Trainer Bio

Kari Knutson, MA, is a seasoned training consultant, professional speaker, therapist, and storyteller who takes psychology “off the couch” and brings it to the people. She does this through her engaging, humor-forward presentations and impactful coaching sessions.

Kari is an expert in the field of emotional intelligence and human development. Her training, speaking, and coaching work is focused on helping people transform their organizations through developing interpersonal and leadership skills and bridging cultural and communication divides. She has experience in city, state, and federal government agencies, businesses, community organizations, schools preK-12, and higher education environments. 

Kari’s expertise includes a wide variety of training topics including emotional intelligence, change management, developing high-performing teams, authentic leadership, cultural competency, communication skills, resiliency and stress management, customer service, presentation skills, and coaching and mentoring.

Some of the organizations Kari has worked with include:

• Itasca International
• Larimer County, Colorado
• U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
• Blue Canyon Technologies
• Summit Pathology
• Denver County Court
• U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
• Walker & Dunlop LLC
• 5th Judicial District, Colorado
• Centers for Disease Control
• Association of Legal Administrators
• Pueblo County, Colorado
• Aims Community College
• Colorado Department of Education
• Denver’s Early Childhood Council
• The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement
• Colorado Rural Electric Association
• Denver Dumb Friends League
• Dharmacon (Horizon Discovery)
• The Goddard School for Early Childhood Development
• City of Westminster, Colorado
• U.S. Meat Export Federation
• Jefferson County Public Library
• Nihon Kohden
• Woodward, Inc.

In addition to training and coaching, Kari has a podcast called Get Big Out Loud where she talks about applied psychology and explores the complex ride of life. She also performs in a laugh-out-loud storytelling show that she wrote and directed called Ain’t Never Met a Stranger, in which Kari talks about our shared human experience. 

Kari received her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Philosophy from Cornell College in Iowa and a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Appalachian State University in North Carolina. Kari then went on to work at Harvard Medical School in Boston. While at Harvard, Kari designed and implemented programs and activities related to the social and emotional growth of medical students. This work inspired her to focus more of her attention on student affairs and eventually, she decided to become a therapist.

Later Kari earned a second master’s degree from Gallaudet University in Counseling where she became fluent in American Sign Language (ASL). Kari also attended the International Summer School at the University of Oslo in Norway where she received a Certificate in Special Needs Education.  Kari has been a therapist since 2001 and a professional speaker since 2014.

In addition to delivering more than 100 workshops and presentations each year, Kari also provides professional development coaching. Her passion is working with people who want to become better at public speaking.  She helps individuals overcome their fears, organize compelling content, create interesting visuals, and engage with their audience in meaningful and memorable ways.

Kari is an energetic trainer and speaker who is passionate about connecting with people. Her engaging and humorous facilitation style helps to make her presentations stand out. She has received rave reviews from workshop and conference attendees.

Kari lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband, two children, two cats, and five very emotionally intelligent guinea pigs.