Breaking Barriers
Signature talk: Breaking Barriers: From Problem to Principal — a keynote tracing Dr. Turney’s personal and professional journey from a misunderstood student navigating systemic challenges to a leader driving systemic change.
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Kristilynn Turney
Empowering Leaders. Transforming Schools. Breaking Barriers.
Nationally recognized education consultant, speaker, and systems strategist.
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Years in education
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First Black Principal
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TEDx speaker
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Schools served
About Dr. Turney
Dr. Kristilynn Turney is a transformative educational leader with over two decades of experience as a teacher, principal, district leader, and national consultant. From her early days teaching English and Theatre to becoming the first Black principal at two different suburban schools, Dr. Turney has consistently broken barriers and reshaped systems to center equity, excellence, and empowerment.
Her signature keynote, Breaking Barriers: From Problem to Principal, traces a personal and professional journey — from a misunderstood student navigating systemic challenges to a leader driving systemic change — which also frames how she supports districts and organizations today. (Speaking program)
She has served as a School Improvement Consultant, Literacy Coach, Curriculum Director, and Human Resources Director — with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Today, through Dr. Kristilynn Turney, LLC, she helps school systems and organizations across the country (and internationally) implement effective equity strategies, improve instructional practices, and lead with courage.
Dr. Turney is known for her engaging, honest, and empowering leadership style, which inspires both educators and students to become problem solvers, not just survivors of broken systems.
Whether she’s presenting at a national conference, designing a strategic action plan for a turnaround district, or facilitating high-impact professional development, Dr. Turney brings authenticity, insight, and actionable tools to every engagement.
Credentials
- Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education-Communications — Bowling Green State University.
- Master’s in Educational Administration and Supervision — Xavier University, Ohio.
- Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Management — Capella University.
- Ohio Teaching Licenses — Teacher (All Communications, 7–12); Principal (5–12); Superintendent (P–12).
- DEI in the Workplace Certificate — University of South Florida.
- Ohio Minority Business Enterprise.
- Ohio Women-owned Business Enterprise.
“Culture doesn’t change through mandates. Buy-in happens when leaders see clearly and lead intentionally.”
Speaking Topics
Keynotes, breakouts, workshops, and virtual or in-person engagements — drawn from her speaking program.
Burnout to Buy-In
Burnout to Buy-In: Shifting the Culture and Climate in Your Building — focused on moving teams from fatigue toward ownership of culture and climate.
School Culture & Equity
Equity, culture, and inclusion run through her keynotes and consulting. Additional titles on her program include Leading with Grace, Strength, and Heels alongside culture and climate work with schools and districts.
Instructional Leadership
Instructional leadership and professional development — including research-based workshops, classroom walkthroughs, and coaching to strengthen teaching, engagement, and culturally responsive practice.
Watch Dr. Turney Speak
Experience her message: courage, culture, and leadership in the room — and on the TEDx stage.
What Leaders Say
A written reflection from a trusted partner, a principal’s on-camera perspective, and testimonial clips from educators, students, and audience members.
Dr. Turney is a remarkable resource and wealth of knowledge. Her passion and commitment in making an educational difference in the area of cultural competence and inclusion is beyond measure. As a concerned parent in the NWLSD, I was impressed with Dr. Turney’s leadership with the diversity initiatives for the school district. As the Senior Director of Education of a leading cultural institution, I was equally impressed with Dr. Turney’s attention to detail and professionalism as the facilitator for the institution’s educator workshops. Through her insight she will enhance any project or objective, hence I highly recommend Dr. Turney!
Christopher Miller Parent, Northwest Local School District and Senior Director of Education, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Video testimonial
Scott Meyers, Principal
Dayton High School
In this message, Mr. Meyers shares how Dr. Turney’s leadership and partnership show up in a high school context.
More video stories
Teachers, staff, and students (YouTube & Shorts). Auto-rotates; pauses while a video is playing.
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Services
Comprehensive support for school systems, aligned with her consulting program.
Keynote Speaking
Looking for a keynote speaker who brings both lived experience and leadership expertise? Dr. Kristilynn Turney speaks from the heart — and from the front lines. Her talks challenge, inspire, and equip audiences to break barriers, confront bias, and create inclusive, high-performing school communities.
School & District Consulting
Dr. Turney partners with schools, districts, and organizations to create lasting transformation in culture, instruction, leadership, and equity. Her consulting packages are rooted in research, refined through experience, and customized to your unique context — including equity audits, strategic planning, and school improvement.
Leadership Coaching & Professional Development
Strong teaching doesn’t happen by chance — it grows from intentional coaching and professional learning. She facilitates research-based professional development, coaches administrators, and offers one-on-one or small group coaching to build capacity, resilience, and aligned leadership — including workshops on literacy, engagement, and culturally responsive teaching.
Ready to Transform Your School Culture?
Principals, cabinet teams, and district leaders: connect with Dr. Turney to explore keynotes, consulting, and professional learning built for your context.
Request Dr. Turney