David LaMotte’s dense speaking and workshop calendar has included keynoting conferences across the United States, in India, Australia, Germany and at the Scottish Parliament, presenting at the PC(USA) Mission to the United Nations, speaking at dozens of colleges and universities, as well as offering baccalaureate and commencement speeches.
David’s most recent TEDx talk, Why Heroes Don’t Change the World, was selected as an Editor’s Pick by the international TED organization. The talk, based on his book, You Are Changing the World Whether You Like it or Not, offers a unique perspective on the impact each of us has on the world around us, how large-scale change happens, and how it doesn’t. Though the dominant culture sells the narrative that it is heroes that change the world, David makes the case that hero stories can be misleading, and though every one of us is capable of enacting meaningful change in the world, none of us can do so alone.
LaMotte is the author of four books (including two children’s books), and holds a master’s degree in International Studies, Peace, and Conflict Resolution from the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, where he studied on a Rotary Peace Fellowship. He is the former Clerk (Chair) of the AFSC Nobel Peace Prize Nominating Committee, and his books have been used as university textbooks across the United States and in Australia.
David is currently accepting select corporate speaking opportunities in 2025 and after. To learn more, or inquire about booking David, please get in touch through this contact form.
Speaking to organizations, David’s presentations can focus on:
• Burnout, especially in helping professions
• Team cohesion, morale
• Change Management
• Social impact, peace and justice work
B-Corps, Non-profit agencies, and organizations with a sense of mission in their work may particularly benefit from David’s work. To get a sense of David’s insights, style, and humor, please check out his most recent (2024) TEDx talk:
