Our Team
Jim Nalepa
Keynote Speaker | Leadership Expert | Author | Veteran
In addition to the events below,
I am also available for In House Training
and One to One Executive Coaching.
Request A Call
Upcoming Events
2025
October 21-23, 2025
Chicago, IL
November 18-20, 2025
Fort Lauderdale, FL
2026
March 24-26, 2026
Chicago, IL
April 28-30, 2025
Fort Lauderdale, FL
October 13-15, 2026
Chicago, IL
November 10-12, 2026
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Bio
Jim Nalepa is a seasoned leadership expert, dynamic keynote speaker, and veteran of the United States Army, with a distinguished career that spans over 40 years. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point (Class of 1978), Jim's career in leadership began with active service in the 3rd Infantry Division in Germany and the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. Notably, Jim was a member of the Grenada Rescue Mission in 1983, an experience that shaped his unwavering commitment to leadership under pressure.
Upon transitioning from active duty as a Captain in 1984, Jim launched his professional career as a speaker and leadership coach, with a singular passion: to help organizations build high-performance teams and cultivate visionary leaders. His unique blend of experience, expertise, and energetic delivery has made him a deeply sought-after speaker, inspiring audiences across the United States, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean.
Over the years, Jim has coached and developed executive leaders and leadership teams for a wide range of organizations, from multinational corporations to emerging businesses. His clients span diverse industries, all benefiting from his tailored insights on leadership excellence, teamwork, and organizational growth.
Jim's expertise has been widely recognized, with features in prestigious publications such as The Wall Street Journal, BOSS Magazine, Working Woman, and Crain's Chicago Magazine. He has also served as a guest commentator on leadership and executive performance at top-tier institutions like The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and the Business School at the University of Wisconsin.
As the co-author of the Amazon Best Seller Follow Me Leadership: Lessons from Graduates of the United States Service Academies, Jim brings a unique perspective on leadership forged through years of military service and honed in the corporate world.
In addition to his speaking and coaching work, Jim has held leadership roles in several organizations. He is a past president of the West Point Society of Chicago, a former board member of the USO of Illinois, and a lifetime member of both the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. Jim has also contributed to various corporate boards and advisory committees, further cementing his credibility as a leader in both military and civilian sectors.
Currently residing in Miami, Florida, Jim continues to inspire and lead through his speaking engagements, helping organizations build leaders who lead with purpose, vision, and integrity.
Testimonials
The program provides real substance to the concept of leadership, not just as an abstract idea. It provides a comprehensive understanding of what true leadership entails. It also delivers the tools and exercises in a way that makes real world application of leadership principles easy to work into our professional and personal lives.
Dave Bork, Business Development Manager
Upon graduation from the Leadership Excellence Course, I felt it was the best personal and professional development course I'd ever attended. However, after taking Academy Leadership's Advanced Leadership course I now feel there's a tie.
The Advanced course took the skills I'd learned and incorporated in the LEC to the next level. If the LEC laid the foundation and put up the framework, then the Advanced course completed the job, inspecting the fundamentals before hand-crafting the finish work.
Jim Nalepa's dynamic instruction made the 3-day course pass much too quickly. The topics could easily be the subject of full-semester instruction in a college setting.
The lessons I've learned from these two courses have taught me to be not simply "a better manager," but truly a Leader and I can't thank you enough for assisting me on this journey.
Heather Pontius, MBA, MIS, PMP
The Advanced Leadership Course allows leaders to hone their skills and provides real life practice of all the nuts and bolts of management. It gave me an excellent refresher of the management skills that are the most important for success and results. The Crucial Conversations book, discussion and practice exercises were worth the price of admission alone. The ability to think through and practice these skills will be critical for me to advance in my company or to move my skills somewhere else.
The facilitator is one of the best I have ever worked with and has the energy of 5 men. He kept me engaged and constnatly wanting more. The other students provided loads of real life situations and plenty of advice that I will take to heart. It was one of the best classes I have ever attended and that is saying a lot!
The Advanced Leadership course re-energized me to fight the status quo and do the right things at work...and to encourage others to do the same. Often we take a course and are pumped up when we leave, then return to work only to fall back into the same old slump. This course has take away tools, post-course work, and on-going coaching and support that help you implement what you learned. Jim Nalepa brought the passion to do the right things and to take the high road rather than the easy way out. Also the connections made and the shared challenges of others who participated in the course provide extra resources for support. This life learning has truly changed my actions not only in the weeks to come, but throughout the rest of my career.
Tammy Meyer
Engergizing session that will teach you everything you thought you already knew. This program takes a unique approach by telling you who you are and what leadership style you possess. From there it takes you on a journey to teach you how to accentuate your strengths and develop your blidesides. I have been managing at one level or another for 20 years, and thought I knew all I needed to know to lead a team. I learned that just because my department is successful, that doesn't mean that I am as good a leader as I can be. I learned that I have forgotten alot about what it means to be an effective leader. I am very greatful that I have experienced this course and have been reminded of what it means to be a leader. Not only do I thank you, but all of my direct reports thank you as well, even though they don't realize it yet. Thank you!
Gary P. Pecor
This was one training program that I wasn't really looking forward to, but it completely exceeded my expectatiions. Jim is an excellent facilitator. He makes you feel comfortable regardless of your thoughts and ideas and helps guide you to better understanding.
Judy Meigel
This is by far and above the best leadership program out there. I have taken many leadership courses both in college and in the professional workplace. This course covers ideas, practical application and skills required in EVERY aspect of life. This is the ONLY course on leadership that can be applied to both personal and professional leadership. Jim Nalepa has been a wonderful instructor and facilitator. He not only presents the material, he provides REAL LIFE application of the concepts covered. Jim has brought this topic and course to life. I never once felt like the course was boring. I did not even look at the clock throughout the entire course.
Richard Bowser, Sr. Engineer
