David C. Novak

David C. Novak is a highly respected American business executive, author, and leadership expert who served as the CEO of Yum! Brands, one of the world’s largest restaurant companies. Under his leadership, the company saw unprecedented global expansion, driven by his relentless focus on employee recognition and team culture.

He is best known for his bestselling leadership book Taking People with You: The Only Way to Make Big Things Happen, which outlines his practical philosophy on building alignment and empowering teams. He is also the author of the engaging corporate parable The Education of an Accidental CEO.

Novak’s dedication to fostering positive organizational cultures led him to found David Novak Leadership, an organization committed to training the next generation of effective leaders. His actionable insights remain highly influential among corporate executives and business students alike.