Al Gardner
Keynote Speaker: Executive Leadership Expert & Authentic Leadership Speaker
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Al Gardner Biography
Al Gardner is a dynamic executive leader and speaker with a proven track record in guiding organizations through transformational growth across the public and private sectors. Gardner currently serves as Deputy Mayor and Executive Director of General Services for the City and County of Denver, where he leads strategic initiatives that drive innovation, operational excellence, and service impact across more than 40 city agencies.
Previously, Gardner served as Head of IT and Vice President at Salud Family Health, where he led operational expansion for one of Colorado's largest community health networks, and as a technology executive at Inspirato, directing global technology operations through the company's successful IPO (NASDAQ: ISPO) in 2022.
An award-winning leader, Gardner brings a rare blend of operational rigor, technology expertise, healthcare leadership, and public sector innovation to every stage. His areas of expertise include leadership development, organizational transformation, operational scaling, public-private partnerships, and mission-driven innovation.
Gardner is a frequent speaker for civic, healthcare, and technology audiences, inspiring organizations to drive meaningful, scalable change while staying anchored in authenticity, empathy, and vision.
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Al Gardner and other top speakers and celebrities.
Al Gardner Speaking Topics
Whether taking a company through a successful IPO or leading transformative public sector operations, true leadership is tested during times of rapid change. In this dynamic talk, audiences learn actionable strategies for leading complex organizations through growth, uncertainty, and evolution without losing focus on culture and mission. Drawing from experiences scaling a $400M public company and modernizing one of the largest municipal operations in Denver, attendees will walk away inspired to lead with resilience, clarity, and strategic foresight.
Attendee Results:
- Learn how to manage growth while preserving operational excellence.
- Understand how leadership differs in private vs. public sectors—and how to adapt.
- Gain a blueprint for transformational leadership under pressure.
Many professionals are taught to "code-switch" to fit into leadership norms, often sacrificing authenticity. This bold keynote challenges that norm, offering a new model: leading with unapologetic authenticity as a source of strength, credibility, and transformation. Drawing on personal experiences and leadership success across industries, this talk inspires leaders to build trust, inspire loyalty, and achieve breakthrough results by embracing who they truly are.
Attendee Results:
- Discover why authenticity outperforms conformity in leadership outcomes.
- Understand how to cultivate an environment of trust and diversity of thought.
- Leave with actionable steps to lead authentically in any environment.
Most startups dream of scaling, but few are truly operationally ready when growth hits. This session breaks down how to build resilient, scalable systems that not only survive hypergrowth but lead organizations to major milestones like IPOs. Using real-world lessons from leading global technology operations through Inspirato’s $1B IPO and beyond, this talk empowers founders, executives, and operators to prepare their organizations for sustainable success.
Attendee Results:
- Learn frameworks for scaling technology, operations, and culture simultaneously.
- Understand the operational pitfalls that derail growth—and how to avoid them.
- Walk away with practical tools for preparing teams for exponential expansion.
Innovation in healthcare is essential—but complex. Drawing on leadership roles across health-tech startups, nonprofit health organizations, and public sector health policy, this talk offers an insider's playbook for driving innovation within highly regulated, stakeholder-heavy environments. From enhancing patient outcomes to operationalizing technology while maintaining compliance, leaders will gain actionable insights on how to be true agents of change in healthcare.
Attendee Results:
- Learn how to innovate while meeting regulatory demands.
- Understand best practices for engaging diverse stakeholders in health ecosystems.
- Gain tools for building healthcare operations that are both compliant and cutting-edge.
True leadership isn't about how you act when things go well—it's about how you lead when they don't. In this personal and motivating keynote, attendees will learn the power of resilience in leadership, drawn from real setbacks and comebacks across private and public sectors. By embracing failure, reframing challenges, and maintaining vision, leaders can turn setbacks into their most powerful setup for breakthrough success.
Attendee Results:
- Discover the “Setback-to-Setup” leadership model.
- Learn techniques for building personal and organizational resilience.
- Find renewed courage and clarity for their own leadership journeys.
How do I book Al Gardner to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Al Gardner for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Al Gardner, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Al Gardner or any other speaker of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Al Gardner for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Al Gardner, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Al Gardner are Below $10,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Al Gardner, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
What topics does Al Gardner speak about?
Al Gardner is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as TED, Ethics & Integrity, Success, Business Growth, Innovation, Healthcare, Leadership, Business Leadership and Executive Leadership.
Where does Al Gardner travel from?
Al Gardner generally travels from Denver, CO, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
Who is the agent for Al Gardner?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Al Gardner for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Al Gardner for your next private or corporate function.
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Al Gardner or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
Al Gardner is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including TED, Ethics & Integrity and Success. The estimated speaking fee range to book Al Gardner for live events is Below $10,000, and for virtual events Below $10,000. Al Gardner generally travels from Denver, CO, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Jason Young, Dr. Jackie Freiberg and Doug Lipp. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Al Gardner for an upcoming event.
SPEAKING TOPICS
Al Gardner Speaking Topics
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Leading Through Growth and Transformation: Lessons from the Private and Public Sectors
Whether taking a company through a successful IPO or leading transformative public sector operations, true leadership is tested during times of rapid change. In this dynamic talk, audiences learn actionable strategies for leading complex organizations through growth, uncertainty, and evolution without losing focus on culture and mission. Drawing from experiences scaling a $400M public company and modernizing one of the largest municipal operations in Denver, attendees will walk away inspired to lead with resilience, clarity, and strategic foresight.
Attendee Results:
- Learn how to manage growth while preserving operational excellence.
- Understand how leadership differs in private vs. public sectors—and how to adapt.
- Gain a blueprint for transformational leadership under pressure.
-
Authenticity Over Optics: Building True Leadership Without Code-Switching
Many professionals are taught to "code-switch" to fit into leadership norms, often sacrificing authenticity. This bold keynote challenges that norm, offering a new model: leading with unapologetic authenticity as a source of strength, credibility, and transformation. Drawing on personal experiences and leadership success across industries, this talk inspires leaders to build trust, inspire loyalty, and achieve breakthrough results by embracing who they truly are.
Attendee Results:
- Discover why authenticity outperforms conformity in leadership outcomes.
- Understand how to cultivate an environment of trust and diversity of thought.
- Leave with actionable steps to lead authentically in any environment.
-
From Startup to IPO: Building Scalable Operations that Withstand the Test of Growth
Most startups dream of scaling, but few are truly operationally ready when growth hits. This session breaks down how to build resilient, scalable systems that not only survive hypergrowth but lead organizations to major milestones like IPOs. Using real-world lessons from leading global technology operations through Inspirato’s $1B IPO and beyond, this talk empowers founders, executives, and operators to prepare their organizations for sustainable success.
Attendee Results:
- Learn frameworks for scaling technology, operations, and culture simultaneously.
- Understand the operational pitfalls that derail growth—and how to avoid them.
- Walk away with practical tools for preparing teams for exponential expansion.
-
Healthcare Innovation: Leading Change in Complex, Regulated Industries
Innovation in healthcare is essential—but complex. Drawing on leadership roles across health-tech startups, nonprofit health organizations, and public sector health policy, this talk offers an insider's playbook for driving innovation within highly regulated, stakeholder-heavy environments. From enhancing patient outcomes to operationalizing technology while maintaining compliance, leaders will gain actionable insights on how to be true agents of change in healthcare.
Attendee Results:
- Learn how to innovate while meeting regulatory demands.
- Understand best practices for engaging diverse stakeholders in health ecosystems.
- Gain tools for building healthcare operations that are both compliant and cutting-edge.
-
Resilience Redefined: Turning Setbacks into Setups for Leadership Success
True leadership isn't about how you act when things go well—it's about how you lead when they don't. In this personal and motivating keynote, attendees will learn the power of resilience in leadership, drawn from real setbacks and comebacks across private and public sectors. By embracing failure, reframing challenges, and maintaining vision, leaders can turn setbacks into their most powerful setup for breakthrough success.
Attendee Results:
- Discover the “Setback-to-Setup” leadership model.
- Learn techniques for building personal and organizational resilience.
- Find renewed courage and clarity for their own leadership journeys.
VIDEO
Al Gardner Videos
FAQS
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How do I book Al Gardner to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Al Gardner for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Al Gardner, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Al Gardner or any other speaker of your choice. -
How much does it cost to book Al Gardner for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Al Gardner, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Al Gardner are Below $10,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Al Gardner, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does Al Gardner speak about?
Al Gardner is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as TED, Ethics & Integrity, Success, Business Growth, Innovation, Healthcare, Leadership, Business Leadership and Executive Leadership. -
Where does Al Gardner travel from?
Al Gardner generally travels from Denver, CO, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. -
Who is the agent for Al Gardner?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Al Gardner for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Al Gardner for your next private or corporate function. -
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Al Gardner or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us. -
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
BOOK AL GARDNER
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This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.
All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.
