Richard Leider

A pioneer in the field of career coaching, Richard has become an internationally respected author, speaker and a noted spokesman for the power of purpose. He has written or co-written five books - The Inventurers, Life Skills, Repacking Your Bags, The Power of Purpose and Whistle While You Work - and he has contributed to the Drucker Foundation book, The Leader of the Future and also to Coaching For Leadership. The book, Repacking Your Bags is an international best-seller published in 14 languages.

Featured previously in the magazine, Fast Company, he is now a contributing columnist to Fast Company's web site and has been featured as a speaker at all of their RealTime Live events. A Certified Master Career Counselor, Richard completed a master's degree in counseling psychology at the University of Northern Colorado. His alma mater, Gustavus Adolphus College, chose him as "Distinguished Alumnus in Human Services."

An avid hiker and backpacker, Richard leads yearly Inventure Expedition walking safaris in Tanzania, East Africa, where he helped found the Dorobo Fund for youth leadership and village conservation. Richard's work received recognition from the Bush Foundation, which awarded him a Fellowship to study "mid-career renewal". The Minnesota Career Development Association named Richard one of the top 10 most influential Minnesotans in the career development field and also presented him with the Jules Kerlan Outstanding Achievement Award for his contributions to the career development community. Richard passionately believes that each of us is born with purpose and his purpose is coaching individuals and leaders to discover that purpose.