Speaker
If you need to book a speaker for your next event, consider what I can bring to it.

My aim with my speeches is to bring people to their feet and into action, inspiring them to solve the public problems that concern them.
My style is relaxed, humorous and direct. I'm comfortable in any format, from national conference keynotes to corporate luncheons to high school assemblies. All my speeches are carefully tailored to the specific needs of each audience, with themes applied to their particular concerns and brought alive by stories of my own adventures and experiences.
My audiences include international, national and regional conferences of all kinds. I'm in demand by corporations, conference planners, nonprofits, groups of high-net-worth individuals, universities, schools, churches and government agencies. I'm an acknowledged expert in teaching civic engagement and character education to youth.
To book me, email me directly at graham@giraffe.org. or call me at 425 931 5657. That way you can arrange for a presentation that exact.y meets your needs.
WHAT AUDIENCES SAY
"John Graham knocked our socks off! He didn't just engage an audience; he stamped the event as a 'must have been there' celebration. His workshops afterward were rated "10s." We'd have him back in a minute.”—Barbara Brown, Director Leadership Anchorage
More of What Audiences Say
"[Graham's] powerful comments made a lasting impression on the Brigade, the Academy staff and our retired and civilian guests. [His] presentation was a tremendous success."—Vice Admiral Rodney P. Rempt, Superintendent, United States Naval Academy
"John Graham kept the audience on the edge of their seats. He invigorated the inner spirit. He was absolutely terrific!"—Dolores C. Jones, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
"People would have to be brain dead not to have been affected by you. In fact, we all were savoring and re-playing parts of your talk all day. Thanks for your ideas and energy and, most of all, your wisdom."—Dave Zeretzke, Inter-island Conference on Families, Friday Harbor WA
"You had an impact that will be felt for years into the future. A journalist had tears in his eyes as he thanked me for convincing him to attend. Thank you again for sharing your message of courage, risk, meaning and leadership.”—Sarri Gilman, Executive Director, Leadership Snohomish County, Everett, WA
“By calling on each of us to focus on the personal meaning of our work, you tapped both the heart and the inner motivations…the stories you shared from you adventures in life were terrific.”—Sumner Schoenike, MD, President, Pierce County (WA) Medical Society
"We've been fortunate to have seen and heard many iconic figures over the years, from finance titans, athletes, entertainers and philanthropists. John Graham inspired above all...John's message will resonate with our members for years to come."—Angelo Robles, Founder and Chairman, Family Office Association
"You enabled us to raise our sights and better understand our individual and collective role in making the union become as fully potent as possible."—Fred W. Pomeroy, Pres., Communications and Electrical Workers of Canada, Ottawa Ontario
"I was totally enthralled by your message and according to all the reports back to me, so were many others. You were challenging and highly motivating--exactly what the business and school partners needed to kick off this year's involvement together."—Cynthia Shelton, Executive Director, Partners in Public Education, Seattle WA
"Your message to our audience, challenging them to get involved, to make a difference, and to not be afraid of success, was perfect. Your lifeboat story had everyone on the edge of their chairs. After the meeting, a couple members approached me to see how they could get more involved in the Chamber, so your inspirational story works quickly!"—Amy Looten, Executive Director, Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce, Quincy IL
"Your closing message on moral courage was a great inspiration to all those who attended. Strong, positive role models for these young men and women have a tremendous impact on their development. Your comments are certain to remain in the forefront of their thoughts throughout their careers.”—Johnny A. Weida, Brig Gen, Commandant of Cadets, United States Air Force Academy
" We have had nothing but rave reviews.”— Marilyn Clement, Superior Court of the State of Washington,
"Your message was global, exciting, dangerous, outrageous and often had one on the edge of one's seat! But in the end it boiled down to making choices that make one's life meaningful. And that perspective is what the room of 300 educators wanted to hear. I can’t thank you enough"—Deborah Lackey, ED, North Harris Montgomery Community College District, Woodlands, TX
"It was the perfect kickoff! Your message about the importance of leading a meaningful life--one that is based on purpose, vision, trust and service--was right on target. Folks left the room buzzing about how they could take this message and share it with the teachers and support staff at their centers.”—Paula Jorde Bloom, Ph.D., McCormick Tribune Center for Early Childhood Leadership
"We've been fortunate to have seen and heard as speakers many iconic figures over the years, from finance titans, athletes, entertainers and philanthropists. John Graham inspired above all...John's message will resonate with our members for years to come."—Angelo Robles, Founder and Chairman, Family Office Association
"I was totally enthralled by your message and according to all the reports back to me, so were many others. You were challenging and highly motivating--exactly what the business and school partners needed to kick off this year's involvement together."—Cynthia Shelton, Executive Director, Partners in Public Education, Seattle WA
“John Graham's presentation was outstanding. Such a powerful message and so uniquely packaged that it seemed it was aimed directly at me and about me. At the conclusion, I felt I could truly stick my neck out. But most amazing is that I still feel that way."—Judi Edwards, Opportunity Council Board President, Bellingham, WA
"While John Graham’s incredible tales of danger and adventure were obvious crowd-pleasers, his passion for helping people see that they too could find meaning in their lives by dedicating themselves to a cause they love was what was truly inspiring."—Colgate University Maroon-News
"John was a mesmerizing speaker, infusing our volunteers with the desire to work to bring about significant change in their communities."—Wendy Garf-Lipp, Program Director, Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts
"In my many years in nonprofit work, I have heard many inspirational keynotes, but few to match John Graham's. I was amazed by the humility, heart and breadth of his personal stories, a perfect match for his message of the wonder and pride in service to others, and choosing to make a difference. Wow! Through his well-told tales, John touched something deep within his listeners.”—Bill Henkel, Director, Whatcom Homeless Service Center, Bellingham WA
"John's reminders of our own personal power have been instrumental in moving our entire Church into new and expanding areas of ministry. John has stimulated us to actually DO what we have been talking about for years and years."—Dr. P. David Wilkinson, The Church of St. Francis, Tucson AZ
"I am so grateful for your enormous contribution to our community service conference, for your good and helpful presence and perspective, for your thoughtful and encouraging comments, and for your example of one who has gone beyond rhetoric to a personal and sustained commitment to help others.”—Peter W. Cobb, Executive Director, Council for Spiritual and Ethical Education, Atlanta GA
"Your presentation received rave comments! Your message was so inspirational and thoughtful. You have a wonderful delivery that engages the heart and mind of the listener. Thank you for the work that you do."—Sandy Welch, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Whidbey Island WA
PAST AUDIENCES
BUSINESS, LABOR AND MANAGEMENT
- American Planning Association
- Bank Administrators' Institute
- Bullivant Houser Bailey, PC
- Communications Workers of Canada (nat'l conf.)
- Emerson Electric Company
- Family Office Association
- Four Seasons Hotel, Seattle
- McKinsey and Co.
- US Bank
- Seattle Management Association
- Washington Natural Gas
- Western Petroleum Company
GOVERNMENT
- AmeriCorps
- City of Seattle Advanced Mgmt. Program
- Ohio Assoc. of Private Industry Councils
- Port of Seattle
- Seattle Public Utilities
- Texas State Workforce Commission
- U.S. Congressional delegations
- U.S. Department of Labor
- U.S. Forest Service
- Washington Employment Security Dept.
HEALTH CARE
- Benedictine Health Services
- National Association of Pediatric Nurse Professionals
- Pierce County Medical Society
- Providence Health Plans
EDUCATION
- Antioch University
- Emory University
- Esalen Institute
- Harvard Divinity School
- Lakeside School (Seattle)
- Northwest Ethics Institute
- Rice University
- Seattle University
- State University of New York
- US Air Force Academy
- US Naval Academy
- University of Alaska, Fairbanks
- Univ. of Washington School of Public Affairs
- West Virginia Safe Schools Conference
VOLUNTEERISM AND SERVICE
- Assn. of Fundraising Professionals
- Campfire
- Children's Defense Fund
- Everglades Restoration Conference
- 4-H
- Family Health Institute
- Leadership Anchorage
- Leadership Florida
- Leadership Louisville
- National Assn. for Community Leadership (nat'l conf.)
- National Association of Junior Leagues (nat'l conf.)
- National Community Service Conference
- National Conference on Volunteerism
- National Service-Learning Conference
- National Character Education Conference
- People to People Student Ambassadors
- Points of Light Foundation
- Rotary Club of New York
- Seattle Mountaineers
- Sierra Club (nat'l conf.)
- Student Conservation Association
- United Cerebral Palsy Association (nat'l conf.)
RELIGION
- Council for Spiritual and Ethical Education
- Trinity Church (New York)
- Unitarian Church (Star Island Center and other congregations)
- United Church of Christ Annual Synod
INTERNATIONAL
- Initiatives of Change (Switzerland)
- Khmer Institute for Democracy (Cambodia)
- Oxford Union (U.K.)
- Panchgani Dialogue on Development (India)
- Rands Afrikaans University (South Africa)?
- University of Capetown
- World Ethics Conference (U.K.)