DeDe Halfhill
A revered leader with 25 years of command experience, DeDe has been described by Dr. Brené Brown as one of her “leadership heroes and a total badass.”
A revered leader with 25 years of command experience, DeDe has been described by Dr. Brené Brown as one of her “leadership heroes and a total badass.” She has held several pivotal roles, including as an advisor to the Department of Defense’s top leader, commander of Air Force bases in Barksdale and Iraq, a national security fellow at Georgetown University’s Institute for the Study of Diplomacy, congressional fellow advising an Indiana senator, senior advisor to the Air Force chief of staff, and chief public affairs officer for the Thunderbirds.
No stranger to high-stress environments: 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.
A Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator, DeDe is an executive coach certified through Georgetown University’s Executive Leadership Coaching Program. DeDe holds a master’s degree in leadership from American Military University and a B.A. in Communications from the University of Iowa. She is also a graduate of Air War College, Air Command and Staff College, Squadron Officer School, and Defense Information School.
LEADERS CONNECT
Building Trust, Collaboration, and Resilience Through Genuine Human Connection
We often view the task of creating meaningful team connection as something secondary—a nice-to-have among the many tasks we juggle. However, research shows that genuine human connection is actually a force multiplier. Studies consistently reveal that teams with strong interpersonal bonds experience higher levels of trust, collaboration, and resilience, all of which contribute to measurable improvements in performance.
Connection isn’t just a soft skill; it’s the driving force behind everything teams accomplish.
In this keynote, retired Colonel DeDe Halfhill draws on her 25 years of leadership experience in the U.S. Air Force to show how leaders can cultivate deep, authentic connections that create resilient, high-performing teams.
When leaders are intentional about connection and make these moments a priority—rather than putting the opportunity aside amid daily demands—they build environments where people feel valued, supported, and motivated to perform at their best.
The audience will leave with:
- Practical ways to build trust and increase collaboration through moments of connection.
- Insights into how meaningful relationships within teams boost resilience and performance.
- Tools to strengthen team commitment and adaptability by leading with empathy and understanding.
This program is perfect for:
- Leaders, managers, and teams looking to deepen their influence and impact by fostering genuine connections within their organizations.
- Organizations seeking to create a culture of trust, teamwork, and resilience that amplifies performance and results.
EVERYDAY COURAGE
Revealing Innovation, Trust, and Connection in the Small Moments That Matter Most
We often think of courage in the big moments—making bold decisions, leading through crises, or launching major initiatives.
But the truth is, the moments that impact our organizations the most are the small, everyday ones—the conversations we avoid, the feedback we hold back, or the tough decisions we postpone. These moments often go unnoticed, yet they determine the success or failure of our teams and initiatives.
With 25 years of leading in complex, no easy-answer environments, retired Colonel DeDe Halfhill has seen how missing these small moments can hold organizations back. In this keynote, she reveals how Everyday Courage—the small, intentional actions we take daily—holds the key to unlocking innovation, trust, and connection.
By leaning into these moments, leaders can build stronger, more resilient teams and create environments where people feel empowered to take initiative, collaborate, and drive organizational growth.
The audience will leave with:
- Practical ways to build trust and inspire engagement through small, intentional actions.
- Tools to navigate tough conversations and embrace uncertainty with confidence and clarity.
- Strategies to lead teams through change and innovation by fostering a culture of courage and openness.
- Skills to increase your influence and strengthen team commitment by leading with authenticity and transparency.
This program is perfect for:
- Leaders, team members, and emerging innovators who want to increase their impact by showing up authentically and leading with courage.
- Organizations seeking to unlock creativity, engagement, and resilience by empowering their people to step into courage, one small step at a time.
JUST SAY IT
The Power of Authentic Leadership Communication
Many leaders hold back from saying what needs to be said, often thinking, “I wish they knew this,” but stopping short of fully communicating their thoughts. The fear of saying the wrong thing or triggering discomfort can prevent crucial conversations from happening. However, the cost of not communicating honestly can be far greater than the risk of getting it wrong.
With over 25 years of experience as a communications advisor to the Department of Defense’s most senior leaders, retired Colonel DeDe Halfhill has seen firsthand how clear, direct communication builds trust and fosters deeper relationships. In this keynote, DeDe explores why authentic communication is not just important, but essential for effective leadership. Avoiding tough conversations holds teams back, while transparency and emotional understanding unlock trust, empathy, and lasting connection.
Through real-world examples and insights from her extensive career, DeDe shows how leaders can overcome their fears and embrace the courage to say what needs to be said. When leaders speak with authenticity, they create an environment where trust grows, empathy deepens, and performance thrives.
The audience will leave with:
- Techniques to communicate openly and authentically, even when fear or discomfort is present.
- Approaches to engage in difficult conversations with clarity and empathy, creating stronger connections with your team.
- Tools to drive alignment, build trust, and empower teams through transparent and effective communication.
This keynote talk is perfect for:
- Leaders, managers, and teams who want to improve their influence and effectiveness by mastering open, transparent communication.
- Organizations seeking to foster trust, collaboration, and stronger team dynamics through authentic leadership communication.
- Executives looking to drive alignment and build deeper connections by confidently navigating tough conversations.
HEARTFELT LEADERSHIP
The Wisdom of Women in a Changing World
As the demands on leaders continue to evolve, organizations are increasingly looking for those who understand their people on a deeper level—leaders who can see the whole person, not just the role they fill.
Women, with their practiced capacity for empathy and emotional intelligence, are uniquely equipped to meet this need.
In this keynote, retired Colonel DeDe Halfhill draws on her experience rising to senior leadership in the U.S. Air Force. As an advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Secretary of Defense, DeDe used empathy and emotional understanding to guide some of our nation’s most senior leaders, proving that in today's environment, emotional acuity is not only an advantage but a critical necessity. She shows how these strengths can help women lead with confidence and authenticity in any setting.
Through compelling stories and practical insights, DeDe encourages women to lean into their natural capacities for connection and communication, using these strengths to lead with courage and authenticity, and to drive change within their organizations.
The audience will leave with:
- A renewed sense of confidence in their potential and leadership skills.
- Inspiration to embrace emotional intelligence as a strength that drives leadership success. Practical tools to practice courage and authenticity in their leadership every day.
This program is perfect for:
- Emerging women leaders looking to strengthen their confidence and expand their influence.
- Experienced female leaders who want to empower and support the next generation of women in leadership.
- Organizations committed to advancing diversity by empowering women to step into leadership roles with confidence.