Ed Hiner

Lieutenant Commander Ed Hiner (Ret.) spent two decades as a U.S. Navy SEAL, mastering one of the world’s most demanding team environments and emerging with a skill set unequaled in today’s workplace. He completed nine major deployments—leading hundreds of strategic combat missions across Iraq, Afghanistan, the Philippines, and beyond—and was awarded two Bronze Stars with “V” for valor. In the Battle of Ramadi, he became the first SEAL ever spot-promoted for combat command in Iraq’s “Triangle of Death,” and, as a SPECAT Officer, held above-Top-Secret clearance on national-level operations.

As the Navy’s Training and Readiness Officer, Hiner architected and led the SEAL Teams’ elite combat-training pipeline, forging the warrior Ethos that continues to guide the community’s culture and performance. He further sharpened his high-stakes expertise during two years as Executive Officer and Team Leader for Britain’s Special Boat Service under U.S.–UK joint commando Task Force Black (JSOC), integrating multinational tactics and leadership practices.

Transitioning to civilian life, Hiner channels that same rigor into purpose-driven programs. He founded SEALpreneurship, a mental-toughness curriculum for youth grounded in SEAL principles. He launched the 23 Evolution initiative to reform public education and juvenile justice through self-efficacy and character development. Under contract with San Diego County’s Juvenile Court and Community Schools, he teaches the “PHD in ME” model—empowering at-risk students to own their outcomes and unlock confidence.

A Los Angeles Times bestselling author, Hiner wrote "First Fast Fearless: How to Lead Like a Navy SEAL" and "GUTS: Greatness Under Tremendous Stress." He holds an MS in Executive Leadership from the University of San Diego and is a sought-after keynote speaker on leadership, teamwork, culture, risk mitigation, and manufacturing motivation. Through The Hiner Group, he delivers transformative training that instills the same ethos, courage, and strategic clarity that defined his SEAL career.

Drawing on his SEAL-forged discipline, resilience, and mission-driven execution, Hiner serves on multiple corporate boards—championing rigorous compliance, elevating operational performance, and honing strategic direction in the highest-stakes environments. His uncanny talent for translating complex challenges into clear, actionable strategies makes him an indispensable partner to leadership teams navigating today’s unpredictable landscape.