Dave Kerpen

Background

About Dave Kerpen

I work with founders, leadership teams, and mission-driven organizations that want to grow — without burning out their people or themselves. I’m a serial entrepreneur (7 businesses, 3 exits), New York Times bestselling author of five books, and global keynote speaker. I’ve built, scaled, and exited companies — and learned firsthand that leadership breaks down not from lack of ambition, but from poor delegation, misaligned incentives, and ego-driven decision-making. My work and ideas have been featured in outlets including The New York Times, TODAY, CBS, BBC, Financial Times, and Inc.com — experiences that have reinforced how often leadership challenges are human, not technical. I've been an active member leader in EO and YPO for 16 years. Today, my work focuses on three areas: • Keynote speaking for leadership teams, conferences, and executive audiences • Coaching entrepreneurs navigating scale, delegation, and complexity • Advising nonprofits on growth, revenue strategy, and leadership effectiveness My approach is practical, candid, and grounded in real operating experience — not theory. I help leaders make better decisions, build stronger teams, and create sustainable growth through people-first leadership. I take on a limited number of engagements each year and prioritize work where clarity, humility, and long-term impact matter more than hype. Outside of work, I’m a husband to Carrie and a proud father of three — roles that continue to shape how I think about leadership, responsibility, and time.