At APC 2025, attendees were treated to an unforgettable keynote from Kiesha B. Free, a culture leader and stand-up comedian who brought equal parts wisdom, humor, and heart to the stage. Her session, YOU Better!, reminded administrative professionals that before they can pour into others, they must first stand firmly in who they are.
“This is about you and you—not about those other people who are looking at what you can do for them,” Kiesha said, urging the audience to pause and consider the importance of their own truth.
Breaking Free from Conditioning
Kiesha unpacked the quiet burden many admins carry: low self-acceptance and the tendency to live by the definitions others impose. Through stories from her own life, she illustrated how cultural conditioning (from family, workplaces, and society) can push people to hide their authentic selves in order to “fit.” But this comes at a cost.
She challenged attendees to reflect on a powerful question: “What part of yourself did you have to destroy to survive in this world?” It was a moment of collective honesty, with audience members sharing responses ranging from “my voice” to “my own dreams.” The exercise underscored that admins are not alone in this struggle, and that those silenced parts of ourselves are still waiting to be revived.
The Power of Defining Yourself
One of the most practical lessons Kiesha offered was the importance of knowing and living by your core values. Just as companies operate by defined values, she encouraged admins to craft their own personal compass. Her top three? Courage, compassion, and liberation.
She then issued a homework assignment: write a definition of yourself that doesn’t rely on job titles or family roles, but instead anchors in values. “If I didn’t define myself for myself, I would be crushed into other people’s fantasies for me,” Kiesha quoted poet Audre Lorde
Her own self-definition—naming herself as a curious connector, intentional artist, and courageous, authentic leader—showed how powerful this exercise can be.
A Daughter’s Words That Sparked Change
Kiesha’s most moving story came from a conversation with her daughter. After hearing her mother share dream after dream, only to dismiss them with reasons they couldn’t happen, her seven-year-old looked her in the eye and said: “Mommy, let your dreams be free.”
It was the push Kiesha needed to pursue stand-up comedy and, eventually, to leave corporate life to lead her own culture consultancy. For APC attendees, it was a reminder that reclaiming joy and authenticity is not only possible, but essential.
Moving Forward
Sessions like YOU Better! are why APC stands out. I’s not just about building technical skills, but about cultivating the confidence and clarity admins need to thrive. Kiesha’s message was clear: when you define yourself for yourself, you create the freedom to live fully and lead boldly.
As you reflect on her challenge, consider how you’ll continue investing in yourself this year. Whether through certification, ASAP’s digital membership, or joining us at our next APC, the journey toward “YOU Better!” doesn’t end when the conference lights dim.
