We’re looking forward to introducing you to Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight. Check out our conversation below.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of The DeBruce Foundation. At The Foundation, I lead initiatives that expand Career Literacy and create pathways for economic growth.
My background spans K–12 education, advising learning institutions nationwide, and leading research on education and workforce development across multiple states. I’m also deeply engaged in my community, serving on boards with the University of Missouri, UMKC, and the University of Kansas.
What makes our work unique at The DeBruce Foundation is our focus on equipping individuals with the tools to explore career opportunities through the lens of their own talents and skills, which can be transformative not only for them but for the communities and economies where they work and live. At the heart of it, I’m committed to lifelong learning and to empowering others to chart their own fulfilling career paths.
Hi Leigh Anne, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I’m privileged when I think of the relationships I’ve built over time, focusing on strengthening others to help them succeed. Supporting coaches, investing in teams, and connecting people have been intentional parts of my work. These connections form an ecosystem that grows as people help one another, often with unseen impact. Recently, a former student reached out to thank me for supporting her early in her career, reminding me that encouraging others can have lasting effects. I am grateful to contribute to these quiet successes.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
It might sound cliché, but my parents were the first to instill in me a strong work ethic. Their message was clear: there’s nothing you should consider beneath you, and if you can leave a space or situation better than you found it, you should.
As I’ve grown, I’ve realized that learning doesn’t stop when you enter the workforce. Some of my greatest lessons have come from peers, mentors, people I report to, and even those who report to me. I try to listen to others “from their seat,” because seeing the world through different perspectives has shaped the way I approach challenges and opportunities.
Now, I show up each day with a mindset of curiosity and ask myself: What can I learn today? How can I see this as an adventure? That daily decision to learn has become one of my strongest career tools.
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
For a long time, I believed that if you worked hard, did your best, and hit your goals, success would naturally follow. Failure taught me that it’s not always that simple. You can give everything you have and still not achieve goals.
That realization has shaped the way I approach my work at The DeBruce Foundation. So many people today are navigating career changes, whether by choice or by circumstances beyond their control. Our role is to put the power back into people’s hands by equipping them with tools like the Agile Work Profiler©. Career Literacy and Network Strength empower people to shape their own future, even across unexpected setbacks.
Failure reframed my belief: hard work is important, but having the right tools, networks, and adaptability is what creates long-term success.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I am deeply committed to advancing the mission of The DeBruce Foundation. We envision a world where everyone is career literate, where people understand their unique strengths and interests, know how to apply them, and can thrive in work that brings them fulfillment.
One of our major goals is to reach 2 million people annually with the Agile Work Profiler. This tool helps individuals discover their transferable skills, or as we call them, Agilities©, which aren’t tied to a single profession but can move with them across careers and industries. That kind of empowerment is essential in the rapidly changing world of work.
I know this won’t happen overnight, but the progress we’re making motivates me every day. The ripple effect of creating a career-literate society, families with more stability, communities with more opportunities, and individuals who feel confident about their future is worth every ounce of commitment.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days.
I’m tap dancing into work right now! This year has been one of the most exciting times in my career. At The DeBruce Foundation, the Agile Work Profiler has been used more than 157,616 times already this year, breaking last year’s record, and it’s only November. August and September were our largest months in history, which shows just how much demand and relevance this work has in today’s world.
Every time the Agile Work Profiler is taken, it represents someone gaining more clarity about their strengths and career possibilities. Whether it’s a student figuring out their next steps after graduation, someone who lost their job and is looking to pivot, or an individual simply wanting to grow, our tools are helping people in real and meaningful ways. That’s what keeps me excited, knowing that what we do is both timely and timeless.
We’re also forging new partnerships with organizations that share our mission, which multiplies our impact. Right now, we’re on track to reach over 10,000 students with our free K-12 classroom resources, which is incredible. More than ever, people need access to tools that help them find their way, and I’m proud to be part of the team providing them.
November is National Career Development Month, and the month has already been so rewarding! It’s one of the most exciting times of the year for us at The DeBruce Foundation. We recently hosted our annual Employment Empowerment event, sharing free career tools and resources for K-12 classrooms with hundreds of educators across the nation. As the month progresses, we will amplify our mission by putting more of our free career tools into the hands of individuals who are building their careers, sharing our latest research insights, and more. When people have access to the right resources, they can unlock opportunities and build futures with confidence. I invite you to learn more at DeBruce.org and join us!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://debruce.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debrucefound/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/latknight/
- Twitter: https://x.com/DeBruceFound
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeBruceFound
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DeBruceFound
- Other: https://Agilities.org
