As a Chief HR Officer for a Fortune 100 Company for 20 years, I discovered what makes people promotable and fireproof and I want to share it with you.
With candor and humor, Steve will speak to the topic of his forthcoming book, about becoming Promotable and Fireproof. Steve will base his talk on the thousands of interactions he had as a Chief HR Officer of a $13 Billion business, with 10,000 plus employees. Steve will share stories of success and failure, wins and losses, with lessons for individual contributors, high potentials on their way up and senior leaders. Regardless of the industry or function, Steve will taylor his talk and focus on the most salient ways your audience can maximize their human impact in this age of AI, robotics and automation. Check out Steve’s various social media channels (links posted on this site) that feature his “short takes” on a wide variety of subjects, from serious to silly, to get a sense of his style and tone.
Having spoken to large audiences throughout this career, Steve is comfortable adjusting to whatever the context or industry might be; he will impart a positive constructive tone along with some self deprecating humor.
Steve’s consulting specializes in agile re-engineering of businesses or business units, working directly with leadership teams. Steve witnessed numerous attempts at transforming businesses in his career and knows how to help your team get after the essential questions and decisions, without the long term embedded consulting arrangements that so often accompany such efforts. The leaders listed in the endorsement section of this site have worked directly with Steve on such efforts. We look forward to hearing from you.
How to Become Promotable and Fireproof
3 Key Principles for how to survive and thrive in the AI Revolution
Have you ever wondered why some people get promoted…while others get passed over, or even worse, quietly let go?
And in the world of AI, when everyone is talking about automation and job security, that question feels more urgent than ever.
Because while AI is absolutely affecting everything, the rules for advancement have not disappeared. They have simply become more precise.
And the small group of professionals who understand those rules are becoming more valuable, more promotable, and far less likely to be let go than ever before.
In Promotable and Fireproof: How to Survive and Thrive in the AI Revolution, Steve reveals what really determines who moves up and who moves out, and more importantly, how AI can affect all of this. As the Chief HR Officer for a Fortune 100 organization, Steve spent over two decades managing global succession plans for thousands of employees and refereeing promotion decisions and managing global succession plans at the highest levels.
He has watched high performers rise and fall, promising careers stall, and capable professionals quietly shown the door, not because they lacked talent, but because they never learned how the system truly works or how AI now shapes it.
During this fast-paced session, Steve distills two decades of executive level decision making into a clear, practical framework built around three core areas that consistently separate those who move up from those who slip back or are quietly asked to move on.
Participants will learn:
- Simple secret for how high achievers intentionally build trust, visibility, and influence across the organization.
- Hidden truths about what high achievers actually need to do differently to advance in today’s AI driven and increasingly automated workplace.
- Essential elements for how to proactively manage your professional reputation and shape how others perceive your readiness for advancement…so you have a clear plan for how to address negative perceptions before they quietly derail your progress.
Steve’s Recent Appearance Keynoting the State of Missouri Annual HR Summit
Steve has exceptional understanding of people - from shop floor to C-suite. He knows what is needed for the organization success and how to meet the need grounds up, shaping the culture of the organization. He believes in the power of people and their ability to rise to meet the challenge.
I have known Steve for over 20 years including his role as CHRO at Nestle Purina. Steve is a straight-shooting honest man, a true servant leader who puts the needs of others before his own. One of his greatest strengths is his uncanny ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels of an organization. Can’t wait for his new book to come out soon!
Steve Degnan is the rare breed of human resource professionals who is capable of leveraging the talent function into a strategic competitive advantage. He understood that competition can copy just about anything and even find work arounds to intellectual property but a culture of excellence is what truly drives long term sustainable performance and is by far the hardest thing that others can replicate.
Steve Degnan is what you get when you combine a perpetual US Army lieutenant with a seasoned Chief Executive. Passionate, irreverent, and hilarious, Steve's ability to influence, shape, and transform the entire enterprise, from CEO to the director level, is his unique gift.
Steve is a creative leader who has the bandwidth to relate to factory floor issues up through the boardroom. Fun and energetic, always leaving you with ideas to grow and improve.
I have had the distinct pleasure of getting to know Steve Degnan through the Board of Trustees at La Salle University where he has become a trusted leader, trustee, and resource for me and our institution...
Steve is not your typical HR Leader but he is who every HR Leader should aspire to be. Steve has a keen knack for cutting through the bureaucracy and he doesn’t shy away from being a disrupter when change is required.
I enjoyed watching Steve lead the people efforts for Nestle Purina business in the US and in many ways he established trends for the rest of the Nestle Group to study and imitate where possible.
Steve Degnan is a model of resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to excellence in the corporate world. During my time as CEO of Guardian Angel Settlement Association in St. Louis, MO, I had the privilege of working closely with Steve, who served as a board member, leader, advisor, and champion of our mission.
Steve Degnan is a rare breed—that guy who drives large scale change while somehow making everyone involved feel seen and respected. I've relied on his insight more times than I can remember as we've planned, pitched, and performed against ambitious new goals for the cause we serve...
Steve’s experience and knowledge are hard won, unique and authentic. During my time as CEO, I relied on Steve to plan and execute the largest transformation of our approach to people and culture in the 125+ year history of Purina.
Joe Sivewright
CEO, Nestle Purina Americas, Retired
It isn't just Steve's pragmatism and ability to see all situations through the prism of common sense and fairness that make him the first person I consult when I encounter a challenging situation...
Steve Degnan possesses a remarkable talent for cutting through the noise, pinpointing core issues, dissecting them into manageable components, and motivating a team to develop and implement solutions. Before working with him, my perception of Human Resources professionals was largely negative...
As Chair of the Board at Starkloff Disability Institute, Steve brings invaluable business knowledge and a heartfelt passion for helping others. His commitment is evident in the wholehearted devotion he shows to our mission.
REQUEST STEVE FOR AN EVENT
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QUESTIONS ABOUT STEVE
Who is Steve Degnan and why should we book him for our event?
Steve Degnan is a former Fortune 100 Chief Human Resources Officer and military veteran who delivers high-impact, pragmatic keynotes on navigating the AI-driven workplace. With 19 years of experience as the CHRO for Nestlé Purina, he translates decades of boardroom talent decisions into actionable advice for professionals and organizations.
Why is Steve Degnan a worthwhile speaker to have at our event?
Steve translates decades of boardroom talent decisions into actionable advice for professionals and organizations. His advice provides much needed timely human-centric advice in the age of AI. He offers:
- Deep HR Expertise: He has managed, coached, and evaluated hundreds of executives and professionals.
- Proven Framework: He offers timeless strategies to mid career professionals and those early in their careers to help them keep their Job and Advance in the AI Era.
- Mass Appeal: His practical advice resonates heavily online, where he has amassed an audience of over 130,000 followers.
What are Steve Degnan’s primary keynote speaking topics?
His keynotes focus on the human side of career protection, leadership, and talent development during technological disruption. His presentations center on what drives career advancement and what causes people to stall out.
- The Promotable & Fireproof Framework: Strategies for mastering the three pillars of career resilience: Relationships, Reputation, and Results.
- Executive Presence & Reputation: How to develop charisma, navigate workplace politics, and leave a lasting organizational mark.
- Agility over Bureaucracy: Helping organizational leaders cut through the red tape to drive rapid cultural change and continuous improvement.
What types of events does Steve Degnan speak at?
Steve specializes in speaking to corporate leadership teams, HR conferences, and industry events focused on the future of work. His past speaking engagements—both live and web-based panel discussions—have reached audiences of 5,000 to 10,000 attendees. He is available for:
- Corporate Summits: Ideal for mid- to large-sized organizations (like Fortune 1000 companies) managing workforce transformation.
- HR Associations: Insights for people leaders responsible for talent development and retention.
- Leadership Development: Perfect for emerging leader programs and executive retreats.
What is Steve Degnan's speaking style?
Steve delivers “straight talk” with a mix of seasoned executive wisdom, humor, and a bit of snark. Event organizers appreciate that he avoids abstract concepts and corporate jargon, favoring instead direct, experience-based insights. His talks are known for 2 distinct patterns:
- Story-Driven: He uses witty, real-world stories and anecdotes from his 32-year corporate career to deliver pointed lessons.
- Actionable: His presentations deliver concise, immediately applicable strategies that professionals can use to improve performance.
How does Steve Degnan’s background inform his keynotes?
Steve combines the strict discipline of a US Army Ordnance Officer with the strategic talent management insights of a corporate executive.
- Military Leadership: He draws on his time stationed in Germany during the Cold War to teach the power of dropping egos and prioritizing cross-functional collaboration.
- Boardroom Reality: He provides behind-the-scenes insights into how decisions regarding succession planning, promotions, and layoffs are actually made by C-suite executives.
How do I book Steve Degnan for an upcoming corporate event or conference?
Event organizers can request Steve for a speaking engagement by submitting an inquiry here. He is actively expanding his speaking platform to meet the growing demand for practical guidance on navigating the AI-driven workplace.
