
Reviews Write New Review
Location
Booking Fee
Fee: $##,###Get Pricing
Virtual Fee: $##,###Get Pricing
[email protected]
Desi Williamson is an entrepreneur and motivational speaker with a rich background in diverse fields. He has led a successful career as a corporate sales and marketing executive with top companies such as Johnson & Johnson, PepsiCo, and Dr. Pepper/Snapple. In addition to his corporate achievements, he has also thrived as a real estate and restaurant entrepreneur. Williamson's expertise extends to his role as a motivational coach for the NFL Minnesota Vikings and an addiction counselor, which showcases his versatility and dedication to impacting various aspects of community and professional spheres.
In 2019, he became a certified facilitator of "Dare to Lead™," a courage-building program based on the research of Dr. Brené Brown. His clinical pursuits further include holding a specialized role at the University of Minnesota Medical Center where he focuses on group therapy and lectures in the field of neuroscience, electrophysiology, and chemical dependency. Here, his primary objective is to enhance his patients' quality of life by addressing core personal issues.
As a renowned speaker, Williamson is committed to delivering powerful messages that stimulate personal and organizational transformation. He tailors his presentations to meet the specific needs of his audience, ensuring that his programs not only inspire but also deliver practical strategies for leadership, change management, and personal accountability. His approach is centered on helping individuals and organizations harness their unique strengths through adversity, leveraging change as a competitive advantage.
Williamson has authored influential books including "Get Off Your Assets! How to Deal with the Challenges of Life and Win" and "Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way! Succeeding in the Face of Turbulent Times," which underline his philosophy of overcoming obstacles and achieving success. His induction into the CPAE Speakers Hall of Fame in 2004 placed him among distinguished personalities such as President Ronald Reagan and General Colin Powell, underscoring his significant contributions to the speaking industry. He also holds the prestigious CSP and CPAE designations from the National Speakers Association, affirming his excellence and impact in motivational speaking. Williamson’s diverse client list includes prominent organizations like United Healthcare, Medtronic, Pfizer, Microsoft, and the Chicago Bears, highlighting his wide-reaching influence across various sectors.
Speech Topics
Dare to lead: Transform Your Business & Your Life
How to develop more daring leaders and courageous cultures.
No doubt we’re living in some turbulent times and that is why we must continuously reorganize, retool and rebuild our lives and businesses from the inside out. We must understand that where there are problems there is also opportunity. This requires daring, wholehearted leaders creating courageous cultures that allow people to thrive.
Desi Williamson brings more than forty years of business experience working with Fortune 500 companies, associations and civic organizations. He now combines that experience with Brené Brown’s twenty years of research and her work in Dare to Lead, helping organizations grow from where they are, to where they aspire to be.
Dare to Lead teaches us that courage is a skill set that is 100% observable, teachable and measurable. This skill set impacts how you show up as a leader and how well your team performs.
In this high impact keynote, Hall of Fame Speaker, Desi Williamson uses research, stories and examples to share the following concepts:
- The skills needed for having tough conversations that can create a culture of change and transformation.
- The difference between armored and daring leadership traits that either choke innovation or spark creativity.
- The skills for creating values-driven culture that allows people to flourish.
- The essential importance of trust and why is important to creating a courageous culture.
- The ability to rise up after disappointment and failure and use those experiences to create a stronger culture of accountability and resiliency.
Related Speakers View all
![]() |
Neal Petersen
History-Making Extreme Adventurer, Award-Winning Aut...
|
![]() |
Daymond John
"Shark Tank" Investor; Founder & CEO of FUBU; Presid...
|
![]() |
Roger Crawford
Hall of Fame Athlete; First & Only US Professional T...
|
![]() |
Stedman Graham
CEO of S. Graham & Associates, Leadership Developmen...
|
![]() |
Les Brown
Motivator, TV Personality & Best-Selling Author
|
![]() |
Jalen Rose
Former ESPN Analyst & NBA Player
|
![]() |
Tim Sanders
Best-Selling Author & Technology Pioneer; Expert on ...
|
![]() |
Paul Orfalea
Founder of Kinko's
|
![]() |
Amanda Gore
Positive Psychology Expert, Neurolinguistic Practiti...
|
![]() |
Mark Sanborn
Leadership, Teamwork & Performance Expert; New York ...
|
![]() |
Albert Mensah
Change Expert, Resilience Advisor, Leadership Coach
|
![]() |
Farrah Gray
Celebrity Entrepreneur & Bestselling Author of "Real...
|
![]() |
Jim Cathcart
Motivational Speaker, Author, Executive Coach
|
![]() |
Simon T. Bailey
Leading Expert in Brilliant Resilience
|
![]() |
Emory Austin
Phi Beta Kappa Graduate, Leadership Expert, Hall of ...
|
![]() |
Mike Schlappi
Paralympic Gold Medalist, Healthcare Executive, Busi...
|
![]() |
Carey Lohrenz
First Female F-14 Fighter Pilot in the U.S. Navy, P...
|
![]() |
Garrison Wynn
Comedian & Motivational Business Expert
|
![]() |
Benjamin Zander
Conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra; Musi...
|
![]() |
Cam Marston
Generational Change, Workplace & Marketplace Expert,...
|