When business is steady, decisions feel easier. When things shift—growth, turnover, new systems, new markets—risk starts showing up everywhere at once.

Executive Outliers exists for that season. We help leaders talk about risk in a way that’s practical and usable—so teams don’t just react to change… they lead through it.

Clear thinking for leaders navigating change.

Speaking

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Why the "Risk Management Framework" can help you grow with strategy.

Invite Executive Outliers to Speak at Your Event

We want to be a resource for your professional group for navigating change. 

Our presentations help leaders understand the balance between risk and opportunity, introduce a shared language teams can use, and provide a framework that supports better decision-making over time.

The ideas shared in these talks form the foundation of Executive Outliers’ risk management workbook—giving audiences a way to continue the conversation long after the event.

A Practical Introduction to Risk Management

Email Us to Request a speaker

Book James Murray to Speak

Founder of Executive Outliers & Executive Risk Consultant

Founder of Executive Outliers &
Executive Risk Consultant

ORganizations JAMES HAS Presented

  • Kirkland Chamber of Commerce
  • Spokane Chamber of Commerce
  • Evergreen Community College
  • Seattle Technical College
  • Business Association
  • Other Business Association
  • Networking Group
  • Risk management advisor and consultant focused on helping leaders navigate change with practical frameworks
  • Worked with organizations across Washington State, including private business, public sector, and nonprofit environments
  • Background in IT, with a long track record of helping leaders connect executive strategy to operational and technology decisions
  • Known for translating complex risk and systems issues into clear business conversations leaders can act on
  • Has worked with organizations ranging from small businesses to high-tech companies, including Microsoft, and especially enjoys serving mid-sized businesses in growth and transition stages
  • Creator of a practical risk management framework built around four pillars: Identify & Analyze, Mitigate, Redundancy, and Reporting
  • Speaker for business groups, associations, and professional audiences on risk as both opportunity and threat
  • Available as a speaker, moderator, and event conversation partner for business-focused programs

ABOUT

TOPICS

MODERATOR FORMATS

  • Risk Is Where Opportunity and Threat Meet
A practical leadership framework for making better decisions during growth, transition, and uncertainty.
  • Why Change Is the Biggest Risk for Mid-Sized Businesses
How risk multiplies during growth—and how leaders can respond with intention instead of reaction.
  • From Strategy to Execution: Where Risk Actually Shows Up
How misalignment between leadership decisions and day-to-day operations creates avoidable risk.
  • Leading with Risk in Mind (Without Leading from Fear)
How leaders can clarify risk appetite, improve decision-making, and keep teams moving forward.
  • A Practical Framework Leaders Can Return To
An introduction to the four pillars of risk management and how they support clearer planning and resilience over time.

ABOUT

TOPICS

MODERATOR FORMATS

James is also available to moderate:
  • Executive panels on business growth, risk, and change
  • Sponsored conversations and leadership forums
  • Fireside chats with business owners, operators, and subject matter experts
He helps create conversations that are focused, useful, and engaging for the audience—not just a series of disconnected answers.

ABOUT

TOPICS

MODERATOR FORMATS

Startup Incubators and Accelerators
Cybersecurity Firms
Professional Associations and Trade Groups
Nonprofit Leadership and Philanthropy Networks
Economic Development Organizations

Our message is tailored to your Audience

Most organizations don’t need more motivation. They need a clearer way to think.

James speaks on the leadership side of risk—how risk shows up when companies grow, shift, scale, or get hit with the unexpected—and how leaders can respond with intention instead of reaction.

Common themes include:
  • Risk isn’t just danger — it’s the space where opportunity and threat meet
  • Growth creates risk (even when business is “going well”)
  • Risk appetite is a leadership decision — not a personality trait
  • Misalignment multiplies risk — when strategy and execution drift apart
  • A framework beats gut-feel when the stakes are high and the timeline is short

(If you want, we can turn these into 3–5 titled talk options once James finalizes his favorite angles.)

What Topics We speak about

Who this is for

Formats

Do you need the Workbook for the presentation?

How to Book us your event

Do you customize talks?

Is this technical cybersecurity content?

Do you offer workshops beyond the talk?

What audiences walk away with

James’ goal isn’t to impress people with jargon. It’s to leave them with language they’ll actually use next week.

Audiences leave with:

  • A clearer way to name the risks that show up during change
  • Shared language that makes leadership discussions more productive
  • A simple mental model for weighing opportunity and threat
  • Practical next steps that don’t require a 40-page strategic plan

What Topics We speak about

Who this is for

Formats

Do you need the Workbook for the presentation?

How to Book us your event

Do you customize talks?

Is this technical cybersecurity content?

Do you offer workshops beyond the talk?

What audiences walk away with

These sessions are a great fit for:

  • Chambers of commerce, business associations, and professional groups
  • Mid-sized business leaders navigating growth, transition, or uncertainty
  • Executive teams who need alignment between strategy and execution
  • Continuing education programs and leadership forums
  • Podcast audiences who want substance—not buzzwords

What Topics We speak about

Who this is for

Formats

Do you need the Workbook for the presentation?

How to Book us your event

Do you customize talks?

Is this technical cybersecurity content?

Do you offer workshops beyond the talk?

What audiences walk away with

James can deliver sessions in-person or virtual, including:

  • Keynotes and conference sessions
  • Luncheon presentations
  • Workshops (interactive, discussion-based)
  • Panels and moderated conversations
  • Podcast interviews
  • Typical session lengths range from 20–60 minutes, with optional Q&A.

What Topics We speak about

Who this is for

Formats

Do you need the Workbook for the presentation?

How to Book us your event

Do you customize talks?

Is this technical cybersecurity content?

Do you offer workshops beyond the talk?

What audiences walk away with

Some groups want a talk that stands alone. Others want something attendees can take with them. 

James’ speaking often pairs naturally with the Risk Management Workbook as a follow-up resource—especially for organizations that want the conversation to continue after the event.

The workbooks are available for purchase below. If requested, we can bring some to the event for attendees to purchase at a table.

What Topics We speak about

Who this is for

Formats

Do you need the Workbook for the presentation?

How to Book us your event

Do you customize talks?

Is this technical cybersecurity content?

Do you offer workshops beyond the talk?

What audiences walk away with

Purchase Workbook

Coming Soon

If you’re planning an event and want a speaker who can bring clarity to risk, change, and leadership decision-making, reach out here:

info@executiveoutliers.com

Provide information about your event, date, group, etc. 
Email Us Your Speaker Request

What Topics We speak about

Who this is for

Formats

Do you need the Workbook for the presentation?

How to Book us your event

Do you customize talks?

Is this technical cybersecurity content?

Do you offer workshops beyond the talk?

What audiences walk away with

FAQ