USA Women's National Team & Duke Women’s Basketball Head Coach; Olympic Gold Medalist, and Former WNBA Player and NBA Assistant Coach
Kara Lawson: Biography at a Glance
Kara Lawson Named USA Women's National Team Head Coach
- Coach Kara Lawson, who has become known for her “Handle Hard Better” pep talk that went viral on social media, has reached beyond her team of players to inspire audiences around the world.
- Lawson is in elite company as she is one of only three NCAA Division I women’s basketball coaches to play in an NCAA Final Four, win a WNBA Championship, and win an Olympic Gold Medal.
- Named Head Coach of USA Women’s Basketball, she helped secure an eighth consecutive Olympic gold as an assistant, led Team USA to a FIBA AmeriCup gold as head coach, and previously guided the 3x3 team to Olympic gold.
- At Duke, Lawson has already left a mark, winning the 2025 ACC Championship and leading the Blue Devils to a 2025 NCAA Elite Eight appearance.
- The first Black coach of Duke’s women’s basketball program and the first female coach in Boston Celtics history, Lawson's impact on the women’s basketball community is evident, as she was named one of the 100 most influential people in women’s college basketball.
- A four-time All-SEC selection and two-time All-America choice at Tennessee, Lawson played for the late Pat Summitt and led the Lady Vols to three NCAA Final Four appearances during her collegiate career.
- Lawson is a sought-after speaker on leadership, resilience, collaboration, and motivating a team.
Videos
Biography
Motivating millions when her “Handle Hard Better” pep talk went viral on social media, Coach Kara Lawson has reached beyond her team of players to inspire audiences around the world.
Lawson, a former WNBA champion and three-time Olympic gold medalist, recently completed her sixth season as head coach of the Duke women’s basketball team. Since taking over the reins in 2020, she has restored the Blue Devils to national prominence, compiling a 124–50 record, four straight 20-win seasons, consecutive ACC Tournament crowns, and Elite Eight runs in 2025 and 2026. This past season, Lawson added a trio of firsts to her coaching resume as she guided the Blue Devils to the 2025-26 ACC regular season title, garnered her first ACC Coach of the Year honor, and helped Duke earn a No. 5 final ranking by the Associated Press.
Outside of Duke basketball, 2025-26 was a big year for Lawson as she was named the head coach of the USA Basketball Women’s National Team through 2028. She will lead the women at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin, Germany, and at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California.
A trailblazer on and off the court, Lawson arrived at Duke after becoming the first female coach in Boston Celtics history in 2020. She remains the only active NCAA Division I women’s coach to play in a Final Four, win a WNBA title, and earn Olympic gold. She has won 13 gold medals with USA Basketball as both a player and coach, highlighted by guiding the U.S. 3x3 women’s team to Olympic gold in 2021 and helping Team USA capture gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Lawson’s success as a player speaks for itself. A native of Alexandria, Virginia, Lawson played her collegiate basketball for the legendary Pat Summit at Tennessee, where she was a two-time All-American and four-time All-SEC selection while leading the Lady Vols to three Final Fours. She went on to play 13 seasons in the WNBA, winning a championship with Sacramento in 2005 and earning All-Star honors in 2007.
In addition to her success on the court, Lawson spent 17 years as a broadcaster, serving as a game and studio analyst for the Washington Wizards with NBC Sports Washington, as well as for men’s and women’s college basketball and the NBA with ESPN. On January 12th, 2007, she became the first female analyst for a nationally televised NBA game when the New Orleans Hornets squared off against the Washington Wizards. Lawson also served as a color announcer during the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo with NBC.
Topics
Handle Hard Better: Building Resilient Leaders and Teams
Coach Kara Lawson, an NCAA All-American, Olympic Gold Medalist, WNBA Champion, and trailblazing coach, delivers one of the most powerful messages in leadership today: life doesn’t get easier—you get better at handling hard things. In this inspiring talk, Lawson shares the mindset shift behind her viral “Handle Hard Better” speech, which has been viewed by millions around the world. Drawing from her experience as a player, broadcaster, and coach at the highest levels, including the NBA, NCAA, and Team USA, Kara shows organizations how to reframe challenges as opportunities for growth, build resilience in the face of constant change, and lead with clarity when the pressure is highest. Audiences walk away with a renewed perspective on perseverance, adaptability, and the belief that success belongs to those who handle hard well.
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FAQs
How do I book Kara Lawson for my event?
Contact CAA Speakers at (424) 288-2898 or speakers@caa.com to book Kara Lawson to speak at corporate or private events, keynote speeches, speaking engagements, workshops, fireside chats, motivational speaking, or virtual appearances.
Quick booking process- Email CAA Speakers with event details
- Get availability confirmation within 24 hours
- Review speaking fee and contract terms
- Sign agreement and finalize logistics
As one of the most influential talent agencies in the world, CAA handles all speaking engagements from contract to event day coordination.
Who is Kara Lawson's booking agent?
CAA Speakers is the preferred booking agency to contact for Kara Lawson’s speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com for all Kara Lawson in-person appearances and keynote speaking requests.
Contact Kara Lawson's agent- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: caa.com/caaspeakers
- Response: Within 24 hours
CAA Speakers can check Kara Lawson's speaking calendar with direct access to availability and official pricing. While many websites may list Kara Lawson, CAA Speakers is the direct source for authentic information about availability and pricing.
What is Kara Lawson's speaking fee?
Kara Lawson's speaking fee varies by event type, location, and requirements. As a top keynote speaker, Kara Lawson's fee reflects their expertise and market demand.
Speaking fee factors:- Event type and audience size
- Travel distance and logistics
- Presentation length and customization
- Virtual vs. in-person delivery
Additional costs: Travel, accommodation, A/V requirements, and optional meet-and-greets.
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for Kara Lawson's current speaking fee and detailed cost breakdown.
How much does it cost to book Kara Lawson as a keynote speaker?
The cost to book Kara Lawson as keynote speaker includes their speaking fee plus travel and logistics expenses.
Total booking cost includes:- Kara Lawson's keynote speaking fee
- Travel and accommodation
- Technical requirements and A/V setup
- Optional add-ons like book signing and meet & greets
- Virtual presentations
- Local/regional events
- Off-peak booking periods
- Flexible event dates
Email speakers@caa.com for Kara Lawson's exact booking cost and customized pricing proposal.
How to contact Kara Lawson for speaking engagements?
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for all Kara Lawson speaking engagements.
Official contact for Kara Lawson bookings:- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: https://www.caa.com/caaspeakers/kara-lawson
- Response time: 24 hours
Include your event date, location, audience size, and budget when contacting CAA about booking Kara Lawson.
Is Kara Lawson available for virtual speaking events?
Yes, Kara Lawson speaks at virtual events with professional-grade equipment and interactive presentation style.
Kara Lawson's virtual event options:- Live virtual keynotes with Q&A
- Interactive workshops and breakouts
- Hybrid events (in-person + virtual)
- Pre-recorded presentations
Virtual events offer global reach, flexible scheduling, and reduced travel costs while maintaining Kara Lawson's engaging presentation quality.
Contact CAA Speakers for Kara Lawson's virtual event availability and technical specifications.
What events can I book Kara Lawson for?
Book Kara Lawson for corporate conferences, industry events, private functions, and virtual presentations. Kara Lawson customizes content for any audience size or event type.
Event types:- Corporate meetings and conferences
- Industry summits and trade shows
- Private executive retreats
- Educational institution events
- Virtual and hybrid conferences
Kara Lawson engages audiences from private executive meetings to large conferences with thousands of attendees.
Contact CAA Speakers to discuss how Kara Lawson can customize their presentation for your specific event.
Kara Lawson booking information and availability
Check Kara Lawson's speaking availability through CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com. Book 3-6 months in advance for best date selection during peak seasons (September-November, March-May).
Availability factors:- Event date and location
- Speaking fee and budget
- Lead time for booking
- Peak conference seasons
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Contact CAA early in your planning process to secure Kara Lawson for your preferred event date.
Book Kara Lawson keynote speaker through CAA
Book Kara Lawson through CAA Speakers for guaranteed authentic representation and professional event coordination. CAA is the preferred booking agent for Kara Lawson, with direct access to their speaking availability and decades of experience representing the world’s top keynote speakers.
CAA booking advantages:- Direct access to Kara Lawson's calendar
- 24-hour availability confirmations
- Professional contract negotiation
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- Industry-leading client service
Trusted by Fortune 500 companies for their most important speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com to book Kara Lawson for your next event.
Will Kara Lawson speak at private events?
Yes, Kara Lawson speaks at private corporate events, executive retreats, board meetings, and exclusive functions.
Private event types:- Executive retreats and board presentations
- Client entertainment and VIP gatherings
- Corporate celebrations and award ceremonies
- Private dinners and exclusive functions
Private event benefits: Customized content, enhanced interaction, complete confidentiality, and flexible scheduling.
Contact CAA Speakers for Kara Lawson's private event availability and confidential pricing proposals.
How quickly will I get a response about booking Kara Lawson?
CAA Speakers responds to Kara Lawson booking inquiries within 24 hours during business days. Complex requests or international events may take up to 48 hours for detailed proposals.
Response timeline:- Initial acknowledgment: Within 24 hours
- Availability confirmation: 24-48 hours
- Detailed pricing proposal: 48-72 hours
- Urgent requests: Same-day priority response
Include complete event details (date, location, audience size, budget) for fastest response times.
How far in advance should I book Kara Lawson?
Book Kara Lawson 3-6 months in advance for best availability, especially during peak speaking seasons. Early booking ensures better date selection and rate negotiations.
Recommended booking timeline:- 3-6 months: Optimal availability and pricing
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Peak seasons: September-November and March-May book fastest. Contact CAA Speakers early for priority consideration.
How do I get Kara Lawson pricing information?
Get Kara Lawson pricing information by contacting CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com with your event details. Receive detailed cost breakdown within 24-48 hours with no obligation to book.
For accurate pricing, include:- Event date and location
- Audience size and type
- Event format and duration
- Budget parameters
CAA provides transparent pricing with all costs included - speaking fee, travel, accommodation, and technical requirements.
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