Leadership Advisory Expert & CEO at ghSMART; Former Navy Fighter Pilot & Test Pilot; White House Fellow; Fulbright Scholar
Jeff McLean Biography
Jeff McLean is the chief executive officer of ghSMART, a leadership advisory firm that partners with CEOs, boards, and investors across Fortune 500 companies, global private equity firms, and major nonprofits. McLean was appointed chief executive officer of G.H. Smart & Company, LLC after serving as the firm's president for three years. During his tenure as president, ghSMART received 14 No. 1 rankings in Vault's "Best Consulting Firms to Work For" and achieved high client satisfaction, reinforcing its position as a trusted advisor in the leadership consulting industry. Funds managed by KKR acquired a significant minority stake in ghSMART, with the founder, partners, and employees retaining majority ownership, and McLean continuing to lead the company.
Before entering the business sector, McLean served in the U.S. military as a Navy fighter pilot, completing three aircraft carrier deployments and logging over 1,500 flight hours, including 51 combat missions supporting Operation Enduring Freedom over Afghanistan. As a test pilot, he led testing on an unmanned jet aircraft program that advanced autonomous aircraft capabilities, including carrier landings and aerial refueling. McLean graduated with distinction from the U.S. Naval Academy and began his career as a fighter pilot, completing three combat deployments aboard aircraft carriers. He is a Fulbright Scholar and Truman Scholar, earning a degree in philosophy, politics, and economics at Oxford University, and holds an MBA from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
McLean's transition from military service to corporate leadership included a role as a White House Fellow in the Office of American Innovation, where he gained insight into national policy and leadership. Prior to joining ghSMART, he was director of strategic initiatives and asset management for a privately held family office with businesses in multiple industries. McLean draws on his military experience to inform his approach to business leadership, emphasizing lessons in resilience and team focus during periods of uncertainty.
McLean is recognized for his expertise in high-stakes leadership, executive team building, and organizational resilience. ghSMART applies its knowledge of human behavior and strategy to address challenges such as executive team selection and development, CEO succession, M&A diligence, and organizational change. McLean has highlighted the importance of leadership amid technology disruption, market uncertainty, and evolving workforce expectations. He is a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations and serves as a board trustee for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee, the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association, and as president of the U.S. Naval Academy class of 2004.
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How do I book Jeff McLean to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Jeff McLean 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 Jeff McLean, 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 Jeff McLean or any other speaker of your choice. -
What are the speaker fees for Jeff McLean
Speaking fees for Jeff McLean, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Jeff McLean are $50,000 - $100,000 for live events and available upon request for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Jeff McLean, 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 Jeff McLean speak about?
Jeff McLean is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Adventure, Adventure, Business Consulting, Business Growth, Business Leadership, Change Management, Corporate Culture, Corporate Strategy, Executive Leadership, Human Resources, Leadership, Navy, Strategic Leadership, Veterans -
Where does Jeff McLean travel from?
Jeff McLean generally travels from Milwaukee, WI, 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. -
Who is Jeff McLean’s agent?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Jeff McLean for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Jeff McLean for your next private or corporate function. -
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AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Jeff McLean or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us. -
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Jeff McLean is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Jeff McLean for your event is $50,000 - $100,000. Jeff McLean generally travels from Milwaukee, WI, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Patrick Houlahan, Naphtali Bryant, Pamela Meyer, Behnam Tabrizi and Afterburner. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Jeff McLean for an upcoming live or virtual event.
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