Managing Director, Insight Partners & Former Commanding Officer of SEAL Team TWO
Mike Hayes: Biography at a Glance
- Mike Hayes is the former Commanding Officer of SEAL Team TWO, including 10 months as Commander of a 2,000-person Special Operations Task Force in southeastern Afghanistan.
- A former Navy SEAL Commander, National Security Council leader, and now Managing Director at Insight Partners, Hayes draws on combat, government, and business experience to help others live with intention and lead with impact.
- He led the White House response to the hijacking of the Maersk Alabama, President Obama’s first major foreign policy crisis.
- His latest book, Mission Driven, is an instant national bestseller offering a practical guide for navigating life’s transitions and leading with purpose. His earlier bestseller, Never Enough, explores excellence, agility, and meaning in high-stakes environments.
- In the private sector, Hayes has held senior leadership roles across global enterprises, including Chief Operating Officer at VMware, Senior Vice President at Cognizant Technologies, and Chief of Staff to the CEO and COO at Bridgewater Associates, where he drove operational transformation, large-scale strategy, and organizational growth.
- Drawing from his experiences across the battlefield, the Situation Room, and the boardroom, Hayes speaks powerfully about purpose-driven leadership, decision-making under pressure, and aligning personal and professional choices with meaning and impact.
Videos
Biography
Mike Hayes is Managing Director, Insight Partners, a global software investment firm with $90B+ in regulatory assets under management and 800+ portfolio companies across every stage of growth. Prior to Insight, Mike was Chief Operating Officer at VMware, where he led the company's worldwide business operations, their SaaS transition, and the successful acquisition into Broadcom for $94B. Before that, Mike served as Senior Vice President and Head of Strategic Operations for Cognizant Technologies, where he ran a $2B P&L for Cognizant’s global financial services clients. Mike previously spent four years at Bridgewater Associates, an investment management firm, where he served in the Chief of Staff to the CEO and COO roles.
Prior to Bridgewater, he spent 20 years in the U.S. Navy SEALs, where his career began as one of 19 graduates from a class of 120. Mike served throughout South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia, including the conflicts in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. His last job in the Navy was the Commanding Officer of SEAL Team TWO, which included ten months as the Commander of a 2,000-person Special Operations Task Force in southeastern Afghanistan. Before that, Mike was selected as a White House Fellow ('08/'09) and served two years as Director, Defense Policy and Strategy at the National Security Council. In the Bush Administration, Mike was responsible for the START Treaty, where he produced a new proposed START Treaty and flew to Russia for negotiations. In the Obama administration, he led the White House response to President Obama's first major foreign policy showdown—the hijacking of the Maersk Alabama off the coast of Somalia. Prior to the White House Fellowship, Mike served as the Deputy Commander for all Special Operations in Anbar Province, Iraq.
Mike holds an M.A. in Public Policy from Harvard's Kennedy School and received his B.A. from Holy Cross College, where he was an active Big Brother. His military decorations include the Bronze Star for valor in combat in Iraq, a Bronze Star for Afghanistan, and the Defense Superior Service Medal from the White House.
Mike is the author of the instant national bestseller Mission Driven, a practical guide to navigating life’s transition points and leading with purpose, impact, and intention. Drawing from combat missions, corporate boardrooms, and personal crossroads, Mike offers a powerful framework to help readers define who they want to be and make everyday decisions that align with their goals.
He is also the author of the best-seller Never Enough: A Navy SEAL Commander on Living a Life of Excellence, Agility, and Meaning, and donates all profits from that book to a 501(c)(3) he founded that pays off mortgages for Gold Star widows and children.
Mike serves on the board of Immuta, a data governance company, and is the founding board member of the National Medal of Honor Museum. He is a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations, fluent in German and Spanish, frequently speaks about leadership and elite organizations, and enjoys mentoring others to success. He is a life-long Sox/Pats fan, but most enjoys laughing with his wife, Anita, and their daughter, Maeson.
Topics
Mission Driven: Leading with Purpose in Every Moment
In a world of constant change and high-stakes decisions, how can leaders ensure every choice reflects their purpose and values? Mike Hayes, Managing Director at Insight Partners and former Navy SEAL Commander, shares a powerful framework for leading with intention, clarity, and impact.
Drawing from experiences spanning combat missions, the White House, and the global boardroom, Hayes reveals how to define your mission, lead through uncertainty, and inspire teams to thrive under pressure.
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FAQs
How do I book Mike Hayes for my event?
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Who is Mike Hayes's booking agent?
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Contact Mike Hayes's agent- Email: speakers@caa.com
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CAA Speakers can check Mike Hayes's speaking calendar with direct access to availability and official pricing. While many websites may list Mike Hayes, CAA Speakers is the direct source for authentic information about availability and pricing.
What is Mike Hayes's speaking fee?
Mike Hayes's speaking fee varies by event type, location, and requirements. As a top keynote speaker, Mike Hayes's fee reflects their expertise and market demand.
Speaking fee factors:- Event type and audience size
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The cost to book Mike Hayes as keynote speaker includes their speaking fee plus travel and logistics expenses.
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How to contact Mike Hayes for speaking engagements?
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for all Mike Hayes speaking engagements.
Official contact for Mike Hayes bookings:- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: https://www.caa.com/caaspeakers/michael-hayes
- Response time: 24 hours
Include your event date, location, audience size, and budget when contacting CAA about booking Mike Hayes.
Is Mike Hayes available for virtual speaking events?
Yes, Mike Hayes speaks at virtual events with professional-grade equipment and interactive presentation style.
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Mike Hayes booking information and availability
Check Mike Hayes's speaking availability through CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com. Book 3-6 months in advance for best date selection during peak seasons (September-November, March-May).
Availability factors:- Event date and location
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- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 2-3 months: Good availability
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Contact CAA early in your planning process to secure Mike Hayes for your preferred event date.
Book Mike Hayes keynote speaker through CAA
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Will Mike Hayes speak at private events?
Yes, Mike Hayes speaks at private corporate events, executive retreats, board meetings, and exclusive functions.
Private event types:- Executive retreats and board presentations
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How quickly will I get a response about booking Mike Hayes?
CAA Speakers responds to Mike Hayes booking inquiries within 24 hours during business days. Complex requests or international events may take up to 48 hours for detailed proposals.
Response timeline:- Initial acknowledgment: Within 24 hours
- Availability confirmation: 24-48 hours
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Include complete event details (date, location, audience size, budget) for fastest response times.
How far in advance should I book Mike Hayes?
Book Mike Hayes 3-6 months in advance for best availability, especially during peak speaking seasons. Early booking ensures better date selection and rate negotiations.
Recommended booking timeline:- 3-6 months: Optimal availability and pricing
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Peak seasons: September-November and March-May book fastest. Contact CAA Speakers early for priority consideration.
How do I get Mike Hayes pricing information?
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For accurate pricing, include:- Event date and location
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CAA provides transparent pricing with all costs included - speaking fee, travel, accommodation, and technical requirements.