FROM PARK RANGER TO GLOBAL BUSINESS LEADER
Patrick Dunn is the author of Lead with Soul — Stop Running on Empty and a keynote speaker who helps leaders stay steady when everything feels urgent and unclear.
I help leaders lead with steadiness and clarity when they’re running on fumes.
Audiences leave with practical ways to steady themselves, communicate clearly under pressure, and lead with presence—without draining the culture around them.
A Six Sigma Green Belt, Patrick has worked with and consulted for Fortune 200 companies, led global teams, and advised leaders in complex, high-stakes environments—where calm decision-making, trust, and follow-through matter.
Proven at scale: supported 1,000+ leaders and teams, advised organizations serving up to 100,000 employees, and helped align leaders across highly distributed global operations.
LEADING THROUGH 9/11—AND THE DISRUPTION THAT FOLLOWED
Patrick’s work has been shaped by moments that don’t allow for “business as usual”: 9/11, major natural disasters, and complex operational crises that test communication, culture, and leadership under pressure.
Over time, he learned something most leadership conversations miss:
resilience isn’t only a plan—it’s a way of showing up.
A STORYTELLER AT HEART—TRAINED TO LISTEN BEFORE HE SPEAKS
Patrick is a storyteller in the truest sense—someone who knows that the right story can restore perspective, shift behavior, and reconnect people to what matters.
He was mentored by the late Sandy Ives of the University of Maine Folklife Center, an influence that shaped how Patrick listens for the human truth inside any experience. He carried that approach into his work with the National Park Service, and he brings it to every keynote today: grounded stories that move beyond inspiration into real insight.
TURNING REAL-WORLD PRESSURE INTO SOULFUL LEADERSHIP
Patrick’s signature message, Lead with Soul, is built on four pillars of soulful leadership:
Presence • Purpose • Renewal • Service
His keynotes blend lived experience, practical tools, and story-led teaching—helping leaders lead with strength without losing themselves in the process.
AUTHOR OF Lead with Soul - Stop Leading on Empty
Patrick’s book expands the same message audiences experience on stage: leadership that’s sustainable, values-driven, and deeply human—especially when energy is low and expectations are high.
SERVICE-ROOTED LEADERSHIP
Patrick has been a Rotarian for 20 years and is a Paul Harris Fellow, with long-standing involvement in community and peace-focused efforts. (Personal involvement only—not an endorsement by Rotary International.)
A ROOTED SENSE OF PRESENCE—LONG BEFORE THE KEYNOTE STAGE
Before boardrooms and keynotes, Patrick learned how to connect with a crowd as the University of Maine mascot Bananas the Bear, named by ESPN a Top 10 mascot three times. He was also a two-time Division I All-American cheerleader—a background that shaped his ability to bring energy, timing, and heart to the moments that matter.
Connect with Patrick
If you’re planning an event and want a keynote that’s grounded, energizing, and built for real-world leadership pressure:
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