Leading on the Edge: Bridging Ancient Wisdom from El Camino to Modern Leadership
Choosing the Path of Shared Humanity
Description
In this interactive workshop, Kristin Joy Ekkens invites you on a transformative journey inspired by her recent 80-mile trek through Northern Spain’s historic El Camino de Santiago. Drawing on personal stories of braving a hurricane, adapting to unexpected route changes, courageously facing fears, surviving injury, and experiencing moments of profound joy and human connection, Kristin illuminates the power of leading from the edge—where real change begins.
You’ll explore a three-phase framework that moves beyond “my own” adventure toward a collective “our shared” adventure, diving into time-honored lessons of resilience, adaptability, and empathy that are more vital than ever in today’s world. Learn how the skills of courage, communication, & connection can ignite profound personal development and spark lasting impact in teams, organizations, and communities.
Join this session to discover how integrating ancient wisdom and modern leadership practices can unlock a future that celebrates shared humanity—and chart your own course toward exponential growth, authenticity, and connection.
So, what path will you choose? The road to HumanityNext™ or Exponential Joy™?
Speaker Bio
Kristin is a TEDx speaker, three-time founder, and award-winning entrepreneur who has spent over two decades empowering leaders and transforming organizational cultures on a global scale. As the Founder and CEO of Exponential Inclusion, she guides teams through disruption—fusing innovation, cultural intelligence, and human-centered learning to help them flourish in an ever-evolving world.
A recognized “cultural entrepreneur,” Kristin has advised Fortune 100 executives, spearheaded breakthrough initiatives, and inspired emerging leaders across diverse sectors worldwide, from Singapore to Saudi Arabia to Latin America. In 2024, she led a leadership immersion for coaches in Northern Spain, hiking 80 miles (129 km) of El Camino de Santiago to spark deep personal and professional breakthroughs. In 2025, she launched Exponential Joy, a global community that empowers women to harness their joy as a catalyst for positive change.
A proud Stanford LEAD alum from the Galvanizer cohort, Kristin was also named an inaugural member of the Society of CQ Fellows (2023). Her pioneering contributions to culture and leadership have earned her accolades,s including the 2015 “40 Under Forty” Business Leader recognition, the 2016 Building Bridges Award, and a 2017 Top Women-Owned Business nomination. Beyond her professional pursuits, she’s a wife of 22 years and the mom of two teenage boys—fueling her passion for building a more inclusive, joyful, and thriving world.
A recognized “cultural entrepreneur,” Kristin has advised Fortune 100 executives, spearheaded breakthrough initiatives, and inspired emerging leaders across diverse sectors worldwide, from Singapore to Saudi Arabia to Latin America. In 2024, she led a leadership immersion for coaches in Northern Spain, hiking 80 miles (129 km) of El Camino de Santiago to spark deep personal and professional breakthroughs. In 2025, she launched Exponential Joy, a global community that empowers women to harness their joy as a catalyst for positive change.
A proud Stanford LEAD alum from the Galvanizer cohort, Kristin was also named an inaugural member of the Society of CQ Fellows (2023). Her pioneering contributions to culture and leadership have earned her accolades,s including the 2015 “40 Under Forty” Business Leader recognition, the 2016 Building Bridges Award, and a 2017 Top Women-Owned Business nomination. Beyond her professional pursuits, she’s a wife of 22 years and the mom of two teenage boys—fueling her passion for building a more inclusive, joyful, and thriving world.
