David Goldsmith helps leaders rethink strategy and build systems that turn complexity into measurable, real-world results.
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5.00 of 5
Top rated!David Goldsmith works with leaders worldwide to rethink how strategy is built and executed in a world defined by complexity. With decades of experience across industries, countries, and sectors, he brings practical frameworks that move beyond theory and into action. His work is grounded in real-world application, helping decision-makers design systems that deliver measurable outcomes. Whether advising executives, teaching at NYU, or speaking on global stages, David equips leaders with tools that work where it matters most: in reality.
David Goldsmith is a strategic advisor, entrepreneur, and speaker who helps leaders rethink how organizations operate, compete, and grow. As President and Co-founder of the Goldsmith Organization, he works with executive clients worldwide across commerce, nonprofits, governments, militaries, and education to solve complex challenges and drive meaningful results.
His approach stands apart. Every strategy, tool, and framework he shares is grounded in lived experience, not theory. With an MBA complemented by decades of hands-on work, David has built, led, and advised organizations across more than 50 countries and over 300 industries. This breadth allows him to see patterns others miss and design systems that reflect how the real world actually works.
David’s philosophy is simple: if it doesn’t work in practice, it doesn’t matter. The methods he teaches have been tested in the “laboratory” of real organizations by executives, governments, nonprofits, and even his own ventures.
Clients value his direct, no-nonsense approach. He challenges assumptions, simplifies complexity, and provides tools leaders can implement immediately. His sessions are known as “consulting from the stage,” where audiences leave with practical frameworks instead of abstract ideas.
David has advised and worked with leaders from organizations such as Ferrari, Maersk, Dole, Infosys, Wipro, Aetna, Accenture, Lufthansa, and ITW. Across industries and geographies, his focus remains the same: helping decision-makers achieve outcomes that matter.
David’s entrepreneurial journey spans multiple sectors and technologies. He is Co-founder of Buzd, LLC, where he holds patents in areas including artificial intelligence, mobile applications, battery technologies, and consumer products.
He also co-founded ecosystem.AI, a predictive analytics and visualization company designed to uncover hidden value in complex systems by identifying patterns and spatial trends. His work has consistently focused on understanding how ecosystems evolve and how organizations can adapt and thrive within them.
Additional leadership roles include:
Through these roles, David has built a deep understanding of innovation, technology, and strategy at scale.
David is also the Founder of the Project Moon Hut Foundation and leads Project Moon Hut, a global social movement focused on improving life on Earth for all species. The initiative aims to accelerate the development of an integrated Earth-and-space ecosystem over a 40-year horizon.
This work reflects his broader vision: connecting strategy, innovation, and long-term thinking to solve humanity’s biggest challenges. It also informs his speaking topics on the future, including artificial intelligence, robotics, machine learning, synthetic engineering, automation, and space development.
David’s impact has been recognized across industries. He received the Global Visionary Disruptor Award from Hollywood Producers for his work with Project Moon Hut. He was also honored alongside Lorrie Goldsmith for their book Paid to THINK: A Leader’s Toolkit for Redefining Your Future, a work that has drawn comparisons to Peter Drucker.
During his twelve years as a professor at New York University, David earned the Excellence in Teaching Award. He has also been named one of Meetings Magazine’s “26 Hottest Speakers” and delivered programs for the Wharton School of Business for five consecutive years.
As a thought leader, David has hosted two podcast series, Age of Infinite and Redefining Tomorrow, and conducted more than 400 interviews, exploring the ideas shaping the future of leadership and innovation.
David Goldsmith delivers keynote experiences that challenge thinking and inspire action. His presentations are designed for executives and leaders who want more than inspiration, they want results.
Audiences gain:
His ability to connect big ideas with real-world application makes him a powerful voice for organizations ready to evolve.
Outside of his professional work, David brings the same curiosity and energy to life. He is a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, a former student pilot, and a lifelong learner who enjoys exploring new cultures. He has designed furniture, worked with his hands across trades, and expresses creativity through drawing, painting, and sculpting.
Those close to him describe a person who lives what he teaches, pursuing growth, balance, and meaningful impact. It reflects the promise behind his work: to help people achieve more, earn more, and live more.
5 of 5
“Your passionate and very relevant presentation at our Global Retailing Conference on Innovating to Meet Today's Multi-Dimensional Buyer was simply outstanding and a perfect application for this year's theme, Innovation's Edge."
Melinda BurkeDirector, Terry J. Lundgren Center for Retailing
5 of 5
“You don't pull any punches, but then again, why should you? You've thought the information out so well that anyone who is listening can see that you're on target and they should be taking abundant notes. Some of the comments I received: "David took an honest look at the industry and really challenged people to think;" "David is able to put financial information into perspective because he works with so many industries.”
Barbara AginEvent Planner, New Jersey Credit Union League
5 of 5
“Your predictions about where the industry is moving, where people can gain traction, and how to develop and focus on their number one winning strategy jolted the conference attendees into reality.”
Kathleen ClarkConference Planner, National Association of College Stores
5 of 5
"You perfectly summarized in your Paid to THINK ET Competitive Intelligence Process a diagram which mirrors very accurately the methodology and process we use for investigations."
Alastair CampbellChairman, Bridger Intelligence
5 of 5
“... he spent over 12 hours doing pre-interviews over the phone and an additional day meeting with and consulting for top management at two large companies operating in Lithuania (Omnitel, part of Telia Sonera Group, and Transcom Worldwide).…David spent the time to learn about their businesses instead of just delivering a presentation. He exceeded our companies' expectations, because he has a vast knowledge on a variety of business lines and different markets, and most importantly, he is able to deliver the information in real time while he is presenting.”
Laura VilkaiteEvent and Program Director, Ekspoziciju Centras Lithuania
5 of 5
“We had learned so much in your research. You spoke the language of insurance, and even more impressive, the language of our company - almost as if you were part of it. During your presentation, people were glued to their chairs listening to your every word; the interaction with the group was great and note after note was taken. There are very few in the world that can do what you do. It's been over two months and we're still hearing conversations around your messages. To create this type of impact in such a short period of time is beyond belief."
Cathy BradshawDirector, Human Resources Employee and Leadership Development, Colonial Life
5 of 5
"No class had ever added so much in my professional life than yours!"
Victor Martelli Business Development, National Positions (Brazil)
5 of 5
"You gave an unbelievable presentation. A lot to think about. "
Terry RobertsPresident and Chief Executive Officer, China Construction Bank (Asia) Finance
5 of 5
"I heard David speak at a mini-convention in Quebec City. He has the ability to see the larger picture and use it to apply ideas to your business. I got more from him in the hour or so he spoke than an entire year at University. He gave practical, applicable information that will help my company get through this recession and come out of it on top."
Peter NiemanDirecteur Ventes et Marketing, Kyzen Inc.
5 of 5
"All internal survey respondents liked your session. You had a tremendous amount of excellent and positive feedback. The group thought the content of your presentation was inspirational, informative and impressive! They like your creative presentation style, rich life experience on all industries, motivational skills in keeping people's attention, and your presentation software! The next day, everyone was using what they learned. AMAZING! The only problem is - the session is too short!"
Hazel ChanMarketing and Comunications Manager, Maersk Line - South China Cluster
5 of 5
"You were spot on. Spot on."
Carla TaylorDirector of Global Solutions Development, Ethicon
5 of 5
"Your presentation was dense and rich."
Victoria CabotDirector of Leadership and Learning Resources, Vistage
5 of 5
"As you know, I served as the Chairman of the National Equipment Finance Association's Super Regional Expo recently held in Teaneck, New Jersey. I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your extraordinary presentation as our keynote speaker. Your insights and instincts were brilliant. You exceeded all of our expectations. Indeed, at the conclusion of your presentation, I was inundated with members who wanted to thank me for engaging you. Notably, many senior members advised me they thought your presentation was the most informative they had ever heard at any conference: This is particularly impressive as each of these senior members have been in the industry 30 years or more and have collectively attended hundreds of conferences."
Frank Peretore, Esq.Peretore & Peretore, PC, National Equipment Finance Association
5 of 5
"I told David that I’d never had such an engaging speaker call before! I’m really intrigued by his approach and willingness to research."
Jessica McMenamyEvent Marketing Specialist, CoBank
5 of 5
"It's amazing that you were able to draw together such an amazing business analysis in such a short time."
Paul HuizingaDirector of Higher Education Business Development, Agresso
5 of 5
"In two hours I received more education from David Goldsmith on running my business than in 10 years at HDU."
Ross VanderbergGeneral Manager, Mobile Bay Harley-Davidson, Inc.
5 of 5
"One of the things that makes you so different from any of the other speakers or consultants we've hired or that I've worked with at the local state and national levels is you've have helped us to see things that make a huge impact in an incredibly short period of time. I've never seen anyone else in my 35 years of association management, having led associations at all levels including international, do what you can do. We see ourselves differently after having worked with you.”
Teresa KinneyPresident, Florida Society of Association Executives
5 of 5
"I presented to the General Manager, the Senior Vice President and the R&D and Operations team. They are more than happy to adopt your phase-gate model/funnel system. I am super excited as I have been promoted to lead innovation as the Group Product Manager for a US$20M business in one of the top local food companies in the Philippines. Many, many thanks for the learnings!"
Faye MatrianoGroup Product Manager, Haagen-Dazs, Old El Paso, Progresso, General Mills - International Division
5 of 5
“I'd like to say you learn and work fast and your results are even quicker. You rapidly grasped our needs, made great assessments of the coaches, and delivered the exact solutions necessary to win. I've got to tell you that no one is doing what you do in our industry and you could make a fortune off this.“
Bob CarlsonAthletic Director, Clarion University
5 of 5
"David showed up early and unlike any of the presenters I have worked with in the past, and I have worked with many, Due to his schedule, he was able to arrive a day early, ran in the snow with our staff, spent time learning about our company and then paid attention to the products we offer. This preparation and his insight were combined into a wonderfully prepared, interactive, stimulating and educational keynote with sizzle."
Dennis McAnanyVice President of Marketing, Art Leather
5 of 5
"What I appreciate about you is your ability to translate complex ideas into ideas people can understand."
Greg BaidenCEO, Penguin Automated Systems
5 of 5
"I like the way you theorize and it makes me sad we break the human psyche with the current education system.
David RadszweitCEO, OCCDEC, PowerSave
5 of 5
"David, you are the engine behind all change in the company!"
Eliza LauVice President and ExCo member, City Super Group
5 of 5
"This book is unsummarisable. The contents of Paid to Think were forged in the fires of global consulting with top-level companies and tempered by critical research and analysis. The text has the potential to change even a seasoned executive's perspective with each chapter. It is a groundbreaking book that casts a considerable shadow across the landscape of today's thought and practice leadership."
Andrew B. ClancyExecutive Editor, Soundview/ Executive Book Summaries
5 of 5
"The fact that the members were challenged by David's presentation is a great thing...members will grow when they are challenged."
Tim CallSenior Vice President, Vistage Worldwide
5 of 5
"This year's National Association of Broadcasters 2015 NAB Show saw 103,000 attendees (a 7% increase) and it's because of speakers like David Goldsmith delivering tangible content. More specifically, David asked the questions no one else had asked our (radio) industry and delivered insightful observations and innovative strategies which are sure to have made a profound impact on our attendees. David Goldsmith is a true luminary and the rare breed of speaker who is better than advertised and delivers real results every time he takes the stage."
Josh MielySenior Manager, Radio Operations, National Association of Broadcasters
5 of 5
"Your single idea generated $1,655,000 in cash and refocused our business."
Chris TankPresident, Swan Dust Control
5 of 5
"David sees the big picture from all angles. He's direct, refreshingly frank and generous with his experience and knowledge. I can't recommend him enough."
Anthony Duignan-CabreraCEO, ADC Strategy
5 of 5
"You have just raised the bar on everything! My mind is spinning."
Kristina BruhahnCEO, Continuum
5 of 5
"I know most things going on in the space industry and David is the only one thinking this big. I want to be a part of what he is working on."
Dr. Aliya ProkofyevaPartner, Galaktica Group
5 of 5
"WHAT A REMARKABLE MORNING! David is, in my opinion, the most stimulating man I know...he pushes the boundaries of my brain and I am so grateful for it! We started with A and reached Z while flying around with topics, challenges, and solutions: thank you for being the way you are!"
Giovanna MelfiDirector, Metamorphosis Biz
5 of 5
"Your speech depicted dynamism, insightfulness, rigorous information, intellectual stimulation, and a wise approach to leadership. I enjoyed listening to you speak, and you were a Keynote Speaker well integrated into our Stanford caliber."
Kate LeeStanford University LEAD
5 of 5
"Home run...make that a grand slam. He was great!"
Marc PressManaging Principal, Board Member, KPFF Consulting Engineers
5 of 5
"You have the most amazing ability to perfectly synthesize the essence of a company story and the founder's pitch into one sentence. I have never seen anyone be able to instantly accomplish this feat so brilliantly. You are a true gem."
Whitney CathcardCo-Founder/Chief Strategy Officer, 3D Look
5 of 5
"David is a master at shifting someone's mindset! I've never met anyone who can do it as quickly as he can."
Gordon ChiuCEO, Phenegra
5 of 5
"You did such an incredible job with moderating the whole event - I am impressed again!"
Katia GaikaCEO, Fintech on the Block
5 of 5
"What you did was absolutely amazing. You took ideas from others and within minutes were able to explain to us exactly what they intended on saying but did not. I've never seen anything like it."
Eugene ShchemelevPresident, Tecom Group
5 of 5
"David Goldsmith is amazing, super smart, and a total visionary."
Todd ShoemackPresident, Venture Capital Consulting
5 of 5
“You were brilliant, perfecto, you did an amazing job. Loved how you delivered new information (to the YPOers).”
Emma Sherrard MatthewCEO, YPO-WPO Chapter Hong Kong
5 of 5
"You did more than okay! The space talk was amazing!"
Ekaterina VainbergHead of Entrepreneurship Programs, Singularity University, Center for Entrepreneurship, Moscow
5 of 5
"Love your energy! You bring + Energy bringing consciousness, presence & fulfillment. Thank you so much for your work with us."
Cristina VenturaChief Catalyst Officer, Lane Crawford Group
5 of 5
"David, thanks again for incredible way you made us all feel welcome and listened to. All 'moderators' at pitching events should take a course from you. Superior. Thanks again."
Marten StenforsCEO, Phenium
5 of 5
"I've seen a lot of startup presentations and have been to a lot of these events. I've never seen anyone do what you did today. It was brilliant. You were able to advise presenters on their tech, create clarity of messaging, and advise the 16 judges on the fly that was spot on every time. Incredible."
Gideon MarksPresident, EIT Digital
5 of 5
"David Goldsmith is not your typical professional speaker. He'll shock your brain with his nontraditional, outside-inside-all-around-the-box, fruit-basket turnover insight. His perspectives will cause you to stop, think and re-imagine your future. You can't leave his sessions without being provoked to think differently and question the status quo."
Jeff HurtCEO, Meetings Architect and Industry 2.0 Unguru
5 of 5
"I pulled two items out of your presentation that we will roll out globally through Johnson and Johnson. You've got me thinking about everything."
Zack LemelleVice President and CIO, Johnson and Johnson
5 of 5
“It’s hard to believe that within one week you were able to learn about Comerica to the extent you could facilitate two completely interactive programs with 300+ members of our staff and at the same time guide us in the strategy we should use to get the highest return on the project we were developing.... In our search, we were told that you were the only person who could do what we were asking especially within the time frame allotted. We were also told you go far beyond the scope of the project as both a futurist and a strategist, who can learn about a company or an industry in as little time as a week. They were right, and you exceeded these expectations.”
Michael WilsonNational Sales and Marketing Director Wealth and Institutional Management, Comerica Bank
5 of 5
"I have experienced David Goldsmith's consulting firsthand and he is brilliant...the fastest brain on the planet. David generates more (enterprising) ideas or solutions and insights than most of the business world combined. And he is a master of many skills, so he is able to address so many facets of business. That is one thing I really like about David's business acumen -- he rapidly can grasp the whole picture and then effectively address the various parts. That is how I know David is a special kind of speaker, consultant and expert. He continues to amaze me."
Andrea H. GoldPresident, Gold Stars Speakers Bureau
5 of 5
"I looked at over 100 speakers in the process of finding a speaker, [seeking] one that could speak to 25 CEO's who are the major players in 25 industries. These are people who already have their own opinions and want someone to show them more. I'd even bet I've spent 100 hours on the project. In the end, you are exactly what I was looking for.”
Nancy RabenholdCEO, Xcira (Previously Auction Management Solutions)
5 of 5
"David, you are very good at what you do. Very good. I want to stay. I've never met anyone like you who can keep me thinking."
Azim PremjiChairman, Wipro Technologies Ltd.
5 of 5
“Without question, you are one of the very best speakers the Executive Officers Club has ever hired, and we've heard about 200 keynote speakers since the EOC was founded.”
Chuck WhitlockChairman, Executive Officers Club
5 of 5
“It’s amazing what you were able to figure out in just 10 phone calls. You’ve not only learned our business, but what you’ve figured out is pretty impressive.”
David SpeerCEO, Illinois Tool Works
5 of 5
"You were great! You added a sense of balance and neutrality to a conference that's not typically seen. It was if you represented us (the clients) on stage. Actually, throughout the event I was impressed and surprised at how quickly you assimilated our content and then created commentary that helped to weave the conference together, unlike most facilitators or emcee's that just make an introduction and then walk off stage."
Donald WongVice President, Digital Media Technologies/Digital Media Initiative, Sony Pictures
5 of 5
"In his presentation, David Goldsmith gave us so many practical ideas that he could have charged us A MILLION DOLLARS, and it would have been worth it."
John LabrieCEO and President, CWX Con-Way Express
5 of 5
"Thank you for sharing, for being so brilliantly flexible with such flair and style. You nailed the timing and were brilliant in delivery. I can now tell everyone about my new knowledge!"
Emma Sherrard MatthewCEO, Quintessentially
5 of 5
"Quite frankly David, I’m taken aback by how you were able to figure out exactly what we had paid Ogilvy a lot of money to figure out, and with so little information. It’s incredible how quickly you did it."
Michael SchriverPresident Worldwide Operations, DFS/Duty Free Shops Group Limited
5 of 5
"I have seen David present at couple different sessions at a conference in the Silicon Valley and he convinced me to mentor and leverage my contacts to open doors at eBay for one of the startup founders that he judged. He was great and engaged the audience well both with the general session as well as a panelist. Not only he is one of the smartest people I know but he also has a unique ability to quickly and succinctly analyze a business situation, put it into the context of market trends and ask thought provoking questions. Having consulted many, many companies all over the world and built several himself, David adds value both as a strategist as well as an entrepreneur. He has an uncanny ability to see things in a different light and bring others on the journey. I would not hesitate to have him as a speaker at an event I organize."
Elena FrishbergDirector, Chief Strategy Office, Strategic Ecosystem Group, Cisco Systems, Inc.
5 of 5
"We recently invited David Goldsmith to speak to our senior leadership group (top 50 managers) on the topics of strategy and improved execution. David gave an absolutely outstanding presentation to our group. In his preparation, David interviewed several of our executives in advance of the conference and developed original material which was tailored to our company, our culture and our operating style. "David is a high energy, brilliant combination of entrepreneur, consultant, academic and author. From his initial comments, he captivated our group and provided meaningful suggestions and working tools for our teams to use to improve our business performance. I received very positive feedback from many of our attendees afterward, who felt David's remarks were excellent, his delivery style was entertaining and his book was invaluable. "David, thank you for the time, effort and thought you gave to us. I highly recommend David for your next management meeting or strategic challenge."
Philip A. GoodrichSenior Vice President, Corporate Development, Kaman Corporation
5 of 5
"I have to say this is the most interesting and thought-provoking podcast I have ever done. David Goldsmith asks me questions for 2hrs and 42 minutes!"
Kevin SuraceToken Chair, Appvance.Ai (Built three $1B businesses)
5 of 5
"David could easily be our modern day Leonardo da Vinci."
Shigeo KatsuPresident, Nazarbayev University, Former Vice President for Europe and Central Asia Region, The World Bank
5 of 5
"What Peter Drucker did for current management theory and practice - that is what David Goldsmith has done for modern day leadership."
Jay AbrahamCEO, Abraham Group
5 of 5
"[Regarding our strategic planning and global meeting with our CEO, board, and Chief Strategist], this was perfect. Exactly what we wanted to achieve."
Nandan NilekaniCEO, Co-Founder, Infosys
Keynote by David Goldsmith:
Reshape how leader think, decide, and perform across the organization.
Paid to THINK is a high-impact leadership session that helps individuals reshape how they approach their role, their decisions, and their contribution to the organization. Drawing from Enterprise Thinking, David brings together strategy, leadership, innovation, alliances, and forecasting to show how these elements work together in real environments. Rather than focusing on a single topic, the session connects multiple dimensions of how organizations operate so leaders can see more clearly, think more effectively, and act with greater precision. Participants walk away with a practical understanding of how to improve how they plan, prioritize, collaborate, and execute, allowing them to perform at a higher level and contribute more meaningfully to the success of the organization.
Organizations bring David in when they need to:
Reshape how strategy is actually built and executed
Turn thinking into structured action that produces results
Break down silos and connect how the organization truly operates
Bring a holistic approach to leadership, performance, and growth
Redefine what’s possible by rethinking the past, present, and future
Improve how decisions are made across all levels of the organization
Equip leaders to perform at a higher level, consistently
A high-density session that changes how leaders think, operate, and perform.
Formats: Keynote (60–90 min) • Extended session • Executive workshop
Keynote by David Goldsmith:
Designing systems that operate across decades
Project Moon Hut, is a living case study in what it takes to design an ecosystem that has to hold together across decades, disciplines, and constraints. It's a story about change, innovation, collaboration, and our future. Yes, there is space yet leveraged individually, organizationally, and for civilization to to redefine tomorrow. When you try to build a Box with a Roof and a Door on the Moon (NASA named the project), you’re forced to confront the same questions large institutions face on Earth, only with nowhere to hide: how infrastructure gets financed, how systems coordinate, how technology transfers, how education pipelines are built, how governance and incentives work, and how you keep coherence as complexity increases. This talk gives audiences a grounded view of what long-horizon building actually looks like when you treat it as an operating system, not a campaign, and how that way of thinking can be applied inside corporations, governments, and major initiatives that need to endure.
Organizations bring David in when they need to:
Expand how leaders define what’s possible
Shift from incremental thinking to system-level thinking
Reframe challenges in ways that unlock entirely new approaches
Connect long-term thinking to present-day decisions
See how seemingly unrelated systems actually interact
A perspective shift that changes how leaders see the future and what they do about it.
Formats: Keynote (60–90 min) • Extended session • Executive workshop
Keynote by David Goldsmith:
David builds the keynote before he walks into the room.
Before the event, he works directly with select members of the organization—leaders, operators, and key voices inside the system, to understand what’s actually happening beneath the surface.
From those conversations, he builds a session specifically for that audience.
What follows on stage is not a presentation.
What happens on stage is a clear, direct view of how the organization actually operates, where it’s working, where it’s not, and what needs to change.
Organizations bring David in when they need to:
See clearly what is actually happening inside the organization
Surface issues that are known, but not being addressed
Understand how decisions, structure, and behavior are interacting
Identify where the organization is getting in its own way
Create alignment around what needs to change
Built before the event. Delivered in the room. Understood immediately.
Watch David Goldsmith in action
