Steve Hirsch is a military and national security veteran and organizational strategist with more than 30 years of experience guiding individual professionals and organizations as they navigate global upheaval and change. As the CIA’s former Chief Learning Officer, and with previous Agency positions leading in business analytics, bioterrorism, public affairs, and analysis, Steve tackled the problem of “operational paralysis", which happens when leadership, training, and communication break down during a crisis.

Steve’s keynotes and conversations include real examples from his own career in the field, combining wit with very serious situational examples, keeping his audience riveted and entertained. By combining his high-pressure experience, including serving as a President's Daily Briefer after 9/11, and helping rebuild morale as Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Steve helps teams create a culture where resilience is a lasting advantage. Before retiring, he updated how the global workforce develops skills, recognizing that while AI can provide answers, only humans can make decisions. Now, he draws on his years of experience “operating in the dark“ to help leaders identify their own triggers and blind spots, so their leadership holds up in a crisis.

Takeaways for Your Audience

• Critical Thinking as a Survival Skill: Understand why technical expertise can become a liability without the foundational ability to assess terrain, timing, and risk during a crisis.
• The Discipline of Self-Awareness: Move beyond viewing self-awareness as a "soft skill" and treat it as a disciplined practice that determines whether leadership scales or collapses under stress.
• Training for High-Stakes Uncertainty: Shift organizational learning from simple content delivery to cultivating judgment and adaptability when the margin for error is zero.
• Leading Through "Noise": Develop the mental framework to make sound, logical decisions when the room is loud, the clock is ticking, and the consequences are permanent.

Steve’s career stands out for his ability to guide people through complex changes and uncertain times. He started in the U.S. Army, then moved into intelligence as a chemical and biological weapons analyst. This early technical background led him to become an expert in building strong organizations.

For his exemplary service, Steve has received several awards, including a CIA Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal, Directorate of Analysis Medallion, Agency 30-year medallion of merit, and awards for Outstanding Service to the CIA Learning Enterprise and Intelligence Language Institute.

Steve also founded the CIA’s Business Analytics Group for Analysis and created the Agency’s first Disability Program, helping shift the focus from just meeting requirements to truly including everyone in the mission.