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.
- Pivot hard. Respond smarter.
- Invest in tech, community, and custom learning — not cookie-cutter solutions.
2. EVOLVING BUSINESS MODELS? TELL YOURSELF THE RIGHT STORIES.
You’re not dying—you’re transforming. Change the narrative, change the outcome.
- Stop the doom and gloom.
- Create a story where disruption = growth, not defeat.
3. DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, ACCESSIBILITY? VISUALIZE YOUR GREATNESS.
DEIA isn’t a checkbox. It’s your future.
- Picture a leadership team that looks like your members.
- Embed inclusivity into everything — training, hiring, decision-making.
4. MEMBER ENGAGEMENT? GET COMFORTABLE WITH DISCOMFORT.
What worked before? Forget it. Engagement today takes bold moves.
- Experiment. Fail fast. Try again. Failure? Not the end. Just a learning moment.
- Get curious. Stay uncomfortable. That’s where innovation lives.
5. BURNOUT? RETENTION? CHOOSE YOUR RESPONSE.
You don’t fix burnout by pushing harder. You fix it by stepping back and rethinking everything.
- Redesign work. Respect boundaries.
- Help your people breathe—and they’ll bring their best.
6. MISSION CONNECTION? TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR DISADVANTAGES.
Your struggle? It’s your superpower.
- Be honest about what’s hard.
- Authenticity builds trust. Vulnerability builds loyalty.
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.
Keynote Programs
Explore our programs to see which one can help your organization create a
culture that unleashes leadership potential to maximize individual and
company performance.
Inquire About Speaking
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.
- Reinvention isn’t optional. It’s survival.
- Mindset first. Process and tech support the people.
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.”
- Your “disadvantage” is just a blind spot away from being your edge.
- Change the lens. Change the game.
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.
- Resilient culture = resilient business.
- Empower every individual to think, act, and lead through uncertainty.
4. MINDSET DRIVES EVERYTHING
Mindset isn’t fluff. It’s the engine of every action, every result.
- Your company is just a reflection of your people’s thinking.
- Shift the way they see change—and take note while your whole organization transforms.
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!