Helping leaders lead withclarity, confidence, and character.

Transformational coaching, workshops, and speaking for courageous leaders who are ready to deepen insight, strengthen presence, and lead with purpose by Dr. Karla Van Havel and the CDK team.

Leadership today is complex, fast-moving, and deeply human.

Executives, leaders, and teams are expected to lead through uncertainty, inspire stakeholders, and deliver results, often without the space or support to reflect, realign, and grow.

They’re struggling in environments that reward reactivity over wisdom.

We help leaders     cut through the noise

to unlock insight, elevate presence, and empower leaders to create lasting impact.

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Services We Offer

  • Executive & Leadership Coaching

    Sharpen your presence. Expand your influence. Improve your communication. Lead with clarity and confidence. Private human-centered one-to-one coaching that creates protected time to think, plan, and execute what matters most with your own personal sounding board.

  • Group coaching

    Turn insight into action through peer learning and accountability. Small, curated cohorts engage in focused, facilitator-led sessions with real-world application, strategic dialogue, and clear next steps. Group coaching is delivered live or virtually via Zoom with professional production support and may be aligned to leadership priorities or developed in partnership with other experts to create a cohesive, high-impact experience that builds clarity, confidence, and community with measurable results.

  • Workshops

    Give your team a working lab, not a lecture. Our workshops are practical, action-based experiences where leaders apply concepts to real challenges, practice new skills, and receive guided feedback. Formats include focused retreat intensives or spaced sessions over several weeks, designed to reinforce learning and drive measurable behavior change.

  • Assessments

    If you want real clarity about how you lead and how your team works, start here. As a Wiley Authorized Partner, we offer DiSC® and The Five Behaviors® alongside our proprietary WCI™ Workplace Community Insights© assessment, plus select tools such as MBTI®, 360, and the VIA Survey®. Every assessment includes a guided debrief and a practical action plan, so strengths are leveraged, blind spots are addressed, and collaboration improves in meaningful, measurable ways. We also support professionals seeking certification in DiSC®, The Five Behaviors®, or Workplace Community Insights™.

  • Customized Leadership Programs

    Tailored learning journeys that integrate coaching, facilitation, assessments, and strategic alignment to address the unique needs and priorities of your organization. Programs are designed as practical, action-based experiences where leaders learn, experiment, and apply new approaches together in a supportive, professionally facilitated environment. Each engagement is intentionally structured to reinforce learning over time, strengthen leadership capability, and drive meaningful, measurable progress.

  • Keynote Speaking

    Dynamic, interactive talks grounded in research, neuroscience, and real-world leadership practice. Topics may include psychological safety, peer leadership, workplace community, strategic leadership, and behavior change. Audiences leave with clear frameworks, shared language, and practical next steps that support sustained leadership effectiveness and align with organizational goals.

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Sampling of Past Clients

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All trademarks, logos, and company names are the property of their respective owners. Appearance on this site does not imply endorsement.

Because you want more than a coach

You want a trusted thinking partner with the depth, experience, and presence to help you lead at your highest level.

As the Founder of the Center for Dynamic Knowledge, Dr. Karla Van Havel brings over 30 years of experience in learning and development, a unique blend of academic insight, executive experience, and communication mastery to every engagement. She served as a COO and President of the Institute for Management Studies, an international organization at the time, held multiple board positions, and built businesses from the ground up.

Meet Karla

Testimonials

  • "As a new Director, I am particularly concerned with finding my own leadership style and establishing my Executive presence. I believe that working with Karla has helped me achieve these goals, accelerating my growth as a professional. As an executive coach, Karla brings an effective combination of insight, empathy, and professionalism which has allowed me to realize the best version of myself. Karla is able to listen to and understand the challenges I face, and is effective in uncovering meaningful, realistic solutions. I really appreciate her balance of candor and compassion;

    Karla creates an environment where I can freely share my concerns while feeling supported and understood. Not only has her coaching helped me lead with greater confidence, but the skills I have learned have also helped me achieve a greater balance between my professional and personal lives. Karla is not only a coach, but a trusted partner in my leadership journey. Working with Karla has been a transformative experience, and I wholeheartedly recommend her services to anyone looking to increase their leadership abilities."

    - CHESTON CARPENTER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA RENO

  • "Working with Dr. Karla Van Havel has been an enriching experience. I began executive coaching with the goal of transitioning into a new role within an international organization, and Karla’s guidance proved invaluable throughout the process. Her thoughtful approach helped me clarify my career direction, sharpen my professional narrative, and prepare with confidence for interviews. Karla brings both insight and active listening to every session, making each one feel purposeful and energizing. I genuinely looked forward to our meetings and always walked away feeling more focused and equipped.

    Her support played a key role in helping me make a successful career pivot, and I’m deeply grateful for her partnership during this important chapter. I highly recommend her to anyone navigating a career transition or looking to grow with intention."

    - CAMILO ZAMBRANO JAUREGUI, ECUADORIAN DIPLOMAT - HEAD OF POLITICAL AFFAIRS AT THE EMBASSY OF ECUADOR IN THE U.S.

  • “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Karla Van Havel, PhD, across multiple client engagements—as a keynote speaker, executive coach, and group facilitator—and I continue to be impressed by her depth, clarity, and impact. We’ve partnered on projects with government agencies and large organizations, where Karla delivered presentations and facilitated group coaching sessions for my clients. She creates safe, engaging, and purpose-driven spaces that empower participants to reflect, grow, and take action. As my own leadership and career coach, Karla helped me clarify my direction and elevate my confidence.

    Her coaching is strategic, insightful, and grounded in real-world leadership experience. She brings a rare blend of emotional intelligence, purpose-driven inspiration, and values-based professionalism to every interaction. Karla is a trusted partner and a powerful presence, I highly recommend her to anyone seeking a coach, speaker, or facilitator who delivers meaningful and lasting results.”

    - HEATHER WILSON, FOUNDING ENTERPRISE ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE, VSR NETWORK TECHNOLOGIES, LLC

  • "I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Dr. Karla R. Van Havel for over eleven years, and I can say without hesitation that she’s one of the most insightful and impactful professionals I know. Karla is a rare blend of trusted coach, thought leader, and strategic partner. Together, we’ve designed and delivered thousands of high-impact leadership programs for Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and nonprofits. Her ability to pair research-driven insight with practical coaching has consistently helped leaders become more authentic, resilient, and effective.

    What sets Karla apart is not just her deep expertise, but her integrity, clarity, and the way she challenges others with empathy and precision. She’s not just a valued colleague; she’s a powerful force for transformation. If you're looking for someone who can elevate leaders and shape culture, Karla delivers every time."

    - CHARLES GOOD, PRESIDENT, THE INSTITUTE FOR MANAGEMENT STUDIES, THE GOOD LEADERSHIP PODCAST

  • "Working with Karla during a pivotal moment in my career was an absolute game-changer. Her coaching went far beyond practical advice; she helped me gain clarity on my professional values and long-term goals.

    Karla has a unique ability to ask the right questions and provide a supportive yet challenging environment that truly fosters growth. She empowered me to navigate a difficult transition with confidence and a clear vision for my future. I highly recommend Karla to anyone looking for a powerful and insightful coach to help them unlock their full potential."

    - AMENA CHENZAIE, STRATEGIC OPERATIONS LEADER, SENIOR PROGRAM MANAGER, & SOCIAL IMPACT EXECUTIVE

  • "Karla is an incredible professional executive coach! She’s been a strong source of support during times when I felt stuck in developing my business. She has a unique ability to help me shift my perspective and uncover possibilities I hadn’t considered.

    Her positivity and sense of humor bring a sense of ease when navigating tough challenges. After each session, I walk away with greater clarity, confidence, and motivation — and I’ve made much faster progress toward my business goals than I ever could have on my own. I truly admire her spirit of service and dedication to delivering real value that transforms lives. I highly recommend Karla to anyone who wants to bring their vision to life and move through challenges with renewed calmness and self-assurance!”

    - MOLLY GUAN, FOUNDER, MINDGYM (MG)