Kamin Samuel, PhD

FILMMAKER | BUSINESS ADVISOR | ENTREPRENEUR | SPEAKER | PHILANTHROPHIST | AUTHOR

Who is Kamin?

Kamin Samuel, PhD, is a trailblazing entrepreneur, impact investor, transformational coach, and inspirational and award-winning filmmaker who empowers women to rewrite the stories they tell about themselves and step into their full potential. As the first African American woman to serve as a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Navy, Kamin’s journey began with breaking barriers in one of the most male-dominated fields. She served her country for nine years before transitioning into corporate America, where she rose to become the Vice President of Global Website Operations at a billion-dollar corporation.

But behind her impressive titles, Kamin faced her own struggles. Prior to her corporate success, she pursued entrepreneurship, only to find herself in bankruptcy and losing two homes to foreclosure. It was this humbling and life-changing experience that set her on a path of personal transformation—one that would later define her life’s work. She emerged stronger, combining her lived experiences with academic expertise, including a PhD in Positive Neuropsychology and three master’s degrees, to help others overcome their hidden barriers and create lives filled with success and meaning.

Today, Kamin is an internationally renowned business transformation coach who empowers women to shift their mindsets, unlock their potential, and redefine wealth and success on their own terms. She is the creator of the Thriving Design™ Methodology, that is depicted in her upcoming film, Courage to Thrive. Known as a “coach’s coach,” and is sought after by executives, entrepreneurs, and leaders who want to achieve exponential success while staying true to themselves.

Her acclaimed and award winning books, including Increase Your Abundance Starting Today! and Wealth Creation for Coaches, co-written with Steve Chandler, have inspired countless readers to take bold action toward their dreams. Her latest book, The Courage to Thrive Women's Devotional, inspired by the women in the film, was selected as a Winner at the 2026 International Impact Book Awards and recently earned her Indie Author of the Year by Good Girl Book Club.

As a speaker and media guest, Kamin brings heart, authenticity, and actionable insights to every conversation. She’s passionate about helping women break through their fears, own the value of their skills and experience, and live lives filled with purpose and abundance. She has a special talent for turning challenges into triumphs, and her relatable, empowering message resonates deeply with audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

In addition to her work as a filmmaker and coach, Kamin is a philanthropist and advocate for educational programs and veterans. She serves on the board of EduCare, a large after school program provider in Los Angeles, and the President’s Advisory Board of the USS Iowa, Kamin was recently named the 2026 recipient of the VADM Samuel L. Gravely, Jr. Leadership Award for which she feels truly humbled and honored having met VADM Gravely early in her career. She has special partnerships with several other organizations, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to making a difference in the world.

Kamin’s story is one of courage, resilience, and transformation. Whether she’s sharing her own journey or helping others unlock theirs, Kamin offers the kind of inspiration that leaves viewers feeling empowered and ready to thrive.

Watch the Trailer

Watch Kamin in Action on her last at sea Deployment

Upcoming Films

Kamin is the creator of the upcoming award-winning documentary film, Courage to Thrive, to be released in 2026-2027. This documentary tells a universal story of underserved and underestimated women and women veterans. The film follows three women as they rewrite and redefine wealth and success from the inside out to achieve greater fulfillment and impact in the world. Kamin’s mission is to uplift and inspire women, and all individuals, everywhere, proving that it’s never too late to thrive. Courage to Thrive has earned 21 Laurels and 5 awards, with numerous Honorable Mentions.

Kamin is also an Executive Producer for the upcoming film, The Strange.

Author

Check out more of Kamin's published works.

The Courage to Thrive Women's Devotional

**AWARD-WINNING**

Newspaper | Magazines | Articles

A Trailblazer in Aviation, Business, and Leadership

SheTalks Mag Vol 2 Issue 3 March 2025

Successful Transitioning Stories

San Diego Veterans Magazine

Money Matters: Creating Ways to Thrive as a Family Financially

L.A. Parent

Exclusive Interview with Kamin Samuel

School BUSRide April 2024

The Art of Persistence: Creating a Life of Purpose & Prosperity

Pivot July 2023

Soar To Success: An Interview with Dr. Kamin Samuel

She Talks 2024

Soaring Through Turbulence

The Bellwether March 1, 2024

Conscious Business Leadership: An Interview with Kamin Samuel

THRIVE GLOBAL

Speaker

Why Hire Kamin To Speak?

Dr. Kamin Samuel, PhD, is a highly accomplished professional with a diverse background that spans the U.S Navy, a billion-dollar company, and her current roles as a transformational coach, business consultant, speaker, and author. Her career is a testament to her adaptability and ability to excel across varied roles, offering her clients comprehensive, practical, and well-rounded guidance and strategies.

As a transformational coach, Dr. Samuel excels at helping individuals and businesses realize their full potential. She skillfully identifies limiting beliefs and patterns, transforming these hurdles into stepping stones for sustainable success. Her adeptness at communicating complex concepts in relatable terms allows her to inspire and motivate her clients and audiences effectively, whether at events, workshops, or through her written work.

Dr. Samuel firmly believes that personal growth is the key to professional development, a philosophy she implements in her services. Her approach is holistic, aiming to improve not only her clients' professional lives but also their personal ones. Combining business acumen, transformational coaching expertise, personal resilience, and a proven track record of results, Dr. Kamin Samuel shares captivating anecdotes and evidence-based insights that guide the audience on a transformative journey to unleash their full potential.

TEDxWilmington

The Gender Pay Gap and How to Address It

Speaking Engagements

Here are a few of Kamin’s most-requested topics for keynotes & webinars:

  • Courage to Thrive: Reclaiming Your Power, Purpose, and Prosperity

  • Permission to Thrive: The Gear Beyond Resilience

  • Embracing Your Inner Superhero: Harnessing Strengths for Extraordinary Success

  • The Inner Champion: Cultivating a Thriving Mindset

Questions For the Media

  1. What inspired you to create the documentary, Courage to Thrive, and how has your personal journey shaped this film?

  2. You were the first African American female helicopter pilot in the U.S. Navy. How did that experience lay the foundation for your work in transformation and empowerment today?

  3. Have you always wanted to make a film?

  4. What does it truly mean to ‘thrive’, especially for women and veterans?

  5. The film follows three women through personal and professional transformation, with your own story woven throughout. How did you choose these women, and what connected you to their journeys? What do you hope viewers take away from them?

  6. Many women feel stuck or invisible later in life. What’s your message to them through this film?

  7. You use the phrase “Permission to Thrive” and describe thriving as the gear beyond resilience. What do you mean by that, and why do women, women veterans, and all veterans sometimes need to give themselves permission to thrive?

  8. You have now expanded the message of the film into The Courage to Thrive Women’s Devotional, audios, and other products. Why did you create them, and how does it help readers and listeners apply the principles of thriving in their everyday lives?

  9. What was the most emotional, surprising, or transformative moment for you during the making of the documentary?

  10. What’s one belief about money or success that you had to let go of in order to truly thrive?

  11. If a woman, woman veteran or any veteran, feels afraid, stuck, or unsure of her next chapter, what is one practical step they can take today to begin reclaiming their power?

  12. How can people become part of the Courage to Thrive movement beyond watching the film?

Gallery

Testimonials

Dr. Kamin Samuel