Lead with love, empathy, and respect.
Ryan Tillman teaches schools, companies, and first responders how to handle conflict, build trust across differences, and create cultures where people stay and thrive.
By the Numbers
LEADERS & PROFESSIONALS
1,400+
event reviews across 60+ talks
100%
of law enforcement conference attendees rated his talk valuable
99%
would hear Ryan speak again
STUDENTS
1,100+
students surveyed after Conflict Resolution
97%
enjoyed the assembly
93%
plan to use what they learned
One message. Three rooms.
Student assemblies and staff trainings that give campuses practical conflict resolution tools and change school culture.
Schools & Districts
Keynotes for leadership teams, finance and private equity groups, and conferences that need trust to hold teams together.
Corporate & Leadership
Culture and resilience training that helps departments strengthen internal culture, support their people, and keep good officers. Built from 13 years on the inside.
First Responders
He used to distrust police. Then he became one.
That journey taught Ryan how to connect with people who see the world differently. Today he brings those lessons to classrooms, boardrooms, and briefing rooms across the country as founder and CEO of Breaking Barriers United, author of Happy Eyes, host of The Ryan Tillman Show, and a former UNLV football player.
What Audiences Say
“One of the best, if not the best, closing speaker of any conference I’ve ever attended.”
— Al Cummings, Wisconsin conference attendee
“Dynamic and educational. The session was one of the best in my 35 years of education.”
— Michael Barclay, 35-year educator
“If you ever get the chance to see Tillman speak, make it happen. He views things the right way and the way we should lead our careers.”
— Josiah Mertes, Port Edwards Police Department
— Former Customer“I learned a lot about solving problems and conflicts… I will also apply these things on my life because I know it will help me a lot.”
— Student, Conflict Resolution assembly. 97% of 1,100+ students surveyed enjoyed it, and 93% plan to use what they learned.
SIGNATURE KEYNOTES
Every talk is 45 to 60 minutes and tailored to your audience. Available as a keynote, breakout, assembly, or staff training.
Lead With Love
Conflict Resolution Tools That Transform Campus Culture. Practical tools students and staff use to handle conflict, repair relationships, and build a campus where respect is the norm.
Best for: K-12 assemblies, staff training, administrators
Happy Eyes
Becoming All Things to All People. How to build trust and influence with people who see the world differently, drawn from Ryan’s book of the same name.
Best for: corporate teams, leadership retreats, conferences
Unknown Trouble
A true story of choosing compassion over bias, and how anyone can lead with love, empathy, and respect when it matters most.
Best for: students, community events, faith audiences
Culture That Keeps Officers
Cultural resiliency for first responder agencies. Ryan helps departments strengthen internal culture, rebuild trust between ranks, and keep the good officers they already have.
Best for: police and fire leadership, first responder conferences
MENTOR TRAINING
Great mentors aren’t born. They’re trained. Ryan equips the adults who show up for young people, from district staff and teachers to parents and community volunteers, to build real relationships with students.
The training was built for Rialto Unified School District’s Bridge Builders Mentor Program. It teaches mentors to see every student through three lenses: love, empathy, and respect. Mentors leave with practical tools for starting conversations, handling conflict, and staying consistent when it gets hard.
Best for: school districts launching or growing a mentor program, after-school programs, and community youth organizations
WHAT MENTORS SAID
100%
would recommend the training to others
17 of 21
mentors asked for a follow-up session
Top takeaway: seeing students through three lenses, love, empathy, and respect. (Post-training survey, 21 mentors, Rialto Unified, 2026)
QUESTIONS PLANNERS ASK
Planning an event? Here are quick answers to what event planners, principals, and chiefs ask most.
Who is Ryan Tillman?
Ryan Tillman is a keynote speaker, author, and conflict resolution expert based in Southern California. He is the founder and CEO of Breaking Barriers United and the author of Happy Eyes: Becoming All Things to All People.
Who is a good conflict resolution speaker for schools?
Ryan has spoken in hundreds of schools from California to New York. His assemblies and staff trainings give students and educators practical tools to handle conflict and build respect on campus. In post-assembly surveys, 97% of students said they enjoyed it and 93% plan to use what they learned.
Does Ryan speak to corporate and leadership audiences?
Yes. Ryan keynotes for leadership teams, private equity and finance groups, and professional conferences on trust, influence, and building a culture people want to stay in.
How much does it cost to book Ryan?
Fees depend on the format, audience, and travel. Share your date and event details and we will send you a quote.
Does Ryan travel?
Yes. Ryan is based in Southern California and speaks at schools, conferences, and organizations nationwide.
BRING RYAN TO YOUR PEOPLE
Share your date, audience, and goals, and we will follow up with availability and a quote. Prefer to talk? Call 909-641-5229.