Derek Rhodes

The most dangerous lie high performers are told is that success means earning a seat at the right table. In this keynote, Derek Rhodes challenges that definition — drawing on his own path from White House intern to Microsoft Chief of Staff to nonprofit founder — and offers a new one. Real leadership isn’t about the table you get to. It’s about which table you decide to build. Rhodes gives audiences a concrete framework for rethinking ambition, reconnecting to purpose, and taking the kind of action that creates lasting impact beyond a job title.

Attendee Results:

• A new definition of success that is personal, ownable, and immediately actionable.
• Language and clarity for the gap between professional achievement and meaningful impact.
• A framework for identifying which table is worth building — and where to start.
• Permission and practical steps to lead from where you are, not where you’re headed