Kisha Woods, widely known as Coach Kay, is a powerhouse of transformation, empowerment, and unapologetic authenticity. As the Founder and CEO of Upgraded MindsetZ, she has built a legacy rooted in helping individuals and communities unlock their highest potential. A 3x award‑winning Certified Life and Business Coach, motivational speaker, author, podcast host, and multi‑business owner, Kisha equips others with the tools to thrive personally, professionally, and entrepreneurially.
Her journey was born from deeply personal struggles. After years of suppressing her emotions and neglecting her mental well‑being, she reached a breaking point in 2020. What began as a 30‑day journaling practice to process her pain became her Amazon best‑selling book, From Havoc to Healing: 30 Days of Reconditioning. That pivotal moment sparked her healing journey and laid the foundation for Upgraded MindsetZ, a platform that now empowers women, families, and communities to embrace clarity, confidence, and growth.
Kisha’s resilience is also shaped by lived experience, raising her nephews after the loss of her sister in 2009, surviving cancer in 2016, losing her job during the pandemic in November 2020, and navigating her personal transformation while building her vision. Her challenges over the years fuel her mission to help others rise above adversity and embrace intentional growth.
Beyond coaching, she is the visionary behind UPM Suites, a collaborative space in West Peoria exclusively for women‑owned businesses. More than office space, it is a hub of innovation, collaboration, and shared success. Her leadership extends further as President of NAMI Tri‑County Illinois and as a board member of NAWBO Central Illinois, where she champions mental health advocacy and women’s entrepreneurship.
Kisha is also a 2x podcast host under Upgraded MindsetZ Media, producing two popular shows: The Woman’s Hustle: Thrills and Spills of Entrepreneurship and Empowering Real Talk. Both platforms amplify her mission of authenticity, resilience, and empowerment, while giving voice to real stories of growth, leadership, and legacy.

Motiational Speaking | Guest Appearances

Kisha is a dynamic speaker who ignites confidence in leadership, guides personal development, and sparks entrepreneurial discovery in ways that resonate with diverse audiences. Her talks and trainings focus on growth, motivation, and transformation, illuminating the path of understanding personal values, setting intentions, and aligning actions with purpose so individuals can fully embrace their authentic selves.

From keynote stages and podcasts to networking events and panel discussions, Kisha captivates with her depth of knowledge and passion for empowering others. As a speaker, panelist, and workshop facilitator, she delivers high‑impact experiences that blend clarity, authenticity, and strategy. Her work spans mindset reconditioning, self‑discovery, leadership, mental health, women’s empowerment, entrepreneurial growth, and self‑care, equipping audiences with practical tools to thrive personally, professionally, and creatively.

Kisha is currently available for speaking engagements, panels, and workshops that align with her mission of transformation and empowerment.

Full Media | Press Kit

Booking Inquiries

Interviews | YouTube Channel