JANET
KESTIN
CO-FOUNDER, SWIM | INTERNATIONAL SPEAKER AND TRAINER
LEADERS BEHIND THE DOVE FOR REAL BEAUTY CAMPAIGN
“A no-bullshit duo bent on changing everything. "
Janet Kestin is the cofounder of Swim, a creative leadership lab recognized by Forbes and Fast Company for its unconventional approach to leadership development. She equips individuals with essential tools to maximize their impact in their roles. Her clients include leaders at Spotify, Refinery29, Droga5, Facebook, and more worldwide.
Janet was Co-Chief Creative Officer at Ogilvy & Mather Toronto (1998–2012). She is one of the creative forces behind Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty and was named one of Advertising Age’s “100 Most Influential Women in Advertising” in 2012. She was inducted into the One Club’s Hall of Fame and Marketing Gold Hall in 2022, and has received the Marketing Hall of Legends and the ADCC Les Usherwood Award in 2011.
Gender finance expert Joanne Thomas Yaccato described her book Darling You Can't Do Both (And Other Noise To Ignore On Your Way Up), published by HarperCollins, as "an anti-bullsh*t radar for women in the workplace." Fast Company co-founder Alan Webber called it "a rule-breaking guide for career success and home harmony. The practical sequel to Lean In." The book was named one of Inc. Magazine’s Top 60 Leadership Books of 2017. Janet is a sought-after voice for businesses, universities, and organizations looking to remove barriers to women’s success; clients include UCLA, Google, and RBC.
She also coauthored Pick Me: Breaking Into Advertising and Staying There (Adweek Books/Wiley) in 2005, based on her long-running career advice column for young professionals, Ask Jancy. The book has become a go-to reference in advertising schools from Texas to Turkey. Her career insights and thought leadership have been featured in Huffington Post, Fast Company, and other major outlets.
Janet is featured in the 2018 edition of D&AD The Copy Book: How Some of the Best Advertising Writers in the World Write Their Advertising.
She collaborates with The 3% Movement and the Montreal-based creative school, Factry. Janet writes a regular leadership column for The Message, titled Sink or Swim.
She delivers keynotes in English, virtually, in hybrid formats, or in person. From Facebook to McGill, Workforce Windsor Essex to Women at Bell, Salesforce SF, UCLA, Spotify, Kellogg's, and Coca-Cola — Janet brings enriching experiences to diverse audiences.
EXPERTISE:
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BREAKING THE GLASS CEILING: REWRITING THE UNWRITTEN RULES HOLDING WOMEN BACK
Ready to break the mold? Janet invites you on a compelling journey through the subtle power dynamics that continue to limit women’s advancement in the workplace. Drawing from her own experience and deep expertise, she unpacks the invisible rules still at play today.This keynote doesn’t just highlight the barriers — it provides actionable strategies, fresh perspectives, and practical tools to turn those barriers into stepping stones. More than a keynote, it’s a rallying cry to reshape the professional landscape and ensure talent knows no gender.
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MANAGING CONFLICT THROUGH CHANGE
In a constantly shifting work environment, how do we transform conflict into a catalyst for growth? Janet reveals essential techniques to identify sources of tension, foster constructive dialogue, and maintain a positive team climate during transitions.This session helps participants build key competencies to navigate uncertainty and lead with resilience through organizational change.
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LEADING WITH CREATIVITY AND HUMANITY IN A DIGITAL WORLD
How do we keep people at the heart of our organizations in the digital age? Janet shares her unique perspective on human-centered leadership in a tech-driven world. Participants will discover how to foster empathy, creativity, and meaningful connections in a digital-first workplace.
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GROWING IDEAS (AND PEOPLE) THROUGH CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK
Feedback can be one of the most powerful tools for growth—when done right. Janet explores how feedback can fuel development, boost innovation, and empower individuals. This session provides hands-on techniques for giving and receiving feedback that strengthens team culture and continuous improvement.
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RADICAL LISTENING: WHY IT MATTERS FOR REACHING YOUR 2025 GOALS
In an age of constant noise and distractions, radical listening is a game-changing skill. Janet teaches how to practice deep, empathetic listening to decode subtle cues, anticipate emerging needs, and build trust that lasts.This session empowers leaders and teams with a transformative tool that elevates collaboration, strategic alignment, and long-term results.
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BUILDING UNBREAKABLE TEAMS — TOGETHER AND APART
In the era of hybrid work, how do you build a truly cohesive team? Janet shares techniques to unlock collective intelligence and foster high-performing teams across virtual and in-person environments. Participants will learn how to turn physical distance into a strategic advantage.
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HOW TO FAIL FORWARD
This candid talk explores the power of failure and how to reframe it as a critical path to success. Janet helps audiences pivot their mindset to extract value from mistakes. Many leave this session feeling lighter, having shed the impostor syndrome that feeds off perfectionism. This is about turning setbacks into springboards for growth.
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SAYING NO TO YES
Many women are socialized to be agreeable, often at the expense of progress. This keynote helps participants recognize how conflict avoidance and people-pleasing undermine long-term goals. Janet shares tactics for navigating difficult conversations and embracing the discomfort that leads to better results.
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MAKING YOUR EXCELLENCE VISIBLE
Reality check: doing great work isn't always enough. Janet challenges the meritocracy myth and helps women understand the importance of visibility. Participants will walk away with practical strategies to showcase their excellence, seize growth opportunities, and advocate for their advancement—starting now.
LANGUAGE :
LOCATION : TORONTO, ON
JANET KESTIN & NANCY VONK
PUBLICATIONS:
International gender finance expert Joanne Thomas Yaccato described Janet Kestin’s book Darling, You Can’t Do Both (And Other Noise to Ignore on Your Way Up), published by HarperCollins, as “a no-BS radar for women navigating the workplace.” Alan Webber, co-founder of Fast Company, called it “a guide to breaking the rules that hold careers back and wreak havoc at home — the practical follow-up to Lean In.” Inc. Magazine included it on their list of the “Top 60 Leadership Books” in 2017.
Janet is regularly invited by leading organizations, schools, and companies seeking fresh perspectives and practical tools to break down barriers to women’s success — with clients such as UCLA, Google, and RBC among them.
She also co-authored Pick Me: Breaking Into Advertising and Staying There (Adweek Books/Wiley, 2005), based on her long-standing online advice column Ask Jancy, which became a go-to guide for aspiring creatives from Texas to Turkey. Her thought leadership and career insights frequently appear in publications like Fast Company and HuffPost.
Janet was featured in The Copy Book (2018 edition) by D&AD — a prestigious anthology showcasing how some of the best advertising writers in the world craft powerful creative work.
She also contributes regularly to leadership columns such as The Message, where she pens the series Sink or Swim, and collaborates with progressive initiatives including The 3% Movement and Factry, the Montreal-based school of creative leadership.
TESTIMONIALS: