Leading from the Epicenter

DeMaurice Smith - Former Executive Director, National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) & Author of Turf Wars: The Fight for the Soul of America's Game

DeMaurice Smith, the longtime Executive Director of the NFL Players Association, brings a masterclass in leadership to the stage. With a track record that includes orchestrating landmark collective bargaining agreements, championing health and safety reforms, and boosting player benefits across the board, Smith shares the strategies that guided him through the toughest negotiations in sports. His narrative isn’t just about deals—it’s about courageous, inclusive leadership in high-pressure environments.

In this talk, Smith blends personal storytelling with strategic insights, offering audiences concrete tools to navigate complexity with integrity and vision. Whether you're leading teams through disruption or forging meaningful change across industries, Smith’s talk empowers leaders to stand firm on values while adapting with agility. Expect to walk away motivated—armed with fresh perspectives on resilient leadership, stakeholder alignment, and the power of advocacy to spur progress and trust.