Meet Richard
With over 20 years in the non-profit, ad agency, real estate and financial services sectors, on top of volunteering in sports, LGBTQ+, and healthcare/advocacy fields, Richard has had a front-row seat to major shifts in business, the economy, and management.
As a lifetime-student, speaker, advisor, investor, entrepreneur, and author, Richard molds together the mind of a consumer with the experience of a marketing executive. The experiences — from leading product launches and consumer war rooms to helping a kid hold a tennis racquet for the first time — helps him to pair real world experiences and data insights with inspiring storytelling to motivate audiences as they navigate key moments and overcome obstacles.
Richard Dedor has built a 20+ year career on believing in possible. No matter the industry, the client, or the challenge, he has a vision and an approach to business and customer service that puts people and culture at the center of everything.
In 2015, he co-founded Sprout Media, a digital-first media consulting firm in Des Moines, Iowa. He followed that up with Anthology Avenue in 2018 and Bruck and Co. in 2020 during the Covid-pandemic.
His career has spanned non-profits, global advertising agencies, and local real estate and financial firms working in community relations and marketing / branding strategy for businesses like the United State Tennis Association, PepsiCo, Green Mountain Coffee, Vaynermedia, Register Media, Hubbell Realty Company, Community Choice Credit Union, GreenState Credit Union (one of the nation’s largest financial cooperatives), and Premier America Credit Union.
A story-teller at heart, Richard has been sharing his stories, experiences, and expertise to audiences since 2007. He speaks at large international events and for small-company trainings, leadership seminars, trade associations, and government agencies. In 2013, he launched his book, Running From Yourself, at TEDx Upper East Side in Manhattan. A day before his daughter’s first birthday — with her in the audience — he spoke at famed Hoyt Sherman Place about finding joy in the sorrow.
Richard is a founder and investor and doesn’t shy from talking about real-world experiences including getting fired from one of the world’s leading ad agencies or losing both elections he’s run in. Life and business is all about authenticity.
A graduate of North Iowa Area Community College and the University of Northern Iowa, Richard has contributed to 'A Better Iowa', The Des Moines Register, and The Financial Brand, and has appeared in The NAFCU Journal, The Hill, Al Jazeera America, and Washington Blade. He is a recipient of American Citizenship Medal from the Iowa Bar Association and served for two years as the Board Chair for the Iowa Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.
He has authored three books, Anything is Possible, Running from Yourself, and NYC: A State of Mind. Richard lives in Los Angeles with his husband, Steve and their daughter Kennedy.
“Richard’s motivational presentations can impact a wide variety of audiences. His style is professional, yet personal. He worked closely with us to make sure he delivered the message we needed. I have known Richard for many years and recommend his services- whether it be to kick off an event, insert motivation into an existing effort, or close out a project with a bang.”
3 Reasons to Book Richard
He’s authentic. Richard brings to life the story of getting fired and merges that with the intersection of leaning into your personal and professional fear. With Richard, everything is on the table.
He gives the honest truth. If a speaker for your event is just there is tell you and your team what you want to hear, it isn’t worth the cost of the paper to print the invitations. Richard speaks the truth about the market, about people, and about how to cultivate a culture where fear is embraced for growth.
He isn’t afraid of emotions. Hitting the highs or touching on the lows, Richard embraces each moment of your team’s journey. Why? Because it is real life.