About Chris Brogan

Chris Brogan helps CEOs and executive teams turn strategic vision into coordinated action. His work centers on cross-functional alignment, leadership cohesion, and sustainable growth driven by clear decisions and healthy organizations.

As Chief of Staff at Appfire, Chris partnered with the CEO as the company grew annual recurring revenue from $10 million to $275 million. He coached leaders at every level and kept communication and executive clarity strong through a period of rapid scaling. He brings that same blend of data, empathy, and collaborative leadership to every company he works with.

Building Agents. Chris is co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Building Agents, where he runs strategy and sales. Building Agents builds AI agents, custom software, and automation for mid-market companies, helping them put AI to work, replace spreadsheet-driven workflows, and revive shelved software projects.

TPNI. Chris runs strategy, marketing, and sales at TPNI, an event management software company serving national associations with annual events ranging from 200 to 200,000 attendees.

Chris has delivered more than 1,200 speeches around the world, to audiences ranging from 10 people to 7,500. He once presented to a princess. His talks give leaders practical ideas they can put to work right away.

Speaking topics include:

• Turning strategic vision into coordinated execution
• Practical AI adoption for mid-sized companies and associations
• Building trust and influence
• Leadership, growth, and organizational health

Chris coaches C-level executives, with a focus on B2B, enterprise, and strategic advisory work. Clients engage him in several ways:

• CEO Thought Partner. A collaborator to strengthen decisive thinking, red team uncertain areas, work through contingencies, and package results for strategic execution.
• CEO Extension. Chris joins meetings to extend the CEO's reach, takes the pulse of the organization, and holds 1:1 deep dives with leaders at all levels so the CEO gains time for strategy and vision.
• Strategic Execution. Aligning cross-functional priorities and building executive team cohesion so everyone rows in the same direction.
• Leadership Development. Leveling up department heads and rising leaders so the CEO is no longer the only one holding the standard. The result is a stronger bench and faster scaling.
• Operational Rhythm. Light, effective structure for planning and execution, focused on whatever moves the company forward.
• Cultural Stewardship. Shaping and protecting the values that make a company special while pushing for accountability, maturity, and growth.

Chris is the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of 10 books, including:

• Trust Agents: Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation, and Earn Trust (with Julien Smith; 10th Anniversary Edition available)
• The Impact Equation: Are You Making Things Happen or Just Making Noise? (with Julien Smith)
• The Freaks Shall Inherit the Earth: Entrepreneurship for Weirdos, Misfits, and World Dominators
• Find Your Writing Voice: How to Write More Like Your Amazing Self
• It's Not About the Tights: An Owner's Manual on Bravery
• Social Media 101: Tactics and Tips to Develop Your Business Online
• Google+ for Business: How Google's Social Network Changes Everything
• Just Start Here: Lose Weight, Get Stronger and Finally Succeed at Your Goals
• The Assignment: A Journal Writing Companion
• Superheroes in the Basement

See the books page

Chris lives about 14 minutes from the ocean in northeastern Massachusetts. He comes from a working-class family with Irish, French, and Scottish roots, and he brings that plainspoken, roll-up-your-sleeves attitude to every room he works in. He writes newsletters, runs a YouTube channel, and takes a lot of photographs.