
Keynote talks that cut through the noise and get people thinking differently
Maresa Friedman is a Fractional Chief Strategy Officer, high-ticket business strategist, and keynote speaker who’s helped clients generate over $165M in growth. Known as The Executive Cat Herder, she specializes in bringing clarity to complexity—working with founders, executive teams, and visionaries who are scaling fast and need strategy that actually sticks.
Maresa has shared stages with leaders like Gary Vaynerchuk, Shaq, Rob Angel (Pictionary), and Brian Smith (UGG), and is a former Google speaker who’s delivered over 200 live events. Her superpower? Spotting patterns no one else sees—and saying the thing in the room that no one wants to say, but everyone needs to hear.
She’s not interested in vanity metrics or theory. She’s here for the real work: strategy that moves businesses, teams, and people forward.



Real stories. Actionable insight. No gimmicks.
Strategic Leadership & Decision-Making
For executives, operators, and founders navigating growth, complexity, or change.
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Leading Through Strategic Inflection Points
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Vision vs. Execution: Why Most Teams Can’t Align
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Building Without Burnout: What the Playbooks Don’t Tell You
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The Cost of Indecision: How to Move Without All the Data
Business Strategy & Growth Architecture
Perfect for conferences or workshops where tangible growth frameworks matter.
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How to Think Like a Fractional CSO
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Unlocking Hidden Revenue (Without New Offers)
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Scaling Smart: Strategy That Supports Capacity, Not Chaos
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The Truth About Business Models, Market Fit & Monetization
Brand Narrative & Market Positioning
For founders, creators, or companies struggling to break through the noise.
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Story That Sells: Narrative Strategy for Leaders
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Positioning with Power: What to Say When Everyone’s Loud
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Why Most Messaging Doesn’t Convert—And What To Do Instead
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From Founder to Brand: Making the Shift with Integrity
Female Leadership & Being "The First" in the Room
For leadership events, women in business, DEI, and corporate allyship panels.
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What Happens When You're the Only One Like You in the Room
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Being Respected vs. Being Liked: A Strategic Approach
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Unlearning Corporate Conditioning as a Woman Leader
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The Invisible Tax: Navigating Power, Culture & Bias
Behind-the-Scenes Business Truths
For no-BS conversations, panels, or podcast formats.
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What Scaling a 30-Person Company Really Looks Like
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The Unspoken Realities of High-Level Advisory Work
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Strategy Is Not Coaching: Why Language Matters
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Why I Rolled My Eyes at “Conscious Entrepreneurship” (Until It Made Sense)
Bonus Category: The Executive Cat Herder™ Series
Perfect for founder retreats, team immersions, offsites, or as a strategic co-facilitator alongside other leadership guides.
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Herding Humans: Strategy for Strong-Willed, High-Talent Teams
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Why Smart People Struggle to Execute—and What to Do About It
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When the Founder Is the Bottleneck (And Doesn’t Know It Yet)
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Clarity in the Chaos: Realignment for Teams on the Edge of Burnout
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Strategic Reset: A No-BS Framework for Getting Back on Track
Why I’m the Podcast Guest You Actually Want in the Room
I don’t show up with fluff, talking points, or recycled stories—I show up with clarity, candor, and strategy that moves the conversation forward. I’ve built and sold a company, advised executives navigating real-time chaos, and helped clients unlock over $165M in growth—not by being cute online, but by doing the work most people don’t talk about.
I bring the kind of insights that make your listeners pause, take notes, and rethink how they’re building. I say the things most people are afraid to say—especially when it comes to leadership, strategy, and the behind-the-scenes of scaling—but I do it with heart, humor, and sharp delivery.
If you want a guest who tells the truth, brings receipts, and leaves your audience smarter (and slightly shaken—in a good way), I’m your person.

