SPEAKING

Leadership. Adversity. Creativity. What we learn when the old rules stop working.

Leadership. Adversity. Creativity. What we learn when the old rules stop working.

Leadership. Adversity. Creativity. What we learn when the old rules stop working.

I’m interested in speaking about subjects that sit at the intersection of what I’ve learned building organizations and what life has taught me the harder way. Some lessons came from building companies, teams and technology. Others came from nearly dying, losing both legs and learning to walk again.

I’m interested in speaking about subjects that sit at the intersection of what I’ve learned building organizations and what life has taught me the harder way. Some lessons came from building companies, teams and technology. Others came from nearly dying, losing both legs and learning to walk again.

01 / FEATURED TALK

Love is an action verb.

Love is an action verb.

After a routine heart surgery nearly killed me, I spent months in the hospital and ultimately lost both legs below the knee. What stayed with me most was something fundamental.

In this talk at Montgomery Bell Academy, I explore what that experience taught me about love, friendship, adversity and the difference between feeling something and acting on it.

Montgomery Bell Academy · Nashville

02 / WHAT I TALK ABOUT

The subject and emphasis can change with the audience, but I keep coming back to a few areas where I have experience, perspective and something useful to say:

The subject and emphasis can change with the audience, but I keep coming back to a few areas where I have experience, perspective and something useful to say:

Adversity, Perspective & Perseverance

Adversity, Perspective & Perseverance

Topics can include:

  • How to persevere when you are not sure you have anything left

  • Finding strength and perspective through adversity

  • Helping others discover their own capacity to persevere

Leadership, Love & Human Connection

Leadership, Love & Human Connection

Topics can include:

  • Leading with love without lowering standards

  • Making people feel seen, valued and understood

  • Building trust through attention, empathy and action

Creativity, Storytelling & Technology

Creativity, Storytelling & Technology

Topics can include:

  • Creativity, confidence, taste and judgment

  • Storytelling that earns attention

  • Creativity and human judgment in the age of AI

Building Through Change

Building Through Change

Topics can include:

  • Building teams, systems and organizations that scale

  • Leading when the plan stops working

  • Preparing for change you can anticipate, and adapting to what you cannot

03 / LET’S TALK

Have something in mind?

Have something in mind?

These are starting points, not fixed talks. I’m interested in conversations with companies, leadership teams, conferences, schools and other organizations where one of these subjects might be useful.

Let’s talk →