Marc Koehler
Marc Koehler is a former U.S. Navy Nuclear Submarine Officer, best-selling leadership author, 35+ Years Leading Teams Through Pressure, Uncertainty, and Constant Disruption, and Founder of the Leadership Development and Research Firm Lead With Purpose
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- Real World Experience: With over 35 years of battle-tested experience as both a U.S. Navy Nuclear Submarine Officer and turnaround CEO, Marc has led teams in environments where hesitation was not an option and decisions had to be made without perfect information. He brings practical insight into how organizations stay aligned and execute confidently when conditions are uncertain and rapidly changing.
- Enthralling Story-Telling: Declassified stories from 400 feet beneath the surface of the ocean combined with relatable case studies from Marc’s years leading corporate turnarounds demonstrate how leaders and teams operate when pressure is high, stakes are real, and alignment matters most.
- Easy-Going Relatability:Marc’s genuine and authentic approach to delivering a message draws audiences in and leaves them feeling as though they have gained a trusted mentor while learning practical ways to lead with clarity and confidence during uncertainty.
- Relevant: Marc’s cutting-edge research on business challenges, trends, and disruptions helps audiences understand how to adapt quickly, make faster decisions, and maintain momentum when conditions are constantly changing.
- Comprehensive and Customized: Marc conducts extensive pre- and post-engagement work with clients to ensure each keynote reflects the real pressures, priorities, and decision environments their leaders are navigating.
- Value Young People: Marc speaks to and values Millennials and Gen Z, who are drawn to his belief that leadership readiness at every level strengthens organizations especially during times of disruption and change.
- Research-Backed: Marc integrates case studies and cutting-edge research from his leadership development and research firm Lead With Purpose to reinforce practical strategies leaders can apply immediately to improve communication, alignment, and execution.
*Fee ranges are presented as a guideline only. Speaker fees are subject to change without notice. For an exact quote, please contact your Speaker Exchange Agency representative.
Marc Koehler, a former U.S. Navy Nuclear Submarine Officer and turnaround CEO, is a rare blend of expertise, engagement, and 35 years of battle-tested, proven experience leading teams in environments defined by pressure, uncertainty, and constant disruption.
While serving aboard nuclear submarines on missions critical to national security, Marc operated in environments where hesitation was not an option and decisions had to be made before all the answers were known. That experience shaped the leadership approach he now teaches organizations around the world through Fast Attack Leadership™ — a practical framework for helping teams stay aligned, strengthen decision-making, and execute with confidence when conditions are rapidly changing.
After leaving the Navy, Marc worked for Honeywell where he learned how to read a profit and loss statement, put together comprehensive strategic plans, and became a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt. When his daughters were 6, 4, and 2, he faced a decision between continuing to climb the corporate ladder or being present for every back-to-school night, choir performance, and soccer practice. He chose the latter and started a turnaround consulting firm, where he developed a reputation for helping organizations stabilize performance and regain momentum during periods of uncertainty and transition.
During this time, Marc witnessed firsthand how quickly organizations can lose alignment when conditions change and how powerful it is when teams are prepared to step forward and make decisions with clarity and confidence. He realized that what organizations need most is not more complexity, but leaders at every level who are ready to act when the situation demands it.
He later founded Lead With Purpose, a leadership development and research firm, where he took the over $1M in leadership training the Navy poured into him, combined with decades of civilian turnaround experience, and distilled it into simple concepts and skills that help organizations strengthen readiness at every level. Over 51,000 leaders have been developed through Lead With Purpose’s SHRM-accredited organizational leadership consulting, coaching, courses, and simple systems.
Marc is keynote speaker addressing audiences of up to 50,000, the best-selling author of Leading With Purpose, and the host of the Surfacing Leaders podcast where he tells the stories of leaders in unlikely places and the human spirit that drives performance when the stakes are high and conditions are uncertain.
Residing in Oceanside, California, Marc is married to his wife Heidi of 30 years and Dad to their three grown daughters, Anja, Liesel, and Sophie.
Drive results and adapt with a high-performance culture and a world-class employee experience to attract and retain the best people. Lean in confidently to the tremendous opportunities and challenges ahead, no matter a team member’s official title.
Transform your mindset to view every team member as a leader.
Implement a brand purpose for today’s disruptive environment to boost your team’s productivity and performance.
Become a workplace of choice with highly engaged employees and decreased turnover.
In Safety From the Silent Depths, Marc Koehler, former U.S. Navy Nuclear Submarine Officer and esteemed Elite Leadership expert, draws from a wealth of experiences that span from the depths of the ocean to the helm of Fortune 200 companies. Having spent 300 days per year under the ocean’s surface as the SUBSAFE Quality Assurance & Safety Officer, Marc understands the critical importance of safety, readiness, and swift decision-making in life-threatening situations where every moment counts. Through his journey, he has uncovered the essence of safety, transforming it from a mere organizational practice into a way of life.
In this gripping keynote, Marc delves into the core principles that, among other accomplishments, earned his two coveted Battle E awards during his tenure in the U.S. Nuclear Submarine Force and reduced OSHA Safety incidents 34% for a Fortune 200 Aerospace and Automotive Manufacturer.
He explores his unique framework, emphasizing the power of leading with purpose before process. Marc reveals the transformative impact of engaging and connecting every team member, addressing the three fundamental human needs that drive us all. With a focus on purpose-driven leadership, Marc’s real-world, declassified stories and research-backed insights extend beyond mere compliance, offering a profound perspective on how safety can become ingrained in the fabric of an organization and its people.
Learning Objectives:
- Purposeful Leadership: Learn how purpose-driven leaders can instill a sense of meaning and commitment, elevating safety practices from obligatory routines to passionate endeavors.
- Human Connection: Learn how fulfilling the three things humans crave can create a supportive environment where safety is a shared responsibility.
- Swift Decision-Making: Understand the critical role of decisive actions in mitigating risks and ensuring the safety of every team member.
- QA and PM Programs: Compelling case study of how the U.S. Submarine Force has successfully ensured the safety, reliability, and effectiveness of these extraordinary vessels.
- Transformative Safety Culture: Explore practical methods to empower employees, encouraging them to become ambassadors for safety.
Switch from a hierarchical organization to a matrix’d organization where employees are empowered and meet high expectations.
Infuse the leadership and decision-making skills for your team members at every level to make the most smart decision the fastest.
Connect to the Mission from Lead With Purpose on Vimeo.
Bravo Zulu from Lead With Purpose on Vimeo.
3 Things Human Beings Crave from Lead With Purpose on Vimeo.
Take the Shot from Lead With Purpose on Vimeo.
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