Cathy Hackl
CEO, Future Dynamics | External Partner, BCG Frontier Tech | Futurist-in-Residence, Nokia | Newsweek Top 25 AI Visionary
Monty Moran
Former Co-CEO of Chipotle Mexican Grill (2009–2016) | Bestselling Author & Leadership Expert | Pilot, Filmmaker & Founder of Old Tale Productions
As co-CEO of Chipotle from 2009 to 2016, Monty Moran scaled the brand from roughly 400 to more than 2,200 restaurants by building one of the most admired people-first cultures in business. He met one-on-one with some 20,000 employees, proving that empowerment, vulnerability, and curiosity drive results no strategy alone can match. Senior leaders gain a candid, energetic playbook for turning culture into lasting competitive advantage.
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Monty Moran biography
Monty Moran offers a view of leadership that is both unconventional and deeply practical, grounded in a single conviction: ordinary people, placed in the right environment, are capable of extraordinary contributions. Whether leading a law firm of 30 attorneys or a restaurant company of 75,000 employees, he has seen individuals rise to lead and create when the culture around them is built to ignite their growth. Audiences encounter in speaker Monty Moran a leader who turned that belief into one of the most admired corporate cultures in America.
As co-CEO of Chipotle Mexican Grill from 2009 to 2016, Moran helped grow the company from roughly 400 restaurants to more than 2,200, with each location averaging over $2.5 million in revenue and the stock earning Wall Street multiples that rivaled leading technology firms. He personally met one-on-one with some 20,000 employees, using those conversations to build a people-first culture that became the engine of the company’s rise. Before Chipotle, he spent a decade as managing partner and CEO of the Denver law firm Messner & Reeves.
Leading With Love, Vulnerability, and Curiosity
In his bestselling book Love Is Free. Guac Is Extra. and his documentary series Connected: A Search for Unity, Moran makes the case that empowerment is not a tactic but a way of life, and that the only true source of a leader’s power is that others choose to follow. Earning that trust, he argues, requires leaders to listen, connect, and embrace the vulnerability that strong relationships demand. Since leaving Chipotle, he earned his pilot’s license and now flies across the country documenting American stories through his company, Old Tale Productions, while serving as a corporate board chairman, advisor, and filmmaker.
As a speaker, Monty Moran delivers talks that are energetic, funny, and full of ideas leaders can use immediately to build more engaged teams and dramatically improve results. He ranks among the most compelling leadership speakers for organizations ready to rethink how culture drives performance.
Monty Moran Speaking Videos
Monty Moran: What most leaders get wrong
The Transformation Leader with Monty Moran
Monty Moran Keynote Topics
Drawing on his decade leading Chipotle, Monty Moran shows why empowerment is not a management tactic but a daily discipline. He shares the unconventional, sometimes disruptive practices that turned a regional burrito chain into a cultural and financial powerhouse, and explains how leaders at any scale can create environments where ordinary people make extraordinary contributions.
Moran argues that a leader's authority comes from one place alone: the willingness of others to follow. In this talk he explores how listening, genuine connection, and vulnerability earn the respect that formal titles never can, offering practical ways to build trust and lift up the people around you.
Growth often dilutes the very culture that made a company special. Drawing on Chipotle's expansion to more than 2,200 restaurants, Moran reveals how he protected and strengthened culture through rapid scaling, and what executives can learn about hiring, developing leaders, and keeping values intact as organizations grow.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking Monty Moran
Why Monty Moran?
Few leaders can speak to building culture at scale with Monty Moran's credibility. As co-CEO he grew Chipotle from 400 to more than 2,200 restaurants and personally met with some 20,000 employees, turning empowerment into measurable results. On stage he is funny, energetic, and refreshingly candid, giving audiences ideas they can use immediately to build engaged teams. Book Monty Moran through Aurum Speakers Bureau to bring this rare leadership perspective to your next event.
What was Monty Moran's role at Chipotle?
Monty Moran served as president and co-CEO of Chipotle Mexican Grill from 2009 to 2016. During his tenure the company grew from around 400 restaurants to more than 2,200, with each averaging over $2.5 million in annual revenue, and its stock earned valuation multiples that rivaled leading technology companies.
What is Monty Moran's book about?
His bestselling book, Love Is Free. Guac Is Extra., details how vulnerability, empowerment, and curiosity built Chipotle's celebrated culture. It draws on his experience meeting one-on-one with thousands of employees and offers a practical philosophy for leaders who want to develop people rather than simply manage them.
What makes Monty Moran a powerful keynote speaker?
Monty Moran blends hard business results with genuine storytelling, drawing on his journey from trial attorney to co-CEO of a Fortune 500 company and now filmmaker and pilot. His talks are interactive, humorous, and full of tools leaders can apply right away. Contact Aurum Speakers Bureau to bring Monty Moran to your stage.
How to book Monty Moran as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Monty Moran as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Monty Moran's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Monty Moran or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Monty Moran speaking fee?
Monty Moran speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire Monty Moran to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book Monty Moran.
How can I contact Monty Moran?
We only work with Monty Moran on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Monty Moran and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Monty Moran speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact Monty Moran for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Monty Moran for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Monty Moran is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Monty Moran for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
