Chris Deaver Keynote Speaker

Co-Author of Brave Together, Malcolm Gladwell pick for The Next Big Idea Club
Culture Shaper & Leadership Coach
Co-founder of BraveCore

Chris Deaver's Biography

Chris Deaver is a leadership expert, culture architect, and co-founder of BraveCore. He is the co-author of Brave Together (McGraw-Hill, Next Big Idea Club selection featuring Malcolm Gladwell), a playbook for co-creating cultures where trust replaces fear and teams deliver under pressure. With deep experience shaping culture at Apple and Disney, and Fortune 500 leadership teams, Chris equips organizations to turn complexity into competitive advantage.

Through the signature BraveSpace™ methodology, Chris helps leaders move from command-and-control to co-creation — building the psychological safety and shared ownership that drive innovation, retention, and performance in the AI era. A sought-after keynote speaker and podcast host, Chris delivers high-energy, practical keynotes that leave audiences with immediately usable frameworks and a renewed sense of courage.

Co-Creating Culture in the Age of AI

Why most AI initiatives fail without brave spaces — and the exact operating system (BraveSpace™) that turns technology into a human advantage.

Brave Together: Leadership That Stacks Courage, Not Fear

Moving from “having all the answers” to enabling teams that co-create under pressure (perfect Gladwell/Pink/Goldsmith-adjacent positioning).

From Command to Co-Creation: The New Leadership Operating System

How to build high-trust teams that outperform in hybrid/AI-hybrid environments.

BraveSpace™: Designing Cultures Where Real Conversations Drive Real Results

The repeatable system for culture transformation (this one converts directly into workshops/BraveSpace engagements).

Moments That Matter: Turning Uncertainty into Your Team’s Greatest Strength

Practical frameworks for resilience, psychological safety, and innovation when everything is changing.

He brings proven authority on co-creation and culture transformation as the co-author of Brave Together, translating how leaders design collaboration into practical moves teams can apply immediately.
He draws on frontline experience at Apple to show organisations how to shift from individual brilliance to working different together, sparking creativity while maintaining speed and excellence.
He shares lessons from Disney’s integration of Marvel and Lucasfilm, helping leaders navigate change, unify teams and turn complexity into customer-facing innovation.
He connects culture-building to measurable growth through his startup leadership and BraveCore advisory work, equipping executives to scale collaboration without losing clarity or accountability.
He delivers energising, actionable keynotes that help leaders build braver teams, unlock cross-functional problem-solving and shape the future through shared ownership.

Videos of Chris Deaver

Future of Bravery | Chris Deaver

Bravecore Shares Their Methodology for Co-Creation in the Workplace

The Power of Co-Creation with Chris Deaver and Ian Clawson

Articles, Media & Podcasts

Why Co-Creation is the New Leadership Style

Next Big Idea

Dissatisfied With Your Work Results? Give Co-Creation A Try

Forbes

6 Ways to Lead in Business With More Creativity and Collaboration

Inc.

INTERVIEW: Chris Deaver - Be Intentional About Your Culture

The 10 Minute Entrepreneur

Books by Chris Deaver

Brave Together

Comments & Testimonials

“Helps leaders explore their creativity and creatives to expand their leadership.”

Randy Nelson Former Apple University

“Applies to any domain.”

Ed Catmull Founder of Pixar, former President Disney Animation

"Powerfully relevant and immediately workable.”

Wade Parmer Head of Sales Operations, AWS/Amazon

"Deaver and Clawson know a thing or two (and a lot more) about what works best in the workplace."

Forbes

"The leadership we need in the future is about inspiring hearts, unleashing human magic, and building purposeful organizations together. If, like I do, you believe this, you MUST read Brave Together as you will find that it is such a helpful guide."

Hubert Joly Former CEO of Best Buy and Harvard Business School faculty

"For leaders who want to shape the future in a more hopeful and creative way with others, this is required reading."

Chip Conley Former Strategic Advisor and Head of Global Hospitality at Airbnb

"Brave Together helps us shrink down our ego and find ways to work as a team. It shows us how to harness the power of connection, co-creation, and most importantly selfless love, as we work together in unity. Thank you, Chris and Ian!"

Steve Young NFL Hall of Fame, Super Bowl MVP Quarterback

"Groundbreaking. Get ready to be inspired and join the co-creation movement with this remarkable book."

Marshall Goldsmith Thinkers50 #1 Executive Coach and NY Times bestselling author of The Earned Life

"An entirely new experience. Discover how to work creatively together."

Fast Company