Aaron Lee — Keynote Speaker on Leadership, Culture & Subtraction

Aaron’s work is for mid-market leadership teams, C-suite operators, and HR and people leaders carrying culture without carrying the P&L — the room where content built for the Fortune 500 doesn’t fit and the conference-circuit playbook was written for someone else. Three core talks. Each runs in 30-, 45-, 60-, or 90-minute versions, tuned to the audience, built on common architecture.

Trusted by teams at

9+years on stage

19+conferences and leadership events

8states + virtual

Three core talks

Talks

Aaron Lee speaking at the SASE conference in a navy blazer, mid-gesture

Subtraction

A mindset shift and an operating posture, not an optimization trick.

For senior operators tired of “more.” The talk names what most organizations carry without realizing it: Culture-Performance Debt — the cost of every system, process, tool, and meeting that got added and never removed. The audience leaves with a way to see the debt, measure it, and start cutting.

Best fit · C-suite peer rooms, executive summits, mid-market CEO gatherings.

Runtimes · 60 or 90 minutes

Trailer — coming soon

Aaron Lee delivering a keynote to a full room of leaders in a corporate auditorium

Rising

Building your organizational identity from the inside.

For CEOs, COOs, and senior people leaders actively rebuilding their organization. Less diagnostic than Subtraction, more constructive. The talk maps the org-identity work most companies skip and pay for later, and gives the audience a step they can take by Monday.

Best fit · HR and L&D conferences, mid-market leadership programs, faith-integrated business gatherings.

Runtimes · 45 to 60 minutes, with optional workshop extension

Trailer — coming soon

Aaron Lee teaching a leadership session, hands framed as he explains a concept

The New Generation Leader

New leaders need new tools, not just a new attitude.

For emerging leaders and the people who develop them. Foundational and accessible. Aaron has taught a version of this talk at the university level for five years, making it the most field-tested talk in the catalog.

Best fit · College leadership programs, emerging-leader tracks, leader development.

Runtimes · 30 to 60 minutes

Trailer — coming soon

Demo reel

See Aaron on stage.

From the room

What planners say.

Your candor, kindness, and distinctive leadership insight totally crushed it!

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Selected engagements · newest first

Where Aaron has spoken.

MPI Virginia Spring Conference
Hotel Madison, Harrisonburg, Virginia
April 2025
VFRI Conference
Williamsburg Lodge and Conference Center, Williamsburg, Virginia
July 2025
STEMConnect
David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
October 2025
7x24 Exchange Central Virginia
Weidmuller, Richmond, Virginia
2025
NewYork-Presbyterian
Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, New York
November 2024
Bon Secours Richmond Higher Education Institutions
Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, Richmond, Virginia
August 2024
RVA Better Aging
The Westmont, Richmond, Virginia
June 2024
SASE National Conference
Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Georgia
October 2023
Leadercast Richmond
Main Street Station, Richmond, Virginia
2019 & 2023
Philippine Nurses Association of America Conference
New York Marriott Marquis, New York, New York
2023
Philippine Nurses Association of America Executive Board Retreat
Boston, Massachusetts
2022
Teen Professional Conference (Professional Panel)
New Market Research & Development Center, New Market, Virginia
2021
Virginia Volunteerism and Service Conference
Virtual
2021
Virginia Health Information Management Association Conference
Virtual
2020
AHIMA Conference
McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois
September 2019
Association of Government Accountants
Richmond, Virginia
November 2019
VSAE Annual Conference
Greater Richmond Convention Center, Richmond, Virginia
September 2018
NewYork-Presbyterian Nursing Leadership Academy
New York, New York & Virtual
2018–2026 (recurring)
Virginia Emergency Management Symposium
Williamsburg Lodge and Conference Center, Williamsburg, Virginia
2017

About Aaron

Who Aaron is.

Aaron’s work is for leaders who got promoted on talent and now have to figure out the rest — mid-market leadership teams working to close the gap between talent and culture. Aaron is the author of The New Generation Leader, host of The New Generation Leader podcast, an ACC-certified coach, and the CEO of Leaders Rising Network. He is a graduate of the University of Richmond and holds a Master of Divinity. Aaron lives in Richmond, Virginia, with his wife and two daughters.

For your committee

Everything your committee needs.

Speaker one-sheet (PDF)

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Hi-res headshots (ZIP)

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Stage photos (ZIP)

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FAQ

Where is Aaron based?+

Aaron is based in Richmond, Virginia, easily accessible to major mid-Atlantic cities on the highway, and the US and international locations through one of America's best mid-size airports.

What AV does Aaron need?+

A wireless lav or headset mic is preferred, and HDMI for slides. Aaron can run his own slides via remote, including telestrator-type highlights and notes during the presentation. Presentations are typically visual-only, no computer-based audio. In the event that changes, we'll work with you to ensure a smooth experience.

Does Aaron do workshops?+

Yes! Aaron has presented on stage, in workshops, and hosted executive panels. If you have a need, he can fill it.

How far out should we book?+

Most events book 3–6 months ahead, but Aaron is always willing to accommodate shorter windows. Need someone to fill in at the last minute? Need an extra session because another speaker's flight got canceled? Aaron will make sure he's got an extra session in his back pocket so you don't have to worry about it.

Book Aaron

Book Aaron for your event.

Tell us about your room. Aaron reads every inquiry.