Annie Kuensting- Beacon Empowerment Strategies

04/01/2026

I just wrapped up a final-for-now coaching call with an amazing client I’ve been working with for 3 wonderful years.

I asked her to reflect on the changes she’s seen, the growth, the good that’s come from our work together.

I want to share some of these with you. Not to toot my own horn but to show you just how capable we are of change - of what’s possible for us when we put in the work. I think we need this reminder right now more than ever.

-I have less self-doubt - I don’t doubt that I’m a great and wonderful person.

-I’m more confident in myself and that’s a goldmine.

-I have peace of mind.

-I am more fulfilled in life.

-I take better care of myself.

-I have more compassion for myself and where I am - both physically and mentally.

-Self judgement has decreased - I have more self acceptance.

-I’ve shifted my identity.. I’ve spiraled UP.

-I love myself more and more.

-You’ve made me a whole new person.

Friends, we can transform! How cool is that?! We can remember the truth of who we are and love ourselves again and in deeper, truer ways. 💗 I tip my hat to anyone who is on the journey of personal development… it’s brave and courageous. Don’t stop.

02/16/2026

Hi friends — I’d love to reintroduce myself.

I’m Annie Kuensting, founder of Beacon Empowerment Strategies. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about alignment — about the quiet gap that can grow between what we say we value and how we actually lead.

I provide 1:1 coaching and leadership consulting for dreamers, changemakers, and visionaries building things that matter. The leaders I work with care deeply about impact — and want their leadership to feel conscious, grounded, and true.

A big part of my heart is in education. I believe schools — and the leaders inside them — shape lives, not just outcomes. Supporting education leaders in building cultures rooted in trust, clarity, and equity isn’t just professional for me. It’s personal.

And I feel that same conviction about organizations more broadly. Culture shapes everything. When leaders are aligned and intentional, teams thrive. When they aren’t, even great strategy falls flat. I care deeply about helping organizations build cultures that are both high-performing and deeply human.

To me, alignment isn’t a buzzword. It’s a daily practice — making sure your decisions, communication, and culture reflect what you actually stand for.

If any part of this resonates — if you’re carrying something big, navigating growth, or wanting to lead more consciously — I’d love to have a conversation.

05/16/2025

In just a couple days we have had over 50 women register for our Advocacy in Action webinar. That’s incredible.

This tells me that white women are wanting to learn effective ways to advocate for racial equity while aligning with grace, kindness, and connection.

It demonstrates the need for this work right now.

It speaks to a shared desire to do the work without compromising our values or relationships.

It’s a clue to what’s happening: women are ready to rise and to use their voice and power to catalyze change.

It’s a beautiful example of unity and progress.

And it’s only the beginning…

We’d love to have you join us and become part of a larger collective of women who understand that they do have power, that change is possible, and that it’s up to us to make it happen.

Here’s the link to register: https://lnkd.in/gABDMN97

We don’t have to do this work alone.

Together, we exponentially expand our influence and impact. Join us!

Join Dr. Nikki Lanier and Annie Kuensting for a live conversation about Advocacy in Action, RAARE’s new initiative to help women take meaningful steps toward racial equity. We’ll explore what advocacy can look like in daily life, why this work matters now, and how you can get involved.

04/29/2024

Good News Monday! I recently received my certification in psychological safety from the Academy of Brain-based Leadership

Psychological safety is crucial for success in all areas of our life - especially our work environments. Unfortunately, most of us are familiar with psychologically unsafe workplaces and that needs to change.

Without psychological safety our brain doesn't function at its highest capacity.
Our creativity, problem solving, and reasoning are impaired. We misread social cues leading to biased, reactionary behavior.

Psychological safety allows us to do our best work, fostering greater engagement, productivity, and teamwork.

Simply put, we thrive when we feel psychologically safe.

I am thrilled to train, coach, and educate teams and leaders on ways to create and sustain psychologically safe environments! Email me to learn more and explore ways to partner: [email protected].

02/02/2024

Happy Friday! ✨ ❤️

01/19/2024

I had the pleasure of spending my morning with Dr. Nikki Lanier learning and growing and becoming even more inspired and FIRED UP to continue to do DEI work no matter what anyone says.

To my dear white friends.. we have WORK to do. We know this. If you’re ready and willing (you know I am) let’s connect to support one another on this journey. 💕✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿💕

01/17/2024

I'm smiling because I just wrapped up an *amazing* training with the women of BrightInsight! Thank you Katie Greseth and Kristin Zyga for the invitation to speak with your amazing team. 🤩

We discussed all things and plus the power of . I am here for work cultures that invest in their women and promote collaboration and mutual support. 👯‍♀️ 💗

I hope we all remember that women deserve to feel good and do good work in the world - these two things are not mutually exclusive and ought to be a requirement of all cultures and teams in 2024 and beyond 🚀 .

Katie and Kristin, I look forward to continued conversations with your powerful team of women! Cheers to starting off 2024 with a bang! 💥

If your organization is ready to support women AND create cultures of , and , I'd love to talk with you! Email me [email protected] to explore what's possible!

10/20/2023

On Monday, I’ll be leaving for a trip of a lifetime.

I’ll be heading to Cambodia and India with David Ault, Kaleidoscope Child Foundation, and an incredible group of people, to do amazing work at the schools they’ve built and within the villages they serve. I’ll get to visit ancient temples, explore markets, play with children, build water wells.. and so much more.

As Americans, we have so much to be grateful for even with all the problems and challenges we face in this country. I take many things for granted, unnecessarily complain, and get lost in my individual pursuit of importance. I have a feeling this trip will challenge all of that and I am ready for it.

If you’re into giving back, I have a wonderful opportunity for you. David’s complied a wish list of supplies needed to ensure the schools can continue to do the amazing work they’re doing.

As a former educator I know what it’s like to try to teach when supplies/funds are low. Comparatively speaking, I had an abundance and find myself amazed by the work that’s accomplished with much, much less.

Here’s the link to contribute:

During the months of October and November, Kaleidoscope Child Foundation will be visiting the schools that we support in Cambodia and India. Please take a look at the wish list that the schools have put together with much needed essential items and updates. Thanks for taking a look!