Bo Kemp - Ideas Into Action

Bo Kemp’s speaking engagements are a call to action for anyone looking to redefine their path

and reinvigorate their passion for life. With authenticity, insight, and experience, Bo inspires

audiences to take meaningful steps toward a life of purpose and achievement, reinforcing the

message that it’s never too late to follow your dreams.

Bo is committed to mentoring and coaching the next generation of leaders, providing guidance

on how to navigate the challenges of a career while staying true to personal values. His

dedication to community development, combined with his focus on individual empowerment,

positions him as a thought leader in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors.

Throughout his career, Bo has shown a unique ability to connect with audiences of all

backgrounds, whether speaking to large crowds or in corporate boardrooms. He brings a warm,

engaging style to his presentations, blending storytelling with actionable insights. A passionate

advocate for the power of dreams and ambition, Bo encourages people of all ages to recognize

the importance of childhood dreams as foundational to personal growth and self-fulfillment.

Drawing from his own journey, he demonstrates how nurturing these early aspirations can lead

to a rewarding career and a fulfilling life.

In his talks, Bo emphasizes that following one’s dreams is more than just a personal pursuit—it’s

a path to self-actualization and empowerment. As he says, to raise your net worth, you must

raise your self-worth. He shares tools and strategies for adults seeking to reconnect with their

inner drive, translating childhood passions into professional accomplishments and personal

satisfaction. His perspective is not only motivational but practical, offering step-by-step

approaches to help audiences identify, pursue, and realize their deepest aspirations.

Bo Kemp, a dynamic leader with a diverse and impressive career, currently serves as the head

of the Southland Development Authority, a non-profit business organization committed to

fostering economic growth and revitalization in the South Suburbs of Chicago. With an

exceptional background in entrepreneurship, private equity, public administration, and economic development, Bo’s career reflects a dedication to driving positive change in communities and organizations alike. Bo is the founder of the ACHIEVE Summit that promotes real estate investment and entrepreneurial business growth and acquisition and is the host of the podcast “The First Million is Always the Hardest.”

A graduate of both Yale University and Harvard Business School, Bo possesses a rare

combination of academic rigor and practical expertise. Bo has been a serial entrepreneur

beginning with the launch of a mail order Christmas ornaments business at 8 years old. He

raised his first equity capital at 18 and worked at one of the largest start-ups in history at the

time, General Motors’ Saturn Corp, in college. His early career included pivotal roles at TSG

Capital Group (private equity fund) and Morgan Stanley, where he honed his skills in investment strategy, and market analysis. Bo has raised over $100 million in equity for private equity and

venture backed companies where he has served as the head or as part of the C-suite.

Bo’s experience in these highly competitive environments provided him with a solid foundation

in corporate strategy, laying the groundwork for his future roles in public service and nonprofit

leadership. Bo's commitment to service and impact reached new heights when he accepted the role of Business Administrator for the City of Newark, NJ, under then-Mayor Cory Booker. In this high-stakes position, Bo was instrumental in overseeing all city operations, implementing fiscal reforms, and driving initiatives aimed at revitalizing Newark. His efforts in Newark were widely recognized, underscoring his ability to bridge the public and private sectors to create sustainable progress and economic opportunity. Since Newark, Bo has worked with more than a dozen municipalities including Gary, Indiana, Tampa, Florida, New Orleans, Louisiana and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico as well as in various countries including Jamaica and Colombia on various public private projects tackling some of the most challenging issues.

Bo enjoys traveling and hopes to visit 100 countries in his lifetime. Bo speaks child-like Spanish

and passable French. He’s a dangerous golfer (and not in the good way) but an aspiring

aquaponics and micro farmer.