Jonathan J. Kaufman is an internationally recognized keynote speaker, executive coach, psychotherapist, strategist, and thought leader helping organizations navigate the intersection of business, disability, aging, innovation, mental health, leadership, the future of work, and organizational culture. His presentations challenge conventional thinking and equip leaders with practical strategies that transform human difference into a catalyst for innovation, performance, and long-term business value.
Born with Cerebral Palsy, Kaufman brings the rare combination of lived experience and global executive expertise to every engagement. Drawing from clinical psychology, anthropology, behavioral science, and organizational strategy, he delivers thought-provoking keynotes that inspire audiences while providing actionable insights leaders can immediately apply.
He studied at Sarah Lawrence College, Oxford University, the University of Chicago, and Columbia University. As a trained anthropologist, licensed psychotherapist, executive coach, and consultant, Kaufman bridges human behavior and organizational performance, offering leaders a distinctive perspective on culture, resilience, and change.
Throughout his career, Kaufman has served as a White House Policy Advisor on Diversity and Disability, Lead Disability Strategist at Walmart, and Senior Strategist at the National Business & Disability Council. He has advised Fortune 500 organizations, including Amazon, Microsoft, and Verizon, as well as U.S. federal agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Labor, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. His expertise has also informed major media projects, including HBO’s Temple Grandin and Fox Searchlight film Adam.
Recognized by Thinkers360 as one of the Top 50 Global Thought Leaders in Diversity, Culture, and Mental Health (2022–2025), Kaufman has delivered keynote presentations for the United Nations, AARP, Columbia University, Vanderbilt University, the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business, the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, and organizations worldwide.
Beyond the keynote, Kaufman offers executive coaching, leadership advisory, and strategic consulting that extend the impact of his presentations into lasting leadership development and organizational transformation. Organizations frequently engage him to coach senior executives, and advise on complex business and cultural challenges.
Speaking Topics
Included by not limited to:
- Reimagining Disability in the 21st Century: How disability functions as a source of innovation, leadership, and competitive advantage in modern organizations.
- Mental Health, Mental Fitness, and the Future of Work: How psychological resilience and mental fitness shape performance, leadership, and organizational sustainability.
- The Other AI: Accessibility Intelligence: How accessibility operates as a strategic intelligence system that drives innovation, design, and enterprise value.
- Empathy, Belonging, and the Future of Leadership: Why empathy and belonging are measurable business drivers of culture, retention, and performance.
- Custom Keynotes & Strategic Sessions: In addition to his signature presentations, Jonathan develops customized keynote experiences informed by his research, writing, advisory work, executive coaching practice, and expertise in human behavior, mental health, leadership, and organizational culture. Drawing on years of experience working with global organizations, each engagement is thoughtfully tailored to reflect an organization’s strategic priorities, industry context, leadership objectives, and desired outcomes.