Speaking
Marty McNair
Speaker • Author • Thought Leader • Advocate
Marty McNair brings audiences inside a story of unimaginable loss—and what organizations, leaders, families, and individuals can learn before a crisis ever happens.
Drawing from lived experience, national advocacy, organizational leadership, and the lessons that followed the preventable death of his son, Jordan McNair, Marty challenges audiences to examine the gaps between policy and practice, leadership and accountability, trust and culture, and knowing what should be done and having the courage to do it.
His presentations move beyond theory. Through powerful storytelling and practical frameworks, Marty helps audiences recognize how small failures can align into major consequences—and how stronger cultures, courageous communication, preparation, and personal ownership can change outcomes.
The story gets their attention. The lessons give them something to take back to their organizations, teams, and lives.
Signature Speaking Topics
WHEN THE HOLES ALIGN
How Culture, Leadership, and Small Failures Become a Crisis
Using the Swiss Cheese Model and the lessons surrounding the preventable death of his son, Jordan McNair, Marty shows how serious organizational failures rarely begin with one catastrophic mistake. They happen when gaps in communication, preparation, culture, leadership, and accountability align. Audiences learn how to recognize those gaps earlier, strengthen systems, and create cultures where people are empowered to act before an incident becomes a crisis.
BUILDING TRUST BEFORE THE CRISIS
Leadership, Culture, and the Courage to Speak Up
Trust isn’t built when everything goes right. It is revealed when something goes wrong. Marty explores how leaders create environments where people feel safe raising concerns, challenging assumptions, and taking action. Through lived experience and practical leadership lessons, audiences examine the connection between psychological safety, accountability, communication, and organizational trust.
FROM PAIN TO PURPOSE
Resilience, Forgiveness, and Leading Through Adversity
What happens after life changes in a way you never expected? Marty shares his journey from unimaginable loss to forgiveness, advocacy, legislation, and national impact. This deeply personal presentation challenges audiences to rethink resilience—not simply as surviving adversity, but as choosing what comes next and finding purpose powerful enough to move forward.
THE 5TH QUARTER
Preparing for What Happens Beyond the Game
Athletic talent can open doors, but preparation determines what happens after they open. Drawing from his work with student-athletes and families, Marty addresses self-advocacy, mental wellness, financial and legal readiness, personal responsibility, and navigating the transition beyond sports. Designed for student-athletes, parents, coaches, educators, and collegiate communities.
SOMEBODY’S CHILD
Student-Athlete Safety, Advocacy, and the Responsibility to Protect
Every athlete entrusted to a program is somebody’s child. Through Jordan’s story and years of national advocacy, Marty challenges coaches, administrators, athletic professionals, parents, and organizations to examine the systems designed to protect athletes. The session moves beyond awareness to practical lessons in prevention, preparation, emergency response, athlete voice, and organizational accountability.
Watch Marty Speak
Experience Marty’s storytelling, audience connection, and ability to turn lived experience into lessons that challenge people to think—and act—differently.
Experience & Impact
Marty McNair has brought his message of leadership, accountability, student-athlete safety, resilience, and prevention to audiences across the country—from national conferences and athletic organizations to schools, universities, community organizations, and corporate audiences.
Selected Speaking & Conference Experience
- National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) National Conference — Keynote Speaker
- WellSpan Game Changers Sports Medicine Conference — Keynote Speaker
- Black Student Athlete Summit
- National Council of Youth Sports / National Conferences
- TEAMS Conference
- Maryland Recreation & Parks Association
- Schools, athletic programs, parent organizations, and professional audiences nationwide
Marty’s advocacy and Jordan’s story have also been featured by ESPN, HBO Real Sports, CNN, Good Morning America, NPR, and SportsCenter, bringing national attention to student-athlete safety, organizational accountability, and the responsibility leaders have to protect the people entrusted to their care.
WHAT LEADERS SAY
“Marty McNair has an extraordinary ability to turn personal experience into a message that challenges people to think differently about leadership, accountability, trust, and responsibility. His authenticity connects with audiences, but it’s his ability to turn that connection into meaningful lessons and action that makes his voice so impactful.”
Michael Locksley
Head Football Coach, University of Maryland
Founder, National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches
Bring Marty to Your Organization
Whether you’re planning a keynote, conference, leadership program, professional development session, workshop, or organizational training, Marty can tailor the message to your audience and desired outcomes.
Ready to bring Marty’s message to your audience?