Steve Pemberton
Human-Centered Thought Leader, Bestselling Author & Managing Director at Seramount
Steve Pemberton
Human-Centered Thought Leader, Bestselling Author & Managing Director at Seramount
Biography
Steve Pemberton is a visionary leader, transformational human capital strategist, best-selling author, and lifelong advocate for human dignity. With a voice that uplifts and a message that resonates across generations, Steve has become a beacon of hope and possibility — dedicated to illuminating the path forward for individuals, organizations, and communities alike. A compelling communicator and highly sought-after speaker, he connects with audiences from all walks of life, inspiring them to rise above their circumstances and lead with purpose, compassion, and courage. His mission is as relentless as it is profound: to ensure that every person — no matter their beginnings — has a chance in the world.
A Calling Beyond Career
Steve’s professional journey has been marked by an unwavering commitment to infusing humanity into the workplace. From pivotal roles at Monster.com and Walgreens to his former position as Chief Human Resources Officer at Workhuman®, Steve has continuously championed inclusive cultures, inspired transformative leadership, and reshaped how organizations view and value their people. Today, as Managing Director at Seramount, he leads the company’s human capital solutions, crafting forward-looking strategies to meet the evolving needs of a global talent landscape.
Wherever he goes, Steve brings with him a rare combination of empathy and excellence. His “human lighthouse” approach has guided companies to build cultures that not only perform but thrive — places where purpose meets productivity and people are empowered to shine. A trusted advisor and trailblazer in the field, he is regularly called upon to speak at the world’s most influential HR conferences, share insights with major media outlets, and counsel companies seeking to build future-ready, people-first workplaces.
A Life That Lights the Way
Steve Pemberton’s accomplishments stand on their own. But it’s the courageous path he walked to achieve them that tells the most powerful story of all. As the author of two best-selling books, he invites readers into a journey marked by resilience, faith, and the unwavering belief in what’s possible. His first book, A Chance in the World, recounts his harrowing yet hopeful story of surviving extraordinary hardship and adversity in the foster care system, and ultimately triumphing to uncover his identity and build a life of impact. The memoir was adapted into an independent film and led to the development of a social-emotional learning curriculum now taught in high schools nationwide.
His second book, The Lighthouse Effect: How Ordinary People Can Have an Extraordinary Impact in the World, challenges us to become “human lighthouses” — people who use their trials to light the way for others. The book is both a call to action and a heartfelt celebration of the everyday heroes who change lives through kindness, integrity, and presence. It has inspired audiences across sectors — from corporate boardrooms to classrooms, faith communities to nonprofit circles. Steve’s story has resonated far and wide, leading to high-profile features and appearances in national media, including People magazine, The Today Show, CBS Evening News, Tamron Hall, and other major platforms.
A Legacy of Impact
Steve’s life and leadership have earned him numerous accolades, including the U.S. Congress' prestigious Horizon Award for expanding opportunity for all Americans, and the Lifetime Achiever Award from the New England Opportunity Association. He has also been recognized with honorary doctorates from Boston College, Providence College, and Winston-Salem State University.
Wherever his travels take him, Steve continues to lead through service. His dedication to access and inclusion for all is reflected in his board work with a wide range of mission-driven organizations, including Loyola Academy, The Wily Network, Boys Hope Girls Hope, Disability:IN, and others. Through every role and relationship, Steve remains guided by the core belief that every life has value, and every person deserves the opportunity to realize their full potential.
With humility and grace, Steve Pemberton continues to be a force for good in the world — living proof that no beginning has to be a life sentence, and that each of us can be the lighthouse someone else is searching for.
Speaker Videos
The Lighthouse Effect
Steve Pemberton's Hot Takes on Challenging Times and Optimism
A Chance in the World
The Extraordinary Journey of Steve Pemberton
Steve Pemberton's Hot Takes on Leadership and Community
How Sharing Your Story Can Help You Find Common Connections With Others | The Tamron Hall Show
Virtual Keynote: Human Lighthouse & the Power of Gratitude
Boston College Class of 2020 Commencement Address
Creating A Different Vision
The Power of Education
A Chance in the World Sneak Preview
A Chance in the World - Reunion
Speaking Reel
On Diversity and Inclusion
Hope Is a Powerful Word
Speech Topics
The Anchor Principle: Leading with Stability, Purpose & Enduring Impact
In this enlightening session, Steve Pemberton introduces a transformative leadership framework: The Anchor Principle. Where Pemberton’s celebrated work in The Lighthouse Effect focuses on the influence of guiding figures in our lives, The Anchor Principle emphasizes the internal strength and “groundedness” leaders can cultivate to navigate uncertainty with clarity and purpose. Pemberton’s insights are informed by independent research that examines what anchors individuals across their personal, professional and community lives. Key findings from this research reveal that people who remain anchored in their lives exhibit greater adaptability, emotional well-being and leadership effectiveness. By exploring these core anchors, Pemberton provides a current snapshot of the values and practices that help people remain grounded in an increasingly uncertain world. This research not only highlights the key elements that foster stability but also serves as a roadmap for navigating change and building resilience. These insights inform the actionable strategies shared throughout the session.
Through his examples, Pemberton illuminates the qualities that allow people to lead with authenticity and build lives anchored in lasting values and resilient connections. In addition, he completely alters the way in which we view leadership, suggesting that all of us, regardless of roles and titles, are leaders.
In this talk, audiences will gain actionable insights on how to:
- Define and live by a personal purpose that drives resilience and professional growth.
- Build meaningful, lasting connections that strengthen leadership impact.
- Lead with stability by embodying core values and adapting with integrity.
Pemberton’s keynote or workshop inspires audiences to create lives—and communities and workplaces—that remain anchored through change, helping them to become leaders who offer stability, vision and connection to those they serve.
The Lighthouse Effect of Leadership
Having served as an HR senior executive for the likes of Monster.com and Walgreens, Steve Pemberton has learned a few things about leadership, building positive cultures and creating environments where teams can deliver their best work. As the relationship between employers and employees continues to evolve and people are seeking greater meaning in their work, more is being asked of leaders. And while many acknowledge the importance of leading differently, few dig into the details of how we should go about doing so. In this informative and enlightening session, Pemberton takes current and future leaders through the 10 attributes of Lighthouse Leadership, from turning doubts into destinations to moving beyond circumstances and into possibilities. He also shares stories and lessons on how to navigate adversity, coming from the "everyday hero." These are people Steve has met in his life who, in the face of difficulty, demonstrated humility, strength, courage and perseverance and how we can learn from their character and their values.
Pemberton’s session, which can be delivered as a keynote or breakout session, leaves leaders with a sustainable framework they can immediately begin to implement within their organization. Whether you are looking to create sustainable change or advancing your culture, this talk has something for everyone. Supported by case studies and interactive exercises, the audience will walk away with a renewed commitment to leadership and creating their own “Lighthouse Effect.” You will learn how to:
- Lead through adversity—the three lighthouse attributes leaders must demonstrate in times of crisis or challenge.
- Recognize performance and tap potential—how leaders can recognize talent, see the untapped potential in people and invest in their development.
- Cultivate a legacy of impact—how to lead in a way that your influence inspires and enables others to carry forward your values and vision.
- Lead through service—understanding the enormous impact of servant leadership.
The Lighthouse Effect: How Ordinary People Can Have an Extraordinary Impact in the World
When Steve Pemberton wrote his first book A Chance in the World, he did not know it was going to connect him with stories of others across the world. That, along with his professional career in human resources in the fields of higher education, career advancement, healthcare and human resources, has provided him with a great deal of insight into the human experience and the systems of which we are part. He brings those lessons to bear in this powerful talk based on his bestselling book, The Lighthouse Effect.
In this inspirational and interactive talk, Pemberton walks us through the concept of human lighthouses and awakens us to the empowering idea that we are all lighthouses, whether we know it or not. Told through the stories of those he has encountered in his personal and professional life, Pemberton also offers an organizational framework for living, earning and leading — an illuminating way to more positively engage with one another, to build trust, to see beyond the labels that define us to the human experiences that bond us. This unforgettable keynote, workshop or master class can be customized to reflect your organization’s focus, culture, objectives and specific challenges.
A Chance in the World
Steve Pemberton's poignant narrative, A Chance in the World, continues to resonate deeply with audiences worldwide. Featured on CBS Evening News, People magazine, the Today Show and adapted into an inspiring film, Pemberton shares his remarkable journey of overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds as an orphan navigating the foster care system while also trying to solve the mystery of his own identity. Moving beyond the confines of a typical coming-of-age tale, Pemberton emphasizes the profound impact of the seemingly ordinary individuals who came into his life and the lessons they offer all of us. Through his narrative, Pemberton affirms the importance of selfless individuals who strive to help people better their lives and positively impact the community around them. Along the way, Pemberton provides invaluable lessons on self-empowerment, overcoming self-doubt, envisioning success and achieving one's goals. This unforgettable keynote, delivered by one of the world’s most captivating and inspiring speakers, can be customized to align with your organization's theme, culture, objectives and specific challenges.
A Chance to Lead: Breaking the Cycle in Health Disparities
After years of being trapped in the foster care system, Steve Pemberton went on a search for his biological family, determined to understand the forces that had taken them away. What he did not expect to find was the role that healthcare had played in altering the circumstances of his childhood, as it had also done for both of his parents. In this powerful and riveting keynote, Pemberton articulates the importance of understanding how social determinants of health can influence, for better or for worse, lives, communities and generations. But this is not simply a keynote address about stresses in the health care system. Rather, Pemberton also shares the stories of the "human lighthouses" in healthcare who tried to intervene during his early years and, in so doing, gave him the strength to fight just one more day. For any healthcare organization that wants to be reminded of the importance and the impact of the profession, this keynote is a must-have.
Unleashing the Power of Gratitude to Create Renewed Energy & Purpose
While research has long shown the importance of gratitude in our lives, creating environments that leverage gratitude as a unifying cultural force has proven harder to come by. Part of this is because daily we are deluged by stories of negativity that are stifling our sense of hope and optimism. And the consequences are all around us, from general feelings of pessimism to toxic cultures that threaten to smother creativity and innovation. But years of effectively working with individuals and organizations across the world have given former chief human resources officer Steve Pemberton a blueprint for just how to implement a culture of appreciation. From understanding the larger social forces that get in our way to unpacking his Day 1 Gratitude strategies, the audience will go on a reflective journey—leaving them moved and inspired to create the positive change they are seeking in themselves and their organizations. This highly interactive session can be delivered as a keynote, workshop or master class and can be customized to reflect your organization's focus, culture, objectives and specific challenges.
None of Us Look Like Our Story: The Power of Belonging to Change Organizations
None of us look like our story is an epiphany that Steve Pemberton has come to after years of encountering the personal journeys of people from across the world. That insight also reflects his approach to the concept of belonging and how organizations can harness its power to transform their environments. In this compelling keynote, complete with examples and how-to-implement tactics, Pemberton unpacks the essential components of belonging that are critical for the growth of individuals and the performance of organizations while also creating inclusive cultures that move us past controversial DEI conversations to a new paradigm in which everyone feels seen and valued. Audiences will leave this presentation equipped with a new framework and confident in their abilities to bring those practical strategies back to their environments.
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