From Spotlight to Strategy: How Actor Karen Ceesay Reinvented Her Career with Coaching Support from Melanie White

Client Highlight: Karen Ceesay

Actor, Writer, Producer → Client Engagement Specialist + Lifestyle Brand Founder + Union Leader

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🎭 The Challenge: From Acclaimed Actor to Uncertain Future

Karen Ceesay is a name that resonates in households across America. Known for her roles in Stranger Things, The Walking Dead, and Black Lightning, Karen carved out a distinguished career in Atlanta’s entertainment industry. But like many working artists, the pandemic and subsequent industry strikes created seismic shifts in the availability of acting work. For the first time in decades, Karen found herself facing a question that so many mid-career professionals confront:

“What do I do now?”

“I wasn’t looking to abandon acting,” Karen shared. “But the industry wasn’t functioning the same. And for those of us who built our lives around this work, we had to figure out new ways to support ourselves.”

💡 Enter Coaching: A Personal Call Becomes a Professional Pivot

Karen turned to someone she trusted—Melanie White, a longtime friend, certified coach (IFC), and the founder of Sisyphus HR. Though they first connected as classmates at Spelman, this wasn’t a casual favor. Karen reached out for help with a strategic reinvention, not a side hustle.

“I knew Melanie had built a whole business helping people through career transitions, and I needed someone who could really see the whole picture,” Karen said.

🔍 The Discovery Process: From “Scattered” to Story-Driven

One of the biggest mindset shifts came early.

“For years, I thought my resume looked scattered. I’ve had so many different roles—actor, emcee, event planner, board member. Melanie helped me see that what I thought was a liability was actually proof of versatility.”

Together, they reframed Karen’s experience into a cohesive narrative. Melanie used her HR expertise and strategic lens to help Karen:

• Identify transferable skills from entertainment to business.

• Translate volunteer and board experience into tangible leadership and operations metrics.

• Revamp her LinkedIn profile to speak to decision-makers in business development and event production.

• Create a storyline that allowed Karen to lead with her strengths—not just her titles.

“Melanie was direct, but in a way that empowered me. She told me, ‘Right now, your LinkedIn makes you look entry-level.’ And she was right. She helped me craft a profile that reflected everything I actually bring to the table.”

⚙️ The Pivot: Backstage to Business

After refining her materials and mindset, Karen landed a role as a Client Engagement Specialist in the audiovisual and lighting industry—a sector she had deep history in but had long stepped away from.

“I used to run concerts and coordinate hotel events in my twenties,” she recalled. “But at this stage in life, I wasn’t looking to carry speakers. I needed to find where my voice and experience could still have value—and now I walk into events, talk to clients, and create opportunities. I’m leveraging both my technical knowledge and my comfort in front of people.”

The revamped LinkedIn profile sparked two new job opportunities in less than 30 days. “The shift was immediate. People saw the new profile and reached out.”

🔁 Beyond the Job: A Reimagined Identity

But the transformation wasn’t just professional.

Karen began thinking about who she is outside of acting, too. With Melanie’s coaching, she explored new expressions of leadership and legacy, including:

• Launching a lifestyle brand aimed at women in midlife transitions.

• Running for President of SAG/AFTRA in Georgia, a powerful testament to her enduring commitment to artists and advocacy.

• Mentoring and referring other creatives to coaching—becoming a bridge for those also navigating uncertainty.

“Working with Melanie didn’t just help me get a job. It helped me reclaim agency. I realized I didn’t have to hide parts of myself to be professional. My creativity, community work, and production experience all count. That mindset shift was everything.”

🌟 Transformation Snapshot

Before Coaching	After Coaching
Working actor with industry instability	Dual-income professional with stable business role
Scattered, under-leveraged resume	Unified brand across LinkedIn and materials
Limited awareness of transferable skills	Confidence in skills, storytelling, and strategic value
Unsure how to navigate job market	Clear roadmap, activated network, and meaningful opportunities
Artist identity only	Expanding into business leader, mentor, and brand founder

🎯 Melanie’s Coaching Method: Strategy Meets Soul

Karen’s journey is a masterclass in what Melanie White does best: using HR precision and human-centered coaching to help high-performing professionals redefine their careers—without starting over.

“Melanie helped me honor who I’ve been while stepping into who I’m becoming,” Karen said. “She made me feel seen, but also challenged me to own my brilliance. She didn’t let me minimize myself—and that’s what good coaching does.”

🗣️ Karen’s Advice to Others Considering Coaching

“If you're feeling stuck, you need guidance. It’s like going to the gym—you can walk in, but you won’t get results unless you work with someone who knows the process. Melanie is that person. She helped me build something new without losing who I am.”

“Look into your network. I had Melanie in mine—and I’m so glad I called.”

💼 Final Thought from Melanie White

“Karen’s story is the perfect example of transformation that blends strategy, identity, and joy. She didn’t leave her past behind—she elevated it. And now she’s showing other women what reinvention can look like.”