Commander Kirk Lippold

USN (Retired)

Commander Kirk Lippold, USN (Ret.) was the Commanding Officer of the USS Cole when it came under a suicide terrorist attack by al Qaeda in the port of Aden, Yemen, on October 12, 2000. During his command, he and his crew distinguished themselves by saving the American war ship from sinking. This event is widely recognized as one of the most brazen acts of terrorism by al Qaeda prior to September 11, 2001. Today, Commander Lippold is a popular inspirational figure and leadership speaker who is in high demand with Fortune 500 companies, leading financial institutions, and top industry associations. At a time when everything we’ve come to know is being reshaped by domestic and world events, Commander Lippold reveals how to lead teams and manage challenges successfully in the face of financial, national security, and global uncertainties. Engaging his audience as a compelling storyteller, Commander Lippold draws upon his Pillars of Leadership to offer strategies he learned and applied to instill integrity into his team members and mitigate crises throughout his naval career. With takeaways for every organization to evaluate their own achievements and shortfalls as they prepare for what the future may hold, his lessons learned can make the difference between success and failure when it matters most.