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Caleb Gardner

Caleb Gardner

Keynote Speaker: Innovation & Change Expert, Co-Founder of 18 Coffees, Former Digital Strategist for President Obama

Caleb Gardner Biography

Caleb Gardner’s career has been driven by curiosity and focused on change.

In his more than a decade of experience in digital leadership, entrepreneurship, and social impact, he has worked for a variety of organizations in the public and private sectors, including at prestigious professional service firms like Bain & Company and Edelman.

During the second Obama Administration, Caleb was the lead digital strategist for President Obama’s political advocacy group, OFA. Caleb brought his unique insights to grow one of the largest digital programs in existence, with a millions-strong email list and massive social media following—including the largest Twitter account in the world.

Now as a founding partner of 18 Coffees, a strategy firm working at the intersection of digital innovation, social change, and the future of work, Caleb helps forward-thinking companies and nonprofits adapt and evolve to meet the challenges of today’s economy.

Caleb speaks, trains, and leads workshops around the world on topics related to change, including strategy in a mission economy, technology and innovation for a better world, and change management at the speed of digital.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Caleb Gardner and other top speakers and celebrities.

Caleb Gardner Speaking Topics

How to Build an Ethical Company—Without Losing Your Soul

“Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)”, “Conscious Capitalism”, “triple bottom line”—the dizzying ways the business community has attempted corporate social responsibility in the past two decades are almost as plentiful as the case studies about the negative impacts of public pressure on business perception. The 2022 Edelman Trust Barometer claimed “Societal leadership is now a core function of business.” How are leaders supposed to navigate the increasing social pressure to do business better?

In this talk, Caleb explores key themes from his new book, No Point B, to show how becoming a more ethical and inclusive company depends on our ability to navigate a hyper-politicized business environment, adapt quickly—and never rest on our assumptions about our moral impact on the world.

Key takeaways:

  • A lack of shared definitions and philosophies around most corporate social responsibility creates dispersed attention—and hurts progress.
  • The hyper-politicized internet environment our (increasingly remote and isolated) employees operate in affects their perception of our company’s social impact. Internal company communications has to be more than an afterthought—they are one of the most important tools in our toolkit for making change.
  • It takes moral imagination to operate a business in a complex world. Doing business well while minimizing harm is incredibly difficult, and takes a focus on constant adaptation.

What Barack Obama's Trolls Taught Me About Civility

The internet has become, in internet language, a garbage fire of political opinions, conspiracies, and resentmentbetween friends and family members. People have lost faith in the tech industry, even as the biggest tech companies have even more power over our everyday lives. How did we get here? What can be done about it? And what are the implications for business leaders, who increasingly have to navigate this toxic environment?

In this talk, Caleb leans on his experience running one of the largest digital programs in existence—engaging with tens of millions of people every day via the Barack Obama social media accounts and email list, including the number one most followed Twitter account in the world—to talk about why the internet is so broken, and why we all have a role in fixing it.

Key takeaways:

  • The persuasive effects of algorithms on our news consumption means that we no longer share the same realities. We have to prioritize digital media literacy in education, and critical thinking for ourselves every day about what we share.
  • Social media is like a biomass: every amplification of a negative message reinforces that message and encourages its creator. Personal responsibility matters to the system as a whole.
  • From the perspective of history, we are all like Peter Parker: we've been given the power of Spider-Man practically overnight by carrying around the world's most powerful information and communication devices in our pockets every day. But we haven't had our Uncle Ben, with-great-power-comes-responsibility moment yet.

No Point B: How Great Leaders Navigate Change When Change Never Stops Coming

A global pandemic. Massive digital disruption. Social upheaval. Every day it seems like the news cycle tells us about how the world around us is changing. If we can just get to the end of it all, we’ll be OK. (Right?) How should we as business leaders respond? How do you lead your people through a transformation when we have new emergent data about how the world is changing every day?

Leaning on his extensive experience in leadership, digital transformation, and political activism—including leading digital strategy for Barack Obama, the "Change" President—Caleb Gardner makes a compelling case for understanding change as a core competency in a digital world that is evolving every day, and why change leadership as a competitive advantage in the post-COVID economy.

Key takeaways:

  • Our media environment means we no longer share the same data, the same truth—and that includes employees sharing the same truths about your company
  • Change management can't be a linear process, moving your organization from Point A to Point B. Point B doesn't exist. Change has to become a core competency, because those who stop changing are going to lose to those who are more nimble and adaptive
  • Companies must put a big focus on internal communications and employee engagement, so employees are bought intothe change direction and are proactively part of making all change initiatives a success

Caleb Gardner Videos

Caleb Gardner - Leadership, Entrepreneur, innovation speaker ...
Turning Your Network into a Community | Caleb Gardner
The Tech Humanist Show with Kate O'Neill— Episode 17: Caleb ...

How do I book Caleb Gardner to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Caleb 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 Caleb 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 Caleb Gardner or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Caleb Gardner for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Caleb 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 Caleb Gardner are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Caleb 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 Caleb Gardner speak about?

Caleb Gardner is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Marketing, Digital Business, Strategic Leadership, Social Media, Innovation, Communication, Personal Growth, Internet and Entrepreneurship.

Where does Caleb Gardner travel from?

Caleb Gardner generally travels from Chicago, IL, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Caleb Gardner?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Caleb 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 Caleb Gardner for your next private or corporate function.

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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 Caleb 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.

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Caleb Gardner is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Marketing, Digital Business and Strategic Leadership. The estimated speaking fee range to book Caleb Gardner for live events is $10,000 - $20,000, and for virtual events $10,000 - $20,000. Caleb Gardner generally travels from Chicago, IL, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Libby Gill, Eric Boles and Mark DeVolder. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Caleb Gardner for an upcoming event.

Caleb Gardner Speaking Topics

  • How to Build an Ethical Company—Without Losing Your Soul

    “Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)”, “Conscious Capitalism”, “triple bottom line”—the dizzying ways the business community has attempted corporate social responsibility in the past two decades are almost as plentiful as the case studies about the negative impacts of public pressure on business perception. The 2022 Edelman Trust Barometer claimed “Societal leadership is now a core function of business.” How are leaders supposed to navigate the increasing social pressure to do business better?

    In this talk, Caleb explores key themes from his new book, No Point B, to show how becoming a more ethical and inclusive company depends on our ability to navigate a hyper-politicized business environment, adapt quickly—and never rest on our assumptions about our moral impact on the world.

    Key takeaways:

    • A lack of shared definitions and philosophies around most corporate social responsibility creates dispersed attention—and hurts progress.
    • The hyper-politicized internet environment our (increasingly remote and isolated) employees operate in affects their perception of our company’s social impact. Internal company communications has to be more than an afterthought—they are one of the most important tools in our toolkit for making change.
    • It takes moral imagination to operate a business in a complex world. Doing business well while minimizing harm is incredibly difficult, and takes a focus on constant adaptation.

  • What Barack Obama's Trolls Taught Me About Civility

    The internet has become, in internet language, a garbage fire of political opinions, conspiracies, and resentmentbetween friends and family members. People have lost faith in the tech industry, even as the biggest tech companies have even more power over our everyday lives. How did we get here? What can be done about it? And what are the implications for business leaders, who increasingly have to navigate this toxic environment?

    In this talk, Caleb leans on his experience running one of the largest digital programs in existence—engaging with tens of millions of people every day via the Barack Obama social media accounts and email list, including the number one most followed Twitter account in the world—to talk about why the internet is so broken, and why we all have a role in fixing it.

    Key takeaways:

    • The persuasive effects of algorithms on our news consumption means that we no longer share the same realities. We have to prioritize digital media literacy in education, and critical thinking for ourselves every day about what we share.
    • Social media is like a biomass: every amplification of a negative message reinforces that message and encourages its creator. Personal responsibility matters to the system as a whole.
    • From the perspective of history, we are all like Peter Parker: we've been given the power of Spider-Man practically overnight by carrying around the world's most powerful information and communication devices in our pockets every day. But we haven't had our Uncle Ben, with-great-power-comes-responsibility moment yet.

  • No Point B: How Great Leaders Navigate Change When Change Never Stops Coming

    A global pandemic. Massive digital disruption. Social upheaval. Every day it seems like the news cycle tells us about how the world around us is changing. If we can just get to the end of it all, we’ll be OK. (Right?) How should we as business leaders respond? How do you lead your people through a transformation when we have new emergent data about how the world is changing every day?

    Leaning on his extensive experience in leadership, digital transformation, and political activism—including leading digital strategy for Barack Obama, the "Change" President—Caleb Gardner makes a compelling case for understanding change as a core competency in a digital world that is evolving every day, and why change leadership as a competitive advantage in the post-COVID economy.

    Key takeaways:

    • Our media environment means we no longer share the same data, the same truth—and that includes employees sharing the same truths about your company
    • Change management can't be a linear process, moving your organization from Point A to Point B. Point B doesn't exist. Change has to become a core competency, because those who stop changing are going to lose to those who are more nimble and adaptive
    • Companies must put a big focus on internal communications and employee engagement, so employees are bought intothe change direction and are proactively part of making all change initiatives a success

Caleb Gardner Videos

Caleb Gardner - Leadership, Entrepreneur, innovation speaker ...
Turning Your Network into a Community | Caleb Gardner
The Tech Humanist Show with Kate O'Neill— Episode 17: Caleb ...
#89: Challenges in the Mission Economy | Caleb Gardner - YouTube
Obama's Former Social Media Manager on Leveraging Online ...

Caleb Gardner Reviews

  • Fox First Run - Jan 23 2023

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