As Chairman and CEO of S. Graham and Associates (SGA), a Chicago-based management and marketing consulting company specializing in Corporate and Education Markets, Stedman Graham is a Best-Selling Author, International Speaker, Educator and Corporate Business Consultant. Mr. Graham reveals the link between personal identity and maximum success, and shows how to transform your thinking to achieve every personal and professional dream.

Mr. Graham delivers his identity message throughout the country and globally to corporations, professional associations, government and civic organizations, colleges and universities and community groups. He has coached everyone from world leaders to small business owners to gain a better understanding of who they are, build a well-developed personal identity, and become more focused as they work toward their goals. “A strong identity gives you the freedom to realize your full potential,” says Graham, “and allows you to gain the personal wisdom it takes to achieve success.”

In his life-changing keynotes and seminars, Mr. Graham shares his unique Nine-Step Process that frees you from the socially constructed box that labels and limits your existence – and even your destiny.

Presentations

• You Can Make It Happen: A 9-Step Plan for Success
• Identity: Your Passport to Success, based on his latest book, a Wall Street Journal Best Seller
• Identity Development
• Minds Matter: Mindfulness is the Key to Success
• The Dynamics of Leadership
• Diversity: Leaders, Not Labels
• Build Your Own Life Brand
• Marketing
• Personal/Group Development
• Success
• Self-Awareness
• Career
• Sales

A popular media guest, Graham speaks from experience, revealing personal stories and those of others who’ve used his unique Nine-Step Process to build a life that matters to themselves and those around them. In his powerful presentations, he shares obstacles he faced growing up and the strategies he used to get past his own self-doubt to become a successful business and community leader. “Living the Life you were meant to live can be achieved with the Nine-Step Process,” says Graham, adding “It starts with step one – and that’s understanding who your are.”

Stedman Graham has made it his mission to bring Identity Development programs to people and organizations world-wide, helping them strengthen who they are based on their interests, natural abilities, talents and passions. Through seminars, lectures and workshops, he provides tools for all people to determine their own identity and open the door to a life of success.

Clients

Some of his clients include Wells Fargo, Gulfsteam Aerospace, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, General Dynamics, Merrill Lynch, the US. Departments of Labor, Education and Agriculture, Morgan Stanley, Harvard and Wharton business schools, the Indiana Pacers, CNN, CVS, Manpower, and many more.

Takeaway

You’ll leave Stedman Graham’s dynamic presentations with a deeper understanding of who you really are, ready to transform your thinking, release your full potential, and step into a leadership role in your personal and professional life.

Fast Facts

• Stedman Graham served in the U.S. Army and played basketball professionally in the European League.
• He’s been an adjunct professor or guest lecturer at Northwestern, Harvard, Wharton, Chicago University, the University of Illinois-Chicago, National University, Highpoint, Howard, Temple, Morehouse, and Pepperdine University.
• He has proudly serviced our active military, veterans and their families through programs at Fort Bragg, Fort Hood, Fort Bliss, Fort Jackson, NATO, the Military Child Education Coalition and internationally at Landstuhl, Germany, and the US Military Community in Rotterdam, Holland.
• His Teens Can Make It Happen program has been utilized in numerous middle and high schools in the US and abroad, providing positive growth for our leaders of tomorrow, as well as their parents and teachers.

Graham holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Hardin-Simmons University, a Master’s degree in Education from Ball State University and an honorary doctorate in Humanities from Coker College.

What People Are Saying

“The most worthwhile day I have spent in a long time. The seminar made me believe I CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN.  The time spent networking with outstanding leaders from across the country was invaluable. I had the opportunity to explore different ways to adjust daily challenges and make a difference. Marketing obstacles arise daily and I believe I have a different set of tools to tackle these obstacles with new insight. Thanks for a great day, I wouldn’t miss the next one.”

~ Pearson Scott Foresman, Marketing Director and Design Manager, Pearson Education

“I am writing to thank you for making the 92nd Commencement at Coker College a successful and inspiring occasion. Very positive comments are still coming in from the students, parents and faculty about your address. Harris De Loach, Chief Operating Officer of SONOCO, told me that of all the commencement speeches he has heard, your speech is at the very top of the list!”

~ Dr. Ronald Carter, Dean of Faculty, Coker College, Hartsville, SC

“The entire Manpower Organization, GlaxoSmithKline, and the Greater Research Triangle Community thoroughly enjoyed your visit to North Carolina. I am still receiving phone calls and e-mails complimenting your message with regards to enhancing the quality of life for other people.”

~ Jeff Stocks, President and COO, Manpower

“Stedman Graham Teaches the essence of Leadership in his workshops. Leadership is not about product, but people and relationships. The program put the individual in control of his or her career and life.”

~ Jim Cimino, Executive Vice President, Wells Fargo

“It was a pleasure to participate in the session as it was lively, well received and sets a positive and enthusiastic tone for this new component of the You Can Make It Happen in the Job Corps program. Your significant personal commitment ultimately lead to a mix of training, activities and media that clearly resonated with many of the students. The pilot complements the goals and objective of the Career Development Services System well, providing additional tools and support to our students as the progress toward achieving their personal and professional goals.”

~ Lauren Morales, Center Director, Paul Simon Chicago Job Corps Center

“Thank you so much for sharing so generously of your time with the Department of Labor’s Youth Program Staff. Your message and your approach to helping young people bring focus to their lives are truly inspirational. My staff benefited greatly from your insights.”

~ Alexis Herman, Former Secretary of Labor, Washington D.C.

Talks

Patti’s talks address the following topics, and can be customized to fit specific groups, industries, individuals, teams, and companies:

• Edge! Increase Your Leadership ROI to Meet the Future
• Adapting to Change to Achieve New Heights
• Stepping Outside the Box: Developing Your Vision, Strategies, and Execution

Patti Cotton prepares leaders to meet the future. CEO of Cotton Group, she possesses a wealth of leadership experience both stateside and abroad, in the areas of diplomatic relations, philanthropy, and entrepreneurial business development. As a former corporate executive and 7th-generation business owner, she uses her knowledge and skills to teach executives, business owners, and other chief decision-makers to sharpen their edge so that they are effective, influential, and make biggest impact.

Patti’s clients say one of her greatest talents is to help leaders develop vision, refine strategy, and master exceptional execution. This skill set served her well during her former role as chief development officer of a 5-hospital healthcare system. It was there that she designed a strategic action plan and developed a team that raised more than $23 Million in 4 years – a feat that experts said could not be done. She now helps others around the world as an executive coach and thought partner for organizational development. Patti is an international Fortune 500 speaker who provides keynotes and special presentations for conferences and diverse groups with 30 to 5,000+ attendees.

Cotton’s client roster includes small-, medium-, and large-sized privately-owned businesses, and such notables as Bank of America, Boeing, Coca-Cola, Harvard University, Sysco, Edward Jones, Morgan Stanley and more. She is co-founder and contributor to the weekly business column “Women, Money, and Mindset” for The Press-Enterprise, and her book “Act Like the Leader You Are Supposed to Be!” will be published later this year. She has received three nominations and was awarded two Lifetime Achievement Awards from Presidents of the United States, both political parties, for her work contributing to her community and nation.

What People Are Saying

“Patti combines years of experience with exceptional insights to position companies and their leadership for the future. You will not only appreciate her engaging delivery, but enlightened and empowered by the tangible takeaways she provides.”

~ Maria Gamb, CEO, NMS Communications

“Patti brings you the information and tools you need to take an enterprise from vision to exceptional action.”

~ W.A., CEO, healthcare system

Talks

With decades of experience as a motivational speaker for corporations, educational foundations, large and small businesses, youth groups and individuals, Les Brown’s Motivational, Inspirational and Practical talks are customized to your audience.

Les Brown has been called “The World’s Leading Voice for Hope, Freedom and Infinite Greatness”.

Motivational Speaker, Speech Coach, Successful Television and Radio Show Host, Best-Selling Author and loving father and grandfather, Les Brown’s passion is empowering youth and helping them have a larger vision for their lives. His own story is one of a remarkable overcoming of difficulties. He has been of immeasurable help to masses of youth, corporations, educational foundations, small and large business owners and individuals worldwide. Go to his Facebook site to see “Unwrap Your Infinite Greatness,” and experience words of wisdom that will inspire you this very day.

Some quotes…

“Never let anybody tell you what you can’t do especially if they haven’t done it.”

“Your history does not have to be your future”. “Nothing happens until it is spoken”.

“Your life has a special purpose that only you can fulfill. It’s not a game….it’s your life. Take a leap of faith and move forward as if you could not fail. State your daily goals, and create forward momentum in your life. Every day affirm to yourself that there is no emotion that you cannot handle, no difficulty that you cannot surmount, and no challenge that you cannot tackle. Face the future confidently – knowing that you were born for such a time as this!”

What People Are Saying

“Les has a very rare gift, he is one of the most powerful and gifted speakers I have ever heard.”

~ Dr. Norman Vincent Peale

“A cardinal rule that I live by is to be the best at what you do you must learn from the best.  That is why it was a great thrill for me to learn from Les Brown, one of the world’s top motivational speakers.”

~ Mary Cheyne, Award-winning speaker and speech coach