Shaun Tomson

Shaun Tomson is a leadership and positive engagement expert who has collaborated with prominent organizations such as GM, Cisco, PwC, Google, Disney, and Gap to inspire purpose and reactivate their teams. Tomson provides a distinctive approach to harnessing personal will to boost performance and conducts workshops that help team members strengthen relationships and evolve both individually and collectively. He is a true entrepreneur, having created, managed, and sold two international multi-million-dollar clothing brands—Instinct in the 1980s and Solitude in the 1990s, which he co-founded with his wife Carla. He is a former World Surfing Champion and is recognized as one of the greatest and most influential surfers of all time, with induction into the US, Jewish, and South African Sports Halls of Fame.

Tomson is the author of several bestsellers including "Surfer's Code," "The Code - The Power of 'I Will'," and the #1 Amazon bestseller "The Surfer and the Sage," co-written with poet-philosopher Noah benShea. This book offers insights on facing life’s challenges with purpose, hope, and faith. He also co-produced the award-winning documentary film "Bustin’ Down the Door," which narrates the dramatic evolution of professional surfing. Tomson holds a degree in Business Finance from the University of Natal in South Africa and a Master of Science in Leadership from Northeastern University. He has served on the board of the Surfrider Foundation and the Santa Barbara Boys & Girls Club. Tomson previously held the position of Vice President at Strathspey Crown, a private equity company focused on healthcare, and has consulted for consumer corporations such as Brooks Shoes and Deckers. He has also held executive positions at environmentally focused apparel leaders like Patagonia and O'Neill.

As an in-demand speaker, Tomson’s presentations are noted for their practical takeaways, helping attendees apply lessons in their operations. He emphasizes how surfing lessons on risk, resilience, and camaraderie can significantly enhance leadership and business strategies. Through his talks on topics like empowerment, peak performance, and the importance of a positive values system, he effectively connects surfing concepts to business and personal growth. Additionally, Tomson actively promotes environmental sustainability and has been an environmental activist, recognized with the Environmentalist of the Year award. He continues to inspire audiences by sharing insights on how doing good is beneficial for business, underlining his commitment to environmentalism and sustainability.