Learn more about Chad's bestselling book, Blind Ambition™

Blind Ambition™: Chad Foster Keynote Speaker Reel

Empower Your Association

Disruption Isn't Coming: It's Already Here

  • Harvard-educated Executive Dealmaker, Billion$ Generator, Job Creator
  • Change-Disruption-Mindset-Transformation
  • Grit-Resilience-Accountability-Growth Through Adversity
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Ignite Your Success with Blind Ambition™: Empower Your Association

What Makes Chad Different?

Every organization is struggling with the current velocity of disruption, but what most leaders don’t realize, is that the current rate of change is the slowest it will be for the rest of our lives. Now, more than ever, organizations need to IGNITE people’s RESILIENCE, accountability, and INNOVATION—leading to resilient organizations that create more customer value by adapting and spotting the opportunities created by disruption.

Most people believe resilience is an idea, but it’s really a set of learned behaviors. Chad has spent the last TEN-plus years unpacking the anatomy of resilience — what allowed him to thrive after going blind at 21-years-old. He built software Oracle said was impossible; directed financial strategies that generated billions in revenue, industry-leading margins, and countless jobs; was the first blind executive to graduate Harvard’s leadership program; and became a black diamond downhill skier and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Practitioner — all with his eyes closed. Many thought leaders on resilience and change offer platitudes that create zero sustained impact on people’s behavior. Due to Chad’s firsthand experience with personal transformation while building massive enterprise value, Chad inspires action, ignites accountability, and unlocks potential by breaking down the anatomy of resilience at a practical level — providing tried and tested tools that empower people to emerge from setbacks stronger, sleeker, and resolute to succeed.

Connecting inspiration to implementation™, Chad enables your team to embody the mindsets and beliefs for success, while adopting the narratives and stories that will change the meaning of the challenges they experience. They’ll have the tools to remain comfortable in the face of discomfort, equipping your organization to turn disadvantages into advantages, and your obstacles into opportunities.

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Chad Foster with his dog

Empower Your Association

Disruption Isn't Coming: It's Already Here

Member engagement is down. Burnout’s up. The business model you had five years ago? Irrelevant. Diversity? Still a challenge. The rules have changed — and if you’re not ready to break them, you’re already behind.

I’m Chad E. Foster — association keynote speaker and resilience leader. I’ve been through worse than disruption — I went blind at 21 and built a billion-dollar career in the dark. I’ve helped thousands of association execs turn chaos into clarity — on stages like ASAE, AORN, and AONL. I don’t do fluff. I deliver tried and tested tools that transform mindsets, ignite action, and inspire people to own outcomes.

AORN March 2024 Keynote Testimonial

THE STATUS QUO IS DEAD.

TIME TO REWRITE THE RULES.

Here’s the deal: Your association’s future isn’t about avoiding the next hit — it’s about being built for it. I bring a business leadership speaker lens to disruption, backed by my 5-pillar Blind Ambition Framework™ for radical resilience.

1. MAINTAINING RELEVANCE? CHOOSE YOUR RESPONSE.

Stop chasing trends. Start creating value that evolves with your members.

2. EVOLVING BUSINESS MODELS? TELL YOURSELF THE RIGHT STORIES.

You’re not dying—you’re transforming. Change the narrative, change the outcome.

3. DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, ACCESSIBILITY? VISUALIZE YOUR GREATNESS.

DEIA isn’t a checkbox. It’s your future.

4. MEMBER ENGAGEMENT? GET COMFORTABLE WITH DISCOMFORT.

What worked before? Forget it. Engagement today takes bold moves.

5. BURNOUT? RETENTION? CHOOSE YOUR RESPONSE.

You don’t fix burnout by pushing harder. You fix it by stepping back and rethinking everything.

6. MISSION CONNECTION? TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR DISADVANTAGES.

Your struggle? It’s your superpower.

Associations Keynote Testimonials

"Chad’s presentation was unique, interesting, emotional, and, dare I say, spellbinding. In an auditorium of over 4,000 people, we could have heard a pin drop. The way Chad laid out his story kept the audience engaged until the last word. Not only did Chad make us look good, but he was attentive prior to the meeting to assure he was “on point,” great to work with the day of the event, and gracious with his time after his presentation. Chad was an absolute home run for our Annual Meeting. I would not hesitate to recommend Chad Foster to any organization looking for something different and special."

- American Society of Association Executives (ASAE)

"Chad's key pillars resonated with me personally and professionally. We all need these reminders as we're navigating through life. Very inspirational."

- National Association for College Admission Counseling

"High scores, well received, has a motivational and powerful story. Good use of humor in his delivery. Would strongly recommend. Many wanted him to come and speak at their facility."

- Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN)

THIS ISN’T JUST A KEYNOTE.

THIS IS A CALL TO ACTION.

As a leadership keynote speaker, I don’t just bring inspiration. I connect inspiration to implementation™ and ignite transformation. I help associations stop reacting and start leading. Want your people to thrive? Give them the mindset to own disruption and the tools to lead through it.

Let’s transform your association from being a casualty of change, to a catalyst for change. As a business keynote speaker, I deliver more than motivation — I deliver the blueprint for breakthrough performance.

Ready to lead your members through disruption?

Let’s talk. I’m the change keynote speaker who’ll help your team get there.

"I was impressed with Chad's ambition in life. His message could not have been more clear. He truly has a gift to open the eyes of those who can see, when he himself can not!"

- Keynote Attendee

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To inquire about speaking, call 855-GET-CHAD and press Option 1 to connect with Brandy Gibson at Executive Speakers Bureau.


Business Keynote Speaker

Change doesn’t knock. It kicks the door in. Disruption? It’s not coming — it’s here. Explosive inflation, market meltdowns, trade war whiplash — it’s all reshaped how we sell, how we lead, how we live. The question is: how do you win in a world like that?

I’m Chad E. Foster — a business keynote speaker who has led teams through billion-dollar deals, built software Silicon Valley said was impossible, and delivered leadership keynotes for powerhouses like Google and Salesforce — all after going blind at 21. I know what it takes to adapt, thrive, and dominate in uncertainty.

I don’t give your team ideas. I break down the anatomy of resilience using my Blind Ambition Framework™ and give them the playbook to power their performance.

ADAPT OR DIE? NO.

ADAPT AND THRIVE.

Let’s get real — tools and tech won’t save your business. Your people will. But only if you give them the mindset, the culture, and the drive to convert chaos into commission.

1. REINVENT YOURSELF, REINVENT YOUR BUSINESS

The world changed. Did you? Because what worked last year won’t cut it now.

Proof: Companies that prioritize adaptability are better positioned to absorb shocks and transform them into opportunities.

👉 McKinsey

2. TURN ADVERSITY INTO ADVANTAGE

Remember Best Buy? They turned brick-and-mortar “liabilities” into the weapon that outflanked the customer experience of online giants. That’s how you “take advantage of your disadvantages.”

3. CREATE A CULTURE BUILT FOR CHANGE

Your people won’t rise to a challenge they’re not prepared for. Culture eats disruption for breakfast — if it’s built right.

4. MINDSET DRIVES EVERYTHING

Mindset isn’t fluff. It’s the engine of every action, every result.

Fact: Teams with a growth mindset culture are more likely to foster innovation and support risk-taking.

👉 Harvard Business Review

THIS ISN’T ABOUT WEATHERING THE STORM.

IT’S ABOUT BECOMING THE STORM.

I don’t just do inspiration. I connect inspiration to implementation ™ and drive transformation. I help businesses stop playing defense and start rewriting the rules. Disruption is here to stay — so let’s own it.

I’ll show your team how to see what others miss, act when others freeze, and win while others wait.

READY TO REIMAGINE WHAT’S POSSIBLE?

LET’S FORGE A MINDSET THAT FIRES UP YOUR FUTURE.

When your people think bigger, act bolder, and embrace change? That’s when your business becomes unstoppable.

Looking for a business leadership speaker who can ignite your team’s potential? I’ve got the stories, the strategy, and the spark to empower your team to light up the scoreboard. Let’s go!

Get a Free Chapter from Chad's Bestselling Book

Blind Ambition book cover

BLIND AMBITION™

If you don't feel like you're reaching the levels of happiness that you see others enjoy, or your goals seem out of reach, you're not alone. Life is too short for regrets. Learn how to use your mindset to reach your most daring dreams. Chad's stories and lessons will inspire, empower, and prepare you to face uncertainty with hope and optimism. Want to be mentally tough, strong, resilient and prepared to adapt and thrive in changing circumstances? Self-confident to become your best you? It's time to break free from the self-destructive thoughts that hold you back.

Ready To Turn Your Biggest Obstacle Into Your Biggest Advantage? The stories we tell ourselves either limit us or propel us towards our goals.