagues, or friends to make changes to their lives which will bring them joy and ultimately success, getting Sarah to present to them would be an excellent start."

CO-FACILITATOR TESTIMONIAL

Robin, Yoga Instructor

I co-hosted a Yoga and Goals Workshop with Sarah. Her positive attitude is infectious. She is living her truth with both grit and grace and is a pleasure to work with!