The Chair Leader | Chris Malleo

Oct 31, 2025

Chris Malleo, a former Northwestern football player and leadership entrepreneur, shares his transformative journey from athlete to coach. He recounts how a heartfelt email from Frankie Kennevy, a nonverbal young man with cerebral palsy, changed his coaching path. Together, they turned a struggling football program into a culture of selflessness and resilience. Chris reflects on the invaluable lessons of teamwork and the power of attitude, highlighting that true leadership is about uplifting others. Their book, The ChairLeader, captures this inspiring mission.

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ANECDOTE

Career Pause To Care For Mom

After CFL and other pro attempts, Chris paused to care for his mother diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
That season away allowed him to prioritize family and later pursue coaching.

INSIGHT

Adversity Reveals Identity Vulnerability

Athletic identity loss revealed how tied Chris was to on-field roles and ego.
That insecurity later made him susceptible to selfish motives when coaching initially.

ANECDOTE

Unexpected Hire Becomes Heart Of Team

Chris almost dismissed Frankie after first seeing him in a wheelchair but was deeply moved during a two-and-a-half-hour interview.
He hired Frankie and their four-year partnership transformed the program into champions.

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On this episode of The Jon Gordon Podcast, I sit down with Chris Malleo, co-author of The ChairLeader, for a moving conversation about his unexpected journey from college athlete to transformational leader. Chris shares how his own setbacks—on and off the field—ultimately led him to coaching, where an email from Frankie Kennevy, a nonverbal young man with cerebral palsy, changed everything.

Together, Chris and Frankie turned a struggling football program into champions, building a culture rooted in selflessness, gratitude, and the belief that attitude can overcome any circumstance. Chris reflects on the incredible lessons he learned from Frankie about resilience, teamwork, and what it really means to make an impact.

This episode is a powerful reminder that leadership is about lifting others up, and the greatest victories come from the heart. Listeners will be inspired by The ChairLeader and rethink what's possible!

About Chris,

Chris Malleo is a former Northwestern and professional football player turned coach, author, and leadership entrepreneur. As the founder of Culture Health and the author of The ChairLeader, Chris helps leaders and organizations strengthen culture through trust, alignment, and intentional leadership.

After leading one of the nation's top high school football programs — sending 48 players to college in four years — Chris transitioned into commercial real estate, where he advises high-net-worth families and businesses on large-scale investments. His unique journey from locker rooms to boardrooms gives him a rare perspective on how great cultures are built.

Grounded in faith, family, and purpose, Chris lives in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida with his wife Ashley and their four children.

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