Steve Lerch: AI Strategy
Steve Lerch is a former Google executive and award-winning keynote speaker on digital strategy, innovation, and consumer behavior.
Quick Facts:
- Highlights:
- Former Google executive and digital strategy advisor to global brands.
- Consultant and keynote speaker for corporations, nonprofits, and government entities.
- Expert in marketing, data-driven decision-making, and innovation culture.
- Known for engaging, high-energy presentations combining humor with actionable insights.
- Formats: Keynote speaker (45–60 minutes), breakout sessions, innovation workshops.
- Audiences: Executives, marketing leaders, innovation teams, and business professionals navigating digital transformation.
- Outcomes:
- Learn how to apply Google’s innovation culture to your organization.
- Discover practical frameworks for data-driven marketing and storytelling.
- Gain strategies to build agile, future-ready teams.
- Travels from: Washington, DC
- **Fee range: $10,000 - $15,000
Talent Services
Keynote Topics:
Innovation Leadership: Inspiring People to Think Differently
In this high-energy, insightful, and fun exploration of innovation, Steve Lerch, a former Google Executive and Innovation Evangelist, reveals the strategies driving the most innovative organizations, and how those strategies can be applied to any business, regardless of size, industry, or budget.
Lerch emphasizes that innovation is not about technology; it’s about empowering every individual to contribute. To voice their unique perspectives and ideas. It’s about moving fast, learning as you go, and always iterating. Through captivating stories and real-world examples, he’ll challenge your audience’s assumptions about what’s possible, for themselves, their teams, and the world.
This isn’t just a lecture; it’s an interactive experience filled with humor, inspirational stories, pop culture, and thought-provoking questions that will leave you feeling energized and ready to transform your organization’s approach to innovation.
If you’re looking for a speech that will motivate your group, spark creativity, and provide practical strategies for fostering a culture of innovation, then look no further. Steve Lerch’s Innovation Leadership is the key to unlocking your organization’s true potential.
Influencing Modern Consumers: Building Connections and Sales in the Age of Memes, GIFs, and Selfies
Ever feel like you’re speaking a different language than your customers? In this engaging and insightful presentation, Steve Lerch, former Google executive, decodes the modern consumer – their behaviors, motivations, and how to connect with them authentically. Not to mention why they’re so obsessed with some viral trend or TikTok dance that you’ve never heard of, and how learning about these obsessions can open the door to connecting with any potential customer.
Lerch blends humor, pop culture, and insightful data to challenge your assumptions about today’s consumers. He reveals the power of free digital tools to tap into real-time consumer interests and provides actionable strategies to cut through the digital clutter.
Learn how to:
- Understand the evolving consumer landscape: Why “different” doesn’t mean “worse” when it comes to cultural shifts.
- Craft compelling messages: See how brands like Chipotle and United Airlines leverage viral trends for maximum impact.
- Utilize free tools for market research: Uncover the secrets hidden in Google search data and advertising trends.
This presentation is a must-attend for anyone looking to better understand, connect with, and ultimately influence today’s ever-evolving consumer.
AI for All: Simple Stories and Practical Strategies to Embrace Artificial Intelligence
Feeling overwhelmed by the AI revolution? Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a tech genius (not even close) to harness the power of artificial intelligence! Join Steve Lerch, former Google executive, on a captivating journey into the practical side of generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot.
In this eye-opening and accessible presentation, Lerch cuts through the jargon and demystifies AI for everyone, regardless of your technical background. Through real-world use cases, fun examples, and a simple playbook, he’ll show you how AI can revolutionize your work or even your personal life.
Discover how to:
- Boost your productivity: Learn how AI can simplify complex tasks, generate creative content, and even provide personalized coaching.
- Unlock new possibilities: Explore the fascinating world of AI-powered tools, from chatbots to image generators, and see how they can spark your imagination.
- Supercharge your career: Gain a competitive edge by leveraging AI to streamline your work, improve your decision-making, and deliver exceptional results.
No one knows what the future of technology will look like, but one thing we do know is that AI will continue to get better, spread further, and increasingly become a required tool for anyone in the working world. If you’re ready to take the first steps and increase your comfort with artificial intelligence, this talk is for you.
This speech can be customized for your audience/event, with specific AI use case examples based on the industries and job functions of your attendees.
Talent Short Bio
Steve Lerch is an international keynote speaker, consultant, and former Google executive recognized for his expertise in digital strategy, marketing, and innovation. During his nine years at Google, Steve advised global brands including GoPro, Roku, and the YMCA, helping organizations understand audiences, tell stronger stories, and transform digitally. He also served as a Culture and Innovation Evangelist, teaching new Googlers the principles that drive innovation and creativity within the company.
Today, Steve brings that same insight and energy to stages worldwide, empowering teams to think differently, challenge assumptions, and embrace the digital-first mindset necessary for growth. His approach blends data-driven strategy with storytelling and humor, offering audiences both inspiration and actionable next steps. Trusted by corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies alike, Steve’s message resonates with leaders seeking practical tools for innovation and digital transformation.
Read Full Bio
Steve Lerch is an award-winning international public speaker, consultant, and former Google Executive, and has become a highly respected voice in the world of digital strategy, marketing, consumer behavior, and innovation.
While at Google, Steve served as a digital strategy advisor to prominent brands like GoPro and Roku, respected non-profits like the YMCA and Save the Children, and even major branches of the Federal Government, like the Census and FEMA. He spent years helping hundreds of organizations better understand their customers, tell more compelling stories, and leverage data more strategically.
In addition to building digital marketing strategies, Steve Lerch also served as a Culture and Innovation Evangelist during his time at Google. In this role, Steve was one of the first voices heard by hundreds of new employees, teaching them about the important cultural building blocks that drive innovation and that have led to Google’s success.
Steve Lerch leverages his nine years at Google serving as a digital strategy consultant to dozens of the world’s most well-known brands to bring independent consulting services to companies of all sizes and across all industries. He offers an outside perspective on a company’s vision and strategy, challenges organizations to evolve past strategies, and helps brands embrace a digital-first world. His many areas of focus include marketing, digital/web/social strategy, customer insights, attribution, strategic planning, and team dynamics.
When on a stage, Steve’s high-energy style perfectly blends humor, inspirational stories, and actionable advice, which makes him a perfect choice for larger, more aspirational keynote addresses as well as more specific breakout and education sessions. Steve is obsessed with data, patterns, and trends, but believes data isn’t useful when it’s boring.
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Talent Videos
Artificial Intelligence Empowers Us- Steve Lerch Keynote Speaker
Steve Lerch, former Google executive and innovation speaker, explains how artificial intelligence empowers people to make smarter, faster, and more creative decisions.
Video Summary & Key Moments
In this concise and thought-provoking clip from his keynote at the Texas Association of Counties, Steve Lerch explores how artificial intelligence is not replacing human capability—it’s amplifying it. Drawing from his years at Google and his work as a digital strategy consultant, Steve emphasizes that AI is most powerful when used as a partner in problem-solving, not as a threat to human intuition.
He explains that technology gives us the tools to process information and recognize patterns faster than ever, freeing people to focus on creativity, empathy, and leadership. Rather than fearing automation, Steve urges leaders to see AI as an opportunity to elevate human potential and unlock new levels of performance. His energetic delivery reinforces a clear message: artificial intelligence doesn’t take power away from us—it helps us do our best work more effectively.
Key Moments
- 00:13–00:28 – How AI enhances human decision-making and creativity.
- 00:29–00:40 – Lessons from Google on integrating AI with human insight.
- 00:41–00:47 – Closing message: AI helps people reach their full potential.
Ask for Innovation – Steve Lerch Keynote Clip | Farm Credit Services of America Executive Summit 2024
In this short keynote moment, former Google executive Steve Lerch challenges leaders to “ask for innovation” instead of waiting for it, sharing how proactive curiosity drives meaningful change.
Video Summary & Key Moments
In this brief but impactful clip from the 2024 Farm Credit Services of America Executive Summit, Steve Lerch—award-winning keynote speaker and former Google executive—delivers a concise message about the power of intentional innovation. He explains that innovation rarely happens by accident; it thrives when leaders actively ask for it, reward creative thinking, and give teams permission to explore new ideas. Drawing from his years at Google, Steve highlights that asking for innovation is not about demanding perfection, but about inviting participation and experimentation.
His delivery is confident and conversational, blending humor with insight as he reminds the audience that innovation must be a deliberate habit, not a hopeful outcome. The clip encapsulates his central philosophy: if organizations want breakthrough ideas, they must start by asking better questions and creating space for curiosity to flourish.
Key Moments
- 00:11–00:25 – Encourages leaders to actively “ask for innovation” within their teams.
- 00:26–00:39 – Shares insight from his Google experience on empowering creativity.
- 00:40–00:49 – Concludes with the takeaway: innovation begins with curiosity and invitation.
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