Stiletto Agency offers a full suite of training, speaking, coaching and consulting services to empower organizations and their people to take control of their future.
Founded in 2011 by Shelley Klingerman, our agency helps individuals and organizations to take control of their lives and thrive in everyday activities without feeling held back by vulnerability or intimidation.
We provide all the information you need to rise above distractions or obstacles that keep you from achieving your goals. Eventually, you’ll adapt a brand new mindset and outlook on your life at work, at home, and in your social life that is sure to make you feel safe, confident, and empowered.
Shelley Klingerman is an entrepreneur, author, marketing professional, film producer, mother of three, and founder of Stiletto Agency. She graduated from Indiana State University, and lives in Terre Haute, Indiana with her family.
During her research and her two decades of working for a large global firm, Klingerman began to understand the need to be vigilant and aware of her surroundings in everyday situations.
This sparked a passion to help others learn what they should be aware of while living their day-to-day lives, and how they can prepare and protect themselves.
Shelley’s children inspired her to make the documentary Terror in American Schools: Are Your Kids Safe? The film outlines threats and vulnerabilities to our schools, and what can be done to increase security for the nation’s children.
She compiled her insights on self protection — which have been featured in The New York Times — into Vigilance: The Savvy Woman’s Guide to Personal Safety, Self-Protection Measures, and Countermeasures.
In 2021, she received the Situational Awareness Specialist certification and attended the FBI’s Citizens Academy. Shelley equips women with the situational awareness and warrior mindset to avoid being victimized. As a speaker, trainer and author, she unpacks the emotional, mental and physical preparation critical to dissuading predators, and offers self-defense strategies to fend them off should they attack.
That same year, she graduated from the Tobias Leadership Fellowship program at Indiana University. In 2022, Shelley was certified as a Professional Performance Coach from Sourcepoint.
Klingerman’s work extends beyond coaching on personal safety to advising on professional success, as well. She was a founding entrepreneur of NEXT Studios, a venture studio for entrepreneurs and corporate innovation. She also founded and served as executive director of Launch Terre Haute, a nonprofit business incubator that helps entrepreneurs bring their ideas to fruition.
Joann “Jo” Dowell is Stiletto’s newest trainer! As a former FBI Special Agent of over 23 years, Jo’s subject matter expertise ranges from financial crimes, public corruption and civil rights. Certified in the FBI’s Presentation Skills Course and Stiletto’s Situational Awareness Training, Jo is excited to come aboard and continue her work advocating for personal safety and accountability.
She holds a B.A. from Bellarmine University in Louisville, and a J.D. from Indiana University – Indianapolis. However, her greatest accomplishment is being a mom of 4 and wife to Robert.
