Entrepreneurial roots
Keith Kirkpatrick, author of “Leadersick: Becoming a Healthy Leader,” encourages business leaders to support young entrepreneurs... Read more.
Keith Kirkpatrick
Author
President - KPM Group IncKirkpatrick has earned recognition as an authority on leadership and entrepreneurship. He is a trusted coach and insightful adviser to many businesses, organizations and community leaders. He recorded almost 300 episodes of “Lakeshore Focus,” which aired on PBS.Kirkpatrick is founder of the South Shore Leadership Center and served 15 years as president and CEO and master facilitator for Leadership Northwest Indiana in which 1,200 community leaders graduated. He created the Institute for Innovative Leadership at Indiana University Northwest and the Northwest Indiana Entrepreneurship Academy serving as executive director.Kirkpatrick started his first business at the age of 24. He has been actively involved in the start-up and ownership of 10 businesses in manufacturing, distribution, printing, specialty gifts, importing and human services. He founded 10 nonprofits and worked to transform and grow another 10 organizations.He is a former faculty fellow at the Indiana University Tobias Leadership Center. His consulting work focuses on coaching, training, facilitation and analysis in the areas of leadership, strategy, business feasibility and organizational development.Kirkpatrick received his undergraduate degree in political science from Illinois State University and continued his lifelong learning commitment with graduate classes and seminars at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, University of Illinois-Chicago, Northern Illinois University and Ball State University. He was recognized by the U.S. SBA as a Small Business Advocate, as a champion of diversity by Indiana Minority Business Magazine, and for his outstanding work in the development of community leadership in Indiana.He has been involved with many organizations, including Indiana Leadership Association, NWI World Trade Alliance, Regional Youth Employment Council and Junior Achievement. Keith was on the founding board and inducted into The Society of Innovators of Northwest Indiana. He has served on numerous boards, committees and advisories, working on issues of community and economic development. Kirkpatrick also is a devoted Christian leader who serves his church as president of United Methodist Men.View all posts