Steve Lerch

Steve Lerch is an award-winning international keynote speaker, consultant, and former Google Executive, who has become a highly respected voice in the world of innovation, leadership, digital strategy, and consumer behavior.

A Decade at Google

Steve spent nearly a decade at Google, working in an number of roles between the Mountain View, California headquarters and the Washington, DC office.

Steve served as a Digital Strategy Advisor to prominent technology brands like GoPro and Roku, respected non-profits like the YMCA and Save the Children, and even major departments of the Federal Government, like the Census Bureau and FEMA. He spent years helping hundreds of organizations better understand their customers, tell more compelling stories, and leverage data more strategically.

When not serving his digital marketing partners, Steve served as a Culture and Innovation Evangelist at Google’s headquarters. In this role, Steve was one of the first voices heard by thousands of new employees, teaching them about the important cultural building blocks that drive innovation and that have led to Google’s success. He shared stories from the history of Google and helped employees understand their role in embracing change and continuing a culture that constantly seeks new ideas and new ways of thinking. Steve’s philosophy on innovation, rooted in his time at Google, is never dependent on technology or R+D budgets. Steve believes that innovation stems from people. It starts with organizations, teams, and leaders taking simple steps to stoke and nurture their curiosity and ambition.

Keynote Speaker

Throughout his time at Google, Steve gave countless sales pitches, internal presentations, and trainings, but very few “speeches.”

In 2019, which would turn out to be Steve’s final year at Google, Steve was asked to give a speech at an the World Pork Expo. Steve spoke about digital strategy and modern consumer behavior. Someone in the audience from the Farm Journal publication saw the speech and invited Steve to speak at their Top Producer Summit. Top Producer Summit was attended by some folks from John Deere who wanted Steve to keynote their upcoming Technology Summit. And just like that, the ball was rolling and Steve left Google to give speeches professionally.

In 6 years, Steve has given nearly 200 speeches, mostly on the topics of innovation, marketing, and AI. He’s traveled as far as Thailand, India, and the Netherlands to deliver keynote speeches to audiences ranging from 10 people all the way up 5,000.

Nothing brings Steve more energy, excitement, and joy that traveling the world and telling stories that help business leaders rethink the way they approach their work. He believes facts, data, and specific tactics are crucial in a speech, but if they’re not wrapped in high energy, humor, and inspiration, no one will remember them.

Story Arc Consulting

When leaving Google in 2019, Steve’s intention was to focus on giving speeches, but 4 months into his new venture, he started getting requests from several former Google clients. Clients that hoped Steve would continue to provide them with support and guidance on all things related to digital strategy, marketing, and business development.

From those requests, Story Arc Consulting was born. Steve has partnered with more than 30 organizations, for multi-year partnerships and shorter one-off engagements.

Story Arc Consulting allows Steve to extend his focus beyond the scope of his former Google roles. He helps clients with marketing, strategic planning, media buying, website flow, social media, Google Ads, paid social, agency reviews, and much more.

Through his speeches, Steve has had the opportunity to meet leaders across many industries, and has consulted across agriculture, food & beverage, hospitality, healthcare, manufacturing, advocacy, finance, technology, and CPG.