Kevin Carroll keynote speaker

Kevin is an author + instigator of inspiration + creative catalyst. Kevin brings a playful curiosity, a keen understanding of human nature and a lifelong love of competition to all of his endeavors. Kevin is the author of four highly successful books published by ESPN, Disney Press, McGraw-Hill and A Kids Book About. Kevin has helped turn creative ideas into reality for organizations such as Nike, Starbucks, adidas, Walt Disney, Target, Proctor & Gamble, Columbia Sportswear, Mattel, the National Basketball Association and many others. Kevin was named by SUCCESS magazine as one of 19 “SEERS – changing the world!” Kevin believes that play is serious business!

Without parents in his life, Kevin resorted to finding life lessons from many sources: businessmen and laborers, winos and alcoholics, drug dealers and users, sport coaches, my peers and old-heads at the playground, merchants, war vets, school teachers, librarians, custodians, food service workers, other kid’s moms and dads.

Kevin learned to be constantly on the lookout for any nugget of insight/wisdom that would assist me on my quest to rise above my suffering and circumstances - turning ideas into reality became his focus + “I'll show YOU!” became his daily mantra. Carroll spent endless hours at the neighborhood playground, school & the public library - all of these locales became sanctuaries for him. Finding a way to rise above his circumstances and not let his circumstances dictate his destiny was his constant motivation. Kevin found a way to transform his journey from abandonment, dysfunction and uncertainty to success and a lifelong pursuit of significance.

After serving in the Air Force for ten years and earning a college degree, Kevin became an athletic trainer at the high school and collegiate levels in Philadelphia. His expertise in sport performance was recognized by the 76ers organization and led to earning a dream job as the head athletic trainer for the Philadelphia 76ers in 1995. (Special Note: Carroll was the third African-American athletic trainer in the history of the NBA!) While at the 76ers an unexpected “verbal altercation” was a catalyst to gain the attention of Nike who offered him an opportunity to bring his unique + diverse experiences to the sneaker giant in 1997. Although no job "officially" existed at the time, Nike executives directed Kevin to create a position at the company that would add value to the overall mission of the brand. Carroll stayed for seven years as the "Katalyst" (the 'K' is for Kevin)—a creative change agent. At Nike he was instrumental in helping the company develop a deeper understanding of athletic product performance, team dynamics and interpersonal communication. Carroll left Nike in

2004 to create his own company, Kevin Carroll Katalyst, committed to elevating the power of sport and play around the world. Kevin is the author of four highly successful books published by ESPN, Disney Press, McGraw-Hill and A Kids Book About. Kevin has helped turn creative ideas into reality for organizations such as Nike, Starbucks, adidas, Walt Disney, Target, Proctor & Gamble, Google, Columbia Sportswear, Mattel, the National Basketball Association and many others.

Kevin Carroll engages an audience with his masterful story-telling skills to entertain, enlighten, and challenge business leaders and worldwide audiences. Using lessons garnered from the spirit and dynamics of play, Kevin helps them understand how to enliven and enrich their work lives, enhance innovation, and improve team dynamics and interpersonal communication.