Lead With Purpose. Move With Integrity.
Keynotes That Inspire Action and Equip Leaders for the Real World.
From stadiums to boardroom, Josh Ball delivers high-impact keynotes on leadership, crisis decision-making, and career reinvention after public service. Whether you’re building a safer venue, developing resilient teams, or helping first responders transition to civilian life, Josh brings real-world lessons, mission-driven energy, and a playbook for change.
Keynotes
“Move With Integrity. Lead With Purpose.”
Overview:
This flagship talk weaves together leadership, security, and reinvention into a compelling call to action for anyone navigating complexity, risk, or change. Josh pulls from years leading high-stakes operations in law enforcement, professional sports, and major events like the Kentucky Derby, blending gripping stories with clear frameworks to help leaders rise under pressure.
Ideal For: Corporate off-sites, leadership summits, law enforcement transition programs, venue & event ops teams
Key Takeaways:
Lead with values, not ego Make calm, clear decisions under pressure Build trust that holds when things fall apart
SECURITY LEADERSHIP & ORGANIZATIONAL RESILIENCE
“Security Is a Leadership Function: Building Trust Before the Crisis”
How to position security as a strategic partner, not a sunk cost.
Description:
Most organizations treat security as an afterthought until something goes wrong. This keynote reframes security as a leadership-driven, trust-based discipline that supports every department. Josh draws on his experience in law enforcement and major event operations to show how security can become a strategic asset, not just a compliance checkbox.
Ideal Audience:
Corporate executives, venue and stadium leadership, security directors, public safety professionals transitioning to private sector
Core Takeaways:
How to position security as a proactive, value-adding function Strategies to build organizational trust before the next emergency Using OKRs and KPIs to demonstrate security’s impact and ROI.
“Beyond the Gate: Security That Serves the Guest Experience”
Merging safety and guest experience to create world-class events.
Description:
Security and service are often seen as competing priorities but when integrated properly, they become a powerful force for trust and satisfaction. In this keynote, Josh shares how top-tier venues align security operations with fan experience, blending vigilance with hospitality.
Ideal Audience:
Event operations leaders, guest service teams, venue executives, hospitality and stadium industry professionals
Core Takeaways:
How to align safety with service goals without compromising either Training front-line staff for early intervention and positive engagement Real-world tactics to reduce friction at key touchpoints (gates, concourses, customer service zones)
HIGH-STAKES LEADERSHIP & CRISIS DECISION-MAKING
“Command Presence in a Boardroom World”
Translating tactical leadership into executive influence.
Description:
Public safety professionals know how to lead under fire but translating that command presence into boardroom influence takes intentionality. This keynote helps veterans of law enforcement, military, and first response adapt their leadership style for corporate environments without losing their edge.
Ideal Audience:
Former or transitioning law enforcement and military, corporate security teams, senior operations leaders
Core Takeaways:
How to lead with confidence without overpowering your team Communicating risk in a way business leaders understand Building influence through humility, not just authority
“From Chaos to Clarity: Leading Through Crisis Without Losing Your Team”
How real leaders rise in crisis without losing their team.
Description:
Crisis exposes culture. In this keynote, Josh shares the principles of steady leadership drawn from years of planning for high-risk events, from football games to horse racing. Learn how to lead through high-pressure moments without sacrificing trust, morale, or mission clarity.
Ideal Audience:
Executives, people leaders, crisis response teams, HR and risk management professionals
Core Takeaways:
The 5 C’s of Crisis Leadership (Calm, Clarity, Communication, Compassion, Coordination) Avoiding “command-and-control” traps under pressure Maintaining your team’s trust and cohesion in the fog of uncertainty
CAREER TRANSITIONS AFTER PUBLIC SERVICE
“Beyond the Badge: Thriving After Law Enforcement”
Navigating identity, reinvention, and mission after law enforcement.
Description:
Too many law enforcement professionals walk away from the badge without a roadmap for what comes next. This keynote delivers hope, strategy, and a clear pathway to personal and professional reinvention. Josh speaks from lived experience, offering hard-won wisdom to help others build a new mission and thrive in the private sector.
Ideal Audience:
Retiring/transitioning law enforcement, first responders, military veterans, workforce development programs, HR and EAP teams
Core Takeaways:
Navigating grief, loss, and identity shifts post-service Translating tactical experience into civilian value How to build a brand, network, and purpose in the next chapter
“Shift Work: The 5 Moves That Redefine Life After Service”
Your step-by-step roadmap to thrive in the private sector.
Description:
Based on Josh’s forthcoming book and SHIFT Framework (Separate, Harness, Integrate, Frame, Thrive), this keynote offers a practical, inspirational guide for anyone transitioning out of public service. It’s equal parts roadmap and rally cry, designed to meet people where they are and move them forward.
Ideal Audience:
Public safety professionals, first responder associations, veteran support orgs, criminal justice schools, career transition conferences
Core Takeaways:
A step-by-step framework to rebuild life and career with intention Mindset, language, and habits to succeed in civilian leadership Community, clarity, and courage in a time of uncertainty
VALUES-BASED OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP
“Lead the Mission, Not the Moment”
How frontline leaders can think long-term, act with clarity, and lead with purpose.
Description:
Too many leaders react to pressure instead of responding with purpose. This keynote challenges teams to lead from values, not ego, helping operational leaders focus on long-term outcomes while managing the urgent day-to-day. Josh shares how integrity-driven leadership builds trust, steadies teams, and creates resilient organizations.
Ideal Audience:
Mid-level managers, team leads, frontline supervisors, operations and security teams
Core Takeaways:
How to make values-based decisions under pressure Moving from “firefighting” to focused leadership Creating team clarity and alignment around mission
“Integrity Over Optics: Doing the Right Thing When It’s Easier Not To”
What ethical leadership looks like when no one’s watching.
Description:
Leadership often means making the right call when no one is looking or when everyone is watching and disagreeing. In this talk, Josh explores ethical leadership in complex environments and shares lessons on accountability, moral courage, and walking the talk when it’s unpopular.
Ideal Audience:
Leaders at all levels, DEI advocates, ethics officers, HR professionals, government and public sector agencies
Core Takeaways:
Building a culture of integrity through example, not slogans Creating psychological safety while holding high standards Responding to mistakes with ownership, not defensiveness
Why Josh?
A Voice From the Field. A Guide in the Fire.
Josh is not just a speaker, he’s a senior security executive in professional sports, a crisis-tested leader, and a mentor to those reinventing their careers after service. With over a decade managing high-risk operations and developing resilient teams, Josh doesn’t speak in theory, he brings tactical insights and lived experience to every room he walks into.