Hi, I’m Chris Rehs-Dupin, (he/him)
I'm a speaker, author, and founder of TQAMP. I help leaders navigate conflict, build trust, and stay human in systems that often make that feel impossible.
For more than twenty years, I've worked in places where people experience both the very best and the very hardest parts of being human. I've led summer camps built on intentional community. I've worked the front desk of a city impound lot, where fear, anger, and powerlessness often collide. Somewhere between those two worlds, I became fascinated with one question:
What helps people stay human when the systems around them make that difficult?
That question has shaped everything I do.
Today I speak and train on topics including Fierce Gentleness in Leadership, Managing Big Emotions, Repair in Conflict, Building Cultures of Trust, and 2SLGBTQIA+ Inclusion in Camps and Recreational Settings. Whether I'm working with executive leaders, camp professionals, educators, or mission-driven organizations, my goal is always the same: to help people align their behavior with their deepest-held values, especially when the stakes are high.
I'm also the author of the forthcoming book Impounded, winner of the 2026 American Camp Association National Hedley S. Dimmock Award. The book explores what I learned about leadership, humanity, and community while working in one of the least likely places to find them.
If you've found your way here because you're curious about the book, you can learn more about Impounded here.
If you're interested in the ideas that shape my work, I've collected many of my essays and articles in My Work, where I write about leadership, belonging, grief, conflict, hope, and what it means to stay close to good.
At the end of the day, I believe leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about showing up with courage, curiosity, and what I call fierce gentleness: holding empathy and boundaries at the same time, while helping ourselves and each other stay close to good.
Outside of work, you'll usually find me making maple syrup, hiking, roller skating, identifying birds with varying degrees of accuracy, or tinkering with my laser engraver. I'm an above average husband to Amy and a very grateful dad to two extraordinary kids who continually remind me why this work matters.
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I speak at conferences, summits, and leadership gatherings where people are craving something real. My keynotes blend humor, vulnerability, and practical insight—and are rooted in lived experience as a trans dad, organizational leader, and someone who has navigated high-stakes systems with heart.
Topics include:
Leadership & emotional intelligence
Conflict and complexity
Trans inclusion & belonging
Grief, hope, and holding the line
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Whether you’re a camp, nonprofit, school, or mission-driven company, I offer tailored talks and trainings that meet your team where they are. These sessions are real, relevant, and designed to deepen emotional intelligence, trust, and clarity—especially in moments of stress, transition, or change.
I work with:
Staff teams
Leadership cohorts
Boards and coalitions
Organizations navigating inclusion or conflict
Available as keynotes, workshops, virtual sessions, or ongoing partnerships.
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Looking for a guest who can bring nuance, heart, and lived expertise to your publication or podcast? I write and speak about leadership, inclusion, grief, parenting, queerness, and navigating systems that weren’t built for us.
I’ve been published in Camping Magazine, featured on The Summer Camp Society Blog, and interviewed on multiple leadership and DEI-focused podcasts. My upcoming book, Impounded: Real Lessons in Leadership, Humanity, and Holding the Line, explores leadership through the lens of humanity, conflict, and care.
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Some of the most meaningful work I do happens in long-term, creative partnerships. Whether you're reimagining your leadership model, building a more inclusive culture, or supporting your staff through complex transitions—I can walk with you.
Custom offerings might include:
Ongoing consulting or coaching for leaders
Multi-session staff development series
Organizational storytelling + messaging support
Co-creating leadership development curriculum
Retreat facilitation or design
If you’re looking for something human-centered, high-trust, and built just for your team—I’d love to talk.