GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS & REGULATORY RISK ADVISORY | KEYNOTE SPEAKER & AUTHOR
Dr. Lamell J. McMorris
Two decades advising Fortune 100 companies, public institutions, and governing boards on resilience, risk, and leading through complexity.
Founder & CEO, Phase 2 Consulting | Founder, Greenlining Realty USA | Former Head of Regulatory & Government Affairs, Edward Jones | USA Today Bestselling Author
Government affairs experience. Boardroom judgment.
ABOUT DR. MCMORRIS
Dr. Lamell J. McMorris is a government affairs executive, strategic advisor, and institution builder whose work sits at the intersection of business, government, and governance. He most recently served as Principal and Head of Regulatory and Government Affairs at Edward Jones, where he led the firm's federal and state government affairs strategy and advised executive leadership on legislative, regulatory, and reputational risk. He is the Founder and CEO of Phase 2 Consulting, a Washington, D.C.-based advisory firm that has guided Fortune 100 companies through government relations and regulatory risk across the energy, financial services, and telecommunications sectors.
Dr. McMorris currently serves as Senior Vice Chair of the National Urban League Board of Trustees, where he has helped guide governance and a fundraising strategy that has exceeded $100 million. His board leadership extends across the National Action Network, PGA REACH, and Rainbow PUSH, with past trusteeships at Morehouse College and Elmhurst University. He is also the USA Today bestselling author of The Power to Persist and founder of Greenlining Realty USA.
SIGNATURE TOPICS
What Lamell speaks on
Navigating Regulatory Risk and
Reputational Exposure
Drawn from leading government affairs strategy at Edward Jones and advising Fortune 100 companies — how organizations get ahead of regulatory and reputational risk before it becomes a crisis.
Governance That Works:
Lessons From the Boardroom
As Senior Vice Chair of the National Urban League and trustee across national institutions, what effective governance actually requires — fundraising strategy, board culture, and institutional stewardship.
The Power to Persist:
8 Habits of Lifelong Resilience
The eight practices — attitude, work ethic, agility, vulnerability, network, focus, dogged determination, and faith — from Lamell's USA Today bestselling book.
Reversing Redlining: Building Wealth
Where Capital Walked Away
How Greenlining Realty USA turns vacant lots in disinvested neighborhoods into homeownership — using Lamell's own hometown as the proof of concept.
WHY BOOK LAMELL
Built for the room, not off the shelf
01
A government affairs executive who has sat inside the room
Not an outside commentator — Lamell has led regulatory and government affairs strategy at the enterprise level for a Fortune 500 financial services firm.
02
Governance experience at the highest level
Senior Vice Chair of the National Urban League, with trustee experience across more than eight national boards — speaking from direct, current practice.
03
A career built across sectors under real scrutiny
From representing professional sports officials under intense public pressure to leading Fortune 500 government affairs to civil rights leadership.
04
Content that fits the room
Keynotes, fireside chats, and workshops tailored to the audience — risk and compliance teams, boards, conferences, and campuses each get a different treatment.
AT A GLANCE
Fast facts
USA Today bestselling author, The Power to Persist
Host, The Power to Persist podcast
Former Head of Regulatory & Government Affairs, Edward Jones (2021–2024)
Founder & CEO, Phase 2 Consulting
Sr. Vice Chair, National Urban League Board of Trustees
Board Member, National Action Network
Board Member, PGA REACH
Board Member, Rainbow PUSH
Former Trustee, Morehouse College & Elmhurst University
Founder, Greenlining Realty USA
National Co-Chair, 2020 U.S. presidential campaign
D.L.P., Northeastern University; M.Div., Princeton Theological Seminary
WHO BOOKS LAMELL
Ideal for
Corporations
Government affairs, risk & compliance teams, leadership offsites
Boards
Governance retreats, trustee onboarding, strategic planning
Conferences
Keynotes on regulatory risk, governance & resilience
Educational institutions
Student leadership, commencement addresses
FORMATS
How Lamell shows up
Keynote
Signature talk, tailored to your audience
Fireside chat
Moderated conversation format
Workshop
Interactive session on the 8 habits or governance
Panel
Government affairs, regulatory risk, or governance
Forbes Inc. Magazine Fast Company ABC7 Chicago MS Now Fox INC The Washington Post New York Times Newsweek The Washington Informer
AS FEATURED IN
Milken Institute Executives Club of Chicago Birmingham's Mayor's Office KPN Gala National Baptist Convention Morehouse College Miles College Paine College EdFarm Crockett Innovation eXpo Russel Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE)
SPOKEN AT
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
In their words
"The Power to Persist is an inspiring and exciting read, which I strongly recommend to anyone seeking to elevate their skills and achieve positive results in the face of adversity."
— Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner
"The Power to Persist teaches you how to unlock the superpowers of resilience in a down-to-earth and relatable fashion."
— Marc H. Morial, President and CEO, National Urban League
"The Power to Persist is a road map for anyone looking to overcome obstacles and elevate their personal lives or careers."
— David Kohler, Chair and CEO, Kohler Co.
"Stocked full of practical tips for self-improvement, The Power to Persist is this year's best book in personal growth."
— Randall Woodfin, Mayor of Birmingham
Ready to bring Dr. McMorris to your organization?
Book him for your next keynote, fireside chat, or workshop.
