A childhood trauma survivor, first-generation graduate, corporate leader, and entrepreneur, Charles Hunt is a highly sought after keynote speaker to help others navigate change, especially the undesired kind.
Charles survived a childhood mired in abuse, neglect, and dysfunction. One parent was murdered when he was 10yrs old as the other parent's disease of addiction became increasingly destructive, leading to homelessness. Without either parent, he was taken in and raised by an abusive grandmother for nearly a decade until moving out on his own in the middle of his senior year of high school. After finishing HS on time and taking advantage of Educational Opportunity Programs at California State University, Hayward, Charles would work full time while going to school full time, earning the first of his business degrees before beginning a corporate career that would take him from Oakland, CA to the world.
Charles embarked on a decade long career with a global technology company, starting in supply chain and commodity management before transitioning to Human Resources. During this period he would also earn a Master of Science in Financial Analysis graduate degree from Portland State University. His acumen and proven results would then lead him to North Carolina where he would oversee College Recruiting and Talent Management with industrial manufacturing and retail companies. Despite the traumatic start in life, Charles' resilience and determination created awe-inspiring and unscripted educational and professional success.
Adult traumas would follow the childhood ones suffered when unsuspecting job losses created not only turmoil but a life inflection point. Upon taking inventory of his life and experiences…the childhood traumas, educational, professional, and financial journey, the hope and resilience that had enabled success to date…he decided to leave the corporate world behind to help others build the AUDACITY that his 4th/5th grade teacher Mrs. Goodwin instilled in him.
Now, Charles shares incredible stories of resiliency, hope, and healing from his journey navigating life's traumas and adversities, helping others succeed instead of succumbing. For over a decade Charles has helped non-profits, colleges, corporations, and government agencies build more resilient and healthier administrators and students, using his mess as a message that inspires and motivates audiences. Charles has led programming at some of the premier universities, colleges, Fortune 500 companies, and nonprofits across the country, helping thousands of students and leaders find their way from troubling circumstances to Live, Do, & Be Better.