Your story brought me to tears. How you changed your life is so inspiring. I will share your story with my family and team at GE.
Ari Schonbrun
Former Chief Admin Officer, Cantor Fitzgerald, 9/11 Survivor from the 78th Floor of Tower 1, Author and Keynote Speaker
Fee Range
$12,500
Ari Schonbrun
Biography
Ari Schonbrun was the Chief Administrative Officer of Cantor Fitzgerald and Co., one of the world's leading financial services firms. He was responsible for overseeing and directing the day-to-day operations and administrative processes across Cantor Fitzgerald's Capital Markets group. In addition, he is an author, speaker and 9/11 survivor.
Mr. Schonbrun was on the 78th floor of Tower One when the first plane hit on September 11, 2001. He helped a colleague suffering third-degree burns to safety and was thrown into the national spotlight thereafter. His miraculous first-hand account about survival has been retold in newspapers, magazines, broadcast outlets, and books.
Mr. Schonbrun is a renowned inspirational speaker and the author of Miracles & Fate on 78. He draws from the personal heartbreak he endured during the devastation of 9/11, deftly weaving in his capital markets expertise after more than three decades of working on Wall Street. He speaks with energy, fluency, and wisdom, utilizing his humorous and engaging personality to stir and inspire audiences worldwide.
Mr. Schonbrun is a native New Yorker. He is passionate about philanthropy and serves as a board member of Strength to Strength, a global non-profit organization that works with victims of terror across the world. Mr. Schonbrun and his wife, Joyce, live in New York. They have five children and several grandchildren.
Ari Schonbrun
Featured Keynote Program
Miracles and Fate on 78 – A 9/11 Story of Inspiration
On September 11th, 2001, Ari Schonbrun went to his office at Cantor Fitzgerald – the Wall Street firm that occupied the top five floors of Tower One of the World Trade Center – and he happened to be on the 78th floor changing elevators when the first plane hit. In the midst of the smoke and chaos, Ari found a fellow employee who was terribly burned and who needed his help to walk her down 78 flights of stairs.
Of all the Cantor employees on the upper floors that day, only four survived. Everyone else was killed. Why did they survive? Was it simply luck? Or was it something more?
On that day, there were many large and small miracles and if there’s anything that Ari does know it is how that day ended up being a day of rebirth.
1. Teamwork
- Find similarities with team members to better connect, common goal
- Overcome conflict (whether past or present) to achieve end result
- All groups need a leader, don't be afraid to step up
- Power of positivity (morale, encouragement to keep going)
- Be willing to think outside the box, take the road less travelled, be open minded
- Use everyone's strengths for best possible outcome
2. Managing Change
- Change is best when slow, longer lasting
- It's all about perspective, making the most of the circumstances
- You can only control your own actions
- Be voice of reason; calm the chaos
- Don't waste 1 more day; start now
- Taking positive actions so process is more enjoyable
3. Being Your Personal Best
- What does your heart say? "Listen to the whispers"
- Knowing what's important
- Learning from your hardships
- Take one step at a time
- Importance of relationships
- Make a commitment to live better today; not guaranteed a tomorrow
Other topics:
Work/Life Balance
Heroes: Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things
Divine Providence
Ari Schonbrun
Featured Book
Miracle
by Ari Schonbrun
Ari Schonbrun
Featured Reviews
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