Hi, I’m Karissa and the founder of Lead with Purpose.
I never set out to build a leadership development company. But after years working in the mining industry, starting out as a Graduate Geologist and eventually stepping into the role of Mining Manager, I couldn’t ignore one thing: frontline leaders have the greatest influence on culture, performance, and progress.
When I was managing a department of around 200 people, I had six supervisors who led over half that team. These were strong operators—skilled, respected, and hardworking. But when they stepped into leadership roles, it became clear that being operationally brilliant didn’t automatically translate to being an effective leader.
They knew what they wanted their teams to achieve, but they didn’t have the tools to get there. No one had ever shown them how to lead people, have hard conversations, manage tricky personalities, or build trust and accountability. And without that support, they struggled.
So I started coaching and developing them myself. And I saw the difference straight away—not just in how they led, but in how they saw themselves. Their confidence grew. Their teams shifted. The whole culture improved.
That experience lit a fire in me. Because when frontline leaders are developed and supported, everyone benefits—the leader, the team, and the entire organisation.
That’s what led me to start Lead with Purpose.
Today, I get to do the work I care most about: helping frontline leaders feel confident in their role, lead with clarity, and create teams that thrive. When that happens, people stop just going through the motions and start showing up as their best selves. And that changes everything—not just at work, but in life.
"The problem I saw was that they were never given the skills to be as successful as they could be in those roles. They knew how they wanted their teams to operate, but they didn’t have the tools to support them in achieving their goals."
About Lead with Purpose
At Lead with Purpose, we believe great leadership starts from within.
We exist to empower frontline leaders to lead with clarity, confidence, and compassion—so they can create positive team cultures and drive meaningful change in their workplaces.
Our mission is simple: to design and deliver practical, engaging leadership development programs and coaching tailored to the real-world challenges frontline leaders face.
We help leaders shift from reactive to intentional, from overwhelmed to influential—aligning personal growth with organisational success.
Because when leaders grow, everything changes:
Teams thrive. Culture strengthens. Business outcomes improve.
And it all starts with leadership that’s built on purpose.
"That was when I realised that to get the most out of my people, I needed to develop my Supervisors, so that’s what I did."
This experience is what lead me to start Lead with Purpose.
This is why I am so passionate about developing frontline leaders to be as effective and as successful as they can be. It not only gives them the confidence in their own ability to lead, but also allows all levels of your organisation to operate in the space where they can add value.
WORK WITH KARISSATESTIMONIALS
"Great course, wish I had of completed a course like this before being put into a leadership role."
Supervisor, Kirkland Lake Gold
