Monday, June 5
8:30 A.M. – 9:30 A.M.
Conference Keynote
Opportunities Earned & Leadership Learned: An American Hero’s Journey (session)

Florent “Flo” Groberg shares his story, 8 Seconds of Courage, inspiring audiences to see the opportunities in challenging environments and to find the strength to complete any mission.

On his second deployment to Afghanistan in 2012, American hero “Flo” Groberg demonstrated the ultimate selflessness when he tackled a suicide bomber, significantly minimizing casualties and preserving the lives of the command team it was his mission to protect. For his heroism, U.S. Army Captain Groberg was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, the nation’s top recognition of valor in combat.

Despite critical injuries and 33 surgeries over the following years, Groberg went on rebuild his life and to lead teams at LinkedIn, Boeing and now Microsoft. The author of 8 Seconds of Courage and a passionate advocate for veterans’ issues, Groberg speaks candidly about the physical and psychological struggles that he and other wounded warriors face once home and what it takes to rebuild a life.

Armed with lessons on leadership, teamwork and sacrifice, Groberg explains their direct application to the work of business executives, managers and teams, and he inspires audiences to appreciate life’s gifts and to see opportunity in even the most difficult conditions. His thoughts on finding meaning in life and work when everything seems hard seem particularly relevant today, and he inspires audiences to summon their absolute best in even the most adverse conditions.

A graduate of the University of Maryland, Flo Groberg earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice and a master’s degree in Intelligence with a specialization in Intelligence Management. After retiring from the U.S. Army, Groberg moved into the private sector, leading teams at LinkedIn and Boeing. Today, he is head of Microsoft Azure’s Global Government Mission.