IGNITE THE FIRE WITHIN
From Firefighter to Fortune 500, Drew Aversa's journey inspires audiences to learn what it takes to perform under pressure, think strategically to move the mission forward, and lead courageously to empower teams for success.
KEYNOTE TALKS THAT HELP YOU LEAD WITH COURAGE
Firefighter to Fortune 500: Life. Lessons. Leadership.
Drew Aversa delivers highly engaging keynote talks on leadership, resilience, and business growth strategies.
Trusted by business leaders, trade associations, first responder organizations, and conference audiences across the U.S. and internationally, Drew shares his heroic journey of Firefighter to Fortune 500 – teaching people how to navigate uncertainty, think strategically, and lead courageously igniting personal, professional, and organizational growth.
Inducted into the National Leadership Honor Society, his insights have been featured in Forbes, NBC News, ABC News, Construction Dive, and industry publications.
Ready to make your event a success? Book Drew today!
Read More About Drew's Background and Results
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.
View Sample Speaking and Media Engagements Below.
Keynote Talks and Speaking Engagements
Keynote talks and training seminars focus on: leadership development, business growth strategies, workforce development, innovation, resiliency, culture, and effective ways to navigate change. Participants learn how to apply the FIRES leadership framework developed by Drew: Frontline Leadership, Innovation, Resilience, Emotional Intelligence, Strategy vs. Tactics
Keynote Speaker
AGC Safety Excellence Awards Keynote speaker for the statewide contractors association. Delivered a talk called Mindful Leadership before construction industry executives and safety professionals.
Featured Speaker
Invited by the head of trade for the Consulate General of Vietnam to San Francisco to speak at the 2019 Vietnam Food Forum in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Advised over 50 companies in Vietnam on US market opportunities, business development strategies, and how to market their product or service.
Keynote Speaker
Fire Chiefs’ annual leadership conference keynote speaker on mental health, resiliency, leadership, and culture change.
Keynote Speaker
Annual leadership conference keynote talk before construction industry executives hosted by the statewide contractors trade association in Arizona.
Featured Speaker
Inaugural California Professional Firefighters behavioral health conference outlining a strategic vision to create a centralized research center for first responders and using electronic health records in local systems to track first responders’ health to create better outcomes.
Featured Speaker
Plant based food industry conference, speaking on innovation, futurism, and market opportunities for entrepreneurs.
Panel Moderator
Moderator and event host for the summit featuring top CMOs from global companies and brands.
Featured Speaker
Presented to the California Chief District Attorney Investigators at the 2024 annual leadership conference in Coronado, California on mental health resources and culture.
Featured Speaker
Spoke on mental health, resiliency, and what it’s like serving as a first responder.
Featured Speaker
Contributed on a panel with the hospitality school discussing career options during the changing economy and how to position oneself leveraging personal branding to standout.
Featured Trainer
Delivered a custom workshop to the first responders and therapists impacted by the Las Vegas shooting. Delivered two back-to-back sessions offering a holistic approach to trauma recovery, and a conversation on culture change, support, and leadership to improve the outcomes first responders face today.
Featured Speaker
Panel speaker discussing the importance of proactive mental healthcare and resources for first responders who support newly diagnosed firefighters accessing support from the Firefighter Cancer Support Network. Presented to leaders from across the U.S. at the 2024 summit in Dallas, Texas
Featured Speaker
Spoke on a panel before business school students about entrepreneurship, resiliency, and professional networking.
Featured Trainer
Delivered a virtual training on personal branding strategies for realtors, hosted by Sequoia Real Estate in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Featured Speaker
Delivered a custom presentation for the VKDC in Hanoi, Vietnam on sales and marketing for the US market. Advised numerous companies on how to position their brands and products for success as they expand in markets outside Vietnam.
Featured Speaker
Invited by technology company Run The World to speak alongside other leadership experts including Dr. Todd Dewett
Panel Moderator
Interviewed CEO of San Diego Tourism Bureau, Entrepreneurs, Vietnamese Government Officials, and U.S. Department of Commerce representatives focused on Vietnam-U.S. tourism, manufacturing, and economic development opportunities.
Featured Speaker
Highlighted first responder mental health considerations and policy needs before Rotary Club members.
Featured Speaker
Engaging Employers Like a Pro was the topic for the Earn and Learn technology company, sharing workforce development strategies.
Featured Speaker
Spoke at a leading event for content creators, marketers, and entrepreneurs in the Central Valley on leadership, mindset, and resiliency.
Featured Trainer
An entrepreneurship bootcamp was created for the Los Rios Community College Refugee Career Pathways Program to help resettlement students understand the U.S. business environment, market opportunities, SBA funding, and presentation skills necessary to seek investment opportunities.
Featured Trainer
Instructed numerous courses at Holy Names University School of Business. Developed the entrepreneurship course for graduate business students that included a real world pitch to business leaders aligned with student interests.
Retreat Instructor
Hosted a yoga, meditation, and stress management retreat for executives at Danville Yoga & Wellness Center introducing participants to self-care skills.
Keynote Talk: Arizona Builder's Alliance
Watch Drew Aversa deliver a powerful keynote talk to construction industry executives at the Arizona Builder’s Alliance annual leadership conference. This leadership keynote talk is designed to meet the industry trade association’s goals of bringing executives together to discuss strategies and solutions impacting company performance, industry challenges, and workforce needs.
Featured Publications and News Media
Forbes
Numerous articles published on Forbes focused on personal and professional development as a member of the invitation-only Forbes Coaches Council.
Construction Dive
Featured by the leading construction industry publication discussing racism in the construction industry and what employers can do to build healthy cultures for employees to thrive and feel safe at work.
The Food Institute
Featured contributor to an article focusing on supply chain issues.
NBC News
Worked with investigative journalist Liz Wagner to develop a comprehensive survey on the issue of mental health for firefighters. This survey went to 700 California firefighters and eventually to over 7000 in the US – the first of its kind to address the issue publicly.
Fire-Rescue Magazine: Press Uber for 911
Featured article highlighting the impact of Uber and for-profit companies entering the medical transportation industry and reasons why the fire service must innovate.
CBS News
Top Story on the evening news sharing Drew’s journey and recovery using yoga to heal from the impacts of a traumatic injury.
Thrive Global
Article featuring Drew’s course Trauma Informed Management ® and reasons why managers need training on mental health to better support their talented employees.
National Coach Academy
Earned media featuring Drew Aversa and his perspective on coaching.
LEO2CEO Podcast
Why Are Firefighter’s Better Entrepreneurs Than Cops – the topic discussed on the LEO2CEO Podcast.
Massage Magazine
Earned media in the trade magazine for the massage industry focusing on why Google My Business is important and how it works.
Ruh Global Impact Podcast
#264:Bridging The Gap Between The Physical And Mental Health Disability Communities
ESTATENVY Real Estate Article
Earned media featuring Drew Aversa as a Realtor and his journey. ESTATENVY was created in 2017 as a platform to provide current and future homeowners with insights on design and products, purchasing tips, and advice to help make their homes the envy of their neighborhoods. ESTATENVY is part of a network of publications published by Mainland, a content marketing technology company.
Association of Transportation Law Professionals
Contributor to trade industry publication.
Keynote Talk Descriptions, Bio, and Headshots for Event Planners
Keynote Talk Descriptions
Drew Aversa delivers powerful keynote talks for industry leading associations and events. The following keynote talks are available in 15-Minute, 30-Minute, and 1-Hour presentations. Keynote talks can also be adapted to training workshops. When you meet with Drew you can identify if a keynote talk or training workshop is best for your audience.
KEYNOTE TALK DESCRIPTIONS
Ignite The Fire Within is Drew’s most requested keynote talk highlighting his journey from firefighter to Fortune 500. This talk touches on the importance of leadership, workplace culture, resiliency, mental health, strategic innovation, and business strategy to drive growth.
The 5-Minute Company Officer is focused on leadership development as Drew shares powerful learning lessons from high-stakes emergency responses working as a firefighter to boardroom decisions that make or break companies. Participants learn the FIRES leadership framework to apply it to their organizations right away.
Trauma Informed Management ® was created back in 2015 when Drew began his advocacy for first responders’ mental health needs. This mental health training is a must for every manager and people leader across first responder organizations to corporate. This training educates managers on resources to support employees, warning signs, triggers, holistic stress management techniques, communication techniques, and ways to develop effective mental health policies with HR to create the support needed environment for peak performance.
Official Short Speakers Bio
Drew Aversa is the founder of Chief Growth Partners, where he helps C-suite leaders and industry associations accelerate growth, develop leaders, and build a strategic roadmap for success.
He is the author of The 5-Minute Company Officer: Leadership Lessons from the Firehouse to the Boardroom, which teaches the F.I.R.E.S. leadership framework, and wrote Grow It Now: The Business Leader’s Handbook for Driving Revenue, Engagement, and New Opportunities, which reached the Top 100 in Amazon New Releases.
Drew’s leadership was tested where failure has life-changing consequences. His career began as a paramedic and firefighter on busy emergency response companies. Using the Jaws-of-Life Rescue Tool, the tool blew back crushing his hip in a catastrophic accident. He endured a painful rehabilitation, climbed out of a wheelchair, and returned to the fire department until he was medically retired.
From firefighter to Fortune 500, he rebuilt his life and career. Drew earned a B.S. in management with honors, was inducted into the National Leadership Honor Society, and completed an executive MBA at Saint Mary’s College. Advocating for first responders, he was appointed to the California Committee on Employment of Persons with Disabilities, and worked with NBC News on the first survey of 7,000 firefighters on mental health to change public policy.
Skilled in business development, organizational development, and strategic planning, he’s advised leaders inside trade associations, Fortune 500 companies, academia, nonprofits, entrepreneurial ventures, and has served on Boards.
Today, Drew delivers highly engaging keynote talks for leadership conferences across the United States and overseas on leadership, mindset, business growth, entrepreneurship, resiliency, and mental health. He has been featured in earned media, and his podcast, blog, and social channels have generated more than 1M views and 12K+ LinkedIn followers. Learn more:
Keynote Talks and Leadership Training
Chief Growth Partners Consulting
Official Headshots for Speaking Engagements and Media Appearances
The following images are for Official Use Only, and require my written consent before use, publication, and/or distribution across any form of medium. I also reserve the right to withdraw, at any time, the use of my image, to uphold my brand promise, integrity, and reputation. Should your site and/or affiliated third party site(s) be deemed inappropriate, misleading, or shift course from what was originally agreed upon at time of image use, and other reasons not currently identified, I reserve the right to have my image withdrawn immediately. Images are subject to copyright, all rights reserved. Please download the appropriate image for your audience: Business Formal (Front or Side Profile), Business Casual, First Responder
Speaking Contract Terms and Requirements
Keynote Talk Booking Process
- Schedule a meeting with Drew Aversa to discuss your keynote talk, conference, event, or panel.
- Agree on the speaking date, budget, and sign the engagement contract to secure Drew Aversa for your keynote talk.
- Share your industry or organization’s challenges and what people are talking about so the keynote talk can be customized to move your audience.
- Purchase books for audience members at a discounted cost to leave behind (optional).
- Review the final talking points and keynote outline to ensure this provides the maximum value to your stakeholders. Active feedback is requested.
- Secure airfare, hotel, transportation. Ensure hotel is booked one day prior to the event and for one day post event if there are no flights out after the keynote. Flights over three hours require business class airfare.
- Day of event: set room temperature to 66-68*F, ice water pitcher by podium, lapel microphone for speaker, pointer to advance slides, and A/V setup for MacBook.
- Enjoy the keynote talk! And don’t forget to post to social media channels.
Terms
- Payment is due within 14 days of a signed engagement letter.
- Cancellations within 2.5 months of an event are non-refundable.
- Speaker reserves the right to review social media, press releases, and any public content prior to release.