Marc Koehler, a former U.S. Navy Nuclear Submarine Officer and turnaround CEO, is a rare blend of expertise, engagement, and 35 years of battle-tested, proven experience leading teams in environments defined by pressure, uncertainty, and constant disruption.

While serving aboard nuclear submarines on missions critical to national security, Marc operated in environments where hesitation was not an option and decisions had to be made before all the answers were known. That experience shaped the leadership approach he now teaches organizations around the world through Fast Attack Leadership™ — a practical framework for helping teams stay aligned, strengthen decision-making, and execute with confidence when conditions are rapidly changing.

After leaving the Navy, Marc worked for Honeywell where he learned how to read a profit and loss statement, put together comprehensive strategic plans, and became a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt. When his daughters were 6, 4, and 2, he faced a decision between continuing to climb the corporate ladder or being present for every back-to-school night, choir performance, and soccer practice. He chose the latter and started a turnaround consulting firm, where he developed a reputation for helping organizations stabilize performance and regain momentum during periods of uncertainty and transition.

During this time, Marc witnessed firsthand how quickly organizations can lose alignment when conditions change and how powerful it is when teams are prepared to step forward and make decisions with clarity and confidence. He realized that what organizations need most is not more complexity, but leaders at every level who are ready to act when the situation demands it.

He later founded Lead With Purpose, a leadership development and research firm, where he took the over $1M in leadership training the Navy poured into him, combined with decades of civilian turnaround experience, and distilled it into simple concepts and skills that help organizations strengthen readiness at every level. Over 51,000 leaders have been developed through Lead With Purpose's SHRM-accredited organizational leadership consulting, coaching, courses, and simple systems.

Marc is keynote speaker addressing audiences of up to 50,000, the best-selling author of Leading With Purpose, and the host of the Surfacing Leaders podcast where he tells the stories of leaders in unlikely places and the human spirit that drives performance when the stakes are high and conditions are uncertain.

Residing in Oceanside, California, Marc is married to his wife Heidi of 30 years and Dad to their three grown daughters, Anja, Liesel, and Sophie.