William McRaven

Admiral William H. McRaven, a retired U.S. Navy Four-Star admiral, best-selling author, and former Chancellor of the University of Texas System, brings a wealth of experience and insight to his audiences. His extensive career in the military and academia provides a unique perspective on leadership, crisis management, and resilience. McRaven's personal narratives, drawn from his extraordinary experiences, offer valuable lessons in teamwork and personal accountability. Throughout his military career, McRaven commanded special operations forces at every level, culminating in his leadership of the U.S. Special Operations Command. His strategic acumen was instrumental in several high-profile missions, including the capture of Saddam Hussein and the rescue of Captain Phillips. Perhaps most notably, he developed and led the operation that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden in 2011. His expertise in U.S. foreign policy has seen him advise Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and other national leaders on critical defence issues. As Chancellor of the University of Texas System, McRaven oversaw one of the largest and most respected higher education systems in the United States. He managed 14 institutions, educating 220,000 students and employing a vast network of faculty and healthcare professionals. His leadership in this role further cemented his reputation as a transformative figure in both military and academic circles. McRaven's contributions have been widely recognised. He was the first runner-up for TIME magazine’s “Person of the Year” in 2011 and was named one of the “Top 10 Foreign Policy Experts” by Foreign Policy magazine in 2012. His accolades include the Intrepid Freedom Award and the Ambassador Richard M. Helms Award, among others. An accomplished author, McRaven has penned several best-selling books, including Make Your Bed and The Wisdom of the Bullfrog. His writings distil decades of leadership experience into practical lessons for readers. Currently, he serves on the Council on Foreign Relations and the National Football Foundation, continuing to influence and inspire through his extensive knowledge and experience.