James H. Killian Ph.D.

James H. Killian, Ph.D., is an executive advisor, keynote speaker, business professor, and founder of The Customer-Driven Leader framework and podcast. His work focuses on the intersection of leadership behaviors, workplace design, employee experience, and customer outcomes.

His leadership experience spans Hogan Assessment Systems, IBM, SAP, Qualtrics, Marsh, several acquired startups, and instructing in the Broad College of Business at Michigan State University. James combines behavioral science with practiced executive experience to help leaders move beyond customer-centric buzzwords and create organizations that customers and employees genuinely want to be part of.

Through keynotes and executive workshops, James delivers practical frameworks that help leaders create cultures that drive engagement, innovation, retention, and measurable business performance. He is an avid fitness enthusiast and foodie and resides in beautiful Marin County, California.