NFL Executive & Leadership Expert; General Manager at Chicago Bears; Former Executive Director of Player Personnel at Kansas City Chiefs
Ryan Poles Biography
Ryan Poles is the general manager of the Chicago Bears of the National Football League, serving as the seventh individual to hold this position in franchise history. Poles became the first African American to serve as general manager for the Bears. His background includes experience as an offensive tackle for Boston College, where he protected quarterback Matt Ryan. An injury during his senior year shifted his trajectory from a projected mid-round NFL draft pick to signing as an undrafted free agent with the Bears. Poles received the Paul Cavanaugh Award, which recognizes student-athletes for commitment to football, volunteerism, ethics, and community involvement.
After his playing career, Poles transitioned to football operations and spent 13 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, ultimately serving as executive director of player personnel. During his tenure, the Chiefs acquired All-Pros and future Hall of Famers Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Tyreek Hill. The team secured a Super Bowl victory, two AFC titles, and seven AFC West championships during his time in the front office. Poles has been recognized on several "40 Under 40" lists, including Ingram's Magazine, The Athletic, and Chicago Magazine.
As general manager of the Bears, Poles has implemented a strategic approach to rebuilding the franchise. He orchestrated trades that resulted in the Bears obtaining the number one pick in the NFL Draft, which was used to select quarterback Caleb Williams. Poles later hired Ben Johnson as head coach. He has described his roster-building philosophy as sustainable, a strategy that contributed to the Bears achieving an 11-6 record and a playoff victory.
Poles has demonstrated effectiveness in the NFL Draft, with no outright busts among his first- and second-round selections since taking over. His approach to free agency has garnered recognition across the league, including being named one of NFL.com's early free agency winners. Poles prioritized upgrading the Bears' offensive line, resulting in a complete overhaul of the starting unit tasked with protecting Williams. Drawing from his experience as both a player and executive, Poles provides insights on leadership, team culture, and transitioning into leadership roles within professional football.
Ryan Poles Speaking Topics
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- Leadership
- Team Culture
- Definition of Success
- Transition from Player to General Manager
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Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Ryan Poles for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Ryan Poles, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Ryan Poles or any other speaker of your choice. -
What are the speaker fees for Ryan Poles
Speaking fees for Ryan Poles, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Ryan Poles are available upon request for live events and available upon request for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Ryan Poles, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does Ryan Poles speak about?
Ryan Poles is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Athlete, Business Leadership, Executive Leadership, Football, Human Resources, Leadership, Sports, Sports Motivation, Strategic Leadership, Teamwork & Teambuilding -
Where does Ryan Poles travel from?
Ryan Poles generally travels from Chicago, IL, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent. -
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Ryan Poles is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as . The estimated speaking fee range to book Ryan Poles for your event is available upon request. Ryan Poles generally travels from Chicago, IL, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Mike Singletary, Matt Eberflus, Ben Zobrist, Herman "Herm" Edwards and Brian Holloway. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Ryan Poles for an upcoming live or virtual event.
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