Damon was outstanding. His passion for Christ and how he related to the crowd at all levels was amazing. He interacted with the students present and his testimony in the relating of real-world events was second to none. I would highly recommend him to any venue!
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Dr. Damon Friedman
Decorated Special Operations Leader, Mental Health Advocate, Author of "Igniting Movements"
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Dr. Damon Friedman
Biography
Dr. Damon Friedman received his commission in 2000 as a United States Marine Corps Officer and later transferred into the Air Force’s elite as a Special Warfare Officer. He retired as a Lt Col. after 20 years, having served four combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and is 100% service connection disabled. His decorations include three Bronze Stars (one with Valor) and the Air Force Combat Action Medal. He is a former Squadron Commander (Air Force Special Operations Command) and former Director of Future Operations (Special Operations Command Central).
In 2011 Dr. Friedman established SOF Missions with a focus on "empowering warriors to find purpose and be resilient." This national non-profit offers a unique approach to veteran care through a whole health intra-disciplinary method that incorporates a restorative care program that addresses the areas of psychological, physical, spiritual, and social wellness. He has received numerous national awards, to include the Spirit of Hope Award from the Secretary of Defense, which recognized his national efforts to help the veteran community.
Dr. Friedman is the Executive Producer of Surrender Only to ONE, a multi-award-winning film which follows the true-life stories of elite combat warriors in US special operations forces and reveals the implications of combat and the lasting effects our veterans struggle to overcome. He is the author of Igniting Movements, a new book that provides a model for building effective movements, inspiring people to come together under a singular vision to make the world a better place. Dr. Friedman serves as the Chairman of the Veteran Service Alliance (VSA), a non-profit that advocates for the 20 million veterans to the White House, Dept of Defense, and Veterans Affairs. The VSA serves around a million veterans a year. Lastly, he is the host of the critically acclaimed podcast, The Damon Friedman Show.
Dr. Friedman holds a Doctorate in Intercultural Studies from Fuller and recently graduated from Harvard University’s Executive Education Program in Public Leadership.
Dr. Damon Friedman
Featured Videos
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Dr. Damon Friedman
Featured Keynote Programs
World Changer
Empowering Professionals to Change the World for Good
As a prior commander within special operations and now a leader in the non-profit community, Dr. Damon Friedman passionately communicates the challenges of leading elite organizations. Reflecting from his military service, doctoral studies, and non-profit experience, Damon instructs executives with topics such as: “Finding Your Purpose,” “How Good Leaders Attract Committed Followers,” and “The Shared Convictions that Unite a Movement.” From his nationally recognized book, Igniting Movements, Damon empowers leaders to be world changers with an instructional focus on leadership, ideological factors, organizational construct, and strategic output.
Hope and Purpose
Inspiring All Audiences Through His Personal Story
Described as “electrifying,” Dr. Damon Friedman holds nothing back as he speaks about his life’s challenges. Damon conveys the hard lessons he learned raised in the streets of downtown Los Angeles; how he was able to persevere through some of the fiercest combat in Iraq and Afghanistan; and finally, the events that led to a life-changing experience. Damon’s moment of clarity altered the trajectory of his life and revealed his ultimate mission. Shared with passion and intensity, Damon’s testimony is one that listeners have praised as gripping, powerful, and heartfelt. “Recognize your purpose, find your superpower, and change the world for good.”
Be Resilient
Empowering Professionals to Be Resilient
Resiliency is defined as the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties or the ability of an object to return back to its prior shape. With 20 years of experience in military special operations, Dr. Damon Friedman tackles the topic of resiliency through lessons learned leading elite military operators and over a decade of experience in the non-profit realm revolutionizing veteran care. Specifically designed for military and veteran communities, Damon provides relevant and applicable tools to help build resiliency through his organization’s nationally recognized program the Resiliency Project; which focuses on physical, psychological, social, and spiritual health.
War at Home
Challenging Audiences to Overcome and Answer the Call
A continuing keynote that picks up where HOPE AND PURPOSE finishes, Dr. Friedman draws from the liberties we are privileged to have in this country and identifies the many factors that keep people from experiencing true personal freedom. He recounts various trials he faced after returning from combat, from dealing with PTSD and family relationships to the continual struggle in finding your identity and freedom. Damon encourages his audience by empowering them to overcome the challenges in their own lives. A powerful message for an audience that wants to be moved into action.
Dr. Damon Friedman
Featured Book
Igniting Movements: How Critical Factors and Special Ops Empower World Changers
by Dr. Damon Friedman
Creating Awareness Is Not Enough Drawing upon historical movements and movement theory, interviews with the executive leadership of today's most exciting global nonprofits, real world experience leading humanitarian operations, and a career as a decorated Special Ops officer in the United States military, in Igniting Movements author Damon Friedman provides a model for building effective movements, inspiring people to come together under a singular vision to make the world a better place. Hope, drive, and faith is not alone enough to spark a global movement. Visionary leadership, a shared cohesive ideology, effective organizational structure, and powerful strategic messaging--these are the "Four Pillars" around which effective movements are built and real positive change is made.
Dr. Damon Friedman
Featured Reviews
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