Des Hague

Des Hague is a businessperson, investor, author, keynote speaker and advisor to many who has led global brands to success, returned over half a billion dollars to investors, and authored influential books on leadership and personal growth. His career spans executive roles, private equity investments, and mentoring startups, with a strong commitment to philanthropy and resilience. Des Hague is a proven global leader with the privilege of leading companies such as Centerplate, Safeway, and IHOP. He has a proven ability to scale businesses, exemplified by increasing VIPER EA’s enterprise value to $100 million during his tenure. As co-founder and CEO of Hague Enterprises LLC since 2015, he has invested in over 50 companies and served on more than 20 boards, advising startups, nonprofits, and private equity firms on turnarounds, buyouts, and consolidations. His strategic leadership has generated more than half a billion dollars in returns for investors. . At the time of exit Centerplate delivered the largest return in the history of Kohlberg. Hague is the recipient of countless awards but is most proud of his work to eradicate child homelessness, helping our veterans and those suffering abuse. Des Hague is a notable author whose work focuses on leadership, personal growth, and resilience. He has written two impactful books: Think Your Way to the Top: A Nine-Time CEO’s 52-Week Journal for Getting Ahead and Staying There (2024) and Fifteen Minutes of Shame: How a Twitter Mob Nearly Ruined My Life. His writing offers valuable lessons in accountability, growth, and overcoming adversity. Beyond traditional leadership roles, Hague co-founded nebula9 Spirits, aiming to innovate the premium ready-to-drink cocktail market. He also successfully managed the sale of Messenger Corporation and continues to lead ventures that reshape industries through strategic vision and operational expertise. Des Hague is deeply engaged in philanthropy, having helped raise over $100 million for various causes. He emphasizes resilience, self-belief, and lifting others up, often sharing his experiences to inspire and mentor emerging leaders. Residing in Colorado with his family, he balances his professional pursuits with a dedication to being a force for good in multiple communities. Hague along with seventeen global leaders has just launched the Thinking Academy and has a commitment to help as many people as possible get ahead and stay ahead in their careers. Hague is currently working with Emmy award winner John Rota on a screenplay.