Winnetka, Illinois, United States
I help leadership teams and organizations perform when it matters most. High-stakes moments. Live events. Unscripted conversations where energy, clarity, and connection shape the outcome. Co-Founder of The Agility Group, working with enterprise clients to build the human skills behind performance on stage and in the room. My journey started when I was 9 years old and sent 50 cents and two box tops from Wheat Chex for a magic kit. I practiced every trick until I could do them without thinking, then booked my first paid gig at an Elks Club in Plymouth, Michigan and made 15. That was the start of a career built on one principle: People engage when something pulls them in, surprises them, and makes the moment feel alive. That idea took me from stand-up in Detroit to Chicago, where I trained with legendary acting coach Del Close and became a founding member of The Annoyance Theater. I then spent a decade with Chicago's world-famous Second City alongside Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, Amy Poehler, and Chris Farley. I later became Creative Director of Second City Communications, helping pioneer improvisation in business. Over the past 25+ years, I’ve: • Delivered 1,000+ corporate events, keynotes, and conferences across North America, Europe, and Asia • Partnered with Cisco Systems, SAP, Honeywell, Pepsi, Starbucks, Abbott, Kellogg’s, Discover, and Dow • Built relationships, including 50+ engagements with Cisco and 25 years with Lincoln Financial • Maintained a 97% client return rate What I bring to every event and engagement: • A confident opening that captures attention fast • Seamless flow that keeps energy high and audiences engaged • The ability to connect speakers, ideas, and messaging into one cohesive experience • Real-time adaptability when plans change • Humor and presence that make content memorable Today, attention is the scarcest resource in the room. Through The Agility Group, we help leaders build deep listening, presence under pressure, “Yes, and” collaboration, confidence in uncertainty, and the ability to turn unexpected moments into advantage. What decades on stage and in boardrooms taught me: People don’t change because of information. They change because of experience. In the right moment, you don’t have time to overthink. You listen. You respond. You build. That’s what improvisation creates. Planning a keynote, leadership offsite, sales kickoff, or corporate event your audience will remember months later? Let’s talk. DM me or connect here: theagilitygroup.net www.richardlaible.com
Co-Founder of The Agility Group, an executive development firm helping leadership teams at enterprise organizations perform under pressure, communicate with clarity, and collaborate when it matters most. We work with companies like Microsoft, Biogen, Coldwell Banker Commercial, Lincoln Financial, and Northwestern Kellogg to build the human skills that directly impact performance not just ideas, but behavior change that shows up in real decisions, real meetings, and real outcomes. Together with my partner William Hall (Co-Founder of BATS Improv, Stanford GSB faculty, World Economic Forum speaker), I deliver keynotes, executive workshops, and leadership programs grounded in the principles of improvisational theater a proven system for navigating uncertainty, building alignment, and unlocking team performance. What we build inside teams: • Deep listening that improves decision-making • Presence and clarity in high-stakes moments • “Yes, And” collaboration that turns ideas into action • Confidence when plans change or break • The ability to use failure as fuel, not friction Selected engagements: Microsoft, Biogen, Coldwell Banker Commercial, Lincoln Financial, Northwestern Kellogg, ForeScout, Sagemark Consulting, EDG Consulting Recognized by senior leaders including Neil Golden (former CMO, McDonald’s NA; Professor, Northwestern Medill) and Bob Reny (CTO, ForeScout) for delivering programs that are practical, engaging, and transformational. The result: Teams that are aligned, adaptive, and ready to act when it counts.
There are meeting facilitators, and then there is Richard Laible, a professional emcee, presenter and host with more than two decades of corporate experience—including 10 years with Chicago’s legendary “The Second City” improvisational theater. Funny? Yes, Richard Laible is funny. But, more than just making attendees laugh, professional emcee and presenter Richard Laible makes meetings work better…and the results more valuable by adding value to your corporate programs. Richard Laible has a customized, high-energy approach that brings corporate messages and ideas to LIFE, ENGAGES and INSPIRES people to listen, participate and realize their full potential. Most importantly, Richard gets them–and keeps them–listening closely to the messages you need to communicate throughout your corporate meeting or event. Unlike a standard meeting facilitator or less experienced master of ceremonies, Richard specializes in customized writing and improvisational comedy for any industry. Richard firmly believes that humor is the most valuable tool in delivering a company’s message. Comedy keeps audiences awake and helps them remember presentations long after the event has ended. However, humor used for corporate meetings and trade shows should not be silly or weaken the message. Richard Laible is well known for his masterful use of humor and emotion to get audiences more involved. It makes people remember your message — and act on it. He delivers information professionally and effectively, which is always the most important goal. Audiences enjoy themselves like never before; eagerly participate and interact; walk away remembering the main message; and buzz about the event for days, weeks or even months afterward. The bottom line is, if you want to add something fun to your next corporate function, book Richard Laible today. Richard will meet with you and/or your staff to discuss ways he can help make your events more fun, interactive and memorable.
Your messages deserve to be heard loud and clear. Richard Laible understands the importance of delivering your key messages effectively, ensuring that they resonate with your audience, so they realize their full potential and take action. We understand the power of a captivating emcee to truly elevate your event. With Richard’s expertise as a corporate emcee, you can be confident that your messaging will have a lasting impact on your attendees. We work closely with you to understand your event objectives and tailor Richard’s performance to align with your messaging. With his ability to seamlessly weave in key points and brand messages, your event becomes more than just entertainment – it becomes a strategic tool for success. Ever since his 10-year stint as a cast member of Chicago’s world famous “The Second City” improvisational theater Richard has spoken in front of more than 1,000 audiences, from Maine to San Diego, from Hong Kong to Barcelona. Richard has 20+ years of experience engaging and delighting attendees as host and moderator for hundreds of corporate & association meetings of all sizes around the globe and across many different segments – technology, healthcare, automotive, financial, etc.