Dara Koening
Dara Koenig is a distinguished leadership coach, speaker, and founder of Confident Leading Woman, where she empowers women to lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose. With over 20 years of experience across corporate, nonprofit, and faith-based sectors, Dara has built teams, launched departments, and led transformative growth initiatives. She is passionate about helping women rise into leadership roles that align with their values, skills, and personal calling.
As a coach, Dara developed her signature framework, The 3 I’s of Leadership: Identity, Integrity, and Influence. This framework guides women to lead authentically, align their values with their choices, and expand their influence at work, at home, and in their communities. She has also worked extensively with women transitioning into the workforce, providing guidance to achieve economic independence and professional fulfillment. Dara combines practical strategies with Christ-centered leadership principles to inspire meaningful and lasting growth.
Throughout her career, Dara has held leadership roles in recruiting, training, and client success, consistently achieving measurable results and fostering high-performing teams. In addition to coaching, she contributes as a digital media and content strategist for Women In Automotive, serves as a public speaker, and supports Christian women leaders through workshops, one-on-one coaching, and organizational leadership development programs. Dara’s dedication to empowering women has established her as a trusted mentor, advocate, and thought leader in her field.
• Adult Mental Health First Aid
• Master Life Coach Certification
• Career Coach
• Goal Success Life Coach
• Performance Manager of the Month
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to God. My faith has been the guiding force in my life, giving me clarity, strength, and resilience. Trusting in His plan has empowered me to overcome challenges and remain steadfast in pursuing my goals, making me unstoppable in both my personal and professional endeavors.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to take a chance on myself. I realized that if I don’t believe in my own potential and take bold steps forward, no one else will. This mindset has encouraged me to embrace opportunities, take calculated risks, and fully invest in my growth and success.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering my industry is to recognize that fear has its place—and to use it. Feeling afraid when stepping into something new is natural, but instead of letting it hold you back, let it inspire you to grow, push boundaries, and reach your full potential. Fear can be a compass pointing you toward your greatest opportunities.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest opportunities in my field right now is the ability to share women’s voices and amplify their stories, creating platforms for empowerment and connection. At the same time, a key challenge is that many women feel hesitant or afraid to share their experiences, which can limit the impact of these narratives. Helping women overcome that fear and feel confident in telling their stories is both a responsibility and an exciting opportunity.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The value most important to me in both my work and personal life is integrity. I strive to be honest, ethical, and authentic in all that I do, building trust and fostering meaningful relationships. Acting with integrity ensures that my decisions and actions align with my principles, creating a foundation of respect, accountability, and lasting impact.
Locations
Confident Leading Woman
Sparta, TN 38583