Kaj Larsen is a leadership keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and former U.S. Navy Seal Lieutenant Commander whose career has been defined by leading through uncertainty, making decisions under pressure, and building high-performing teams.

As the founder of Guild Financial, a fintech company acquired by Siebert Financial, Kaj brought the same mission-focused mindset to entreprenership - building organizations, leading teams, and creating opportunities for veterans and underserved communities.

Today, Kaj is a sought-after speaker for executive teams, private equity forums, and philanthropic organizations. He has spoken for distinguished groups including Sun Capital, YPO, HPLT, Hotwire, veteran - serving nonprofits and a range of corporate and investment audiences.

His presentations blend compelling stories from the battlefield, the newsroom, and the boardroom with practical lessons on leadership, accountability, organizational culture, innovation, and performing under pressure. Rather than offering abstract theory, Kaj equips audiences with actionable frameworks for leading through change, building trust, and winning when the stakes are highest.

Speaking Themes

Battlefield to the Boardroom

How elite special operations units select for excellence—lessons in talent, leadership, and high-performance teams

Operating in the Grey Domains

From combat to culture to capital—navigating ambiguity and complexity in modern operations

Mission-Driven Innovation

Entrepreneurship with global impact—building ventures that serve veterans and create lasting change

Courage Under Fire

Leading teams in uncertain and high-risk environments—decision-making when lives are on the line

Humanitarian Operator

Repurposing elite skills for global relief—Team Rubicon, Force Blue, and mission-driven service

SEAL to Storyteller

How communications shape the battlespace and the marketplace—narrative power in conflict and business

Examples:

From SEALs to Speakers: Conversation with Robert O’Neill

United States Naval Academy Alumni Association