DeDe Halfhill

Renowned Leadership Expert and Colonel, USAF (Ret.)
Speaker DeDe Halfhill
  • 25-year military commander who is inspiring organizations with her candid approach to vulnerable leadership
  • Described by Dr. Brené Brown as “one of her leadership heroes and a total badass” - featured in her NYT bestseller and on 60 Minutes
  • Advised the military’s highest-ranking officials on navigating challenging, high-risk environments
  • Powerful, authentic storyteller who moves audiences with her lessons on leading with humanity in today’s evolving workplace

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Described by Dr. Brené Brown as one of her “leadership heroes and a total badass,” U.S. Air Force retired Colonel, DeDe Halfhill is a proven leader who draws from 25 years of command experience and as a senior advisor to the military’s highest-ranking officials to provide a real-world perspective on the power of embracing humanness and vulnerability in leadership.

Exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau, DeDe speaks honestly about her experience with traditional military leadership and how it often overlooked the role emotion plays in building trust and connection. Explaining how there aren’t enough leaders to meet society’s evolving demand for leadership through vulnerability, she teaches the critical skills today’s leaders need to navigate difficult conversations on hard topics such as mental health and inequity with humanity to create a more purposeful, inclusive culture. Weaving thought-provoking anecdotes with humorous and heartwarming stories, DeDe’s forward-looking discussions demonstrate to audiences what more transparent and less hierarchical leadership looks like — sharing practical strategies for any organization to authentically connect, build trust, and empower others in meaningful ways.

Twice deployed to Iraq, DeDe’s sought-after leadership insights are grounded in personal experiences commanding and advising organizations through challenging environments — often when lives were at risk and there were no easy answers. As a senior advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, DeDe was a trusted influence in developing solutions to the military’s most-pressing issues. She also served as the military’s lead spokesperson responsible for implementing plans supporting the Department of Defense’s global communications strategy.

Prior to advising the Department of Defense’s top leaders, DeDe was the commander of the 2nd Mission Support Group at Barksdale Air Force Base where she led network communications, personnel, procurement, infrastructure, security, and logistics operations in support of the Air Force’s nuclear enterprise headquarters. Her previous roles also include national security fellow at Georgetown University’s Institute for the Study of Diplomacy and deputy director of public affairs for U.S. Pacific Command, as well as commander of the 332nd Force Support Squadron in Joint Base Balad, Iraq, Department of Defense congressional fellow advising an Indiana senator, and senior advisor to the Air Force chief of staff. In an earlier role, she served as chief of public affairs for the Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squad.

For her candid approach to leadership, DeDe’s story and insights have been featured in widely acclaimed outlets, including in Brené Brown’s New York Times bestseller Dare to Lead and on 60 Minutes. She continues to live by the leadership lessons she preaches, becoming a certified “Dare to Lead” facilitator in 2019 as well as a Senior Executive Coach certified through Georgetown University’s Executive Leadership Coaching Program.

DeDe's military service began when she graduated in 1996 from the University of Iowa's Reserve Officer Training Corps. In addition to her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from the University of Iowa, she has earned a Masters of Arts degree in Management from American Military University and certifications from the Air War College, Air Command and Staff College, Squadron Officer School, and Defense Information School.

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Speaker Video

DeDe Halfhill: Lessons in Courageous Leadership

DeDe Halfhill: Leaders Connect

DeDe Halfhill: What Vulnerable Leadership Looks Like

The Art of Language and Connection | Col. DeDe Halfhill w/Dr. Brené Brown Introduction

60 Minutes: DeDe Halfhill on Vulnerable Leadership

Leaders Connect. In today's rapidly evolving world, individuals at all levels within organizations face a multitude of complex challenges, including adapting to technological advancements, managing remote work environments, economic uncertainties, and addressing the growing concerns of social division. Amidst these challenges, one crucial element stands out as an indispensable need: human connection.

Fostering genuine connections within our teams, stakeholders, and communities not only builds trust but also serves as a profound source of inspiration and empowerment for individuals. Join Col. DeDe Halfhill, a renowned speaker and expert in leadership, for an enlightening conversation on how deep meaningful connections are the fuel that inspires teams.

As a featured personality in Dr. Brené Brown's bestselling book, Dare to Lead, and on “60 Minutes,” DeDe shares invaluable insights into the transformative power of purposeful connections. By prioritizing connection, leaders, and team members alike, we can create inclusive cultures that inspire individuals to surpass expectations. Moreover, these connections lay a crucial foundation for understanding diverse perspectives, driving innovation, and navigating turbulent times with resilience.

DeDe's presentation equips individuals with essential skills to authentically connect and harness the power of inspiration, enabling them to make a positive impact and drive meaningful change on their teams and in their organizations.

Ultimately, the power of connection emerges as an indispensable force that inspires teams, propelling them to transform challenges into opportunities and unlock their full potential for innovation, collaboration, and extraordinary achievement.

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