Ed Bastian leads Delta Air Lines as CEO, transforming the airline industry through values-based leadership and relentless focus on people. As CEO, he leads 100,000 global professionals who are building the world’s premier international airline, powered by a people-driven, customer-focused culture and spirit of innovation. A more-than-25-year Delta veteran who joined in 1998 as VP of finance and controller, his leadership philosophy is based on the “virtuous circle”: taking care of people, who take care of customers, whose business allows rewarding investors.

Bastian distinguishes himself with a leadership approach centered on purpose and people rather than power and authority, emphasizing the importance of being open-minded, trying new things, and not fearing the unknown. When asked to sum up his job in five words, his response is simply: “Taking care of our people”—reflecting his core belief that empathy, humanity and devotion to service guide successful leadership in good times and bad.

As a keynote speaker, Bastian shares insights on resilient leadership, purpose-driven management, and navigating industry transformation while maintaining core values and human connection.