About Carol — Leadership Advocate, Author & Speaker

Carol is a passionate advocate for strong, effective leadership within law enforcement. She brings a powerful voice and practical insight to every book she writes, every relationship she builds, and every keynote speaking engagement she delivers. Hire Carol at your next conference as a keynote speaker on the following topics Law Enforcement, Leadership, Protective Operations, Corrections, Women in LE.

Meet Inspiring Voices in Leadership & Motivation

LeftyGirl Productions proudly features a growing roster of dynamic speakers, and thought leaders who bring powerful stories and actionable insight to law enforcement, leadership, and organizational growth. Whether you're planning a conference, department seminar, or professional development event, these speakers deliver messages that resonate, challenge, and inspire.

Plaque for teaching 100 classes with FBI Leeda

Featured Speakers

Luis Soler

Keynote Speaker Topics: Leadership Development, Emotional Intelligence, Executive Leadership, Accountability & Discipline, and Wellness

David Lyons

Keynote Speaker Topics: Homicide Investigations, Leadership, Starting a Podcast, and Working with the community

Emma Swearingen

Emma Swearingen is a 27 year veteran of the New Jersey State Police. Major Swearingen served in command positions within the Office of the Superintendent,..

Dr. Edward Pallas

Dr. Edward Pallas is a dynamic speaker, author, and leadership consultant with a 30-year background in high-pressure police work, specializing in crisis and hostage negotiation.

Dr. Edward Pallas is a dynamic speaker, author, and leadership consultant with a 30-year background in high-pressure police work, specializing in crisis and hostage negotiation. His real-world experience fuels engaging talks that deliver actionable leadership strategies and promote resilience and adaptability.

Ed is the author of the industry-acclaimed book Leader Armor: Leadership for the Law Enforcement First-line Supervisor. Dr. Pallas has inspired and coached both law enforcement professionals and corporate executives nationwide.

If you're looking for a speaker who can elevate your team's leadership and communication skills, Dr. Edward Pallas delivers lasting impact.

Talks:

1. Hold Your Stress Hostage and Release Your Resilience
In this high-impact, interactive session, participants will learn how to take control of stress before it takes control of them. You'll explore how stress affects performance, relationships, and well-being—and discover five proven tools to manage it effectively.
More than just managing stress, this talk reveals how to cultivate resilience—the ability to bounce back stronger from adversity. Through expert insights, engaging discussion, and actionable strategies, attendees will walk away feeling focused, empowered, and equipped to face challenges head-on.

Walk away with the mindset and tools to stay composed, effective, and resilient—no matter the challenge.

Key Takeaways:

Spot the symptoms: Learn how to recognize stress responses in real time.
Reframe your mindset: Shift perspective to fuel resilience.
Use your tools: Apply simple, science-backed techniques in any situation.

2. Forging Your Leader Armor: Mastering the Human Side of Leadership
Stepping into supervision is one of the toughest transitions in any organization—especially without the right tools. This session arms new and aspiring leaders with the soft skills they need to lead with clarity, confidence, and authority.

Through real-world strategies and actionable insights, you'll learn how to motivate teams, set boundaries, communicate like a hostage negotiator, and turn performance conversations into powerful growth moments. Whether you're shifting from peer to supervisor or looking to sharpen your leadership edge, this session will help you build the mindset and skills to lead with strength and integrity.

Key Takeaways:

The First Rule of Leadership: Set the foundation for lasting impact.
From Buddy to Boss: Transition with confidence and respect.
Power & Authority: Use your influence effectively and ethically.
Followership: Inspire buy-in and engagement.
Communication Secrets: Apply negotiation techniques to everyday leadership.
Performance Appraisals: Save time while driving performance and growth.

Leave equipped with the leadership mindset and communication tools that turn soft skills into serious results.

3. Prescriptions for Your People Problems
Understanding and Leveraging Human Behavior for Leadership Success
Unlock the secrets to effective leadership with our transformative keynote speech, "Prescriptions for Your People Problems." This interactive session is designed for leaders, managers, and influencers who strive to motivate and inspire their teams. By delving into the intricacies of human behavior, this keynote will equip you with the insights needed to foster a harmonious and productive workplace.

Key Highlights:

Understanding Personality and Behavior: Discover how personality drives behavior and learn to identify different personality styles using the Model of Human Behavior.
Addressing Workplace Conflict: Gain strategies to reduce workplace conflict, which often stems from personality clashes, leading to increased stress and decreased productivity.
Enhancing Communication and Motivation: Learn effective techniques to communicate with and motivate individuals of various personality types, ensuring a cohesive and motivated team.

By the end of this engaging keynote, you will have the tools to not only understand your own personality style but also to recognize and adapt to the styles of those around you. This understanding will empower you to minimize conflicts, enhance productivity, and create a more positive and dynamic work environment.

In this enlightening and humorous session, you’ll transform the way you lead and connect with your team.

Marie O'Connor

Mary O’Connor is a 23-year veteran of the Tampa, Florida, Police Department. Throughout her career, she worked in various assignments that included patrol command, investigations, criminal intelligence, and professional standards.

John J. Burke

John J. Burke’s distinguished career spans 36 years with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE),...

John J. Burke’s distinguished career spans 36 years with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), displaying a deep commitment to public safety, criminal justice, and interagency coordination. His leadership included overseeing investigative and forensic operations across multiple regions in Florida, chairing various domestic security and drug trafficking task forces, and directing law enforcement assets for high-profile events such as the Republican National Convention and the Super Bowl. His efforts extended to public integrity investigations and the implementation of cutting-edge biometric and intelligence technologies.

Beyond operational leadership, Burke demonstrated a passion for education and training. He served as an instructor for a wide range of courses, including use-of-force investigations, courtroom testimony, disaster fraud prevention, and public integrity. His teaching roles spanned from FDLE academies to guest lectures at the University of Central Florida and included contributions to FEMA and the U.S. Department of Justice. This instructional work complemented his field experience, allowing him to mentor the next generation of law enforcement professionals.

Burke’s career also reflects a strong foundation in legal education and collaboration. A graduate of Loyola University and the University of Florida College of Law, he is a long-standing member of the Florida Bar and has held security clearances during his tenure. His numerous awards—including honors from FDLE and the FBI—underscore his professional excellence, while his participation in foundational leadership programs and national conferences signals his dedication to continuous learning and cross-sector engagement.

Topics Taught by John Burke

Anatomy of a Public Corruption Investigation:
The second largest judicial corruption investigation in the history of the federal republic is Operation: Courtbroom. Mr. Burke is a member of the joint federal-state team whose efforts resulted in the prosecution of both judges and lawyers in Miami, FL
The presentation will cover the events and actions that were the genesis of the investigation, the multiple techniques used, the subsequent trials, as well as the results and the aftermath.
After the Fire-Leading a Unit after failure or trauma:
A unit, big or small, that has suffered a shared failure, or trauma presents significant and different challenges to a leader. This program will discuss methods and tactics to help the unit process the damage, heal their wounds and return their focus to supporting their members and their mission.
This program requires considerable participation by the class members and a sincere desire to share experiences as well as a desire to learn is essential.
Courtroom Demeanor & Testimony:
This presentation provides a primer for those with no, or limited, experience in giving testimony in Deposition, or in front of a Grand or Petit Jury. Some of the subjects covered are witness preparation, types of witnesses and prosecution and defense strategies.

Book Carol for Your Next Event

Driven by a commitment to leadership excellence and with 29 years of solid police work, Carol continues to inspire and equip leaders to face challenges head-on and lead with a teamwork approach. Reach out to learn more or book Carol for your next event.

Connect With Carol