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Meet
Bill

Your Guide to Leading
in Uncertain Times

Bill Fournet is more than a keynote speaker—he’s an executive coach, strategic advisor, and trusted partner for leaders who want to thrive in today’s unpredictable world. 

Why Leaders Trust Bill 

Thought-Provoking, Practical, and Proven Leadership Guidance

Leaders trust Bill Fournet because he delivers practical strategies that help them navigate disruption, build high-performing teams, and drive lasting success. Having worked with Fortune 1000 companies, manufacturing, national and regional associations, and financial organizations, Bill understands the challenges leaders face.

As a keynote speaker, executive coach, and strategic advisor, he provides actionable insights grounded in workforce trends and leadership best practices.

Whether on stage or in a boardroom, Bill combines his deep understanding of workforce trends and leadership strategies to help leaders:

  • Stay ahead of the curve in times of great change
  • Gain more control to create space for family and personal passions
  • Lead forward with confidence and clarity

 

From Leadership in the Trenches to Empowering Leaders Everywhere

With over 25 years of leadership experience—including overseeing projects exceeding $10 billion—Bill Fournet knows what it takes to lead through uncertainty. He’s been a leader, a problem-solver, and an advisor in industries ranging from tech to telecom to energy. Bill’s expertise was forged in real-world challenges, giving him the ability to connect with leaders who feel overwhelmed by change. who feel overwhelmed by change. His experience spans industries, including AT&T, IBM, and MTV Networks executive roles.

In 2004, Bill founded the award-winning consulting firm, The Persimmon Group, driven by a unique philosophy: work can be engaging, inspiring, and human. Under his leadership, Persimmon earned national recognition, including:

 

Living What He Teaches

Bill believes great leaders model balance and purpose. An avid outdoorsman, Bill has:

  • Backpacked hundreds of miles and summited 14,000-foot mountains
  • Paddled the Canadian Boundary Waters multiple times
  • Served as Assistant Scoutmaster and Executive Board Member for the Boy Scouts of America’s Indian Nations Council

Giving back is central to Bill’s work. He serves on the Executive Advisory Board of the Collins College of Business at the University of Tulsa, empowering the next generation of leaders. As past Chair for Growing Together, Inc., Bill contributed to ending the cycle of poverty through vibrant community-building. He also supports STEM education as Committee Chair for STEAM Post 26 and FIRST Robotics.

Accolades and Education

  • Multi-nominee for “Most Admired CEO” in Oklahoma
  • Distinguished Alumni, Oklahoma State College of Arts and Sciences
  • Cowboy 100 Honoree, Oklahoma State University Riata Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and the Oklahoma State University Foundation
  • Master’s Degree in History, Oklahoma State University
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy, Vanderbilt University

Bill and his wife, Christy, split their time between Oklahoma and Colorado. They have three adult sons.  Bill balances leadership and family with the same passion he brings to every aspect of his life. His father, Douglas Fournet, was a recipient of the United States military’s highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.