I help people step into their full potential, whether that’s finding greater fulfillment in life, or becoming a leader that thrives in our rapidly changing world. I have six talks that range in topics, audiences and styles, but every one of them roll up to this idea of helping people step into the best version of themselves.
11 reviews
Bethany W.
September 19, 2024We were looking for a keynote speaker for a work function that included some very important guests and we really needed someone who would deliver their own message yet would align with our message for that day.
Steve nailed it. He was an absolute professional through the whole process. Responsive, timely, engaged, and really listed to us and what our goals were for our event.
I was confident he would tie our message in with his, based on him taking the time to meet with us ahead of time. What exceeded my expectation was how his own message and keynote had the entire room engaged. It was a work event, and normally you’ve got some people on their phones or laptops, but as I looked around, each person was tuned in. His message and delivery were great, and he wove in humor and personal stories along the way.
We had several attendees come up to us throughout the rest of the day and tell us how much they enjoyed Steve’s message. I would recommend him in a heartbeat for a thought-provoking inspirational start to your day, while keeping it light enough to meet attendees where they are individually.
Hired as: Business Motivational Speaker, Motivational Speaker
Steve Fredlund
Bethany, thank you for your encouraging review. I loved getting to know you and the team as well as finding out about the organization and your key partners. It was so fun to have you theme around safari and to be part of what was a very important event for you and your partners. Thanks for all the work you did and for inviting me to be a part of it. Here’s hoping we stay in touch
Lisa G.
September 23, 2022Working with Steve was a great experience from the very start of the process! As the event planner, he made it easy to work with him, from the planning to the day of the event. His presentation, The Right Peeps in Your Jeeps, was engaging and he connected with our members as the topic was super relevant and spot on. We heard from many members that Steve was the best speaker we’ve had! We will be recommending Steve to other affiliates in our association and 10/10 recommend!
Hired as: Business Motivational Speaker
Steve Fredlund
Hey Lisa...Your words are so kind. I had a great time with your entire group. It would be an honor to serve others who could benefit. Thank you for your amazing coordination and energy; you made a greet event!
Jennifer O.
November 24, 2020Steve was very organized, punctual, flexible, personable (yet still professional) throughout the whole process of booking, planning, structuring and delivering his talk to our group. I appreciated his time very much!
Hired as: Motivational Speaker
Bill E.
October 7, 2019Steve was amazing. His down to earth message held the attention of all 300 employees. From new hire hourly employees to 35+ year salary managers. The Black Rhino Living message was well received. I received several complements and was thanked several times for hiring Steve. We will hire again for future corporate events.
Hired as: Business Motivational Speaker
Steve Fredlund
Bill, thank you for your kind words. It was an honor to share with your team and would welcome any opportunities to be with you all again. I did receive a few emails from your staff thanking me directly. You have a great thing going there and I'm glad to have been part of your annual celebration.
Dan L.
January 21, 2019Steve came and spoke at our small Unitarian Universalist congregation on Jan 20. His presentation was very well received as I received multiple compliments from those in attendance. Steve tied in our monthly theme of "possibility" into his personal spiritual journey when questions of his faith were tested. I highly recommend Steve for other groups interested in delving into deeper theist discussions. He connects with the audience at a very intimate level and left our group with a feeling of fulfillment and possibilities around individual spiritual experiences to contemplate. I fully expect to contact him again in the future for another speaking engagement for our group. A+
Hired as: Christian Speaker
Steve Fredlund
Thank you Dan for trusting me to bring something that your group could chew in individually and collectively, no matter what their “Black Rhino” is. Your group is special and has such a cool vibe in the people and location. Having the deer walk by on cue was a nice touch! Thanks again, I had a great time.
Price range: $5,000 - 10,000 (negotiable)
Languages: English
Gig length: 20 - 180 minutes
Insurance: $1,000,000 - General Liability
OVERALL BRAND PROMISE
I help leaders and teams keep moving forward when the path isn’t clear. Through practical frameworks, memorable stories, and real-world insight, audiences leave with greater clarity, confidence, and momentum to navigate change, strengthen engagement, and make better decisions under pressure.
WHAT I SPEAK ABOUT
I speak on the challenges leaders and organizations face in a fast-changing world where certainty is rare and expectations remain high. My keynote topics focus on three core needs: navigating change and uncertainty, building trust and engagement through everyday leadership, and making confident decisions with limited information. Whether speaking to executives, managers, frontline teams, or association audiences, my sessions are designed to be relevant, energizing, and immediately useful.
BRAND VOICE
Authentic. Practical. Warm. I speak from lived experience, not theory, and that creates instant credibility and trust. I blend humor with substance, analytical thinking with relatable storytelling, and encouragement with clear action steps. Audiences experience me as human, engaging, and easy to connect with. I do not offer empty motivation or abstract leadership ideas. I deliver practical insight people can remember, apply, and use right away. My message is hopeful, grounded, and focused on helping people move forward.
Steve Fredlund is an award-winning keynote speaker, two-time TEDx presenter, and bestselling author of Do the Unright Thing: Memoir of a People Pleaser. With more than three decades of experience as an actuary, executive leader, entrepreneur, and nonprofit founder, Steve brings a rare combination of analytical rigor, real-world leadership experience, and engaging storytelling to the stage.
Steve’s perspective was shaped by an unexpected chapter in his journey, leading humanitarian efforts in East Africa. Working in environments defined by limited resources, constant uncertainty, and high stakes, he discovered a powerful truth about leadership: progress doesn’t come from having all the answers. It comes from how leaders show up, how they make decisions, and how they move forward together when the path isn’t clear.
Today, Steve helps leaders and organizations navigate rapid change, build engagement when work feels heavier, and make strong decisions with limited information. Through his practical frameworks and story-driven keynotes, drawing on lessons from African safaris, high-stakes decision environments, and decades of leadership, Steve equips audiences to keep moving forward with confidence, purpose, and momentum.
Known for his warmth, laugh-out-loud humor, and ability to make complex ideas practical and relatable, Steve has inspired audiences across Fortune 500 companies, associations, healthcare systems, nonprofits, and global leadership conferences. When he’s not on stage, he enjoys disc golf, poker, and continuing to believe that this might finally be Minnesota’s year.
Audio-Visual
- If requested, PowerPoint slides will be provided in advance of the event and should be loaded to the conference computer system and pre-checked prior to Steve’s arrival, along with a clicker for Steve to use. Please make sure the presentation is downloaded rather than relying on Wi-Fi to play from a website drive. Steve is happy to bring and use his own laptop and clicker if you prefer (or will have as a back-up).
- Steve normally arrives in the conference room before the event starts for the day (or the night before) for an A/V check with an empty room. But alternative times can be arranged if that doesn’t work.
- Steve prefers a wireless lavalier microphone (when needed), but a cordless handheld or over-the-ear mic are perfectly fine.
Slides & Handouts
- Steve prefers not to convert his slides to templates as most slides are dynamic images rather than bullet points.
- If you have a logo you wish to add to the slides, Steve is happy to accommodate that.
- Steve owns and retains all rights to his materials and content. They cannot be reproduced or distributed without prior permission.
Scheduling & Logistics
- Because travel delays happen, Steve prefers to arrive the night before. Please arrange or recommend a hotel that’s either at the venue or nearby. Please make sure the room is non-smoking and non-pet.
Recordings & Photos
- Steve and his team have the right to photograph the session, as well, and use the photos online or in print.
- Recording and/or distribution of the presentation require advance agreement.
Tuesday
Corporate Event
9:00am - 10:00am
•
Stillwater, MN
Thursday
Nonprofit Event
9:00am - 10:00am
•
Bloomington, MN
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
3:00pm - 3:30pm
•
West Salem, WI
Wednesday
Corporate Event
11:00am - 12:00pm
•
Minneapolis, MN
Sunday
Wedding Ceremony
5:00pm - 5:15pm
•
Champlin, MN
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
5:00pm - 7:00pm
•
South Sioux City, NE
Saturday
Corporate Event
7:30pm - 8:15pm
•
Maple Grove, MN
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
3:30pm - 4:30pm
•
Holmen, WI
Friday
Wedding Ceremony
3:00pm - 3:30pm
•
Red Wing, MN
Wednesday
School Assembly
1:30pm - 2:15pm
•
Shoreview, MN
Sunday
Wedding Ceremony
6:00pm - 6:45pm
•
Dodge Center, MN
Monday
Nonprofit Event
7:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Olivia, MN
Sunday
Worship Service
10:30am - 12:00pm
•
Shorewood, MN
Tuesday
People Analytics Conference (Chicago)
8:00am - 5:00pm (Wed)
Wednesday
Innovative School Network National Conference
8:00am - 5:00pm
Tuesday
Center for Talent Reporting (Dallas)
8:00am - 5:00pm
I am heavily influenced by the style and approach of Eric Termuende, Josh Linkner, Simon Sinek and Brene Brown.
Microphone
Projector with HDMI cabling
Screen(s)
Clicker (if using your computer)
Leadership/Success Speaker
