Aaron Byzak

Transformational executive and groundbreaking thought leader in multiple industries including emergency medical services, health policy, healthcare management, non-profits, social services, and consulting. Motivational and energetic public speaker and 4-time Emmy Award winning writer and producer. Creative designer of multiple best practice public health, advocacy, community relations, and workforce development initiatives.

Widely recognized for orchestrating strategic public affairs renaissances for healthcare systems and non-profit organizations, Aaron is a 5-Tool Player who has demonstrated depth and breadth of knowledge, skills, abilities, and passions across a variety of channels.

A developer of high performing teams and a prolific investor in people, he is a sought-after mentor, coach, and trainer who has helped many individuals and groups realize their potential through focused professional, educational, and personal development.

Strategic Career Planning and Three Strides Forward, programs he created, have been attended by more than 4,000 individuals from diverse backgrounds including high school and college students, healthcare executives, people experiencing homelessness, and the formerly incarcerated, among others.

Aaron passionately advocates for policy and practice reform in health, mental health, senior care, and substance abuse prevention. As the founder of Hazel’sArmy, he was instrumental in passing California’s comprehensive assisted living reform agenda in 2014. Through Great Gen 2.0, and his impactful presentation”The Amazing Life of Wilfred H. Mensching,” Aaron narrates historical events through the eyes of a WWII veteran and POW, reaching over 7,000 students, thus far.

• MBA in Healthcare Management and Policy UC Irvine, Merage School of Business
• BA in Social Sciences Chapman University
• AA in History MiraCosta College

• Executive Leadership, Focus in Coaching to Engage & Develop Others, Cornell University
• Hospital & Health System Leadership UCLA, Anderson School of Management
• Fellow, Board Certified in Healthcare Management American College of Healthcare Executives

Aaron, his teams, and organizations are the recipients of more than 125 awards based on his efforts. In recent years, Aaron has been recognized with:

• 4 Emmy Awards (2010, 2017)
• 60 Finest Awards, including Best in Show (twice)
• Communicator of the Year Award (2017)
• Business Community Impact Award (2019)
• 6 Aster Awards (2021)
• Outstanding Social Responsibility Executive of the Year (2022)
• 500 Most Influential People in SD (2019-2023)
• Mentor of the Year (2024)

• Marketing, Branding, and Graphic Design
• Internal, External, and Crisis Communications
• Government Affairs, Policy Development, and Legislative Advocacy
• Community Engagement Program Design and Implementation
• Strategic Planning and Project Management
• Strategic Initiative Oversight including Facility Updates and Installations
• Grant and Fundraising Strategy and Writing
• Award and Recognition Strategy and Nomination Development
• SWOT Analysis, Vision, Mission, Values Creation
• Workforce Development Programming
• Strategic Career Planning and Execution
• Employee Engagement, Training, and Coaching
• Event/Meeting Facilitation
• Public Speaking and Speech Writing

A fractional executive is hired by an organization to fill an executive role for a “fraction” of full-time work, working more like a consultant and eliminating the costs of long-term commitments, high-end salaries, and all the employee benefits that come with a job. Aaron can serve as a fractional executive leader in a number of capacities, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Chief Strategy Officer
• Chief Marketing & Communications Officer
• Chief Government Affairs Officer
• Chief Community Engagement Officer

Aaron has extensive experience presenting and speaking, individually and as part of a team, as well as facilitating panel discussions and strategic planning sessions, at local, regional, state, and national meetings and conferences. A prolific mentor and executive coach, Aaron has trained some of the country’s top up-and-coming executives. Since 2008, he has averaged more than 50 in-person or virtual speaking, training, and facilitation events per year. Examples of Aaron’s popular training programs include the following:

• The 5 Tool Player Academy: Building Business MVPs
• Strategic Career Planning: A 10-Step Guide to Realizing Your Potential
• 3 Strides Forward: A Strategic Career Planning Primer (popular with at-risk attendees)
• SWOT Analysis (Personal and Organizational)
• Vision, Mission, and Values Development
• Mentoring Program Development
• Effective Strategies for Maximizing the Mentoring Relationship
• Building a Life of Consequence
• Healthcare and Emerging Industry Workforce Development
• Career Pipeline and Pathway Program Creation
• Advocacy 101: Essential Insight for Influencing Public Policy
• Advocacy 102: Advocacy Simulation Lab
• Building Effective Advocacy Programs and Organizations
• Creating Impactful Government Affairs Plans
• Building Amazing Community Outreach Programs
• Mental Health Policy & Practice Reform
• Assisted Living Reform/Elder Care Reform
• Drug & Alcohol Prevention Policies, Programs, and Practices
• Healthcare Marketing Strategy Development
• Leading a Brand Revival