Drew Aversa is a recognized voice on business growth, leadership, and the power of mindset.

Aversa began his career straight out of high school serving the public as an ambulance EMT-Paramedic before earning a highly coveted badge as a firefighter working in America’s 10th largest city.

At the height of his career working on busy emergency response companies, he endured a catastrophic accident when his hip was crushed using the Jaws of Life Rescue tool.

Completing a painful rehabilitation process, he climbed out of a wheelchair and made it back to the fire department until he was medically retired.

After this life-changing event, he earned a B.S. in management graduating with honors; was inducted into the National Leadership Honor Society; and graduated from Saint Mary’s College with an executive-MBA.

Working in industry leading trade associations, Fortune 500 companies, academic, government, nonprofit, and entrepreneurial environments, Drew developed a talent in advising senior leaders and CEOs on business strategy, sales, marketing, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, and forward-thinking ways to retain talent to build a healthy workplace.

Sharing his journey openly, he advocated for first responders and their mental health needs starting a non-profit in 2015 to educate policymakers about PTSD in first responders when this was thought to only impact veterans. Collaborating with NBC News investigate journalist Liz Wagner, the first national survey of firefighters was conducted, highlighting the unspoken mental health crisis across fire departments. Years later, California passed presumptive laws covering PTSD as a work-related industry increasing access to care and making it ok to ask for help.

Appointed to a two-year term on the California Committee on Employment of Persons with Disabilities and serving on the Bay Area Council workforce and economic development committee, San Francisco Center for Economic Development executive committee, SF:Asia advisory committee, AREAA SD Board of Directors, and a former member of Oakland Rotary Club for several years – Drew continues to serve community organizations committed to advocacy and meaningful change.

Today, Drew delivers keynote talks across the United States and overseas on leadership, mindset, business growth strategies, entrepreneurship, and mental health for business professionals and first responder agencies.

Growing a personal brand with a leadership podcast, popular blog, and social media presence, Drew’s amassed over 1M+ social media views, 12K+ LinkedIn followers, earned media recognition – and published Grow It Now! which landed on the Top 100 Amazon new releases.

Committed to personal growth and development, Drew is also a certified yoga teacher completing 200 hours of training; certified mediator skilled in conflict resolution; and avid international traveler with a goal to see every country in the world during his lifetime.

Learn more at www.drewaversa.com | Interested in working with Drew? Connect today for a conversation and follow him on your favorite social media channels – Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Youtube.

Sample of Speaking Engagements:

• Arizona Builders Alliance Leadership Conference
• Chief Marketing Officer Summit, San Francisco
• Vietnam Food Forum, Ho Chi Minh City
• Fire Districts Association of California Leadership Conference
• Associated General Contractors of California Annual Safety Awards
• California Professional Firefighters Inaugural Behavioral Health Conference