Bob Chapman

CEO of Barry-Wehmiller & Bestselling Author of "Everybody Matters"

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St. Louis, MO, USA
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Bob Chapman Biography

Recently named the Tharseō CEO of the Year by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the #3 CEO in the world in an Inc. article, and a Top 10 Social Capital CEO by International Business Times, Bob Chapman is very intentional about using his platform as a business leader to build a better world.

Chapman is Chairman and CEO of St. Louis, MO-based Barry-Wehmiller, a $3.3B global capital equipment and engineering solutions company with more than 12,000 team members. He became the senior executive of Barry-Wehmiller in 1975 at age 30 when the 90-year-old business had $20 million in revenue, outdated technology and a very weak financial position. Despite the obstacles, Chapman applied a unique blend of strategy and culture over the next 45+ years in leading Barry-Wehmiller through more than 120 successful acquisitions.

Over the past two decades, a series of realizations led him away from traditional management practices to Truly Human Leadership--a people-centric approach where his team members feel valued, cared for and integral to the company’s purpose. At Barry-Wehmiller, they have a unique measure of success: by the way they touch the lives of people.

Chapman’s experiences and the transformation he championed were the inspiration behind his 2015 WSJ bestseller “Everybody Matters: The Extraordinary Power of Caring for Your People Like Family.” The book is co-authored by Raj Sisodia, founder and co-author of “Conscious Capitalism.” The book has been translated into eight languages. In 2016, Harvard Business School released a case study featuring Barry-Wehmiller’s unique approach to business, which is now taught at 70+ business schools around the world.

In 2013, Chapman and his wife Cynthia launched a nonprofit, Chapman Foundation for Caring Communities, to bring the company’s groundbreaking Listen Like a Leader training to communities. And, in 2015, the Chapman & Co. Leadership Institute was founded to bring Barry-Wehmiller’s trademark culture transformation and leadership training to for-profit organizations.

In recent years, Chapman has focused on teaching caring leadership to tomorrow’s leaders through programs in K-12 schools and universities. In 2021, Chapman and his team partnered with Fordham University and other business schools to launch the Humanistic Leadership Academy which helps professors and students become more human-centered.

A sought-after speaker for a variety of industries, Chapman’s speaking engagements include the United Nations Global Compact Transforming Education Summit, Brazil’s Virtuous Leadership Conference, China Organizational Evolution Forum, Healthcare Burnout Symposium, Aspen Ideas Festival, Conscious Capitalism events, TEDxScottAFB, 2016 US Congressional Retreat, Manufacturing Excellence Conference, HERO Forum for Employee Health Management, and numerous others.

Chapman shares his story whenever he can, as it is an example of what’s possible at the intersection of great business strategy and profound care for people. He wants everyone to see that caring for people and giving them meaning, purpose and fulfillment through their work is not in disharmony with creating value.

Chapman has a BA from Indiana University and an MBA from Michigan.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 02/14/2024.

Bob Chapman Speaking Topics

  • Truly Human Leadership: The Skills and Courage to Care

    Recently named the Tharse? CEO of the Year by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the #3 CEO in the world by Inc. Magazine, and a Top 10 Social Capital CEO by International Business Times, Bob Chapman is very intentional about using his platform as a business leader to build a better world.

    He dreams of a world in which people leave work each day fulfilled by their work, rather than drained by it. He imagines a world full of caring business environments in which people can realize their gifts, develop their talents, and feel a genuine sense of fulfillment for their contributions. And in this world, because their work is fulfilling, people go home happy and are better spouses, parents, neighbors and friends.

    As Chairman and CEO of $3.5 billion global capital equipment firm Barry-Wehmiller, Chapman has championed meaningful work and caring work environments through, what he calls, Truly Human Leadership. This leadership philosophy, and the transformation it brought about at BarryWehmiller, were the inspiration behind his 2015 Wall Street Journal bestseller "Everybody Matters: The Extraordinary Power of Caring for Your People Like Family". Also in 2015, a leadership training firm, Chapman & Co. Leadership Institute, was founded to bring Barry-Wehmiller’s trademark culture transformation training to for-profit organizations.

    During his remarks today, Chapman will challenge traditional thinking about how to run a business and how to be a caring and effective leader. He’ll offer simple, yet groundbreaking ideas on how to create safe, healthy and fulfilling work environments grounded in people-centric leadership. You’ll leave inspired and equipped to implement some of his concepts today to help build better organizations for tomorrow. He hopes by sharing his story you’ll join him in a movement that aspires to a society where people think of others first, a society where everybody matters!

Bob Chapman Videos

  • Inno-Versity Presents: "Everybody Matters" by Bob Chapman ...
  • Barry-Wehmiller Chairman and CEO Bob Chapman AME Keynote ...
  • Truly human leadership: Bob Chapman at TEDxScottAFB - YouTube

Bob Chapman Books

  • Everybody Matters: The Extraordinary Power of Caring for Your People Like Family
    Everybody Matters: The Extraordinary Power of Caring for Your People Like Family

FAQs on booking Bob Chapman

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  • What are the speaker fees for Bob Chapman

    Speaking fees for Bob Chapman, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Bob Chapman are for live events and for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Bob Chapman, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Bob Chapman speak about?

    Bob Chapman is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Authors, Business, Business Growth, Business Leadership, Communication, Consulting, Disruptive Thinking, Ethics & Integrity, Leadership, TED, Thought Leadership.
  • Where does Bob Chapman travel from?

    Bob Chapman generally travels from St. Louis, MO, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
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    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Bob Chapman for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Bob Chapman for your next private or corporate function.
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Bob Chapman is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Truly Human Leadership: The Skills and Courage to Care. The estimated speaking fee range to book Bob Chapman for your event is $30,000 - $50,000. Bob Chapman generally travels from St. Louis, MO, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Mike Abrashoff, Kristen Hadeed, R "Ray" Wang, Mike Walsh and Libby Gill. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Bob Chapman for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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