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Steve Pemberton
Human-Centered Thought Leader, Bestselling Author & Founder & CEO, The Lighthouse Academy
Steve Pemberton
Human-Centered Thought Leader, Bestselling Author & Founder & CEO, The Lighthouse Academy
Biography
"Mr. Steve Pemberton was Phenomenal!!! Mr. Pemberton is very down to earth and leaves his audience of all ages embracing his words and walking away encouraged, empowered, and uplifted with excitement to move forward positively."
"Steve was amazing—our audience really, really loved him. Many attendees said they had been going for 30 years and by far he was the best opening keynote. His story is great, his ability to tell the story and relate to the audience and the photos, etc make it all come alive."
Steve Pemberton is a visionary human-centered thought leader and the Founder and CEO of The Lighthouse Academy, a leadership, coaching and HR firm consultancy that helps organizations and companies transform their people practices and cultures. He is a former senior human resource (HR) executive, bestselling author, leadership practitioner, compelling storyteller and one of the most inspiring leaders of our time.
A passionate communicator and powerful presenter, Steve is widely appreciated for his ability to connect with a broad spectrum of audiences. From corporate America and the non-profit world to healthcare and higher education, Steve's relentless mission and framework continue to inspire and encourage others to deliver trusted guideposts for living, learning and leading.
From Monster.com to Walgreens, Steve has consistently served in leadership positions that have furthered his gift for seeking the greater good and creating engaged communities and organizations. Most recently, he served as the chief HR officer of Workhuman, a technology company that delivers performance management and employee engagement solutions to corporations worldwide. There, he avidly fostered the company's goal of inspiring HR leaders to embrace more humanity and cultivate a higher purpose in the workplace and their communities. Steve is exceptionally skilled at creating inspiring, innovative environments while recognizing and developing talent. His "next practices" approach has successfully created award-winning organizational cultures that create maximum performance.
Steve's philosophy on human capital has been shaped by positions that delivered talent solutions to HR executives. As a result, he has observed how domestic and international organizations manage talent, particularly as the relationship between employer and employee has transformed in a world still recovering from a global pandemic. A highly sought-after voice on workplace trends, he presents at the most recognizable HR conferences in the world, is interviewed often by the business media on human capital matters and consults with organizations across the world on their talent strategies.
Beyond his professional achievements in the world of HR, Steve is also widely known as the author of two critically acclaimed, bestselling books. His first, A Chance in the World, shares his extraordinary story of how he defied seemingly impossible odds as an orphan navigating the perils of the foster care system all while trying to solve the mystery of his own identity. In 2018, the book was adapted into an independent film of the same name. A partnership with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt led to creating an integrated social-emotional learning curriculum based on the book, taught today in high schools throughout the United States.
Steve's second book, The Lighthouse Effect: How Ordinary People Can Have an Extraordinary Impact in the World, offers practical encouragement for becoming a "human lighthouse" – turning personal pain into a purposeful mission to help others, as he has done in his own life. The overwhelming response to The Lighthouse Effect is what led Steve to create The Lighthouse Academy, the inspiring life-coaching platform that is transforming lives each and every day.
The power of his life story and its many engaging insights has led to numerous high-profile media appearances, including the Today Show, CBS Evening News, Tamron Hall and People magazine.
Steve's personal and professional accomplishments have been recognized through numerous honors. A former candidate for the United States Senate, he received the prestigious Horizon Award from the U.S. Congress, presented to private-sector individuals who have expanded opportunities for all Americans through their own contributions and who have set exceptional examples for young people through their successes in life. Steve is also a recipient of the Lifetime Achiever Award by the New England Opportunity Association. Winston-Salem State University, Providence College and Boston College are among the institutions that awarded him an honorary doctorate.
With a steadfast commitment to people and community wellbeing, Steve gives abundantly of his time, talent and convictions. His robust history of service includes membership on the boards of the University & College Accountability Network, Loyola Academy, Boston College, The Wily Network, the Academy for Urban School Leadership, Boys Hope Girls Hope and Disability: IN, the leading nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion worldwide. At every turn, Steve continues with his own "Lighthouse Effect" by fulfilling his mission for all to have "A Chance in the World."
As a keynote speaker, Steve has earned high praise for his highly collaborative style, working closely with clients to seamlessly customize his content to the messaging goals and themes for each event. A gifted communicator and powerful storyteller, he consistently receives stellar reviews for his ability to connect with a wide spectrum of audiences and organizations. As one client said, "Steve Pemberton was one of the most incredible speakers I have ever had the pleasure of hearing.
Speaker Videos
The Lighthouse Effect
Steve Pemberton's Hot Take on Leadership and Community
A Chance in the World
The Extraordinary Journey of Steve Pemberton
How Sharing Your Story Can Help You Find Common Connections With Others | The Tamron Hall Show
Virtual Keynote: Human Lighthouse & the Power of Gratitude
Boston College Class of 2020 Commencement Address
A Chance in the World Promo
Creating A Different Vision
The Power of Education
A Chance in the World Sneak Preview
A Chance in the World - Reunion
Speaking Reel
On Diversity and Inclusion
Hope Is a Powerful Word
Speech Topics
A Chance in the World
Steve Pemberton's poignant narrative, A Chance in the World, continues to resonate deeply with audiences worldwide. Featured on CBS Evening News, People magazine, the Today Show and adapted into an inspiring film, Pemberton shares his remarkable journey of overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds as an orphan navigating the foster care system while also trying to solve the mystery of his own identity. Moving beyond the confines of a typical coming-of-age tale, Pemberton emphasizes the profound impact of the seemingly ordinary individuals who came into his life and the lessons they offer all of us. Through his narrative, Pemberton affirms the importance of selfless individuals who strive to help people better their lives and positively impact the community around them. Along the way, Pemberton provides invaluable lessons on self-empowerment, overcoming self-doubt, envisioning success and achieving one's goals. This unforgettable keynote, delivered by one of the world’s most captivating and inspiring speakers, can be customized to align with your organization's theme, culture, objectives and specific challenges.
The Lighthouse Effect: How Ordinary People Can Have an Extraordinary Impact in the World
When Steve Pemberton wrote his first book A Chance in the World, he did not know it was going to connect him with stories of others across the world. That, along with his professional career in human resources in the fields of higher education, career advancement, healthcare and human resources, has provided him with a great deal of insight into the human experience and the systems of which we are part. He brings those lessons to bear in this powerful talk based on his bestselling book, The Lighthouse Effect.
In this inspirational and interactive talk, Pemberton walks us through the concept of human lighthouses and awakens us to the empowering idea that we are all lighthouses, whether we know it or not. Told through the stories of those he has encountered in his personal and professional life, Pemberton also offers an organizational framework for living, earning and leading — an illuminating way to more positively engage with one another, to build trust, to see beyond the labels that define us to the human experiences that bond us. This unforgettable keynote, workshop or master class can be customized to reflect your organization’s focus, culture, objectives and specific challenges.
The Lighthouse Effect of Leadership
Having served as an HR senior executive for the likes of Monster.com and Walgreens, Steve Pemberton has learned a few things about leadership, building positive cultures and creating environments where teams can deliver their best work. As the relationship between employers and employees continues to evolve and people are seeking greater meaning in their work, more is being asked of leaders. And while many acknowledge the importance of leading differently, few dig into the details of how we should go about doing so. In this informative and enlightening session, Pemberton takes current and future leaders through the 10 attributes of Lighthouse Leadership, from turning doubts into destinations to moving beyond circumstances and into possibilities.
Pemberton’s session, which can be delivered as a keynote or breakout session, leaves leaders with a sustainable framework they can immediately begin to implement within their organization. Whether you are looking to create sustainable change or advancing your culture, this talk has something for everyone. Supported by case studies and interactive exercises, the audience will walk away with a renewed commitment to leadership and creating their own ‘Lighthouse Effect.’
The Anchor Principle: Building a Life of Purpose, Connection & Leadership Stability
In his talk, Steve Pemberton dives deep into the foundational concept of The Anchor Principle, an inspiring approach to living and leading with security, connection, and enduring purpose. As a celebrated author, inspiring presenter and chief human resources executive, Pemberton shares what it means to remain grounded while navigating life’s uncertainties. Through his examples, he illuminates the qualities that allow people to lead with authenticity and build lives anchored in lasting values and resilient connections.
Key Themes and Takeaways
- Purpose as the Core Anchor:
Pemberton begins with the significance of purpose, highlighting that a clear, guiding purpose enables individuals to steer through any challenge. Drawing on research, he reveals how purpose is our “anchor” that allows us to move forward, regardless of circumstances. Pemberton offers insights into finding one’s own purpose and how it can serve as the foundation for leadership. - The Power of Connection:
A vital component of The Anchor Principle is cultivating meaningful connections. Pemberton illustrates how genuine relationships and a sense of community provide stability and strength. He shares actionable strategies for fostering deeper connections in both personal and professional settings, showing how they empower leaders to make a more significant impact and inspire trust in others. - Leadership Stability in a World of Change:
Pemberton explains that effective leaders are like anchors in a turbulent sea, balancing strength with adaptability. Using lessons from his career, he defines the qualities that allow leaders to stay grounded amid change, emphasizing resilience, consistency, and a commitment to one’s values. He outlines how leaders can cultivate “leadership stability” by staying true to their principles and leading with empathy. In doing so, he moves the definition of leadership away from
Audience Outcomes
In this talk, audiences will gain actionable insights on how to:
- Define and live by a personal purpose that drives resilience and professional growth.
- Build meaningful, lasting connections that strengthen leadership impact.
- Lead with stability by embodying core values and adapting with integrity.
Pemberton’s keynote inspires audiences to create lives—and communities—that remain anchored through change, helping them to become leaders who offer stability, vision, and connection to those they serve.
A Chance to Lead: Breaking the Cycle in Health Disparities
After years of being trapped in the foster care system, Steve Pemberton went on a search for his biological family, determined to understand the forces that had taken them away. What he did not expect to find was the role that healthcare had played in altering the circumstances of his childhood as it had also done for both of his parents. In this powerful and riveting keynote, Pemberton articulates the importance of understanding how social determinants of health can influence, for better or for worse, lives, communities and generations. But this is not simply a keynote address about stresses in the health care system. Rather Pemberton also shares the stories of the “human lighthouses” in healthcare who tried to intervene during his early years and in so doing gave him the strength to fight just one more day. For any healthcare organization that wants to be reminded of the importance and the impact of the profession, this keynote is a must-have.
Unleashing the Power of Gratitude to Create Renewed Energy & Purpose
While research has long shown the importance of gratitude in our lives, creating environments that leverage gratitude as a unifying cultural force has proven harder to come by. Part of this is because daily we are deluged by stories of negativity that are stifling our sense of hope and optimism. And the consequences are all around us, from general feelings of pessimism to toxic cultures that threaten to smother creativity and innovation. But years of effectively working with individuals and organizations across the world have given former chief human resources officer Steve Pemberton a blueprint for just how to implement a culture of appreciation. From understanding the larger social forces that get in our way to unpacking his Day 1 Gratitude strategies, the audience will go on a reflective journey—leaving them moved and inspired to create the positive change they are seeking, in themselves and their organizations. This highly interactive session can be delivered as a keynote, workshop or master class and can be customized to reflect your organization’s focus, culture, objectives and specific challenges.
None of Us Look Like Our Story: The Power of Belonging to Change Organizations
None of us look like our story is an epiphany that Steve Pemberton has come to after years of encountering the personal journeys of people from across the world. That insight also reflects his approach to the concept of belonging and how organizations can harness its power to transform their environments. In this compelling keynote, complete with examples and how-to-implement tactics, Pemberton unpacks the essential components of belonging that are critical for the growth of individuals and the performance of organizations while also creating inclusive cultures that move us past controversial DEI conversations to a new paradigm in which everyone feels seen and valued. Audiences will leave this presentation equipped with a new framework and confident in their abilities to bring those practical strategies back to their environments.
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