Aaron Putze

aaron putze author speaker 2026

Motivational Keynote Speaker on Storytelling, Leadership, Innovation, Trust & Sales

Expert on

  • Motivational
  • Storytelling
  • Innovation
  • Leadership
  • Sales
  • Marketing

Fee Range

$5,000–$7,500

Travels from

IA, US

Biography

Aaron learned the importance of hard work, showing up, keeping your word and treating others with respect growing up on a northwest Iowa crop and livestock farm. Those characteristics of leadership serve him well as a team manager, strategist, coach, husband and dad.

He’s the author of two books: “Destined for Greatness – The Story of Chuck Long & Resurgence of Iowa Hawkeyes’ Football” and “You Are Destined for Greatness – Stories of Inspiration and Empowerment.” He earned his degree in public relations and communications from the University of Northern Iowa, a Supervisory Leadership Certificate from Drake University and is an accredited public relations practitioner.

Aaron serves as Chief Officer of Brand Management & Engagement for the Ankeny, Iowa-based Iowa Soybean Association. Prior to joining the ISA team, he served on the staff of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation including the roles of Public Relations Manager and Executive Director of the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers.

He is a Rotarian and member of the Knights of Columbus and Central Iowa Public Relations Society of America. He enjoys golfing, grilling, gardening, and spending time with family. Aaron and his wife Crystal and children Garrett, Grant and Jaelyn (JAY-lynn) live in Waukee.

Speaker Videos

From Me to We: Growing Yourself to Grow Your People & Communities

Everything we have and do is shaped by our connections with others. How we treat people impacts not only our self-worth but also our personal brand, quality of life, and success personally and professionally. How do you show up for your team and in your relationships? How do you nurture and sustain them? How do you deepen connections and truly become someone to someone else? By making every interaction genuinely personal, you’ll cultivate deeper fulfillment and greater professional success and outcomes. Laugh, ponder and engage as Aaron shares insights for how to:

  • Deepen your appreciation for perspective and empathy.
  • Discover the key attributes of five-star leaders.
  • Harness the power of trust—both in earning and extending it.
  • Leverage relatability as a catalyst for team performance.
  • Stop confusing urgency with true importance—focus on what really matters!

Stories from the Soil: Elevating Your Voice for Agriculture

Your story matters — and it’s more powerful than you think. Whether you’re speaking with a neighbor, an elected official, a reporter, the person next to you on a bus or plane or someone who’s never set foot on a farm, your lived experience carries weight. In this dynamic, hands-on session, you’ll uncover the defining moments that shape your farm, your family, and your values. Learn to tell stories that resonate, inspire trust, and leave a lasting impression long after the conversation ends.

  • Develop compelling, authentic stories and messages that make agriculture more relatable and relevant to diverse audiences.
  • Build confidence as an effective spokesperson by learning how to communicate with clarity, credibility and purpose—even in challenging conversations.

Media Ready: A Practical Approach to Amplifying Your Voice

Every interview, podcast, camera crew, or social post is an opportunity to lead the narrative. Drawing on more than 30 years of media experience, Aaron delivers battle-tested strategies to help you stay on message, handle tough questions with confidence, craft memorable soundbites, and connect authentically with audiences. Preparation builds confidence — and confident communicators shape conversations.

  • Learn practical techniques for staying on message, delivering memorable soundbites, navigating challenging questions and connecting authentically with any audience.
  • Explore the strategies and mindset that help communicators take control of interviews, tough questions and social media moments—rather than simply react to them.

Humanity Is Your Superpower: Leading in an Age of Artificial Intelligence

In an age defined by artificial intelligence, our greatest advantage remains authentic intelligence—the uniquely human qualities no technology can replicate. Through humor, storytelling, and audience participation, Aaron challenges attendees to embrace the superpowers that matter most: kindness, humility, determination, empathy, and courage. This interactive and inspiring keynote reminds audiences that while artificial intelligence can enhance what we do, authentic character defines who we are. Participants leave energized, equipped with practical strategies, and motivated to put their authentic superpowers to work—creating greater impact in their organizations, communities, and everyday lives! (Ideal for high school and college/university students and young professionals)

  • Explore how empathy, emotional intelligence, authenticity and human connection become even more valuable as AI transforms the workplace.
  • Learn how to leverage technology without losing the human qualities that inspire trust, engagement and meaningful leadership.

From Busy to Better: Focusing Your Energy on What Matters Most

In a world moving at breakneck speed, relationships can easily feel transactional — but lasting success is still built on connection. The way we show up for others determines our influence, our fulfillment, and our results. This high-impact session challenges you to reset your relationship compass, lead with intentional positivity, and build cultures rooted in trust. When we move from “me” to “we,” teams thrive, engagement rises, and performance follows (session can be tailored for all audiences; especially pertinent for students and young professionals)

  • Identify the activities, priorities and relationships that create the greatest impact—and distinguish them from the noise that simply keeps us busy.
  • Develop practical strategies for managing energy, attention and time so you can lead more intentionally and make greater progress on what matters most.

The Future of Food & Agriculture: From Global Challenges to New Opportunities

Trade. Energy. Consumer trust. Sustainability. Technology. Global markets. Agriculture sits at the intersection of some of today’s most important conversations. Aaron Putze combines authentic storytelling with practical insight gained from more than 30 years advocating for agriculture to help audiences make sense of today’s rapidly evolving landscape. Growing up on a northwest Iowa farm and now serving as one of agriculture’s leading communicators, Aaron shares timely perspectives on the issues impacting farmers while celebrating the grit, ingenuity and determination that define rural America.

  • Understand how geopolitics, trade, changing consumer expectations and global competition are reshaping U.S. agriculture
  • Identify emerging opportunities—from new markets and uses to sustainability and innovation—that can strengthen the long-term success of U.S. ag!