Dave Durand

Dave Durand is an entrepreneur, author, and recognized voice in leadership and personal development. Best Version Media was founded by Durand, Pete Ericksen, and Paul Lubinski, who developed several magazines in the Milwaukee area during a five-year incubation stage before expanding the company across the United States. Durand launched Best Version Media during a period when print media faced significant skepticism. During his tenure as CEO, Best Version Media ranked among the top 20 fastest-growing media companies in North America and was the fastest-growing private company in Wisconsin. The Wall Street Journal has recognized Best Version Media as one of the Top 100 Best & Brightest Companies to Work For in the Nation.

Durand's entrepreneurial career began as a college student selling Cutco Cutlery, where he contributed to the company's growth from a $30 million domestic business to a $250 million international corporation. He became the youngest person in the company's history to be inducted into its Hall of Fame. Durand has built and sold multiple businesses with collective sales exceeding one billion dollars in industries including media, digital services, and leadership training. He serves as CEO of Leading Giants, a personal development and influence training organization, and remains Executive Chairman of Best Version Media.

Durand has guided more than 150,000 individuals, including Fortune 500 executives, CEOs, small business owners, sales representatives, and parents, through personal development and influence training. Through Leading Giants, he provides training grounded in cardinal virtues, positive psychology, and a methodology focused on cultivating key personality traits through practical skill development and habit formation. Durand is the author of six books, including "Perpetual Motivation: How to Keep Your Fire Burning in Your Career and in Life" and "The Fountain of Youth: Confession, the Only Way to Live Forever."

Throughout his career, Durand has been recognized as an Excellence 100 leader in leadership by Leadership Excellence Magazine, Most Respected CEO by Glassdoor, Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young, and one of the Top 100 minds in personal development by Personal Excellence. He co-founded Lighthouse Catholic Media and has contributed to Relevant Radio for more than two decades. Durand has appeared on numerous radio and television shows and authored articles on success, time management, and motivation. With experience scaling companies and developing leaders, Durand offers insights relevant to business leadership, personal development, and influence training across industries.