David Lewis

David Lewis is a franchise executive and business growth strategist with a career spanning two decades in franchising, leadership, and entrepreneurship. He holds a bachelor's degree from Southern Nazarene University, an MBA from Columbia Business School in New York City, and an MBA from London Business School in the United Kingdom. Lewis has served as a public sector appointee, advising policymakers on workforce and economic development, and is a public speaker and bestselling author on leadership. His book, "The Emerging Leader: Eight Lessons for Life in Leadership," reached the No. 2 spot for new releases in leadership on Amazon and was later released in a second edition.

Lewis advanced to senior leadership roles with Express Employment Professionals, the largest privately held staffing firm in North America, during a 17-year tenure. As vice president of franchising, he developed a growth strategy that contributed to the firm reaching $3.5 billion in annual revenue and more than 800 global locations. Under Lewis' leadership, Express was ranked the No. 1 staffing franchise in America for eight consecutive years by Entrepreneur and employed more than 500,000 people annually. After his time at Express, Lewis co-founded and served as chief operating officer of Stability Holdings, a cannabis industry startup that sold at an $88 million valuation. Stability was recognized as one of America's successful startups and named Oklahoma's Innovator of the Year. Lewis has also invested in nearly 20 startups as an angel investor, with several successful exits, including one valued at over $1 billion, and has contributed to job creation and industry disruption.

Lewis is chief growth officer of Wed Society, leading the national expansion of the franchised wedding media brand. Wed Society connects engaged couples with wedding vendors through digital, social, and print media, as well as in-person events. The brand has expanded from its first franchised market to dozens of locations across more than 20 states. Wed Society has been recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the Top New & Emerging Franchises. Lewis has emphasized the brand's strong foundation and community trust, focusing on increasing national awareness.

In addition to his executive roles, Lewis has advised policymakers on workforce and economic development. He has appeared in media outlets including NBC Nightly News, Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur, and USA Today. His recognitions include being named one of Oklahoma's Achievers Under 40, selection as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the North American staffing industry, and a feature in Money magazine. Lewis has also appeared in two documentary films and is a lifetime member of MENSA. He is known for his expertise in franchise growth, leadership development, and the future of work, offering a combination of entrepreneurial experience and strategic vision.