Robert Neller

37th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps
Speaker Robert Neller
  • A proven transformation leader and change agent with over 44 years of experience leading and managing global organizations worldwide, bringing a forward-thinking approach and unique voice to his brand of leadership
  • Successfully led the United States Marine Corps through one of its most dynamic periods in its storied history including integrating women into previously restricted ground combat units, addressing and developing policy for transgender service members, and more
  • Unwavering in his commitment to the ethos "Effort Matters, Character Counts," he was commissioned in the United States Marine Corps in 1975 and has served as an infantry officer at all levels

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37th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps and decorated veteran, General Robert B. Neller is a proven transformational leader and change agent. General Neller successfully led the United States Marine Corps through one of its most dynamic periods in its storied history including integrating women into previously restricted ground combat units, addressing and developing policy for transgender service members, infantry squad changes, implementing social media guidelines and more, all while engaged in multiple threats of combat, the whole time elevating the uncompromising high standards that the Marine Corps is known for across the globe. “A warrior, leader, and statesman,” General Neller has over 44 years of experience leading and managing global organizations worldwide, bringing a forward-thinking approach and unique voice to his brand of leadership.

Through engaging insider stories and insights, his uncompromising dedication to building and leading teams of virtue and character, his straight-forward, no-nonsense style partnered with his extensive experience in combat and in Washington D.C. will motivate, teach, inspire, and empower audiences. General Neller is unwavering in his commitment to the ethos “Effort Matters, Character Counts.”

Neller was commissioned in the United States Marine Corps in 1975 and has served as an infantry officer at all levels. He commanded the Marine Security Force Company Panama during Operations JUST CAUSE and PROMOTE LIBERTY, 3d Light Armored Infantry Battalion during Operation RESTORE HOPE in Somalia, 6th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division, Marine Forces Central Command and Marine Forces Command His Joint assignments include service in the Policy Division of Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Casteau, Belgium, and as the Director of Operations (J3) of the Joint Staff in Washington, D.C. In 2006 he was Deputy Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) where the Iraq Awakening took root in the Anbar Province during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM 05-07.

A graduate of the University of Virginia with a B.A in History and Speech Communication, General Neller also holds a M.A. in Human Resource Management from Pepperdine University. During his 44 year career in the Marine Corps, he became a graduate of the Advanced Armor Officer Course, the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, the NATO Defense College and the Armed Forces Staff College. General Neller served as the President of Marine Corps University and is currently a Senior Distinguished Fellow at The University of Texas Clements Center, sits on the advisory board for the University of Virginia’s National Security Policy Center, is a senior mentor with the National Defense University and serves as Chairman of the Board for the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation. He was selected as one of four appointees to the Confederate Naming Commission by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in 2021.

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Effort Matters, Character Counts: A Guide to Effective Leadership. With more than 44 years as a leader at global organizations, General Robert Neller is a retired four-star general who championed a unique brand of leadership during his time at the helm of the United States Marine Corps – successfully leading the organization through one of its most dynamic periods in its storied history, all while engaged in combat on multiple fronts.

Through it all, Gen. Neller maintained unwavering commitment to his ethos, “Effort Matters, Character Counts.” Sharing stories from his experiences as a leader in combat, he discusses his proven, forward-looking approach for motivating his troops to victory on and off the battlefield. With strong character and virtue at the foundation, audience members discover that much of Gen. Neller’s approach to leadership is applicable in any organizational setting, leaving motivated, inspired, and empowered to affect change that will set their organizations up for success.  

Managing Change in Traditionalist Settings. Few institutions are as embedded in tradition as the United State Marine Corps. Yet, under the leadership of Gen. Neller, the Marine Corps experienced one of its most dynamic periods to date. It was a time in which, true to his reputation as a transformational leader, Gen. Neller modernized many of the Marine Corps’ policies – including integrating women into previously restricted ground combat units, addressing and developing policy for transgender service members, infantry squad changes, and implementing social media guidelines – while staying true to the organization’s uncompromising standards.

In this talk, Gen. Neller reveals the key points related to why he was successful introducing forward-thinking principles and policies to the Marine Corp. Groups from all types of organizations will enjoy the insights and action steps he offers for becoming an agent for elevating company cultures through positive change.

Success: What Does it Look Like? Everyone has a different vision of what it means to be successful. No matter the ways in which our ideas of success differ, they have one thing in common: the path to getting there is never easy and seldom straightforward. Gen. Neller combines empathy and his unique viewpoint to help organizations and individuals define what success is to them and underlines the importance of focus, discipline, and moderation on the path to achieving it.

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