Leveraging Engagement to Advance Development
University of Alabama Alum, Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Marketing
Keith Norton has over 45 years of corporate experience across Fortune 500 companies, including work in fundraising, sales, sales management, customer service, marketing, and professional development. He specializes in delivering innovative professional development strategies that resonate with students and sharing motivational insights that foster personal and professional growth.
University of Alabama Alum, Bachelor of Science in Management and MBA in Business Analytics
Lauren Ward Wilson brings more than a decade of industry experience—most recently at Meta—into her work as a Professional Development Coach and Instructor. Lauren is a Certified Professional Career Coach and Certified Student Career Coach, specializing in executive-style coaching, career readiness, and professional skill development. She is passionate about helping students translate their strengths and experiences into meaningful career opportunities.
Each week, Professional Development Coaches lead 14+ small group coaching workshops on 13 career-readiness topics. Typically, a session involves ~25 business undergraduates learning proven techniques from industry experts, receiving additional perspectives from successful Peer Coaches, and practicing their new skills with other attendees. Students walk away from these dynamic, collaborative sessions feeling more prepared to achieve their goals from “backpack to briefcase.”
GBA 246 and 247 students are required to attend coaching. However, all Culverhouse undergraduates are strongly encouraged to self-assess their growth areas and attend any session they need to enhance their employability.
In Drop-In Coaching, students bring questions to receive personalized feedback on their resume, LinkedIn profile, elevator pitch, and interviewing. Other sessions cover one of the topics below:
Please note, students are required to attend or cancel reservations for all LEAD Coaching. Dependability is a key component of a strong professional brand.
When Randall Holstead attended her first LEAD Coaching session, she wasn’t sure what to expect. But it clicked right away.
In that session, LEAD Coach Keith Norton explained how to market yourself effectively, leaving Holstead “feeling like a million bucks, because he really thinks that anyone from The University of Alabama can do anything.”
Randall Holstead (BS in )
Applications open in the spring semester. Students can keep up with us on R. James Kelly LEAD Program LEAD LinkedIn and R. James Kelly LEAD Program Instagram.
