Garry Ridge

Garry Ridge is an accomplished leader, keynote speaker, and executive coach known for his transformative work in corporate culture. He served as the Chairman and CEO of WD-40 Company for 25 years, where he successfully grew the business into a globally recognised brand with a market value of $2.4 billion. Ridge is celebrated for his people-first approach, fostering a unique ‘tribe culture’ that emphasises learning, employee well-being, and community. His biggest achievement is turning WD-40 Company into a workplace model with 99% of employees stating they loved working there, a testament to the culture he established.

Garry’s journey began in Australia, where he managed operations for WD-40 across the Asia-Pacific region. He worked his way up through the ranks, eventually becoming CEO in 1997. During his leadership, he expanded WD-40’s presence to over 176 countries and implemented strategies that increased both the company’s revenue and its cultural footprint. His academic accomplishments include earning a Master of Science in Executive Leadership from the University of San Diego in 2001, where he now serves as an adjunct professor, imparting his knowledge on leadership development and talent management.

Throughout his illustrious career, Ridge received numerous accolades, including the Ernst & Young Master Entrepreneur Award (2006), the Arthur E. Hughes Career Achievement Award from the University of San Diego (2004), and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the San Diego Business Journal in 2022​. Under his leadership, WD-40 grew not only in financial terms but also in its internal culture, which Garry refers to as the ‘tribe’—a community where every member is engaged, learning, and contributing to a common goal.

Organisations should consider Garry Ridge as a keynote speaker for his insightful perspective on leadership, cultural transformation, and the importance of empathy in management. His talks are rich with practical lessons learned from decades of experience leading an iconic company. He passionately advocates for building workplaces that empower people, increase engagement, and ultimately lead to sustained organisational success. Topics he covers include creating a tribal culture, leveraging coaching rather than command and control, and how empathy can drive employee satisfaction and productivity. Garry’s proven ability to improve both corporate culture and the bottom line makes him an ideal choice for businesses looking to inspire positive change.