Stedman Graham

Stedman Graham is chairman and CEO of S. Graham & Associates (SGA), a management and marketing consulting company that specializes in the corporate and educational markets. Clients include Merrill Lynch, Wells Fargo, Georgia Pacific, PRO-LINE International, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Manpower, CNN, GlaxoSmithKline, PlainsCapital Corporation, American College of Sports Medicine, YMCA, U.S. Olympic Committee, U.S. Department of Labor’s Job Corps, Credit Suisse First Boston, Harvard and Wharton business schools, and the U.S. Department of Education.

As a businessman, educator and speaker, he presents, consults, and conducts training with corporations, organizations, and nonprofits on the topics of maximizing leadership, achieving success, growing a business, embracing diversity, achieving optimal health, and personal and professional branding. His corporate seminars are driven by the proprietary “Nine-Step Success Process™.” In addition, Graham educates individuals and industries on using Success Circles™ - a work-life balance tool he developed to make information and experience relevant to personal, professional, and business growth.

Graham has authored nine books, including two New York Times bestsellers, "You Can Make It Happen: A Nine-Step Plan for Success" and "Teens Can Make It Happen: Nine Steps to Success." "Build Your Own Life Brand!" explores the concept of personal and professional branding. "Move Without the Ball," his most recent release, is a collection of principles that teaches students that sports are a part of life, not life itself. Two other books in the pipeline are "Who Are You? A Success Process for Building Your Life’s Foundation" which focuses on success through self-discovery, and "Diversity: Leaders not Labels," his unique approach to eliminate barriers to success.

Actively involved in education, Graham is a former adjunct professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago where he teaches a leadership course based on his Nine-Step Process. A former professor at the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, he taught a management strategy course entitled “The Dynamics of Leadership.” He is also a distinguished visiting professor at several colleges and universities throughout the country.

A native of Whitesboro, NJ, Graham has shown a lifelong commitment to youth and community. In 1985, Graham founded AAD Education, Health and Sports (formerly, Athletes Against Drugs), a nonprofit organization with over 500 professional athletes and other civic leaders committed to developing leadership in underserved youth. AAD has served over 15,000 students and has awarded $1.5 million in scholarships. Graham serves on several boards, including the national board of Junior Achievement (JA) and the 7-Eleven Education Is Freedom Foundation, and is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago. He is also actively involved in leadership efforts and programs in South Africa and is Founder of Concerned Citizens of Whitesboro and Concerned Citizens of Lake Waccamaw, NC. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Hardin-Simmons University. He received a master’s degree in Education from Ball State University and an honorary doctorate in Humanities from Coker College, where he is also a distinguished visiting professor.

MOST REQUESTED TOPICS:
Diversity: Leaders, Not Labels
You Can Make It Happen: A Business Leadership Program
You Can Make It Happen: 9 Steps to Success
The Dynamics of Leadership
The Competitive Advantage in Business Leadership
Build Your Own Brand
You Can Make It Happen: A Health and Lifestyle Program
Business Development: Strategic Positioning and Marketing