About Rita
Rita Maria Reed is a Global Finance Leader who managed $50 billion in revenue impact at Microsoft. Her finance journey began as a cashier at...
Rita's Demo
After watching talented women burn out from being everyone’s backup plan, she took to the stage with one goal: help women escape the exhaustion trap.
Rita's Testimonials
She brings to the table a rare combination of authenticity, warmth and leadership and I look forward to seeing her continue to shine...
Rita Maria Reed is a Global Finance Leader who managed $50 billion in revenue impact at Microsoft.
After watching talented women burn out from being everyone’s backup plan, she took to the stage with one goal: help women escape the exhaustion trap and grow their guilt-free leadership presence. Her HEAL, NICE, and PACE frameworks now anchor high-retention women’s leadership programs across the country.
Through her signature talk Leading on Empty, Rita transforms overwhelmed women into leaders who face pressure with grace, pivot with power, and lead with presence.
She lives by one truth: Guilt less. Get more.
"She brings to the table a rare combination of authenticity, warmth and leadership and I look forward to seeing her continue to shine!"
Deepali R.
Producer, World Finance Forum
About Rita
Rita Maria Reed is a Global Finance Leader who managed $50 billion in revenue impact at Microsoft. Her finance journey began as a cashier at her grandfather's produce stand, leading her from Wall Street intern to CFO by age 29. After achieving success across technology, financial services, and the public sector, Rita noticed a troubling pattern: talented women were burning out from being everyone's backup plan.
That realization drove her to the stage with one mission: help women escape the exhaustion trap and develop guilt-free leadership presence. Her signature HEAL, NICE, and PACE frameworks, rooted in 20 years of leadership experience, now anchor high-retention women's leadership programs nationwide.
Through her transformational talk "Leading on Empty," Rita shows women how to face pressure with grace, pivot with power, and lead with presence. Companies that book Rita see women stay energized and drive sustained growth. Her sessions consistently spark mindset shifts that keep top talent engaged for years, helping leaders go from avoiding the spotlight to leading with confidence in less than 30 days.
Rita holds a Bachelor's in Accounting from Xavier University of Louisiana, an MBA from the Wharton School, and is a CPA. Her accomplishments include Ebony Magazine's 30 Under 30 and Microsoft's CFO People Leadership Award. When she's not speaking, Rita travels to concerts, celebrates Mardi Gras, and hip thrusts 400 pounds at the gym.
She lives by one truth: Guilt less. Get more.
Rita's Talks
Rita’s signature talks transform high-performing women into leaders who last without guilt or shrinking.
Talk One
Leading on Empty: 4 Steps to HEAL Before You Break
This talk is for high performers carrying heavy loads while still expected to lead. It shows how to stay calm, clear, and present even when life throws you off course.
Attendees will learn four simple steps to lead with heart and strength, even in hard seasons.
Real leadership starts when you stop pretending and choose to show up as you are. These steps build stronger teams, better choices, and trust that lasts.
The Real Success Formula: 3 Shifts to Grow Without Guilt
This talk is for achievers who are rising fast but feeling off inside. It helps them trade pressure for peace and ambition for alignment.
Attendees will walk away with three deep shifts that let them grow without guilt and lead without losing themselves. Success isn’t about pushing harder.
It’s about choosing the path that fits the life you want. These shifts make room for clear thinking, smart growth, and career moves that stick.
Talk Two
Talk Three
Trusted But Skipped: 3 Shifts to Stop Hiding and Start Leading
This talk is for quiet stars who always deliver but stay overlooked. It shows why doing more isn’t the answer and how real power comes from being seen.
Attendees will learn three bold moves to stop shrinking, own the room, and lead without apology.
When you stop waiting for permission, that’s when people start paying attention. These moves help future leaders get noticed, trusted, and tapped to lead.
What Clients Say
Rita Maria Reed is a Global Finance Leader who managed $50 billion in revenue impact at Microsoft.
Connect
with Rita
Transforming high-performing women into leaders who last without guilt or shrinking
+1 281-720-6907
