Rethinking Advocacy
Don Schweitzer offers keynotes, workshops, and trainings focused on what makes advocacy effective — and what causes it to break down. His work helps leaders and organizations pursue justice with integrity, discipline, and measurable impact, without relying on dehumanization or moral grandstanding as a strategy.
“Personable, interesting, and intelligent.
Don is fantastic at what he does.”
Faculty, OR
Beyond Outrage.
Lead with Integrity.
Drive Real Change.
In an era of deep polarization, many advocacy efforts fall into the trap of moral grandstanding or toxic internal dynamics that ultimately undermine their mission. Dr. Don Schweitzer offers a strategic framework that helps leaders and organizations to move past the noise with clarity and discipline.
​His sessions focus on the mechanics of effective advocacy—examining why movements break down and how they can be rebuilt with discipline, measurable impact, and a commitment to common humanity.
Request Dr. Schweitzer
Speaking & Training FAQs
1. How does Dr. Don’s approach differ from traditional leadership training?
Most leadership training focuses on tactics and communication skills. Don focuses on diagnostic integrity.
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He helps organizations identify when urgency, ideology, or moral pressure have begun to distort decision-making and internal culture. His sessions move teams from reactive positioning to disciplined, evidence-based leadership that strengthens trust and produces measurable impact.
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2. Our team is experiencing burnout and internal conflict. Can these sessions help?
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Yes.
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Burnout and conflict often signal deeper structural and behavioral patterns, not just workload stress. Don’s trauma-informed lens helps teams recognize escalation cycles, reduce internal hostility, and build tools for emotional regulation under pressure.
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The goal is not temporary morale improvement. It is sustainable stability.
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3. Who is the ideal audience?
Don’s work is most effective for:
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Nonprofit leadership teams
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Academic departments
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Policy-driven organizations
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Coalitions navigating polarized environments
It is especially useful for organizations that feel stuck between strong values and inconsistent results.
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4. Are sessions tailored to our organization?
Yes.
Each engagement begins with assessment and strategic alignment. Whether it’s a keynote, workshop, or multi-day retreat, the content is refined to address your organization’s culture, pressures, and leverage points for change.
There is no one-size-fits-all template.
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5. What tangible outcomes can we expect?
Participants leave with:
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A clear framework for leading without escalating division
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Tools to replace moral posturing with measurable progress
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Practical strategies to strengthen internal trust and reduce burnout
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Language and processes that improve decision-making under pressure
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6. Is follow-up consulting available?
Yes.
Speaking engagements can serve as a catalyst for deeper organizational work. Ongoing consulting, assessments, and leadership development are available to ensure that insights translate into durable structural change.
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7. Is this work politically neutral?
The work is not partisan, but it is principled.
It does not advocate specific political positions. Instead, it examines how advocacy and leadership are practiced, focusing on whether strategies build trust, reduce harm, and produce sustainable outcomes.
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This makes it relevant across ideological contexts.
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8. What formats are available?
Sessions can be delivered as:
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Keynotes
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Interactive workshops
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Facilitated dialogues
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Multi-session leadership trainings
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Retreat intensives
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Formats range from 60-minute talks to multi-day engagements and are adapted to audience size and organizational goals.
Fetured Essay
"You Can’t Build a Just Society Using Dehumanizing Tools"​
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Most people want a society that is fairer and more humane. But can a just end be achieved through corrosive means? This essay examines the psychological and ethical disciplines required for long-term repair. It is an invitation to take integrity seriously, not only in our goals, but also in how we pursue them.