Meet Richard
With over 20 years in the non-profit, ad agency, real estate and financial services sectors, on top of volunteering in sports, LGBTQ+, and healthcare/advocacy fields, Richard has had a front-row seat to major shifts in business, the economy, and management.
As a life-long student, speaker, advisor, entrepreneur, and author, Richard molds together the mind of a consumer with the experience of a marketing executive. The experiences — from leading product launches and consumer war rooms to helping a kid hold a tennis racquet for the first time — helps him to pair real world experiences and data insights with inspiring storytelling to motivate audiences as they navigate key moments and focus on people, not sales.
Richard Dedor is a brand builder, growth strategist, and people‑first leader with more than 20 years of experience helping organizations grow with clarity and purpose. His work sits at the intersection of strategy, storytelling, and culture because sustainable growth only happens when people are aligned first.
He co‑founded Sprout Media in 2015 and has hosted a variety of podcasts focused on marketing & storytelling.
Over the past 20 years, Richard has championed organizations during moments of transformation—from rapid growth to uncertainty and reinvention. Across nonprofits, global agencies, and financial institutions, Richard has led enterprise‑level marketing and brand strategies for organizations such as PepsiCo, Green Mountain Coffee, the United States Tennis Association, and Hubbell Realty Company, GreenState Credit Union, and Premier America Credit Union.
At his core, Richard is a storyteller and teacher. He’s spoken to audiences around the world—from executive teams and leadership retreats to industry conferences and government agencies—sharing real‑world lessons on leadership, resilience, and building brands that matter. He’s the author of three books, including Anything Is Possible and Running From Yourself, and his work and perspective have appeared in The Financial Brand, The Des Moines Register, The Hill, and Al Jazeera America. He’s also spoken from the TEDx stage in the Upper East Side and from the famed Hoyt Sherman Theatre.
Richard doesn’t shy away from the hard parts—career setbacks, failures, or uncomfortable truths—because authenticity is what builds trust. He believes great leadership is about alignment, accountability, and creating space for people to do their best work.
He lives in Los Angeles with his husband, Steve, and their daughter, Kennedy.
“Richard’s motivational presentations can impact a wide variety of audiences. His style is professional, yet personal. He worked closely with us to make sure he delivered the message we needed. I have known Richard for many years and recommend his services- whether it be to kick off an event, insert motivation into an existing effort, or close out a project with a bang.”
3 Reasons to Book Richard
He’s authentic. Richard brings to life the story of getting fired and merges that with the intersection of leaning into your personal and professional fear. With Richard, everything is on the table.
He gives the honest truth. If a speaker for your event is just there is tell you and your team what you want to hear, it isn’t worth the cost of the paper to print the invitations. Richard speaks the truth about the market, about people, and about how to cultivate a culture where fear is embraced for growth.
He isn’t afraid of emotions. Hitting the highs or touching on the lows, Richard embraces each moment of your team’s journey. Why? Because it is real life.