Bio:

A former Marine officer, combat veteran, TEDx speaker and black man, Christopher leverages all this and his 28 years of experience in executive and leadership development to be a global influencer and speaker on vulnerability and leadership as the author of The Whole Man: Evolving Masculinity. As the host of The Vulnerable Man podcast, he engages people in dialogue about how we can shift the narrative of what it means to ‘be a man’ in our current society, as well as leverage greater vulnerability in service of deeper connection.

Christopher has worked with and spoken to leaders and international audiences in healthcare, government, technology, and non-profit sectors. He enjoys working with his clients to customize engaging and thought-provoking talks that leave audiences inspired to apply what they’ve learned to improve their professional and personal relationships and be better leaders and influencers at work and at home.

Speaking Topics: 

Leading Inclusively

In today’s competitive talent landscape, attracting and retaining exceptional people requires more than competitive pay or perks—it demands a culture where people feel they truly belong. This talk explores the real-world challenges leaders face in building inclusive, high-performing teams, which starts with the examples you model. At the heart of it all is relationship: inclusive leadership is grounded in authentic connection, trust, and the ability to see and support individuals beyond their roles. Learn how creating meaningful relationships helps unlock potential, drives greater engagement, and positions your team—and your leadership—for long-term success.

Key takeaways:

• Examine the factors that influence how you show up as a leader
• Learn how creating inclusive workplaces can be a strategic business advantage
• Identify how you can foster greater employee engagement

Building Connection: Slowing Down and Going Deeper

In a world overflowing with notifications, noise, and non-stop demands, genuine human connection has never been more needed, or more elusive. Building Connection invites us to pause, breathe, and reclaim what matters most: our ability to truly listen and be present.  This keynote explores how the constant pull of social media, digital devices, and ever-growing expectations fragments our attention and erodes meaningful relationships. Through practical insights and reflective storytelling, participants will learn how to quiet the noise, slow the pace, and engage with others in ways that build trust, empathy, and authentic connection.
At its heart, this session is a call to talk less, listen more, and rediscover the deep fulfillment that comes from being fully present with ourselves and with others.

Key takeaways:

• Identify the things that distract us from real connection
• Learn simple and easy to apply tips to become a better listener

Navigating Rapid Change (aka Herding Cats Wearing Jetpacks)

Change has always been part of leadership—but never at this speed. Today, it can feel like we’re trying to lead teams of cats wearing jetpacks: fast-moving, unpredictable, and impossible to keep up with.
In Navigating Rapid Change, we’ll explore how leaders can stay grounded and effective amid constant disruption. This keynote offers practical strategies for cutting through the noise, making confident decisions with incomplete information, and maintaining clarity when everything around you is in motion.  At its core, this talk is about progress over perfection. Learning to lead decisively, adapt gracefully, and keep your team focused and forward-moving, even when the ground beneath you keeps shifting.

Key takeaways:

• Learn tactics to help filter out the noise and focus on what matters
• Discover how to “improvise and adapt” to enhance your decision-making
• Prioritize progress over perfection to create alignment and momentum