Steve Gross

Steve Gross is serious about play – and its tremendous benefits for all people and the organizations where they work. The Life is Good Kids Foundation is a non-profit organization that for twenty years has used play to help children overcome life threatening challenges such as violence, illness and severe poverty. A recognized expert and pioneer in utilizing exuberant, joyful play to promote resiliency in children, he has extended those insights to adults, reconnecting them to the passionate, joyful and playful selves that enable them to be their best in and out of the workplace.

Through fascinating research, first-hand lessons learned in his crisis response efforts following 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, the Haiti earthquake and turmoil in the Middle East, and his uniquely humorous and participatory engagement with audiences, Steve demonstrates how to use playfulness to energize individuals, teams and organizations – especially in challenging, change-filled times – allowing them to reach their full potential.

Steve’s talents have been called upon to respond to some of the greatest catastrophes of our time, including the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, earthquakes in Haiti and Japan, and the 2012 Newtown school shooting. At the heart of his work, Steve helps others discover the power of optimism so that they can build resilience and bring greater joy, connection, courage and creativity to their lives. Steve helps others discover their own sense of optimism so that they can inspire the people around them to focus on the good and overcome life’s most difficult challenges.

We are excited to have Steve as our keynote speaker on Friday, January 31, 2020, where you will not only get to hear his story, but you will be a part of CSMFO’s “Give Back to the Community” theme. The speaker fee will not go to Steve but to his 501c3 non-profit organization whose mission is to help children grow and see the good in themselves. So attend the 2020 CSMFO conference – it’s for the children!

View his spotlight article in the CSMFO News.