For change and transformation
A keynote speaker for leading change when no one has the full picture
Jeremiah Gardner is a keynote speaker on leading change, transformation, and innovation under uncertainty. He has served as a Chief Innovation Officer and spent two decades advising organizations including Roche, ING, Nike, and GE as they navigated transformation. His keynote The Cave™ shows teams how to move forward without the full picture while staying responsible for one another. The Read™ helps leaders diagnose what's really driving resistance before they try to fix it.
Why change stalls
Transformations rarely fail for lack of a plan. They stall in the space between the plan and the people living through it.
Leaders read the resistance and reach for a fix: more communication, a new incentive, a reorganization. But the same sign can have very different sources. Quiet compliance can mean buy-in. It can also mean people have stopped raising concerns. A fix aimed at the wrong source makes the change harder.
And every transformation asks people to commit before anyone can know how it will turn out. The teams that get through aren't the boldest. They're the ones that agree in advance how they'll explore, what they'll protect, and when they'll reconsider.
Programs that fit
The Cave™: How to Move Forward Without the Full Picture. The core program for change and innovation events. In cave diving, the plan gets made before you enter the water, because deep in the cave is a terrible place to negotiate it. Jeremiah applies that discipline to transformation: agreements made in advance, protecting what being wrong would cost, and deciding together when to change course.
The Read™: Why Good Leaders Solve the Wrong Problem. For the leaders running the change. It gives them three questions for reading what's really happening before they respond: What do I see? What is driving it? What does this moment need?
The Goldline Effect™: How to Explore Without Losing Yourself. For the people living through the change. It helps individuals stay anchored through role shifts, reinvention, and uncertainty without burning out.
Where these programs fit
- Transformation kickoffs and all-hands meetings
- Innovation conferences and R&D summits
- Strategy meetings ahead of a major bet
- Change-leadership programs for managers
- Post-merger and reorganization leadership events
Why organizations book Jeremiah for change
Jeremiah has led innovation from the C-suite and is a five-time founder. He is the author of The Lean Brand, a Wall Street Journal bestseller that brought experimentation to how companies build brands, and the forthcoming The Read (February 9, 2027). As a technical cave diver and dive instructor, he trains people to operate where there is no natural light and no direct route to the surface. In his talks, that becomes a working model for leading through change.
"Jeremiah has the ability to deconstruct the issues and explain the path to better innovation."
"Jeremiah doesn't just teach; he catalyzes real, measurable change. His strategies led to a huge increase in successful product launches."
Formats and logistics
Keynote. 45–75 minutes. Works for audiences from 50 to 2,000+.
Workshop. Half day (3–4 hours) or full day (6–8 hours) for 20–100 participants. Participants work through the frameworks with worksheets they keep.
Executive session. A half-day to full-day working session for a leadership team of up to 12, built around the team's real situations rather than general examples.
Breakout. 30–45 minutes for conference tracks and parallel sessions.
Virtual. Every program can be delivered live on Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or your platform, with interactive elements built in.
Tailoring. Each program is tailored to your audience, industry, and event theme. Before the event, Jeremiah's team meets with you to align on goals and key messages.
Booking window. Ideally two to three months ahead. Peak conference season fills early. Planning on short notice? Send a short-notice inquiry.
Production. Jeremiah brings his own laptop with all video and audio embedded, so no internet connection is needed. He needs a wireless lavalier or countryman mic and an AV check at least 30 minutes before the session. Full AV rider.
Books for attendees. Bulk event copies of The Read are available.
Travel. Based in San Diego, California. Keynotes, workshops, and executive sessions worldwide.
Frequently asked questions
- What should a change management keynote do?
Give people a way to act well before the outcome is clear. The most useful change keynotes name why change feels hard and give leaders and teams a few shared agreements they can use the next week.
- Which keynote is best for a transformation kickoff?
The Cave is the best fit for most transformation and innovation events. Add The Read as a session for the leaders driving the change.
- Can the keynote be tailored to our specific transformation?
Yes. Jeremiah's team meets with you before the event to understand what's changing, who's affected, and what you need people to do next. The examples are built around your situation.
- Does Jeremiah only speak about innovation?
No. His four programs cover leadership, resilience, innovation and change, and teamwork. They share one idea: becoming better explorers when the map runs out.
Let's talk about your event
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Field Notes
A clearer way to see what’s next.
Practical notes on leadership, decision-making, and navigating uncertainty. Start with a fresh perspective for your next hard decision. Read a sample.