LeeAundra Keany is the Founder of Keany Communications. She is an executive communications coach specializing in media training, high-level presentation training and executive presence. In her twenty-five years as a coach, she has worked with former heads of state, Nobel Laureates, the CEOs of public, private, and not-for-profit organizations, politicians, best-selling authors, award-winning producers, directors and actors.
LeeAundra is a national award-winning public speaker honored by the National Forensics Association. She was a speechwriter and aide to former Under Secretary of State G. Mennen Williams and served in the Speakers Bureau in former Michigan Governor James Blanchard’s administration.
LeeAundra has published numerous articles and provides regular expert commentary for TV and radio outlets such as CNN, BBC World Service, and NPR. She has been quoted in The Economist, The Wall Street Journal, The Times (of London), The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Chicago Sun-Times, The Washington Post, The Daily Beast, and has been featured in Smart Money Magazine and Los Angeles Magazine’s “The Best of LA” issue.
LeeAundra graduated with a degree in Political Science and Rhetoric and Communications from the Honors College at Oakland University. She earned her M.A. in Politics from New York University.
Occupation: Communications Coach
Website: https://www.keanycommunications.com
Twitter Handle: @leeaundra
What are three words that best describe you?
Curious, efficient, passionate.
Tell us why you’re awesome in two sentences or less.
What success I’ve had in life has probably been because I am fiercely committed to helping those around me – my clients, my family and my friends – be successful. And I strive to run my business and life in as kind and sustainable a way as possible.
What are your three biggest indulgences?
Five (or six!) star hotels.
Afternoon naps (If I’m being truly honest, that’s the reason I decided to start my own business where I could set my own schedule, one that included siestas!)
Toys for my puppy (in that I spend more $$$ on these than anything else in my life right now!)
What’s currently your favorite…
Restaurant: Musso and Frank for old style Hollywood dining and great cocktails. Tar and Roses for hyper-seasonal, wood fired vegetables, meats and the most gorgeous charcuterie and cheese plate in LA.
Food: Rib-eye steak – Tried to be a vegetarian, can’t do it. Humanly raised, organic steaks keep luring me back to the dark side…
Cocktail: French 75, Singapore Sling, Lillet Rose, Rye Smash.
Shopping destination/store: I’m lucky to be just minutes away from Pamela Barish’s store on Abbot Kinney in Venice – her exquisitely fitted dresses take me everywhere from conservative old school DC to on trend Tokyo. She also designed my wedding dress.
Fashion item: Tieks ballet flats – as someone who logs over 150,000 miles of air travel a year, these foldable and amazingly comfortable shoes are a MUST!
Place to hangout: My patio here in the Marina listening to the sea lions barking.
City: Rome and my new love, Tokyo.
Travel item: My iPad loaded with eBooks and music.
Beauty product: My foam bun ring. This simple piece of foam turns a bad hair day into a do that always gets compliments…
Skincare product: Paula’s Choice Barely There Tint with SPF 30. This is my favorite BB cream!
Hostess gift: A coffee table book about one of my hostess’s/hosts passions.
Home décor item: Theses, days, I’m spending way too much time searching for vintage glassware for our bar cart…
Book: “The Unfolding of Language: An Evolutionary History of Mankind’s Greatest Invention.” A stellar read on how we developed the means of expressing ourselves AND, “The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal and the Real Count of Monte Christo.” This is an amazing biography of Thomas Alexandre Dumas (the author Alexandre Dumas’ father,) a French nobleman and Napoleonic general who happened to be black.
Website: https://www.vox.com
Magazine: Dwell
What’s the ONE thing you absolutely can’t live without?
Lip balm.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
Timid drivers.
If you could have dinner with anyone (living or not) who would it be?
Emma Thompson – brilliant, talented and surely full of good stories!
What does it mean to you to have a strong, engaging brand and how has having one helped you?
A strong brand is what starts the conversation, what makes them remember me and helps build credibility.
What is your #1 tip for fellow women entrepreneurs?
Burn your ships not your bridges. By that I mean DON’T have a back up plan in case your business doesn’t succeed. When things get rough (and things WILL get rough) you will be too tempted to quit if you have an easy out. But you must keep up your network even if your previous life had nothing to do with your current passion. Everyone you meet in life can help you build your business in some way.
And don’t try to be a man. We can’t be men and don’t want to be. We have our own unique strengths – leverage them rather than trying to fit in to the existing masculine paradigm.
1. Charlie Parker with Strings
This compilation album shows off the best of famous jazz musician Charlie Parker.
$6.99, https://www.amazon.com
2. French 75
Visit https://www.foodnetwork.com for recipe.
3. iPad Air
Stay connected on the go and up to date with the iPad Air. Starting at 16GB of storage, you can certainly keep your music and books with you on the road.
$499, https://www.apple.com
4. L’Oreale Naturale Voluminous Mascara
The lightweight volumizing formula glides on smoothly and evenly to enhance fullness.
$7.29, https://www.lorealparis.usa.com
5. Tieks Ballet Flats
Pair these classics with everything from neutrals to bold prints for a subtle, yet stunning look.
$195, https://www.tieks.com
6. Theodora and Callum Tie All Scarf
The Black Multi Panama Tie All Scarf is a beauty that moonlights as a shawl, cover-up, beach-blanket and beyond!
$109, https://www.theodoraandcallum.com
7. Barely There Sheer Matte Tint SPF 30
The best foundation you never see. This light and silky tint evens out your complexion with a hint of color while keeping out the sun’s rays.
$17, https://www.paulaschoice.com
8. The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal and the real Count of Monte Cristo
Discover the real life adventures of General Alex Dumas, the inspiration for such classics as The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo.
$10.89, https://www.amazon.com
Keep up the awesome works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to blogroll.