In Conversation with Chip Conley: Stories, Lessons, and What’s Up Next

An intimate fireside chat in the "wine cave" at the private Amador Club in downtown San Francisco.

Event Schedule:

4:30–5:15pm — Doors open @ Amador; Networking

5:15–6:15pm — Fireside Chat & Q&A

6:30–7:30pm — Post-Event Networking

Join us for an intimate evening with Chip Conley—one of the most original thinkers at the intersection of hospitality, leadership, and personal growth. Chip is best known as the founder of Joie de Vivre Hospitality, the boutique hotel company he grew from a single property into one of the largest boutique hotel brands in the United States. Later, he joined Airbnb as Head of Global Hospitality and Strategy, where he helped shape the company’s culture and elevate its approach to modern hospitality during a period of rapid global expansion. Today, he is the founder and CEO of Modern Elders Academy, the world’s first “midlife wisdom school,” focused on helping people navigate transitions with purpose and clarity.

A New York Times bestselling author and widely sought-after speaker, Chip brings a rare combination of operational rigor, emotional intelligence, and long-range perspective. His work challenges conventional ideas about aging, leadership, and what it means to build a meaningful life and career over time.

The conversation will be moderated by StartOut San Francisco Leadership Council members Ryan MacCarrigan and Zoe Abbott - Boyd. Ryan is a partner in The Charles Hotels, Executive Director of mental health nonprofit Queer LifeSpace, and an instructor in innovation management at UC Berkeley. Zoe is a Wealth Advisor at Goldman Sachs, where she works closely with high-net-worth individuals and families on long-term financial strategy.