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Col. DeDe Halfhill
Everyday Courage
Colonel DeDe Halfhill, USAF (ret.), is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, strategic advisor, and leadership expert renowned for transforming how organizations navigate today’s complex and unpredictable challenges. With 25 years of distinguished military service, DeDe delivers powerful insights into building trust, addressing hidden dynamics, and fostering resilience—all anchored in her leadership philosophy of Everyday Courage™.
Throughout her career, DeDe found herself at the center of some of the most historically impactful and high-stakes moments of modern history. As a principal advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, and the Commanding General of Multinational Forces Iraq, she played a pivotal role in shaping decisions during critical combat operations and periods of immense uncertainty. Yet, the most significant lesson she learned was this: the courage that defines great leadership is not always forged in dramatic moments, but in the small, everyday decisions to confront fears, have tough conversations, and address the emotional undercurrents that ultimately determine whether teams thrive or falter.
In addition to her advisory roles, DeDe led large, diverse teams in Iraq and managed the Air Force’s nuclear enterprise. She has repeatedly proven that addressing what goes unspoken is not only a strength but also a strategic advantage in achieving sustainable success. Her leadership philosophy, Everyday Courage™, empowers leaders to act with clarity, purpose, and resilience in the face of chaos, unlocking the trust, innovation, and collaboration that lead to extraordinary outcomes.
Now, DeDe partners with organizations worldwide, helping them develop leaders who can thrive in the face of uncertainty and change. Through her keynotes, advisory work, and customized training programs, she equips leaders with actionable strategies to navigate crises, enhance collaboration, and lead with intention. Her unique approach, combining military precision with profound emotional insight, demonstrates how the smallest decisions can lead to the most impactful transformations.
DeDe’s ability to translate high-stakes military leadership lessons into practical business insights makes her an invaluable resource for organizations eager to rethink leadership. Whether addressing thousands from the stage or working directly with executive teams, DeDe challenges leaders to embrace Everyday Courage™, creating workplaces where trust, connection, and meaningful action drive exceptional results.
TOPICS
Everyday Courage: Navigating Leadership’s Unseen Dynamics
Leaders Connect: The Power of Connection to Drive Trust, Teamwork, and Results
The Leadership Language of Trust:
The Power of Authentic Leadership Communication
Heartfelt Leadership:
The Wisdom of Women in a Changing World

PAST CLIENTS
PWC
Salesforce
Cisco
Lockheed Martin
Bank of America
Capital One
Sanofi
CBRE
Quickbase
Hearst
Select Medical
Edelman
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