ABOUT
Visionary Thought Leader
Dr. Lori Schwartz Reichl is the founder of Making Key Changes, LLC, a leadership development consultancy focused on mentorship, motivation, and meaningful transformation. A former public school band director turned author, speaker, and coach, she is also the founder of The Confidence Camp (for kids) and The Confidence Retreat (for adults). Through keynotes, workshops, retreats, and the Making Key Changes weekly podcast and newsletter, Lori empowers individuals and organizations worldwide to grow in confidence, connect meaningfully, and lead with purpose.
Visionary Thought Leader
Dr. Lori Schwartz Reichl is the founder of Making Key Changes, LLC, a leadership development consultancy focused on mentorship, motivation, and meaningful transformation. A former public school band director turned author, speaker, and coach, she is also the founder of The Confidence Camp (for kids) and The Confidence Retreat (for adults). Through keynotes, workshops, retreats, and the Making Key Changes weekly podcast and newsletter, Lori empowers individuals and organizations worldwide to grow in confidence, connect meaningfully, and lead with purpose.
Proud Public School Teacher
Lori proudly served in public education from 2001 to 2015 before expanding her impact to learners and leaders worldwide. She led thriving secondary music programs in Pennsylvania and Maryland—including rural, suburban, Title I, and “corrective action” schools—opening two new school buildings and launching initiatives that strengthened music education and student opportunity.
Her work earned numerous honors, including the Superintendent’s Excellence in Teaching award (PA), an Honorary Resolution awarded from the Howard County Council (MD), and finalist recognition for both the Howard County Public School System’s Music Educator of the Year and the system-wide Teacher of the Year (MD) awards.
Changemaker
As a sought-after speaker and consultant, Lori has inspired professionals and students worldwide through keynotes, 250+ workshops, presentations, and programs such as The Confidence Camp and The Confidence Retreat, which cultivate confident, compassionate leaders at every age. She hosts the Making Key Changes weekly podcast, now with more than 140 episodes, and publishes its companion weekly newsletter with subscribers spanning the globe. She has also authored 100+ articles reprinted by 16 organizations and taught graduate courses at universities, bringing real-world experience into the classroom.
Changemaker
As a sought-after speaker and consultant, Lori has inspired professionals and students worldwide through keynotes, 250+ workshops, presentations, and programs such as The Confidence Camp and The Confidence Retreat, which cultivate confident, compassionate leaders at every age. She hosts the Making Key Changes weekly podcast, now with more than 140 episodes, and publishes its companion weekly newsletter with subscribers spanning the globe. She has also authored 100+ articles reprinted by 16 organizations and taught graduate courses at universities, bringing real-world experience into the classroom.
Champion of Mentorship & Motivation
As a champion of mentorship and motivation, Lori models creativity, collaboration, and connection. Her journey from educator to entrepreneur—including the challenges of caregiving, life’s setbacks, and professional rejection—became a catalyst for growth. By shifting her mindset and refining her habits, she discovered her purpose: empowering others to grow by making key changes.
Coaches & Cheerleaders
Lori grew up in York County, Pennsylvania, the daughter of two devoted educators. She and her brother were musically mentored by their father, while visits to her mother’s English classroom on Take Your Child to Work Day sparked her curiosity. With her mother as creative cheerleader and editor, Lori credits her parents for instilling her lifelong love of creativity, learning, and teaching.
Coaches & Cheerleaders
Lori grew up in York County, Pennsylvania, the daughter of two devoted educators. She and her brother were musically mentored by their father, while visits to her mother’s English classroom on Take Your Child to Work Day sparked her curiosity. With her mother as creative cheerleader and editor, Lori credits her parents for instilling her lifelong love of creativity, learning, and teaching.
Family of Changemakers
Lori lives in Maryland with her husband—the other Dr. Reichl, an engineer and professor—who encourages her to see every situation from all angles. Together, they support each other’s ambitions while raising their active children with creativity, inclusion, and critical thinking in mind, leaving room for the occasional date night. They readily admit to parenting missteps but credit their children with teaching them more about life than any class ever could.
Scholarly Synopsis
Education
- Doctorate in Music Education from Liberty University, Virginia
- Certification for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Workplace from the University of South Florida
- Administrator I Certification from McDaniel College, Maryland
- Leadership & Supervision Coursework (additional 30 credits beyond Masters) from Walden University, Minnesota
- Master of Music Education from Lebanon Valley College, Pennsylvania
- Bachelor of Science in Music Education from West Chester University, Pennsylvania
- K-12 Education from Northeastern School District, Pennsylvania
Research
- Mentorship and Motivation
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access, and Belonging
- Dissertation: “The Student Voice: Perception of Students’ Representation of Themselves in the Secondary Band Curriculum”
Achievements
Founder & Principal Consultant, Making Key Changes, LLC
- Founded, led, and scaled a leadership and organizational effectiveness consultancy serving public and private sector clients nationwide.
- Designed and delivered 250+ leadership development programs across 24 U.S. states, aligning talent strategy, engagement, and culture transformation with business objectives.
- Published 100+ thought leadership articles reaching 130,000+ professionals monthly; reprinted by 16 national organizations and consistently ranked among “Top 10 Most-Accessed Articles.”
- Host of leadership podcast (10,000+ downloads) and weekly newsletter (2,000+ subscribers, with 40+% open rate), extending influence across cross-sector leadership communities.
- Invited speaker at Yale University (twice) and facilitator for executive, corporate, and education leadership cohorts.
- Founded immersive leadership development experiences for adult and youth leaders, overseeing strategy, curriculum architecture, parternships, sponsorships, and full lifecycle execution: The Confidence Camp (for kids) & The Confidence Retreat (for adults)
- Directed large-scale county-wide initiatives serving 1,500+ participants annually; managed cross-functional stakeholders, 40+ evaluators, and 200+ volunteers to ensure operational excellence.
- Led programs within high-needs school environments (two Title I; one in corrective action), increasing participation by 50%+ and improving measurable performance outcomes.
- Partnered with cross-functional leaders to assess talent needs, address systemic roadblocks, and implement leadership development strategies that strengthened engagement and organizational performance.
- Recognized for translating complex change initiatives into clear, actionable strategies for diverse stakeholder groups.
Speaking
👉 Included below are all speaking engagements such as conferences, courses, keynotes, podcasts, professional learning sessions, symposiums, webinars, and workshops.
- 2026, 2025, 2024 Making Key Changes podcast host
- 2026, 2025, 2021 The Midwest Clinic: Illinois
- 2026, 2024 Carroll County Women’s Conference: Maryland
- 2026, 2024 Gettysburg College: Pennsylvania
- 2026 Leading Ladies Summit: Maryland
- 2026, 2025 The Confidence Camp for Kids: Maryland
- 2026, 2025 Distinquished Young Women of York County: Pennsylvania
- 2026 Lawrence University Webinar: Wisconsin
- 2026, 2025 Bon Secours’ Wellness Retreat: Maryland
- 2026 T. Rowe Price: Maryland
- 2026 The Confidence Retreat for Adults: Maryland
- 2025, 2023 Yale University: Connecticut
- 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021 VanderCook College of Music Online Course: Illinois
- 2025 “Rise & Shine for a Miracle Morning: An Interview with Hal Elrod” Video & Podcast
- 2025 Good Stuff Podcast – episode 114
- 2025 Pennsylvania Council of Children, Youth & Family Services Conference: Pennsylvania
- 2025 Norwalk City School District Webinar: Ohio
- 2025 Women Optimizing Women Webinar: Maryland
- 2025 Sisterhood Summit: Maryland
- 2025, 2024 Brandywine School District: Delaware
- 2025 Educational Services Unit 9: Nebraska
- 2025 Marching Roundtable Podcast – episode
- 2024 Quincy Public Schools: Massachusetts
- 2024, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019 The University of the Arts Summer Graduate Courses: Pennsylvania
- 2024 University of Georgia Webinar
- 2024 Parkland School District: Pennsylvania
- 2024 Servant Leadership Association for Music Education Webinar
- 2024, 2023 “Burnt Out —> Now What?” Webinar
- 2023 Band Director Boot Camp Podcast – episode 48
- 2023 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 12
- 2023 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 7
- 2023 New York State Band Directors Association Symposium
- 2023 Missouri Bandmasters Association Summer Symposium
- 2023 Zeswitz Music Spring Symposium: Pennsylvania
- 2023 New York State Band Directors Association Symposium
- 2023 Pass the Baton: Empowering Students in Music Education Podcast – episode 43
- 2022 Turning Points in Leadership Podcast – episode 6
- 2022 Maryland Women Supporting Women Student Chapter Webinar
- 2022 College Band Directors National Association Eastern Division Webinar
- 2022 University of Georgia Collection of Music Teachers’ Stories Webinar
- 2022 Liberty University Research Symposium: Virginia
- 2022, 2019, 2014 Maryland Music Educators Association Conference
- 2022 Frederick County Public Schools: Maryland
- 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017 Carroll County Public Schools: Maryland
- 2022 National Association for Music Education Webinar
- 2022 University of Maryland Webinar
- 2022, 2021 San Bernardino City Public Schools (year-long program): California
- 2022 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Conference
- 2022 West Chester University Webinar: Pennsylvania
- 2022 Lenape Regional Schools Curriculum Consortium: New Jersey
- 2022 Texas Music Educators Association Conference
- 2022, 2021 Bergenfield Public Schools: New Jersey
- 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 Howard County Public School System Secondary Solo & Ensemble Festival Coordinator: Maryland
- 2022 The Global Bandroom Podcast – episode
- 2021 National Association for Music Education Music Program Leaders Forum
- 2021 Tredyffrin/Easttown Public Schools: Pennsylvania
- 2021 Washington County Public Schools: Maryland
- 2021 Livingston Public Schools: New Jersey
- 2021 Cecil County Public Schools: Maryland
- 2021 Putnam Public Schools: Ohio
- 2021 National Association for Music Education Eastern Division Conference
- 2021 Rahway Public Schools: New Jersey
- 2021 Maryland Music Educators Association Conference
- 2021 National Association for Music Education Virtual Conference
- 2021 Oakland University Webinar: Michigan
- 2021 Troy University Webinar: Alabama
- 2021 South Dakota Bandmasters Association Conference
- 2021 Oregon Music Educators Association Conference Webinar
- 2020 Indiana University Webinar
- 2020 Lake Forest College Webinar: Illinois
- 2020 Key of She Jazz Festival Webinar
- 2020 Women Band Directors International Virtual Conference
- 2020 International Music Education Summit Webinar
- 2020 South Dakota Bandmasters Association Conference
- 2020 Ohio Music Educators Association Conference
- 2020 Baltimore City Public Schools: Maryland
- 2020 Music for All Mind the Gap Webinar – episode 3
- 2020 GRAMMY Music Education Coalition Webinar
- 2020 Music Ed Tech Talk Podcast – episode 8
- 2020 Directors Circle Podcast – episode 34
- 2020 Bands of Ireland Podcast – episode
- 2020 Zeswitz Music Summer Symposium
- 2020 Women Banding Together Webinars
- 2019 Frostburg State University: Maryland
- 2019 York County School of Technology: Pennsylvania
- 2019 Bellefonte Area School District: Pennsylvania
- 2019, 2017, 2014 Calvert County Public Schools: Maryland
- 2019 Northeastern Music Programs: Pennsylvania
- 2019 Women Band Directors International Conference: Illinois
- 2019 National Association of Music Education All-Eastern Conference: Pennsylvania
- 2019, 2016, 2015, 2013 Howard County Public School System: Maryland
- 2019 Everything Band Podcast – episode 116
- 2019 The Music Education Podcast – episode 121
- 2019 The Music Education Podcast – episode 120
- 2018 Millersville University: Pennsylvania
- 2018, 2017, 2016 Towson University Supervisor of Instrumental Music Interns: Maryland
- 2017, 2016, 2014 Towson University: Maryland
- 2017 Kansas Music Educators Association Conference
- 2016 National Association for Music Education Conference: Texas
- 2016 Catholic Univeristy of America Music Education Course: Washington, DC
- 2016 Baltimore Symphony Orchestra OrchKids: Maryland
- 2016 Cecil County Public Schools: Maryland
- 2016, 2015 Howard County Public School System Music Educator Recruitment Series: Delaware, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C.
- 2014, 2012 University of Maryland
- 2014 Baltimore County Public Schools: Maryland
- 2013 Peabody Convservatory of Music: Maryland
- 2013 Delaware Music Educators Association Conference
- 2011 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 11
Conducting
- 2024 Sussex All-County Junior High School Honor Band: Delaware
- 2024 Region IX High School Honor Band: West Virginia
- 2023 Baltimore School for the Arts Wind Ensemble: Maryland
- 2023, 2012 Anne Arundel All-County Middle School Honor Band: Maryland
- 2023 Frederick All-County Middle School Honor Band: Maryland
- 2023, 2022, 2020, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 Howard All-County Middle School Honor Band: Maryland
- 2022 Centre All-County Jr. High Honor Band: Pennsylvania
- 2020 Calvert All-County Middle School Honor Band: Maryland
- 2020 South Dakota Bandmasters Association New Music Reading Session
- 2020 Blair All-County Jr. High Honor Band: Pennsylvania
- 2019 Frostburg State University High School Honor Band: Maryland
- 2019 Frostburg State University Wind Ensemble: Maryland
- 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 Marriotts Ridge Middle & High School Summer Band: Maryland
- 2019 Harford All-County Middle School Honor Band: Maryland
- 2018 Maryland All-Eastern Shore Junior High Honor Band
- 2018 Cecil All-County High School Honor Band: Maryland
- 2017 Young Artists of America Summer Instrumental Music Intensive Program: Maryland
- 2017 Cecil All-County Middle School Honor Band: Maryland
- 2017 Berks All-County Junior High Honor Band: Pennsylvania
- 2017, 2016 Howard All-County Middle School Gifted & Talented Band: Maryland
- 2016 Allegheny All-County Middle School Honor Band: Maryland
- 2016 York All-County Middle School Summer Band: Pennsylvania
- 2016 Maryland Tri-Southern County Middle School Honor Band: Maryland
- 2016, 2015 York All-County Middle School Honor Band: Pennsylvania
- 2016, 2013 Baltimore All-County Middle School Honor Band: Maryland
- 2015 Carroll All-County Middle School Honor Band: Maryland
- 2014, 2013, 2012 Anne Arundel All-County Intermediate Summer Band: Maryland
- 2012 University of Maryland Youth Summer Band
- 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006 American Music Abroad High School Honor Band & Orchestra: Europe
- 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003 Daniel Boone Area Middle School Summer Band: Pennsylvani
Clinicing
- 2025 Centennial Lane Elementary School Band Saxophone Masterclass: Ellicott City, Maryland
- 2024 Folly Quarter Middle School Bands: Ellicott City, Maryland
- 2024 Clarksville Middle School Band Saxophone Masterclass: Ellicott City, Maryland
- 2022, 2020, 2018, 2017 Bonnie Branch Middle School Bands: Ellicott City, Maryland
- 2022 Walker Mills Middle School Band: Capitol Heights, Maryland
- 2022 Kenmoore Middle School Band: Landover, Maryland
- 2020 Baltimore School for the Arts Wind Ensemble: Baltimore, Maryland
- 2020, 2019 Oakland Mills Middle School Bands: Columbia, Maryland
- 2019 Shiloh Middle School Band & Orchestra: Hampstead, Maryland
- 2019 Takoma Park Middle School Bands: Takoma Park, Maryland
- 2019 Mount View Middle School Orchestra: Marriottsville, Maryland
- 2019 Century High School Band & Orchestra: Sykesville, Maryland
- 2019 Greenbelt Middle School Band: Greenbelt, Maryland
- 2019 Robert Goddard Middle School Bands: Lanham, Maryland
- 2019, 2018 Mt. Hebron High School Bands: Ellicott City, Maryland
- 2019 Bellefonte Area Middle & High School Bands: Bellefonte, Pennsylvania
- 2018 Patapsco Middle School Bands: Ellicott City, Maryland
- 2018 Patuxent Valley Middle School Bands: Jessup, Maryland
- 2018 Dunloggin Middle School Bands: Ellicott City, Maryland
- 2018 Eastern Middle School Band: Silver Spring, Maryland
- 2017 Folly Quarter Middle School Band: Ellicott City, Maryland
- 2017 Long Reach High School Bands: Columbia, Maryland
- 2017 Winters Mill High School Band & Orchestra: Westminster, Maryland
- 2017 Chesapeake High School Bands: Essex, Maryland
- 2017 Westminster East Middle School Bands: Westminster, Maryland
- 2017 North East High School Band: North East, Maryland
- 2017, 2016 Baltimore Symphony Orchestra OrchKids’ El Sistema Program: Maryland
- 2017, 2016, 2015 Thomas W. Pyle Middle School Bands: Bethesda, Maryland
- 2016 Mayfield Woods Middle School Bands: Elkridge, Maryland
- 2016 Annapolis Middle School Band: Annapolis, Maryland
- 2016 Crofton Middle School Bands: Crofton, Maryland
- 2016 Thomas Viaduct Middle School Band: Hanover, Maryland
- 2016 DeMatha Catholic High School Bands: Hyattsville, Maryland
- 2016 Mount View Middle School Band: Marriottsville, Maryland
- 2016 Westland Middle School Bands: Bethesda, Maryland
- 2016 Benjamin Banneker Middle School Band: Burtonsville, Maryland
- 2015 Cockeysville Middle School Band: Cockeysville, Maryland
- 2014 Wilde Lake Middle School Band: Columbia, Maryland
Adjudicating
- 2026, 2025, 2024 Music in the Parks Festivals: Six Flags America, Maryland
- 2025 Distinguished Young Women of York County: Pennsylvania
- 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022 Music in the Parks Festivals: Hershey Park, Pennsylvania
- 2025 Howard County High School Band Assessment: Maryland
- 2025, 2024, 2022 Frederick County Middle School Band Adjudication: Maryland
- 2024, 2019 Howard County Middle School Band Adjudication: Maryland
- 2023 Frederick County High School Band Adjudication: Maryland
- 2023 Anne Arundel County High School Band & Orchestra Assessment: Maryland
- 2022 Montgomery County Middle & High School Band & Orchestra Adjudication: Maryland
- 2022, 2019 Harford County Middle & High School Instrumental Solo & Ensemble Festival: Maryland
- 2022 Jefferson County Middle & High School Jazz Band Adjudication: West Virginia
- 2020 Calvert County Middle & High School Band Adjudication: Maryland
- 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 Prince George’s County Middle & High School Instrumental Solo & Ensemble Festival: Maryland
- 2019, 2018, 2017 Anne Arundel County Middle & High School Instrumental Solo & Ensemble Festival: Maryland
- 2019, 2017, 2014 Prince George’s County Middle & High School Band Assessment: Maryland
- 2019 Harford County Middle & High School Band Assessment: Maryland
- 2019 Harford County Middle & High School Instrumental Solo & Ensemble Festival: Maryland
- 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012 Baltimore County Middle School Band Assessment: Maryland
- 2018 Carroll County Middle & High School Instrumental Solo & Ensemble Festival: Maryland
- 2018, 2016 Carroll County Middle & High School Band & Orchestra Assessment: Maryland
- 2017, 2015, 2013 Anne Arundel County Middle School Band & Orchestra Assessment: Maryland
- 2017 Baltimore County High School Band Assessment: Maryland
- 2017 Cecil County Middle & High School Instrumental Solo & Ensemble Festival: Maryland
- 2017 Cecil County Middle & High School Band & Orchestra Assessment: Maryland
- 2016 Howard County Elementary Instrumental Solo & Ensemble Festival: Maryland
- 2016 Baltimore County Middle & High School Instrumental Solo & Ensemble Festival: Maryland
- 2014 St. Mary’s County Middle & High School Band Assessment: Maryland
