EDUCATION KEYNOTE SPEAKER
The Classroom Has Changed Forever - Are You Ready to Teach the Future?
Education isn’t going “back to normal.” The pandemic didn’t just disrupt - it accelerated the transformation. We went from COVID chaos to trade war whiplash and market meltdowns. The world isn’t slowing down. It’s breaking rules - and you better believe it’s bulldozing comfort zones too.
Learning is now flexible, digital, on-demand. Students expect more. Staff are burning out. Budgets are tighter. Tech is moving faster. The scary part? The velocity of disruption now is the slowest we’ll experience for the rest of our lives. Let that sink in.
AORN March 2024 Keynote Testimonial
As an education keynote speaker and leadership keynote speaker, I’ve worked with institutions like Harvard Business School, Kansas Association of School Boards, and education leaders worldwide. I help teams adapt, innovate, and lead with resilience in times when change isn’t optional - it’s relentless, and it’s coming for all of us. As someone who went blind at 21, but still built a career winning billion-dollar deals, developing software Oracle thought was impossible, skiing black diamond slopes and training for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions, I know a thing or two about transformation. It’s no wonder I get called in to Fortune 500 leaders all over the world to break down my blueprint for.
1. FLEXIBLE LEARNING ISN’T A PERK - IT’S A DEMAND.
Students increasingly favor hybrid and online learning modalities, especially those living off-campus.
👉 EDUCAUSE 2023 Students and Technology Report
2. SHORTER COURSES. FASTER OUTCOMES.
THE DEGREE ISN’T KING ANYMORE.
Nearly half of working-age adults without a college degree believe they need additional education, and many are looking to employers for opportunities.
👉 Strada Education Foundation
3. STAFF BURNOUT IS REAL - AND IT’S BREAKING YOU.
Faculty and staff are experiencing significant burnout, impacting their ability to support students effectively.
👉 Higher Education Today
4. BUDGET CUTS AREN’T STOPPING - INNOVATION CAN’T EITHER.
State and local support for higher education increased nearly 5 percent in the 2022 fiscal year, yet public colleges still face financial headwinds.
👉 The Chronicle of Higher Education
5. AI IS CHANGING EDUCATION - YOU NEED TO LEAD IT.
The AI in education market is projected to grow significantly, reaching USD 5.82 billion by 2030.
👉 MarketsandMarkets
6. CAREER PATHS MATTER - AND STUDENTS ARE WATCHING.
Only about half of bachelor’s degree graduates secure employment in a college-level job within a year of graduation, highlighting a significant disconnect.
👉 Strada Education Foundation
7. SIMPLIFY TO SURVIVE.
Institutions that streamline offerings and focus on core strengths are better positioned to adapt to changing demands.
👉 World Economic Forum
THE REAL CHALLENGE?
THINKING THE OLD MODEL WILL SURVIVE.
The future of education requires flexibility, adaptability, and personalization to meet diverse learner needs.
👉 World Economic Forum
Education Keynote Testimonials
"Chad was a keynote speaker for one of our HBS events and his keynote had an extraordinary impact on everyone. He engaged and energized the crowd with a laughter-filled presentation that delivered a high-impact message — earning a standing ovation from the hundreds of business leaders in attendance. His thought-provoking stories challenged each of us to think differently about dealing with adversity, navigating change, and nurturing resilient mindsets — all key ingredients for leaders currently guiding their organizations through the Digital transformation."
- Harvard University
"Awesome presentation yesterday at the closing session…totally rejuvenated after hearing you."
- Kansas Association of School Boards
READY TO BUILD THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION?
As a change keynote speaker and innovation keynote speaker, I empower organizations all over the world - from Google to Blue Cross Blue Shield - to navigate disruption using my Blind Ambition Framework™. Let’s create institutions that don’t just teach about change - they lead change with Blind Ambition™.
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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!