Scott Halford is an Emmy Award winning writer and producer, an engaging communicator and presenter and a long-time consultant to Fortune 500 executive teams. Scott’s expansive knowledge in the areas of achievement psychology, including brain-based behavioral science, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and influence, add richness and depth to his programs.

You will appreciate Scott’s wise and timely insights into the human experience. His captivating ability to tell stories with humor, wit, and depth transports his audiences to destinations they may have never been; physically, mentally or emotionally. Participants laugh and learn, and consistently praise the rich and rewarding learning experience.

Scott is an accredited and certified Emotional Intelligence Provider as well as an Advanced Certified Associate in Emergenetics®. He holds an Executive Master’s degree from the NeuroLeadership Institute.

As an author, Scott has two best-selling books: Be a Shortcut, based on emotional intelligence and influence; and Activate Your Brain, a Wall Street Journal best-selling book and winner of the Bronze Axiom award for best business book.

Scott is on faculty at General Electric’s John Welch Center of Leadership in Crotonville, NY; is a guest lecturer for the MBA program at the Daniels School of Business at the University of Denver; and is a Trustee for the Iliff School of Theology. Scott is Founder and Principal of Complete Intelligence, LLC.

Corporate clients span many industries and include General Electric, American Airlines, Wells Fargo, Microsoft, First Data, Medtronic, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Centura Health, MillerCoors, Western Union and many more. Scott’s books are available on Amazon.com.

Kindra Hall is President and Chief Storytelling Officer at Steller Collective, a consulting firm focused on the strategic application of storytelling to today’s communication challenges. Kindra is one of the most sought-after keynote speakers trusted by global brands to deliver presentations and trainings that inspire teams and individuals to better communicate the value of their company, their products - and their individuality through strategic storytelling.

Kindra is a former Director of Marketing and VP of Sales. She is a contributing editor to SUCCESS Magazine - and was guest faculty at the Harvard Medical School. Her book, Stories that Stick: How Storytelling can Captivate Customers, Influence Audiences and Transform Your Business debuted at #2 on the Wall Street Journal Best-seller List and Forbes said it “may be the most valuable business book you read." Kindra’s message spans all industries - and her clients include Facebook, Hilton Hotels, Tyson Foods, Target and Berkshire Hathaway amongst many others.

What began as a storytelling assignment in 5th grade, grew into a passion for not only telling stories, but a mastery for teaching others the methods and science of storytelling so they can better tell their own.

She was a National Champion storyteller (yes, they have those), a former member of the Board of Directors of the National Storytelling Network - and has her master’s degree in communications where she conducted original research studying the role of storytelling in defining and revealing organizational culture.

Regardless of the industry, Kindra has become a conference favourite for her clients. The blend of inspiration and education in her keynotes mean that audiences leave feeling excited - and equipped to finally put their stories to work in a tangible way.

Kindra lives in Manhattan with her husband, young son and daughter. When she is not traveling around the world speaking -  Kindra can usually be found at spin class or in Central Park with her family.

Coming from an entrepreneurial upbringing, Stacey Hanke learned early on how we consistently show up and interact determines our success in our organizations and in our lives. Starting with a career in voice-over, she quickly realized how every word matters - every movement of your body matters and every sound you make matters (volume, tone and inflection). All of these combined determines who listens, who stays connected with you, who believes you and then acts on your recommendation.

Stacey then jumped into the corporate world as a trainer for Fortune 500 companies, training every possible topic from motivation to customer service to leadership. She traveled internationally researching the difference between a leader who is influential versus a leader who’s simply a good communicator.

Today, Stacey is the CEO of a highly sought-after consulting and training company where she mentors leaders who want to ensure their employees perceive them as an influential leader – those who are working towards a promotion – and sales professionals to ensure their message and style resonates with their clients.

As a thought leader she has been a featured guest on media outlets including: The New York Times, Forbes, Entrepreneur, Thrive, SmartMoney Magazine, The Economist and Business Week. Her client list is vast: FedEx, McDonalds, Google, Kraft Heinz, Nationwide, American Express, Discover and Oracle. Her knowledge leading diverse, high-level teams makes her a sought-after speaker and consultant and she has inspired thousands around the world through her ability to connect with an audience and one-on-one.

Her 19 years of studying influence across cultures and industries, leading large corporate teams makes her the perfect fit for organizations large and small who are ready to influence on a consistent basis. Clients hire Stacey because of her implementable strategies that help leaders get to the point, communicate with confidence and credibility, to build trust and deliver messages that drive action, creating lasting results.

Click Here to Watch Stacey's Virtual Presentation

Todd Henry is an internationally recognized keynote speaker, best-selling author, and trusted advisor to leaders and organizations who want to unlock brilliance, build courageous cultures, and achieve lasting impact. For nearly two decades, he has equipped executives, creative professionals, and teams with practical frameworks to drive innovation, sharpen focus, and perform at their peak—even under intense pressure.

He is the author of seven acclaimed books, including The Accidental Creative, Die Empty, Herding Tigers, and The Brave Habit, which have been translated into more than a dozen languages and used by organizations worldwide to transform the way they lead and create. Known as “the arms dealer for the creative revolution,” Todd blends research, compelling storytelling, and actionable strategies to help audiences thrive in a fast-changing world.

Todd’s award-winning podcast, The Daily Creative, has been downloaded more than 20 million times since 2005, making him one of the most trusted voices on creativity, leadership, and productivity. His work has been featured by global media outlets, and he has delivered keynote speeches and workshops to hundreds of organizations across industries—from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups—empowering them to unleash the untapped potential of their people.

As a thought leader at the intersection of creativity and leadership, Todd Henry has developed a comprehensive framework that helps leaders and teams:

• Build brave habits that drive clarity, courage, and cultural resilience.
• Conquer creativity killers and overcome stagnation with practical, repeatable strategies.
• Maintain brilliance under pressure by mastering rhythms of productivity and avoiding burnout.
• Lead high-performing creative teams with focus, empathy, and confidence.

Whether he is speaking to executives navigating disruption, managers leading diverse teams, or professionals striving to deliver their best work, Todd Henry delivers high-energy, transformational keynotes that equip audiences to be brave, focused, and brilliant every day.

• Phil’s unique philosophy of using specific word choices to teach people “Exactly What To Say” in order to influence, persuade and drive outcomes, has made him one of the most practical and in-demand business experts & speaker.

• Audiences leave with specific tools to build great relationships with clients and win more business.

• Author of the “Exactly” book series with more than 1 million copies sold. Has delivered 3,000 presentations in 57 countries across five continents, training more than two million people (both sales and non-sales professionals, leaders and experts) to learn how to have more influence, confidence and control when steering their conversations.

• Past clients include: Accruent, Citizens Bank,  DHL, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Microsoft, ReSound, SHRM, Volkswagen

An entrepreneurial success story and founder of 5-multimillion-dollar companies, Phil M Jones is Strategic Advisor to pioneering leaders of the world’s biggest brands. The author of 7 best-selling books including the “Exactly” Book Series with over 2 million copies sold, he is the Producer of the “Most Listened To” Audiobook of all time and Innovator of the highly coveted “How to Persuade” audible production. To date, more than 800 different industries, across 59 countries and 5 continents have benefited from his input. Phil recently joined a long list of global leaders who serve in residence at High Point University’s Access to Innovators Program. The program at HPU connects students with industry leaders for networking and mentorship opportunities. He joins Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak, Netflix Co-Founder Marc Randolph and many others.

Phil M Jones thinks and acts differently. His precise insights around communication, added to a proven personal pedigree of peak performance and a richness of real-world experience mean that Phil is the kind of thought-leader whose council is sought by other thought- leaders.

He believes with passion that the answer to increased success, in every area of life, is to ask better questions, focus on QUALITY of conversation as well as quantity and that quite often, the difference between you, and all the others, is knowing Exactly what to say, when to say it, and how to make more of your conversations count.

Entering the world of business at the tender age of 14, with nothing more than a bucket and sponge, he went from single-handedly washing cars on weekends to hiring a fleet of friends working on his behalf, resulting in him earning more than his teachers by the time he was 15.

His early career was dynamic and challenging including leading experienced teams of sales professionals through his early twenties, as well as guiding Premier League Football Clubs to maximize sponsorships and licensing agreements, in addition to helping grow an independent real estate business to a revenue in excess of $240m with a sales team of just five.

After several years of being one of the most in-demand young sales leaders in the UK, Phil decided it was time to dedicate his future to helping others to succeed. Ever the entrepreneur, Phil started his training and consulting business from scratch in 2008 and has grown a deep body of work that showcases his core belief that changing your words can truly change your world.

Best known for his international best-selling book, Exactly What to Say – The Magic Words for Influence and Impact and his vast experience as a professional speaker at conferences and events, what is often overlooked is the strategic intellect he provides behind the scenes for some of the world’s biggest brands to understand their critical conversations and the success language required to maximize their effectiveness.

To date, more than 800 different industries, across 59 countries and 5 continents have benefitted from his input. Trusted by dynamic and aspiring leaders in Healthcare, Real Estate, Automotive, Financial Services, SaaS, Home Improvement, Retail and many more – Phil is the kind of expert that achieves his success through the people he supports and adores seeing other people shine.

Click Here to Watch Phil's Virtual Presentation

From Dr. Mary C. Kelly's days as a naval intelligence officer to her role as one of today’s most influential economists, Commander/Dr. Mary C. Kelly has carved out an unforgettable career in leadership. Former chief of police, professor, realtor and HR Director - Mary has spent over 25 years teaching and training more than 40,000 military and civilian personnel. Mary is now on a mission to spread and communicate her message of success with audiences worldwide, sharing with them the secrets to being a true leader in today’s workplace.

A high-energy keynote speaker, Mary is focussed on using research, laughter, and experience to show professionals how to excel. Mary’s relatable, no-nonsense approach inspires audiences to embrace their roles, surpass their goals - and plan for the future.

Mary is the author of 13 books on business growth, leadership, and today’s economy. She is a speaker, coach and trainer who has worked with hundreds of organizations and companies across the globe.

Click Here to Watch Mary's Virtual Presentation

Michael Kerr (“The Workplace Energizer!”) is recognized as one of North America’s most prolific thought-leaders on inspiring workplace cultures. Michael’s known for his high-energy, humor-filled presentations that are packed with thought-provoking ideas on workplace culture, culture leadership, and how businesses and leaders leverage their humor resources to drive outrageous results.

Michael has traveled the world researching great places to work, so his ideas are based on real world examples – something audiences always appreciate because they can see that these ideas actually work! Michael’s Inspiring Workplaces blog has been recognized as one of the top-30 workplace blogs in the world, and his insights on inspiring workplaces have been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Business Insider, and scores of publications around the world.

He is also the author of 8 books, including, “The Jerk-Free Workplace: How You Can Take the Lead to Create a Happier, More Inspiring Workplace,” “Hire, Inspire and Fuel Their Fire: How to Recruit, Onboard, and Train New Employees to Live Your Culture Out Loud,” and, “The Humor Advantage: Why Some Businesses are Laughing All the Way to the Bank.”

Michael’s upcoming book will dive into how leaders can step up as truly inspiring culture leaders to build more resilient, collaborative, and service-focused cultures that drive outrageous business results. All of Michael’s presentations include a complimentary teaser video to help you promote your event, copies of his books as door prizes, a follow-up video reminding participants of the key messages and follow up action items, and follow up eResources, including the eBook, 401 Ways to Create a happier, More Inspiring Workplace Culture.

Victoria Labalme helps people perform at their highest levels by unlocking their hidden genius and unleashing their unique creativity.

With more than 20 years in the Performing Arts - from Broadway to comedy clubs, landmark films to high-profile television - Victoria’s electrifying, custom-crafted Keynotes awaken innate talents in individuals and teams.

Her proprietary systems and strategies have been embraced by C-suite executives at Starbucks, Microsoft, PayPal, as well as Hollywood celebrities, best-selling authors, and top teams in over 700 organizations.

With breathtaking stage skills, gripping stories, and comedic highlights, Victoria takes audiences through a profound experience they'll never forget. Along the way, she shows people how to distinguish their brand, gain competitive advantage, focus their communications and achieve sustainable growth through a surprising blend of art and business.

Her creative projects have been recognized by The New York Times, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, BBC, and ABC Good Morning America.

A graduate of Stanford University, Victoria is also a director and critically acclaimed film producer, the creator of two online learning programs, and an inductee into the Speaker Hall of Fame.

• Dr. Nicole Lipkin talks about building great teams by creating high levels of trust and engagement among team members.

• Audiences will learn ways to communicate trust, form alliances and encourage collaboration. Also gives people ideas about how to enhance emotional wellness in the workplace

• Author and CEO of Equilibria Leadership Consulting, a leadership and organizational development firm. Contributor NPR, NBC, Forbes, Entrepreneur, CBS, and other national and international media outlets.

• Past clients include: Berkshire Hathaway, Google, JD Power, Toyota, UnitedHealth Group, Wells Fargo

Dr. Nicole Lipkin is an internationally recognized speaker and psychologist, executive coach, and the author of the two popular business books, What Keeps Leaders Up At Night: Recognizing and Resolving Your Most Troubling Management Issues and Y In the Workplace: Managing the “Me First” Generation.

Her goal as a keynote speaker is simple: to bring human nature back into the workplace by showing individuals and teams how they can groove together once they understand their own psychology.

Leveraging decades of experience as a clinical and organizational psychologist, she illustrates how we impact each other more than we realize … and why that matters more than anything. By diving into the psychology of leadership, she takes your team through a journey that sparks impact, creates more dynamic cultures, and changes the way they see themselves, each other, and the world around them.

By making the science of human behavior relatable and understandable (and a little fun), she shows you that we all have more power than we think we do — and gives you the actionable tools you need to move through work - and life - in a better way. You’ll walk away not only with knowledge on how to positively change the culture of your organization, but also armed with tools to improve your overall personal wellbeing.

She is currently the CEO of Equilibria Leadership Consulting, an organizational and leadership development firm, and founder of HeyKiddo, a company dedicated to building the leadership, social, and emotional skills of children and their grown-ups. She holds a doctorate in clinical psychology (Psy.D.), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Master of Criminal Justice (MACJ).

Click Here to Watch Nicole's Virtual Presentation

• Beau talks about how we adapt and thrive in times of change to find solutions to questions that haven’t been asked yet.

• Beau's interactive, and fun presentation will equip people to challenge their own assumptions and beliefs and come away better able to innovate, collaborate, lead, and adapt to new realities.

• Beau Lotto is a three-time TED speaker, a best-selling author, professor and the founder and CEO of two companies –Lab of Misfits, the world’s first neuro-design studio, and Ripple, which holds several highly influential patents in Augmented Reality (AR).

• Past clients include: Cirque du Soleil, L’Oreal, Asurion, Microsoft, Edelman, and The UAE’s Crown Prince’s Court.

The only way to thrive in a rapidly changing world is to change with it. We know that. But the biggest barrier is in our heads. Neuroscientist and entrepreneur Beau Lotto shows why adapting –moving from A to B –means first moving from A to not-A. We needto let go of the assumptions and beliefs that keep us from seeing the world differently. A world-renowned expert in the science of perception, Beau reveals why trading certainty for doubt increases our capacity to adapt, lead, innovate, and thrive in the darkness of “I don’t know.”

A professor with deep academic credentials and critical scholarly works on the subject, Beau is also founder and CEO of two companies –Lab of Misfits, the world’s first neuro-design studio, and Ripple, which holds several highly influential patents in Augmented Reality (AR). A three-time mainstage TED speaker with over 9,000,000 views, Beau has spoken around the world, delivering totally unique, visually stunning, interactive, and fun presentations that help people act differently in the face of change. His message is an ideal conference kick-off –providing powerful, positive, creative context that sets a tone for the content and collaboration that follow. Beau’s latest book is Deviate: The Science of Seeing Differently.

A professor with deep academic credentials and critical scholarly works on the subject, Beau is also founder and CEO of two companies – Lab of Misfits, the world’s first neuro-design studio, and Ripple, which holds several highly influential patents in Augmented Reality (AR). A three-time mainstage TED speaker with over 9,000,000 views, Beau has spoken around the world, delivering totally unique, visually stunning, interactive, and fun presentations that help people act differently in the face of change. His message is an ideal conference kick-off – providing powerful, positive, creative context that sets a tone for the content and collaboration that follow. Beau’s latest book is Deviate: The Science of Seeing Differently.

In 2001, Beau Lotto founded the Lab of Misfits Studio,the world’s only neuroperception creative studio that is also a real neuroscience lab. The Lab’s goal is to foster adaptability and creativity. Their unique process of experiential experiments unites neuroscience expertise and measurement with digital technology and immersive design. They study humans “in the wild” -in theaters, public spaces, even across entire cities -using a combination of digital, virtual, and physical techniques and neuroscientific methodologies. By unveiling the essential truths that drive human decisions, their work deepens connections and creates innovations. Pragmatically, their insights are scientifically unique and quantified, commercially valuable to thestakeholders, and emotional and actionable to public audiences. They havesince created public experiences around the world, including London’s Science Museum, Hayward Gallery on London’s South Bank, and a public art installation in London’s famous Silicon Roundabout. Their past clients include Cirque du Soleil, L’Oreal, Asurion, Microsoft, Edelman, The UAE’s Crown Prince’s Court, and others. Lab of Misfits currently powers the neuroscience offering at Burson Cohn & Wolfe, one of the world's largest public relations and communications firms.

Beau is also CEO and founder of Ripple Inc, which holds five highly influential patents in Augmented Reality (AR) with two further patents pending. Using its technology and exclusive patented IP, the Lab creates digital platforms and custom, proprietary digital interactions that layer the world with immersive digital content. Examples include the GPS-based AR apps Traces, Acoustigram, and W_nder, all of which focus on location-tied storytelling, adding a layer of meaning to the world that has hitherto been impossible.

Click Here to Watch Beau's Virtual Presentation

Matthew Luhn is an accomplished storyteller, author, instructor, motivational keynote speaker, and story consultant, with over 25 years’ experience creating stories and characters at Pixar Animation Studios. Alongside his story work in Hollywood, Matthew works with leaders of Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurs, and other professionals to craft and tell stories that bridge the gap between business and heart to build stronger brands and business communication.

Matthew’s most recent clients include Adidas, Facebook, BBC, Microsoft, Sony, Warner Brothers, Apple, Google, Clorox and many more.

Matthew’s story credits include Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Toy Story 3, Monsters Inc., Monsters University, Finding Nemo, UP, Cars, Ratatouille and other films currently in development.

With over 25 years experience creating and developing dozens of films, TV shows, and video games, at Pixar, The Simpsons, ILM, and beyond, Matthew Luhn knows what it takes to create memorable stories with enduring characters. From film making to business, Matthew’s story talks are beneficial to anybody wanting to improve their story skills, or learn the persuasion of great storytelling. In Matthew’s story keynotes and workshops, he provides practical strategies that teach and inspire people and teams to connect more effectively with audiences. Matthew uses the power of storytelling to bridge the gap between business and heart, driving your story toward one unforgettable selling point.

Michael Maslansky uses experience from more than a decade of research into the art and science of persuasion to counsel Fortune 500 corporations, industry associations, and non-profits - on how to communicate credibly in this challenging environment. Clients turn to Michael to understand the public mood, challenge conventional wisdom and transform not just what they say to key audiences - but how they say it. We live in a post-trust era, where the public is more skeptical than ever of institutions, their motives and their messages. In this environment - the rules for communicators have changed.

Clients that have sought Michael’s counsel include AT&T, Bank of America, Johnson & Johnson, MetLife, and Toyota. He has also worked with a wide range of industry associations including the Financial Services Roundtable, PhRMA, the Personal Care Products Council, the Direct Marketing Association, and the New Orleans tourism industry.

Michael shares with clients his in-depth understanding of hot-button issues in banking and financial services, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, corporate social responsibility and non-profits, technology and consumer products, and litigation and politics. Over the years, he has helped Fortune 500 leaders and their companies position and differentiate their brands and products during good times - and protect their reputations during crisis.

Michael’s book, The Language of Trust: Selling Ideas in a World of Skeptics reviews the communication challenges that companies and industries face today - and offers proven tools for building trust and credibility with consumers, regulators and the general public.

Michael is a frequent commentator on Fox News, CNN, MSNBC and Current TV. He has conducted hundreds of research projects in over 20 countries using his firm’s trademarked polling and focus group methodology - lauded by The New York Times, The Washington Post, The New Yorker, “60 Minutes,” “Nightline” and PBS’s “Frontline,” among others.

Prior to maslansky + partners, Michael founded MarketResearch.com, a leading market intelligence company where he served as president and board director.  Michael is a member of the Arthur W. Page Society and also serves on a number of advisory boards. Previously, he was a mergers & acquisitions attorney with Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. He lives in New York City with his wife and two children.

David Maxfield's experience and research into the best practices of leaders and influencers has made him a leading industry expert in communication, behavior, organizational effectiveness, and corporate culture. For more than twenty years, David Maxfield has led high-leverage research initiatives that uncover causes of and solutions to managerial, cultural, and operational inefficiencies that directly affect the bottom line. David's career began with his doctoral work in psychology at Stanford University. Since then, his impact on organizational performance has been wide-reaching as he's helped clients such as General Mills, Harvard Medical School, Pizza Hut, and Spectrum Health increase organizational effectiveness and become measurably more vital.

David is the coauthor of two New York Times bestsellers, Change Anything: The New Science of Personal Success and Influencer: The Power to Change Anything. A respected academic, David has taught at Stanford University and the Marriott School of Management at Brigham Young University. David is the recipient of the Motorola University's Distinguished Teaching Award and Stanford University's Dean's Award for Innovative Industrial Education.

Drawing from extensive academic and corporate experience, David delivers topics that are grounded in solid research and application. Speaking in front of more than five hundred audiences ranging in size from small retreats to large keynote events, David has been featured at prestigious venues including Stanford and Georgetown Universities, the American Association of CriticalCare Nurses, and the National Association of Children's Hospitals. With an unrivaled ability to connect to his audience through engaging stories and captivating examples, David brings concepts to life-motivating listeners to put their newly-found skills and knowledge to immediate use.

Currently, David is the vice president of research at VitalSmarts, an innovative corporate training company that teaches skills which deliver significant improvements to the results companies care about most. In the past thirty years, VitalSmarts has helped thousands of organizations, including more than three hundred of the Fortune 500, realize widespread and lasting results through its award-winning training programs. Named the 2008 Business of the Year by The Association of Learning Providers, VitalSmarts has also been ranked four times by Inc. magazine as one of the fastest growing companies in America and has taught two million people worldwide.

As vice president of research, David has led a series of research projects on a variety of subjects including the role crucial conversations play in the healthcare industry, and how the ongoing failure rate within enterprise projects is consistently linked to the avoidance of a few key crucial conversations. David has also led research projects about diversity, leadership, and influence.

Dr. Nick Morgan is one of America’s top communication speakers, theorists and coaches. A passionate teacher, he is committed to helping people find clarity in their thinking and ideas – and then delivering them with panache. He has been commissioned by Fortune 50 companies to write for many CEOs and presidents. He has coached people to give Congressional testimony, to appear on the Today Show, and to deliver an unforgettable TED talk. He has worked widely with political and educational leaders. And he has himself spoken, led conferences, and moderated panels at venues around the world.

Nick’s methods, which are well-known for challenging conventional thinking, have been published worldwide. His acclaimed book on public speaking, Working the Room: How to Move People to Action through Audience-Centered Speaking, was published by Harvard in 2003 - and reprinted in paperback in 2005 as Give Your Speech, Change the World: How to Move Your Audience to Action. His book on authentic communications, Trust Me, was published by Jossey-Bass in January 2009. His new book on communications and brain science, Power Cues: The Subtle Science of Leading Groups, Persuading Others, and Maximizing Your Personal Impact, was published by Harvard in May 2014. His latest book Can You Hear Me? How to Connect with People in a Virtual World was published by Harvard in October 2018.

Nick served as editor of the Harvard Management Communication Letter from 1998 – 2003. He has written hundreds of articles for local and national publications, and appears frequently on radio and TV. Nick is a former Fellow at the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.

After earning his Ph.D. in literature and rhetoric, Nick spent a number of years teaching Shakespeare and Public Speaking at the University of Virginia, Lehigh University, and Princeton University. He first started writing speeches for Virginia Governor Charles S. Robb and went on to found his own communications consulting organization, Public Words, in 1997.

Nick attributes his success to his honest and direct approach that challenges even the most confident orators to rethink how they communicate.

Click Here to Watch Nick's "How to Connect in a Virtual World" Video

At 16 years old, Richard Newman was a shy introvert with a fear of speaking, who struggled to join conversations, let alone inspire people.

Today, he stands on stages from LA to Paris and Bangkok, empowering audiences like yours to turn their ideas into impact through storytelling and communication.

He’s the author of two books, You Were Born to Speak and Lift Your Impact, and the Founder and CEO of BodyTalk, a multimillion-dollar global coaching consultancy that has trained over 150,000 people. His scientific research on communication is published in the peer-reviewed journal Psychology.

His journey to becoming a communication expert and keynote speaker has taken him through living in a Tibetan monastery where he and the monks could only communicate non-verbally, studying 200+ books on communication, and training at the leading drama school in the UK. He then founded BodyTalk, leading his expert coaching team for over 25 years.

As a speaker and consultant for more than 350 of the world’s top corporations, law firms and universities, Lindsey is the leading global expert on succeeding in the multigenerational workplace.

Currently a visiting fellow at NYU Stern School of Business, Lindsey is the author of four career and workplace advice books, including The Remix: How to Lead and Succeed in the Multigenerational Workplace.

Her audiences and clients have included leading organizations across industries, such as: Aetna, Google, Goldman Sachs, Estee Lauder Companies, MIT, The National Association of Law Placement (NALP), Stanford and Wharton.

Her insights have appeared in numerous media outlets including the TODAY Show, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC and the Harvard Business Review. In 2020, Lindsey was named to the Thinkers50 Radar List, which honors the top global management thinkers whose work is shaping the future of how organizations are managed and led.

She previously served as an Official Ambassador for LinkedIn. Currently based in New York City, Lindsey is a graduate of Yale University and a proud member of Generation X.

When companies want to drive culture transformation and increase trust, belonging, human connection, and team engagement, they call ADAM “SMILEY” POSWOLSKY. Smiley is one of the world’s leading keynote speakers on building a culture of human connection in the age of AI.

Smiley is an internationally renowned keynote speaker, workplace belonging expert, and bestselling author of four books that have been translated into multiple languages, including The Quarter-Life Breakthrough, Friendship in the Age of Loneliness, and The Workplace Belonging Toolkit.

Smiley shares industry-shaping insights and practical tools to lead through uncertainty, attract and retain top talent across generations, create a culture of belonging, and engage high-performing teams at world-class organizations like Apple, Google, JPMorgan Chase, Mayo Clinic, the Indiana Pacers, and the U.S. Navy. Smiley’s TED talk has been viewed 2 million times, and he has delivered 700 keynotes in front of 500,000 people in 25 countries.

Smiley’s work has been featured in 100 media outlets, including Harvard Business Review, the Wall St. Journal, Fast Company, the New York Times, the New Yorker, and the World Economic Forum.

Clint Pulver is an Emmy Award winner, Hall of Fame Speaker, Pro Drummer and one of the world’s leading voices on employee retention and organizational culture. He’s the bestselling author of the book titled I Love It Here: How Great Leaders Create Organizations Their People Never Want to Leave and was named one of Business Q Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 for his groundbreaking research as the Undercover Millennial.

As founder and president of The Center for Employee Retention, he has helped organizations like the NBA, Microsoft, Red Bull, and NASA create engaged, loyal, and thriving workplaces. He’s also appeared on America’s Got Talent, acted in feature films alongside stars like Jack Black and Jon Heder, is an avid helicopter pilot, and—fun fact—is a proud member of the R2D2 Builders Club. He is also the president and founder of Dream Machines, a foundation that gives children with disabilities the gift and magic of flight.

Clint strongly believes that a single moment in time can change a person’s life. He has traveled the world speaking to a wide spectrum of diverse audiences, challenging them to dream, excel, connect, and believe--both in themselves and in the power of others. His mantra? “It’s not about being the best in the world…it's about being the best FOR the world.”

Click Here to Watch Clint's Virtual Presentation

Ravi Rajani is an international keynote speaker, author, and LinkedIn Learning Instructor, with over 70,000 professionals having taken his courses on Conscious and Charismatic communication. After his career in Investment Banking at Citi and Sales Leadership in Tech, Ravi has gone on to work with organizations such as Oracle NetSuite, T-Mobile, Hilton, Spotify, Sherwin-Williams and more - helping their people become magnetic storytellers and communicators so they can build trusted relationships that spark growth. 

Ravi and his recent book, Relationship Currency, have been featured in Forbes, Inc Arabia, and Entrepreneur, with the five communication habits inside designed to help leaders, entrepreneurs and sales teams build trust, cultivate authentic business relationships and communicate for connection in a world dominated by AI.

Ravi combines storytelling, humour, and practical frameworks to help your audience confidently communicate their message, story and value in a way that builds trusted relationships both in business and in life.

• Freddie talks about how leaders can challenge and inspire organizations to discover their untapped potential through the power of Active Listening & The Music of Leadership, using music focused stories to help leaders build stronger teams.

• Audiences learn how to enhance interpersonal and professional leadership skills, amplify engagement and clarify their desired goals and outcomes.

• Bilingual Speaker (English & Spanish) Freddie Ravel is a GRAMMY nominated maestro & performer, Founder of "Life in Tune," and Business Success Expert. His clients have described his keynotes & emcee services as the "ideal balance of entertainment and content."

• Past clients include: IBM, Toyota, Red Bull, NASA, Apple, Blue Cross, Prudential, Google and Citi.

Click Here to Watch Freddie's Virtual Video

Freddie Ravel is the GRAMMY-nominated Keynote Maestro - who combines his expertise for business breakthroughs and virtuoso piano performances with a clear and concise application of music’s communicative and scientific powers to inspire, ignite and lift the minds, hearts and potential of audiences around the world.

Backed by number one hits and collaborative successes with Madonna, Earth, Wind and Fire, Prince and Carlos Santana to leading the teams of J Lo, Jimmy Kimmel and Lady Gaga - the #1 chart-topping composer is the Founder of “LIFE IN TUNE," a worldwide program that delivers customized peak performance experiences - to reveal how the structure of music enhances leadership, innovation and productivity for entrepreneurs to major corporations alike. Dubbed the “Keynote Maestro” by the City of Los Angeles, Ravel received the city’s Award of Recognition for creating a music-based system to “renew the national and international economy” - while his film, TV, radio and recording credits include CBS, FOX, CW, Universal, iHeart and XM Sirius. Straddling sectors across Media, Tech, Healthcare and Wellness, Diversity and Inclusion, Communications, Social Impact and Financial Services - clients refer to him as “The ideal balance of Entertainment and Content”.

These include IBM, Toyota, Red Bull, NASA, Apple, Blue Cross, Prudential, Google and Citi where he continues to serve as a captivating access point through which to transform corporations, education, entertainment and the human condition. Based on decades of entrepreneurial and corporate training, scientific research and directing and performing with many of the music legends of our time - conference planners often engage Freddie and his team in the program planning process to help design and incorporate their meeting objectives into a rich, harmonious and rewarding experience. Having performed in over eighty countries, Freddie is in tune with cultural nuances and sensitivities delivering the universal language in both English and Spanish - as well as collaborating with translators to uplift your audience to success.

• Michelle talks about how you can embrace, manage. and anticipate change with renewed confidence

• Audiences learn to lead themselves and their teams with greater effectiveness in the new world of work

• Michelle Ray is a Leadership & Change expert with more than 25 years of experience helping people build outstanding workplace relationships and cultures. Author of Leading in Real Time: How to Drive Success in a Radically Changing World and Lead Yourself First! Indispensable Lessons in Business and in Life.

• Past clients include: Microsoft, Dell, Proctor & Gamble, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Shell, Xerox, Paypal, Qantas Airways, Price Waterhouse Coopers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation

Michelle Ray is a sought-after international leadership and change expert. An entrepreneur, an author, and an educator.

Most importantly, Michelle is a person. A passionate, deeply caring person. A fearless leader who’s not afraid to challenge the status quo. She's the kind of person who’ll do what it takes to help her team get outrageous results, even in a down economy.

After a successful career in media and advertising in Australia, Michelle shifted gears and accepted a leadership role at a global non-profit youth organization. She facilitated enduring partnerships between youth, entrepreneurs, and educators, preparing future generations to thrive in tomorrow’s business environment.

Michelle encountered a total contrast of leadership styles during her career, both good and bad. These experiences sparked her desire to help leaders not only master the fundamentals but also become the best versions of themselves. She seized the opportunity to venture into the speaking world and has since shared these messages with audiences around the world.

With more than 25 years of experience researching leadership, accountability, change, and workforce trends, Michelle has a deep understanding of new realities demanding the attention of leaders. Specifically, a dramatic shift in where and how we work, generational dynamics, talent shortages, and managing disruption while keeping the “human factor” of leadership top-of-mind.

A credit to her Aussie roots, Michelle engages audiences with her down-to-earth, tell-it-like-it-is style. As a respected thought leader, she has worked with some of the world’s most recognizable brands, including Microsoft, the FBI, TD Bank, PayPal, and an array of Fortune 500 companies.

Click Here to Watch Michelle's Virtual Presentation

It’s an impersonal world, where so many products and services are seen as easily-replaced, indistinct commodities. Whether you stand out or get lost in the crowd is a choice. A mindset. Ken Schmidt faced those same challenges himself and gained acclaim for his role in the extraordinary turnaround of the legendary Harley-Davidson Motor Company. That transformation was based on a change in mindset and a focus on answering three key strategic questions. While times have changed, what humans want and need from the businesses they buy from and work for hasn’t.

In his high-energy speeches, Ken inspires companies and individuals to shift their thinking and ride a path to success by becoming memorable – not for what they do or what they make, but for how they connect with people.

Ken is author of Make Some Noise: The Unconventional Road to Dominance. He’s also host of the Tailgating with Geniuses podcast and co-founder of Torque Sessions Leadership Training. In all of his endeavors, Ken brings an unconventional perspective that helps organizations and individuals reframe how they engage with their marketplace.

Ken Schmidt’s career in the motorcycle industry began in 1985 as a specialist in corporate positioning and media relations for the then-struggling Harley-Davidson. He was tasked with helping the company restore its image, improve its competitiveness, and create demand for its motorcycles. Within a few short years, sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles skyrocketed, and the company returned to prominence as one of the most respected, profitable, and frequently reported-on companies in the world.

In 1990, Ken became director of Harley-Davidson’s corporate and financial communications, serving as its primary spokesperson to the media and the financial communities. He frequently appeared in mainstream and business media to offer insights on nontraditional communications, customer attraction, and brand-building. His expertise and success at Harley-Davidson ultimately led to consulting assignments and speaking invitations from all over the world.

In 1997, Ken left Harley-Davidson to take an ownership position with a highly successful Chicago-based marketing firm, VSA Partners. In addition to Harley-Davidson, VSA served a virtual who’s who of the world’s best-known brands. In 1999, he sold his portion of VSA to start his own business, Ken Schmidt Company, to combine two of his greatest passions, motorcycling and speaking. He uses motorcycles as a metaphor to expose people to proven ideas and concepts they’ve likely never imagined.

After all he has accomplished, Ken remains committed to his philosophy of standing out, taking risks, and having fun in both his personal and professional life. He says, “Never do what’s expected, make yourself as noticeably different as possible, and have a lot more fun than you’re supposed to.”

• As the founder and CEO of Focuswise, he has consulted with North America’s top companies, such as Deloitte, JPMorgan Chase, Nike, AT&T, and many more.

• As a leader at Venus Aerospace, he is building a future-facing workplace that proactively fights to preserve a positive workplace, defending the organization against stress and inefficiency, the relationship between focus and accountability, and productivity.

• As a frequent keynote speaker, he addresses the theory behind these ideas, but also presents practical applications that his audiences can put to use immediately.

• As a writer and influencer, he shares his expertise on leadership strategy, brain science, generational differences, and technology trends through his podcast and regular Forbescolumn.

Curt Steinhorst has spent his career closing the distance between people who have to work together but don’t speak the same language: across generations, between leaders and the people they depend on, and between what was said and what was heard.

He’s done it in Fortune 500 boardrooms, professional locker rooms, and inside the executive team of a hypersonic deep tech company.

Most recently, he spent three years as Head of People at Venus Aerospace, where his teams achieved America’s first flight of a rotating detonation rocket engine, a fundamental leap in rocket propulsion not seen since the Apollo program. They also raised $100M+ in the tightest venture market in decades. It turns out that even when it IS rocket science, the outcome still depends on people working together.

Before Venus, Curt built a company around the question of attention. He wrote Can I Have Your Attention? (Wiley bestseller) and became a Forbes contributor. He also has ADHD, which is either ironic or the whole point.

Curt got his start on the speaking circuit working with the Center for Generational Kinetics. He looked fourteen, so nobody was going to hire him to talk about anything other than millennials.

His current work centers on the questions AI can’t answer: what deserves our attention, how experienced leaders stay curious when industries shift, and how teams tell the truth under pressure.

Click Here to Watch Curt's Virtual Presentation

Tamsen Webster - Selected for 2022 Thinkers50 Radar, Best-selling Author, Keynote Speaker on Communication:

Great ideas don't create change unless people believe in them.

Tamsen Webster helps leaders turn complex ideas into clear, compelling messages that build buy-in and inspire action. Drawing on more than 25 years in message strategy and change communications, she gives audiences practical frameworks for communicating ideas in ways people understand, believe—and remember.

Why Book Tamsen Webster?

Tamsen doesn't simply teach people to communicate better. She shows leaders how to build a case for change that audiences can believe in.

Her experience spans major organizations including Harvard Medical School and Fidelity Investments, as well as advising entrepreneurs through Harvard Innovation Labs and the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship. She also spent more than a decade as an Idea Strategist for TEDxCambridge and was named to the Thinkers50 Radar in 2022.

What Makes Tamsen Different?

• A practical approach to building buy-in for change
• More than 25 years of message strategy experience
• Creator of the Red Thread® framework
• Two-time bestselling author
• Deep expertise in storytelling, persuasion and change communication
• Actionable frameworks audiences can use immediately

Why Is Tamsen Right for Your Audience?

Tamsen is particularly effective for organizations where leaders need people to understand, support and act on new ideas.

Book Tamsen when your audience needs to:

• Communicate change more effectively
• Build stronger buy-in for new ideas and initiatives
• Turn complicated messages into clear, compelling stories
• Influence without relying on pressure or manipulation
• Help people understand why change matters
• Move audiences from agreement to action

Audience Takeaways

Attendees will leave:

• Better able to build a persuasive case for change
• Equipped to make complex ideas easier to understand
• Clearer about why some messages inspire action while others fail
• Ready to connect new ideas to beliefs audiences already hold
• Able to create messages people remember and repeat
• More confident turning ideas into lasting action

Keynote Programs

Say What They Can't Unhear: How to Inspire Change That Lasts

Tamsen reveals why traditional approaches to change often struggle and shows leaders how to build messages around beliefs, identity and stories that people already understand. Audiences learn practical principles for creating change that lasts rather than generating temporary agreement.

The Logic of Belief: How to Make Inaction Impossible

Every decision involves an internal argument. Tamsen shows audiences how to structure the reasoning behind an idea so clearly that people can see why taking action makes sense. Her Core Case and If–Then–Because–And frameworks give leaders practical tools for building agreement, understanding and action.

The Red Thread®: How to Find and Tell the Story of Your Ideas

Tamsen teaches audiences how to uncover the essential story behind an idea and communicate it in a way others immediately understand. Participants learn the five building blocks of a powerful message and how to adapt that story for different audiences, formats and situations.

Why Contact The Sweeney Agency Now?

The right speaker must do more than deliver a great presentation. Their message needs to connect directly to what your organization wants people to think, believe or do differently.

Contact us to:

• Confirm Tamsen's availability and current fee
• Identify the keynote that best supports your objectives
• Discuss customization, workshops and event format
• Determine how her message can connect directly to your organization's change or communication challenges
• Receive comparable recommendations if another speaker may be a stronger fit

Is Tamsen Right for Your Event?

Tell us about your audience, the change you're trying to create and what you want people to think, feel or do differently. We'll provide an honest assessment of Tamsen's fit, confirm availability and fees, and help you determine the best program for your event.

Contact The Sweeney Agency to discuss booking Tamsen Webster.

Garrison Wynn: Keynote Speaker on Leadership, Change & Influence | Bestselling Author | Business Performance Expert

Influence People. Navigate Change. Get Better Results.

Why do some people get cooperation, gain support and achieve results—while others with equally good ideas struggle to be heard?

Garrison Wynn is a bestselling author, business expert and highly entertaining keynote speaker on leadership, change, influence and workplace performance.

Why Book Garrison Wynn?

Garrison tackles a reality every organization faces: being right isn't enough. You still have to get people to buy in.

Whether leaders are introducing change, salespeople are influencing customers or teams are trying to work more effectively together, success often depends on the ability to gain cooperation from other people.

Garrison shows audiences how to increase their influence, communicate in ways people respond to and become more effective at getting things done.

His presentations are funny, fast-paced and practical, making complex workplace challenges easy to understand and immediately relevant.

What Makes Garrison Wynn Different?

• Business-focused message — connects communication and influence directly to results
• Highly entertaining — uses humor to keep audiences engaged
• Practical strategies — gives people ideas they can immediately apply
• Influence expertise — explores why people listen, cooperate and buy into ideas
• Change relevant — helps leaders gain greater support during uncertainty and transformation
• Broad audience appeal — effective for executives, managers, salespeople and frontline employees
• Real-world perspective — focuses on what actually works when dealing with people
• Memorable delivery — combines useful content with an entertaining keynote experience

Why Is Garrison Right for Your Audience?

Garrison is an excellent choice when you need your people to communicate more effectively, gain greater cooperation and produce results in situations they can't completely control.

He is particularly effective for leadership conferences, sales meetings, corporate events, association conferences and organizations navigating change.

Book Garrison when your audience needs to:

• Gain greater buy-in for their ideas
• Communicate more effectively with different personalities
• Influence without relying on authority
• Build stronger workplace relationships
• Navigate resistance to change
• Improve collaboration across teams
• Strengthen customer and client relationships
• Get better results through other people

Audience Takeaways

Attendees will leave:

• Better able to communicate ideas in ways people will hear
• Understanding why good ideas don't automatically gain support
• Equipped with practical strategies for increasing influence
• More effective at gaining cooperation from others
• Better prepared to communicate during change
• More aware of how trust affects business relationships
• Ready to adapt their communication to different people and situations

Garrison Wynn Keynote Programs

Being the Best vs. Being Consistently Chosen

Why aren't the best products, services or ideas always the ones people choose?

Garrison explores the factors that influence how people make decisions and why technical excellence alone doesn't guarantee success.

Audiences discover how trust, communication, relationships and perceived value can influence whether customers, colleagues and decision-makers choose to support them.

Ideal for: Sales conferences, customer-facing teams, association events and business-development meetings.

Change Management: Creating Buy-In

Change doesn't succeed simply because leadership says it needs to happen.

Garrison helps audiences understand why people resist change and what leaders can do to create greater cooperation.

He shares practical strategies for communicating change, building trust and helping people understand why moving forward is in their interest.

Ideal for: Leadership conferences, transformation initiatives and organizations navigating significant change.

The Truth About Success

What really separates consistently successful people from everyone else?

Garrison challenges conventional assumptions about talent, intelligence and hard work and explores the behaviors that help people gain trust, build relationships and achieve results.

Through humor, research and real-world examples, he shows audiences how to become more influential and effective in their interactions with others.

Ideal for: Corporate meetings, leadership events, sales kickoffs and association conferences.

Why Book Garrison Wynn Through The Sweeney Agency?

Garrison Wynn combines business insight, practical strategies and humor to create a keynote that is both useful and entertaining—but the real value comes from matching his message to the results you want your audience to achieve.

Contact The Sweeney Agency [email protected] to check on book Garrison Wynn's availability and current speaking fee.

Penny Zenker (AKA “The Focusologist”) is a sought-after international leadership speaker, 2x bestselling author, and former C-Suite executive of a global top-five research company. Over the past three decades, she has built and sold multiple multimillion-dollar companies—including an award-winning tech firm she founded.

Throughout her career, Penny has been responsible for hundreds of employees and millions of dollars in turnover, initiating huge organizational changes and business turnarounds to service their competitive advantage. She has worked with countless CEOs, leaders, and teams to develop the strategies and critical skills needed to create healthy cultures, huge profits, and sustainable growth.

Today, Penny speaks to organizations around the world about how to navigate change, challenge, and uncertainty with greater ease, creativity and focus. She helps people and companies reach their potential and achieve seemingly impossible goals. Penny has shared her expertise with industry giants like Deloitte, Pfizer, SAP, Samsung, and NASA, and been featured by NBC News, ESPN, FORBES, INC., and many more.

She has written two best-selling books: The Reset Mindset (USA Today Best Seller, Success Magazine Top 10 Business Books), redefining our approach to how we work, live, and lead, and The Productivity Zone to help people stop their tug of war with time. Her popular TEDx talk, The Energy of Thought has surpassed one-million views worldwide. And her podcast, Take Back Time, ranks in the top 2% worldwide, reflecting her commitment to helping others regain control of their focus and achieve peak performance.