The world changed in unprecedented ways in early 2020 and the effects of those changes are being felt on a global scale. With approximately 40 million people working remotely or working from home across North America right now, we have had to shift our ways of thinking about our businesses in all aspects from communications to sales, from strategy to organizational structures. Innovation has been a key element in this changed environment, as has the idea of changing how we work, think about and communicate our ideas at a distance.

With this mind, we have compiled a list of the Top Ten Speakers that are trending this summer across a variety of topics that we hope you will find inspiring.

Dr. George Friedman – Speaker and Author on the Future of Geopolitics

Dr. George Friedman is an internationally recognized geopolitical forecaster, international affairs strategist and best-selling author. As Founder and Chairman of Geopolitical Futures, an online publication dedicated to forecasting the course of global events, Friedman combines his passion for writing and publishing for his readers world wide who follow international affairs. In his fascinating presentations, Dr. George Friedman discusses the geopolitical forces shaping the course of international affairs. His talks are customized to target the specific concerns of each audience, providing insight into how the current state of world events will affect their interests.

Watch Dr. George Friedman’s Video 

Katty Kay – Insights on American Politics, Global Affairs, and Issues for Women

Katty Kay proclaims that “when something happens in America, my first reaction is to ask ‘How does this connect to other countries?’…because stories from this city, Washington, D.C., – ripple out, right around the world.” She is a Washington, D.C.-based British news anchor, who brings a fresh perspective to the reporting of American politics and global affairs. Katty’s insights reflect a global mindset that is a natural offshoot of having grown up in the Middle East and worked as a journalist in Europe, Africa, and Asia before coming to Washington in 1996. The award-winning journalist is currently co-anchor of Beyond 100 Days, a one-hour news program that covers Washington politics and its impact globally. The show airs to an enormous audience worldwide. Katty is also a regular guest and substitute co-host of MSNBC’s Morning Joe program. When she’s not busy making sense of the news from Washington and around the globe, Katty writes on the art and science of women and self-assurance – helping them turn thoughts into action to master a more confident mindset. She is co-author (with Claire Shipman) of three New York Times best-sellers: The Confidence Code for Girls; The Confidence Code; and Womenomics.

Watch Katty Kay’s Video

Mike Walsh – Speaker on the Change, Technology and Innovation

Mike Walsh is the CEO of Tomorrow, a global consultancy on designing companies for the 21st century. A global nomad, futurist and author of the best-selling book, The Algorithmic Leader, he advises some of the world’s biggest organizations on digital transformation and disruptive innovation in this new era of machine intelligence. A prolific writer and commentator, Mike’s views have appeared in a wide range of international publications including Harvard Business Review, Inc. Magazine, BusinessWeek, Forbes and the Wall Street Journal. Each week he interviews provocative thinkers, innovators and troublemakers on his podcast, ‘Between Worlds‘. In his keynotes, Mike Walsh will outline the mega-trends shaping the future of business and consumer behavior, and the lessons learned from successful Fortune 500 companies on leveraging disruptive innovation, adopting a data-driven mindset and leading change through digital transformation.

Watch Mike Walsh’s Video

Vernice Armour – First African American Female Combat Pilot and Motivational Speaker

Once you are CLEARED HOT, now what? Known simply as “FlyGirl”, Vernice ignites her audiences with a dynamic spark that can’t be extinguished. Soar through the execution of any plan by harnessing the power of a “Breakthrough Mentality” mindset! From the moment she leaps into the audience, she shows attendees how to go from “Zero to Breakthrough” and create a personal flight plan utilizing her candid strategies to help win on the battlefield of life! Leveraging her “Breakthrough Mentality” mindset, she propelled herself from beat cop to combat pilot in a record-breaking three years and became the United States Marine Corps’ first African American female pilot and, shortly after, she was recognized as America’s First African American Female Combat Pilot by the Department of Defense. Vernice ultimately impacts organizations and individuals with an understanding of the passion and leadership required to excel. Through her keynotes, executive and group coaching, seminars and executive retreats, Vernice conveys messages of Zero to Breakthrough™ through her unique insight and life strategy: “You HAVE permission to Engage!”

Watch Vernice Armour’s Video

Pat Lencioni – Management Consultant and Speaker on Organizational Health

Patrick Lencioni is founder and president of The Table Group, a firm dedicated to providing organizations with ideas, products and services that improve teamwork, clarity and employee engagement. Lencioni’s passion for organizations and teams is reflected in his writing, speaking and executive consulting. He is the author of eleven best-selling books with over five million copies sold. His capstone book, The Advantage, is the pre-eminent source on organizational health. After sixteen years in print, his classic book, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, remains a weekly fixture on national best-seller lists. Released in 2016, The Ideal Team Player is a much-anticipated follow-up to his team book and also a Wall Street Journal best-seller. In his latest book The Motive Lencioni shifts his attention toward helping Leaders understand the importance of why they’re leading in the first place. In doing so, he helps leaders avoid the pitfalls that stifle their organizations and even hurt the people they are meant to serve.

Watch Patrick Lencioni’s Video

Colette Carlson – Motivational Speaker on Human Behaviour and Communications

Colette Carlson is a human behaviour expert and keynote speaker who inspires individuals to connect and communicate in real and relevant ways. How to create effective connections, and leverage them for greater success, is the thread that is woven into every one of Colette’s presentations. From the top leadership to the front line, it’s all about the power of connection. Colette provides the perfect blend of interaction, research, stories and humour to support leaders in building powerful connections with those they lead. She will also show you how to up your personal connection quotient to maximize relationships, revenue and results with sales and customer service. Through her real-world, highly-engaging, and laugh-out-loud funny seminars, Colette teaches organizations how mindful communication creates powerful connections. Every presentation is customized and personalized – and audience members learn how to form and sustain connections that drive productivity, engagement, and collaboration.

Watch Colette Carlson’s Video

Edith Yeung – Speaker on Technology Trends and China Internet Expert

Edith Yeung is a venture capitalist, technology executive, and a China Internet expert. She is also the author and creator of the China Internet Report, an annual report on China technology trends that is widely popular among investors and corporate executives. Selected by Inc Magazine as one of the Silicon Valley investors you must know, Yeung is a partner at 500 Startups – the world’s most active early seed investor. She has invested in over 40 mobile, AI and blockchain startups including Silk Labs (acquired by Apple), Fleksy (acquired by Pinterest), Human (acquired by Mapbox), AISense , DayDayCook, AppOnBoard, Hooked, Oasis, Stellar, Solana, CoCos-BCX, and many more.

Watch Edith Yeung’s Video

Rohit Talwar – Global Futurist

Rohit Talwar is a global futurist, award-winning and thought provoking speaker, strategic advisor, author, entrepreneur, and the CEO of Fast Future. He delivers keynote speeches, executive education, consultancy, research, and future-focused leadership mentoring to clients internationally. He helps clients understand the key future factors driving innovation, growth and disruptive change. He works with major corporations, governments, professional services, investors, associations, business schools, and NGOs – to help them anticipate, prepare for and create the future. He has delivered over 1,500 keynote speeches and executive workshops in 70+ countries on six continents.

Watch Rohit Talwar’s Video

Risha Grant – Expert on Diversity & Inclusion

Risha Grant is Founder & CEO of Risha Grant LLC, an award-winning diversity consulting and communications firm, as well as an edgy, educational and motivational speaker – author Risha Grant is an internationally renowned diversity, inclusion and bias expert. She covers these topics as NBC KJRH TV News 2 for You community correspondent and host of the JustUs series, through her Tulsa World column, Risha Talks, as a columnist for Black Enterprise Magazine and in her book, That’s BS! How Bias Synapse Disrupts Inclusive Cultures. Risha is motivated by her passion to correct societal ‘isms’ – like racism, sexism, classism and plain old stupidism! It is her personal mission to expose the value of Diversity & Inclusion – while shining a light on the economic impact it creates. From her race, gender and lifestyle choices, to growing a small business and tackling economic issues – every area of her life intersects diversity.

Watch Risha Grant’s Video

Nancy Giordano – Futurist, Corporate Strategist & Speaker

Nancy Giordano is described as endlessly optimistic, who is an innovative strategic futurist with a drive to help enterprise organizations and visionary leaders transform to meet the escalating expectations ahead. Recognized as one of the world’s top female futurists, she has spent her career building, shaping and evolving a portfolio of $50 billion worth of major global brands. Executives love her unique abilities to sense and synthesize the shifts ahead and to guide those ready to build more relevant and sustainable solutions. Her extensive knowledge of the drivers shaping our future (and driving business) have guided transformation projects with The Coca Cola Company, Brinker International, Sprint, Nestle, Acumen, Energizer, Mercedes Benz and many other Fortune 500 companies. Her work has made her one of the fastest rising women speakers in the world, both as a keynote speaker and at C-level strategy exchanges, in wide range of industries including technology, entertainment, travel, food, retail, consumer products, homebuilding, talent, B2B services, and much more.

Watch Nancy Giordano’s Video

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To Learn more about any of these speakers contact [email protected]

Derek Sweeney is the Director of Speaker Ideas at The Sweeney Agency. www.thesweeneyagency.com. For 15 years Derek has been helping clients find the right Speakers for their events. Derek can be reached at 1-866-727-7555 or [email protected]