Trude Henderson

Trude Henderson is a leadership coach, educator, and entrepreneur who has spent more than 25 years helping teams and organizations grow through high-reliability leadership, strong communication, and emotional intelligence. She holds a Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership and a Bachelor's Degree in Business. In 2022, ToothFairy, the software company she founded, was acquired by Cloud9 Software, an AKKR-backed company. Across healthcare, nuclear aerospace, and tech industries, she has noticed a pattern: those who experience the most growth are willing to embrace discomfort, take on challenges that are both unpopular and unfamiliar, and stay brave enough to try and try again.

But it wasn't boardrooms and business plans that inspired this book. It was watching her granddaughter learn to crack an egg and ride a dirt bike. Those everyday moments reminded Trude that being coachable isn't just a leadership skill for grown-ups. It's a superpower every child should develop as early as possible. Kids who learn to listen, try, and grow from mistakes don't just succeed in school—they build resilience and thrive in life.

Through her warm, accessible storytelling, Trude brings those same leadership values to children's literature. Okay, I'll Try was inspired by real moments with her grandchildren, whose curiosity and determination reminded her how early encouragement shapes confidence.

Trude resides in Texas, where she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and cheering on her grandkids in all their endeavors. She hopes her stories inspire children to try, grow, and believe in themselves.