Emcees & Moderators

The role of an emcee is to warm up the crowd and prepare them for the program ahead; it is their role to help set the tone. With the right emcee or moderator, your event can go from good to great. Browse through Gravity Speaker’s list of founders, entrepreneurs, executive coaches, and best-selling authors to book a speaker for your next party, panel, seminar, or conference.

Subtopics

No items found.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Sofiat Abdulrazaaq
Sofiat
Abdulrazaaq
CoFounder & CEO of Goodfynd, Fintech Entrepreneur, Privacy Expert, Former Sr. Product Manager

Sofiat Abdulrazaaq is the co-founder & CEO of Goodfynd, a fintech platform enhancing accessibility for mobile food businesses. A serial entrepreneur and privacy expert, who brings a decade of experience translating business goals into developed products. She has held prior leadership positions at some of the largest Fortune 500 and billion-dollar nonprofit organizations and operates her own consulting practice. As a founder of SBA Strategies, she empowers entrepreneurs and champions underrepresented voices in business.

Sofiat Abdulrazaaq
Sheena Allen
Sheena
Allen
CEO & Founder of Capway (Youngest Female U.S. Digital Bank Owner), Entrepreneur, Author

Sheena Allen is an entrepreneur, author, speaker, and creative architect. She is the founder of Capway, a neobank for those who do not fit into the traditional banking system, which gave Sheena the title of the youngest female in America to own and operate a digital bank. Sheena has been featured in various documentaries and publications, including Inc Magazine and Forbes.

Sheena Allen
Rebecca Altamirano
Rebecca
Altamirano
Co-founder Tangelo Technologies, Author

Rebecca Altamirano has dedicated her professional life to working within underrepresented communities to open up access to the culture of power. Her professional path has given her deep hands-on experience on working with the underserved and underrepresented. Many of these experiences she has shared as a co-author of “Be The Change: Reinventing Schools for Student Success”

Rebecca Altamirano
Ivelyse Andino
Ivelyse
Andino
Health Equity Pioneer, Founder of Radical Health, Commissioner on the NYC Commission on Gender Equity

Ivelyse Andino is an Afro-Latina health equity innovator born and raised in The Bronx. She is the founder and CEO of Radical Health and a Commissioner on the New York City Commission on Gender Equity. In 2015 she founded the first Latina owned Public Benefit Corp in New York State.

Ivelyse Andino
Kwame Anku
Kwame
Anku
Visionary CEO of Black Star Fund

Kwame Anku is the CEO and Chairman of the Black Star Fund, an early-stage innovation fund. Kwame has worked extensively in business development and media marketing for over two decades, entering into the tech industry after being personally recruited by the late legendary rock star Prince to develop his mobile app, overseeing business and development teams on Africa, Asia, and the US.

Kwame Anku
Mandy Antoniacci
Mandy
Antoniacci
Columnist, Author, Tech Entrepreneur

A sought after voice of inspiration, Mandy is a columnist, founder, and prolific influencer. Her breadth of work in mind+body connection and unwavering optimism has earned her global attention and positioning alongside elite social leaders and sports figures around the world. Mandy now travels the globe inspiring resilience through her recent and personal triumph in mental and physical wellness.

Mandy Antoniacci
Mariana Atencio
Mariana
Atencio
TEDx Speaker, Peabody Award-Winning Journalist, Bestselling Author, Entrepreneur, Inspiring Storyteller, and Host/Moderator

Mariana Atencio, a Peabody award-winning journalist, bestselling author, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, moderator, and event host, is on a mission to help people supercharge their careers, happiness, and workplace cultures by embracing the power of authenticity. Her renowned TEDx talk, "What Makes YOU Special?", with over 23 million views, emphasizes the strength of individuality. Mariana's impactful storytelling and keynotes inspire change, solidifying her as a prominent voice in media and advocacy.

Mariana Atencio
Jay Baer
Jay
Baer
Hall of Fame Speaker, Business Growth & Customer Experience Strategist, New York Times Best-Selling Author

Jay Baer is a business growth strategist, a customer experience and digital marketing pioneer, advisor, analyst, a popular emcee and host of large events, a New York Times bestselling author of six books, and a hall of fame for professional speaking and word-of-mouth marketing. He founded the strategy and analysis firm Convince & Convert. Jay’s entertaining and engaging programs teach companies how to turn customer experience, customer service, and marketing into their biggest business growth advantage.

Jay Baer
Peter Baines
Peter
Baines
Leadership Expert, Powerful Storyteller, Everyday Hero

Investigating homicides, leading international teams into scenes of crisis and disaster is not your normal path to global keynote speaker and business consultant. It was this unique path that provided insights into leadership which are so different yet offer relevant reflections and learnings to businesses facing change, growth or challenges of their own.

Peter Baines
Alex Banayan
Alex
Banayan
#1 International Bestselling Business Author, Leading Expert on Exponential Growth, Success, High-Performance, and Personal Development

Alex Banayan, the youngest bestselling business author in American history, specializes in perseverance and exponential growth. He introduced the Third Door™ framework to global business conferences and corporate leadership teams, including Apple, Google, and Nike. His #1 international bestseller, "The Third Door," decodes the mindset of success. Named in Forbes' "30 Under 30" and Business Insider's "Most Powerful People Under 30," Banayan's keynotes redefine possibilities, aiding individuals and Fortune 500 companies in innovative growth strategies worldwide

Alex Banayan
Brian Banmiller
Brian
Banmiller
National Broadcast Journalist, Host of “Banmiller on Business”

Brian Banmiller is a national business journalist and public speaker who has spent more than 40 years in the news industry, covering business, politics and the economy on television, radio and in print. Currently, his “Banmiller on Business” reports and speeches are delivered to an audience of millions nationwide.

Brian Banmiller
Chris Barton
Chris
Barton
Founder and Creator of Shazam, Entrepreneur, Inventor, and Tech Investor

Chris Barton is the Founder and Creator of Shazam. Chris’s creation of Shazam was nothing short of pure magic as it was far ahead of its time. Chris seeks to delight people by using technology to make seemingly impossible ideas come to life. In his speeches, Chris’s story and storytelling completely captivate audiences. He inspires people to make big things happen in their organizations – to create magic in defiance of the obstacles.

Chris Barton
Chris Baréz-Brown
Chris
Baréz-Brown
Master of Transformation, Author

Chris is a master of transformation. His unique energetic approach challenges businesses to embed a dynamic creative culture within their company ethos. Brands such as Nike, Coca-Cola, Diageo, Unilever, Sony, and WPP come back time and again as his results produce tangible returns on investment.

Chris Baréz-Brown
Emily Best
Emily
Best
Founder/CEO of Seed&Spark and Film Forward, Producer, Writer, Leveraging Entertainment for Equity and Sustainability

Emily Best is the founder and CEO of Seed&Spark. An advocate for equity inclusion in the entertainment industry (and the entire working world), Best regularly speaks at conferences and events about leveraging entertainment to build equity and sustainability for everyone, crowdfunding, and pitching, building equitable startups, and serves as an advisor and mentor to dozens of early-stage companies.

Emily Best
Hilary Blair
Hilary
Blair
Co-founder and CEO of ARTiculate: Real & Clear, Author, Leadership Coach, Communication Expert

Hilary Blair, CEO of ARTiculate: Real&Clear, is a keynote speaker and a champion of human connection. Her expertise lies in communication excellence, self-awareness, and building confidence in leaders and teams. With a background in stage, film, and voice acting, she brings a unique blend of skills to her coaching and speaking engagements. Hilary has worked with renowned businesses globally, providing interactive, practical, and customizable solutions that invigorate communication skills for today's workforce.

Hilary Blair
Dr. V Boykin
Dr. V
Boykin
Organizational Leadership, Learning and Development, GTM Enablement, Equity Leader, and Keynote Speaker

Dr. V Boykin is a keynote speaker, published researcher, and leader in the organizational leadership and equity space. Dr. V’s expertise is creating equitable work experiences for women and people of color. Dr. V established clear evidence to illustrate the importance of social support systems in tackling workplace equity through shifts in the social environment.

Dr. V Boykin
Candice Matthews Brackeen
Candice Matthews
Brackeen
Founder & CEO, Lightship Foundation, Entrepreneurial Visionary, Advocate for Diversity in Tech and Innovation

Candice Matthews is a General Partner at Lightship Capital, where she finds and funds high growth, minority-led companies operating in underserved ecosystems throughout the Midwest. She also directs programming at Lightship Foundation, the inclusion-focused entrepreneur enrichment program guiding minority founders with instruction in product development, brand building, leveraging artificial intelligence for business and fundraising.

Candice Matthews Brackeen
Brian Brackeen
Brian
Brackeen
General Partner at Lightship Capital, Renowned Innovator and Advocate for Ethical Inclusive Tech

Brian Brackeen is a General Partner at Lightship Capital, the Cincinnati-based VC firm dedicated to backing underrepresented entrepreneurs in the Midwest. Brian lectures extensively around the world on entrepreneurship, code, the digital economy, AI and machine learning — and participates in mentorship programs for organizations like Girls Who Code, Black Girls Code and The School District of Miami.

Brian Brackeen
Rich Bracken
Rich
Bracken
Internationally Acclaimed Thought Leader and Emotional Intelligence Expert, Host & Emcee, DJ

Rich Bracken is an internationally acclaimed thought leader, a keynote speaker on emotional intelligence, a dynamic storyteller, and a consultant with 20+ years of experience in leadership and employee engagement. He inspires positive change through data, emotion, and case studies. With expertise in sales, marketing, and client service, Rich delivers empowering speeches worldwide. He has served Fortune 100 clients and featured in major media outlets. Renowned as a prominent keynote speaker.

Rich Bracken
Jennifer Brandel
Jennifer
Brandel
CEO and Co-founder of Hearken, Award-Winning Journalist, Serial Entrepreneur, Innovator

Jennifer Brandel is an award-winning journalist, founder and organizer whose work spans journalism, civic engagement, democracy and entrepreneurship. She’s a dynamic, sought-after keynote speaker and workshop facilitator. Brandel began her career in journalism reporting for outlets including NPR, CBC, WBEZ, The New York Times, and Vice. She is the founder of Hearken, which helps institutions better listen and respond to their stakeholders.

Jennifer Brandel
Joel Bryant
Joel
Bryant
THE Master of Ceremonies

Emceeing for over 20 years, Joel Bryant has literally been around the world, from private cruise ships in the South China Sea to the Seine in Paris to the beaches of Cancun, military bases in the Middle East, to all 50 US states and over 35 countries. He has hosted for the most intimate private parties to huge gatherings of Fortune 500 companies, from 20 people to 20,000. Joel's known for his energy, his ability to roll with a live event and it’s potential changes and his humor, which he maintains on- and off-stage.

Joel Bryant
Jeff Butler
Jeff
Butler
Millennial Generation Expert and Technology Speaker

Jeff Butler is a speaker, author, and international consultant who helps organizations improve their relationships with millennial employees. Unlike other experts on millennials, Jeff has been in the trenches of what it means to be a millennial and what it takes to retain and keep them engaged.  You may have seen him on Forbes, USA Weekly, or on the TED stage.

Jeff Butler
Madison Butler
Madison
Butler
DEI Truth Teller, HR Change Maker

Madison Butler is a Black, queer woman, and a survivor. Her work is focused around designing spaces and creating scalable strategies to achieve psychological safety. An outspoken advocate for mental health, she is passionate about facilitating hard conversations through storytelling, data, and tough empathy, removing stigma around trauma, and advisor for being “human at work”.

Madison Butler
Kelly Campbell
Kelly
Campbell
Trauma-informed Leadership Expert, Author, Founder of Consciousness Leaders

A Trauma-Informed Leadership Coach to self-aware visionaries, Kelly L. Campbell’s work exists at the cross section of trauma integration and conscious leadership. They are an inspiring keynote speaker and host a popular podcast on conscious leadership. Kelly writes for Entrepreneur, has written for Forbes, and has been featured in Woman Entrepreneur and The Startup on Medium.

Kelly Campbell
Cheryl Campos
Cheryl
Campos
Head of Venture Growth & Partnerships at Republic, Co-Founder of VCFamilia, Actress

Cheryl Campos is the Head of Venture Growth and Partnerships at Republic, an investment platform for founders to raise capital from both accredited and non-accredited investors. Cheryl is also co-founder of VCFamilia, the largest Latinx community in the venture, supporting over 300 VCs throughout their careers — from breaking into venture all the way to creating their own funds.

Cheryl Campos
Colette Carlson
Colette
Carlson
Business Communication & Human Behavior Expert, Hall of Fame Speaker, Author

Colette Carlson is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), an inductee into the CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame, and a top human behavior keynote speaker. With over 20 years of experience, she helps individuals make positive and lasting changes by teaching them the psychology, mindset, and skills required for success. Her personalized keynote programs focus on the power of connected conversations, using engaging content and humor. Colette's trusted clients include Microsoft, Procter & Gamble, and the US Government.

Colette Carlson
Kim Carson
Kim
Carson
CEO and Founder of Parallax Futures, Conceptual Technologist, Diversity in AI champion, Author

Kim Carson, the dynamic force behind Parallax Futures, is a catalyst for change in the tech landscape. With a diverse background encompassing political science and tech leadership, she sparks dialogue on the need for diverse perspectives in AI, evolving workforce landscapes, launching new businesses, post-disciplinary ethos, and authentic self-expression. Kim's journey resonates with resilience and purpose, inviting others to embrace innovation and inclusion for a better tomorrow.

Kim Carson
Vish Chatterji
Vish
Chatterji
Executive Coach, Author and Yogi

Vish Chatterji is an accomplished business leader turned executive coach with a twenty-year business track record spanning multiple industries. In parallel, he has studied and practiced yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda (mind-body medicine). Vish coaches business leaders enabling more of their greatness to show up at work.

Vish Chatterji
Misa Chien
Misa
Chien
TEDx Speaker, Authentic Leader, Serial Entrepreneur, CEO & Founder of The Authentic Asian and Autopilot Reviews

Misa Chien, CEO & Founder of The Authentic Asian and Autopilot Reviews, is an authentic leader known for inspiring and helping people through positivity and transparency. Her exceptional leadership and entrepreneurial style make her a sought-after speaker, podcast host, and TV personality. She has been featured in Inc. Magazine's 30 Under 30 Entrepreneurs, Forbes Women to Watch, and LinkedIn Top Voices. Misa has spoken at industry-leading events including CCW and TEDx.

Misa Chien
Chris Clews
Chris
Clews
Speaker, Author, Film/Stage Consultant, and '80s Pop Culture Guy

Chris Clews combines 22 years of marketing experience in a variety of industries with global brands and ad agencies with his unmatched passion for all things 80s to bring a fun, informative and unique presentation to your group.

Chris Clews
Anne Cocquyt
Anne
Cocquyt
CEO and Founder of the GUILD, Serial Entrepreneur, Super Connector in Silicon Valley

Anne Cocquyt, CEO and Founder of the GUILD, is an inspirational speaker on entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership. She speaks on how to start businesses, prototyping, building successful partnerships, and how to attract and retain winning diverse teams. She moderates and joins panels on gender bias in AI, product management and technology trends, and teaches design-thinking workshops on building innovation ecosystems.

Anne Cocquyt
Geoff Colvin
Geoff
Colvin
Senior Editor-at-Large for Fortune, Award-winning Journalist for Fortune & CBS Radio, Bestselling Author, Broadcaster

As Fortune magazine’s senior editor-at-large, Geoff Colvin is now in his fourth decade at Fortune. He is one of business journalism’s sharpest and most respected commentators on leadership, management, globalization, government regulation, corporate governance, competition, the economy, the InfoTech revolution, human performance and related issues.

Geoff Colvin
Kim Crayton
Kim
Crayton
The Antiracist Economist, Advisor, Educator, Mentor

Kim Crayton, known as the Antiracist Economist, is dedicated to building a future that is Supremacy, Coercion, Discrimination, and Exploitation Free. Formerly known for #causeascene, she used her platform to call out harm and the facade of inclusion, often advising tech companies that were experiencing “challenges” when it came to ensuring the welcoming and psychological safety of their work environment.

Kim Crayton
Dawn Dickson
Dawn
Dickson
Serial Entrepreneur & Inventor

Dawn Dickson is a serial entrepreneur and inventor with over 20 years of experience in technology, marketing, and business development. Her most recent ventures are Flat Out of Heels and PopCom. Dawn is a seasoned professional speaker, business advisor, and angel investor.  She continues to be recognized as one of the nation’s top retail tech entrepreneurs.

Dawn Dickson
Shawn DuBravac
Shawn
DuBravac
Acclaimed Global Futurist, Trendcaster, NY Times Bestselling Author

Acclaimed global futurist, trendcaster, and best-selling author Dr. Shawn DuBravac sits at the nexus between innovation and disruption. DuBravac delivers pragmatic and provocative insights into the trends, technologies, and paradigms transforming business and society along with actionable strategies organizations in every industry can apply.

Shawn DuBravac
Josh Allan Dykstra
Josh Allan
Dykstra
Future Of Work Guru, CEO of #lovework, TEDx Speaker, Author, Podcast Host of The Work Revolution

Josh Allan Dykstra (he/him or they/them) is a recognized thought leader on the future of work and company culture design. He is an author, TEDx speaker, and the CEO of #lovework, where they use technology to create astonishingly great performance in a hybrid world.

Josh Allan Dykstra
Ugwem Eneyo
Ugwem
Eneyo
Co-Founder & CEO of SHYFT Power Solutions, Pioneering AI and IoT in Energy Tech in Emerging Markets

Ugwem Eneyo is co-founder and CEO of SHYFT Power Solutions, specializing in the use of IoT software and big data to improve access to clean, reliable and affordable energy solutions in markets that struggle with grid resiliency. Ms. Eneyo explores how we use tech to create ‘grids of the future’ but particularly in emerging markets. She’s given talks on the nexus of energy and sustainable development to global thought leaders, including the World Bank.

Ugwem Eneyo
Melinda Briana Epler
Melinda Briana
Epler
Founder & CEO of Empovia, Author on Allyship

Melinda Briana Epler has over 25 years of experience developing business innovation and inclusion strategies for startups, Fortune 500 companies, and global NGOs. As CEO of Empovia, Melinda works with the tech industry to solve diversity and inclusion together. Using her background in storytelling and large-scale culture change, she is a strategic advisor for tech companies, tech hubs, and governments around the world.

Melinda Briana Epler
Tonya M. Evans
Tonya M.
Evans
Professor & Global Leader in Tech, IP, Crypto Innovation

Professor Tonya M. Evans is a global leader, accomplished academic and administrator, and world-renowned speaker with over twenty years of experience in law, innovation, academia, and entrepreneurship. She writes, speaks and teaches primarily in the areas of intellectual property, blockchain and crypto assets, tech and innovation, information privacy, financial inclusion, and economic empowerment.

Tonya M. Evans
Manny Faces
Manny
Faces
Award-Winning Journalist, Podcast Producer, Public Speaker, Consultant, Advocate for Hip Hop culture

Michael “Manny Faces” Conforti is an award-winning journalist, podcast professional, public speaker and independent scholar. Much of his work focuses on advocating for the use of Hip Hop music and culture as a tool to improve lives, livelihoods and communities throughout the nation and the world, in areas including education, science and technology, health and wellness, politics and social justice, business and entrepreneurialism, the fine arts, spirituality and self-help, and more.

Manny Faces
Diane Flynn
Diane
Flynn
Leadership Coach, Entrepreneur, Author

Diane Flynn, an entrepreneur, author, and coach, stands out as a speaker for her deeply personal and transformative approach to empowering leaders. She shares invaluable insights cultivated through her journeys at Stanford, HBS, and as a successful business executive and entrepreneur. With an unwavering passion for nurturing strong leadership skills, particularly among women, Diane's compelling narrative resonates on many levels. Her two acclaimed books and best-selling Udemy course on Growth Mindset, which boasts over 60,000 students, underscore her ability to connect with diverse audiences and effect positive change.

Diane Flynn
Jen Fry
Jen
Fry
Sports Geographer, Tech Founder, Sought-After Speaker and Educator, Founder & CEO of JenFryTalks and Hyreable

Dr. Jen Fry (she/her) is a Sports Geographer, tech founder, and sought-after speaker and educator. She owns JenFryTalks, a social justice education firm that explores the intersection of conflict and DEI. Jen facilitates conversation and skill-building with organizations, leadership and C-suite groups, small and large teams, affinity groups, and more. She advises on best practices that create more equitable organizations, communities, and teams, where each person feels a sense of belonging.

Jen Fry
David Goldsmith
David
Goldsmith
The Thought Leader’s Thought Leader, Businessperson, Consultant, Adviser, Coach, Speaker, Author, Patent Holder

David is the author of Paid to THINK: A Leader’s Toolkit for Redefining Your Future, a work for which he has earned comparisons to Peter Drucker, the father of modern-day management. Considered by some to be the “Thought Leaders’ Thought Leader”, he is known for replacing common leadership thinking with bold, proven, and sometimes counter-intuitive approaches to address leadership challenges and opportunities.

David Goldsmith
Andrea Guendelman
Andrea
Guendelman
Expansive Leadership Expert, CEO of Speak_

Andrea Guendelman is a writer, speaker, and entrepreneur who specializes in Expansive Leadership—helping individuals and organizations unlock potential through openness. She is a leading force in creating platforms for minority professionals and the tech industry. Through her own experiences as a Harvard-trained corporate lawyer and an entrepreneur, she co-created Bevisiblelatinx, Wallbreakers, and most recently, Speak_.

Andrea Guendelman
Jim Harris
Jim
Harris
Disruptive Innovation Speaker, Bestselling Author

Jim Harris is one of North America’s foremost thought leaders, management consultants, and authors on disruptive innovation. With 20 years experience as a professional speaker and consultant, Jim Harris speaks internationally at more than 40 conferences a year on and is ranked as one of the nation's top ten speakers by Association magazine.

Jim Harris
Chante Harris
Chante
Harris
Founder and Managing Partner of Eunoia Group, Global Climate Strategist

Chante Harris is a climate tech strategist and Founder and Managing Partner of Eunoia Group. She is also Co-Founder of Women of Color Collective in Sustainability (WOC/CS), a champion of social and finance innovation, and ACEEE Champion of Energy Efficiency. Throughout her career, she has successfully scaled nationwide campaigns, technologies, and ideas for the Obama Administration, Fortune 500 companies, and startups. Chante is at the helm of driving climate innovation and advancing the energy transition across cities.

Chante Harris
Melissa Harrison
Melissa
Harrison
Speaker, Trainer, Marketing Consultant, Business Strategist

Melissa Harrison is the CEO and founder of Allée Creative, strategic content and experiential marketing agency in the Twin Cities. Melissa is a four-time recipient of the Hermes Creative Award and a nationally recognized speaker. In 2015, she was named one of 100 women to watch in the U.S. as part of the Inspirational Woman Project

Melissa Harrison
Roger Haskett
Roger
Haskett
Engagement Expert, Author

Roger Haskett helps to make meetings, organizations, and individuals be more engaging. In his award winning career as a speaker, actor, emcee and entrepreneur, Roger developed a unique formula for maximizing audience engagement and influencing employees, members, participants, and everyone he meets to be more engaged and authentic individuals.

Roger Haskett
Troy Hazard
Troy
Hazard
Franchise Expert, TV Host, Global Business Leader

The entrepreneurial genius, Troy Hazard, has founded and nurtured twelve businesses over two decades, has turned around businesses that were making enormous losses, and has consulted to countless successful companies including Goodyear, Baskin Robbins, Subway, Fisher & Paykel and many more.

Troy Hazard
Denise Love Hewett
Denise Love
Hewett
Host of Do The Work, Producer, DJ

Denise Love Hewett is the host of the podcast, Do the Work, which focuses on redefining leadership to be more holistic. This was birthed out of her time as a founder of Scriptd, an entertainment tech company working to dismantle the inefficient and exclusionary practices of Hollywood. She comes from the world of entertainment, fashion, and hospitality, starting her career as the Director of Sales and Marketing at famed nightclub The Box.

Denise Love Hewett
Tim Hines
Tim
Hines
Global Keynote Speaker, Author, Podcaster, FCMO

As a speaker, author, and consultant, Tim Hines is someone you must know. He has in-depth marketing knowledge that can help you and your organization become widely known. He is excellent at conveying concepts that bring instant value, are easy to implement, and help audience members take profitable action. Tim offers dynamic presentations where lightbulbs go off and members get into action.

Tim Hines
Jin-Ya Huang
Jin-Ya
Huang
Purpose-Driven Community Leader, Keynote Speaker, Presidential Leadership Scholar, Social Enterprise Innovator, Artist Educator, Board Member, Award Winning Bridge Builder

Jin-Ya Huang founded Break Bread, Break Borders, a social enterprise. She's a published writer, and TIME Magazine-featured Community Uniter focusing on equity, design, and social justice. A PLS Presidential Leadership Scholars fellow, Huang excels in bridge building, women's empowerment, and race relations for lasting social impact.

Jin-Ya Huang
Mazin Jamal
Mazin
Jamal
Founder & Executive Director at Holistic Underground

Mazin Jamal is the founder of Holistic Underground: a leadership & organizational development agency for social movements & businesses. He honed his craft working with leaders and teams around the world. He has coached, consulted, and presented for executive leaders and teams from Apple, Google, Postmates, Atlassian, and more. He is also the creator of the PurposePlace™ Methodology.

Mazin Jamal
Roderick Jefferson
Roderick
Jefferson
Author and Award Winning Global Sales Enablement Thought Leader

Roderick Jefferson is an internationally recognized, business-focused speaker. Having given keynote presentations nationally and 13 countries globally. He understands the power of sharing real-life strategies that work. His compelling keynote speeches can set the table at the start of a conference or end it with a bang!

Roderick Jefferson
Shontavia Johnson
Shontavia
Johnson
International Expert in Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property & Economic Development

Shontavia Johnson is an entrepreneurship and innovation expert who has helped hundreds of people build personal brands, businesses, and intellectual property portfolios. She is Associate VP for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Clemson University and Founder of the Brand and Business Company. An entrepreneur, creator, Liberty Fellow through Aspen Institute, and a Fulbright Specialist, Shontavia shares her message to audiences globally.

Shontavia Johnson
Maral Kalajian
Maral
Kalajian
CMO of Watty, Self-Made Marketer, Influencer

Maral, also known as, ‘Maral from Twitter’, ‘Powerhouse’, ‘energy pack’ or ‘Curly’ is one of the most familiar faces in the Nordic tech scene. Maral is the CMO at Watty, one of the hottest startups in Europe. She is also the co-founder of Peppy Pals, an active ambassador for diversity in tech. Former StartupGrind chapter director and SUP46 Femtech co-organizer.

Maral Kalajian
Katty Kay
Katty
Kay
Lead Anchor, BBC World News America, Bestselling Author

Katty Kay, U.S. Special Correspondent for BBC Studios, 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.

Katty Kay
Dave Knox
Dave
Knox
Brand Marketer, Venture Investor, Startup Advisor

As a brand marketer, venture investor, and startup advisor, Dave Knox bridges the worlds of the Fortune 500 and entrepreneurship and is widely recognized as an industry thought leader.

Dave Knox
Jonas Koffler
Jonas
Koffler
NY Times Bestselling Author, Cofounder, Writer & Producer

Jonas is a New York Times bestselling author, entrepreneur, and storyteller, and an award-winning writer & producer of books, documentaries, and branded entertainment at storytelling boutique Koffler Pictures. Jonas regularly presents at conferences, organizations, and events on topics spanning personal innovation and unconventional thinking, the future of work, creativity and learning, community building, wellness, and resilience.

Jonas Koffler
Joseph Kopser
Joseph
Kopser
Speaker, Author, Investor, Innovation Expert

Joseph Kopser serves as an Executive-in-Residence at the McCombs School of Business.  Prior to that his company, RideScout, was acquired by Mercedes. He served in the Army for 20 years after graduating from West Point and Harvard. He was recognized as a White House Champion of Change in clean energy and won the U.S. DOT Data Innovation Award. Co-author of, Catalyst, he is an advisor for CleanTX.

Joseph Kopser
Russell Ladson
Russell
Ladson
CEO of Drop, Creative Technologist

Russell Ladson is a creative technologist whose work sits at the intersection of emerging technologies, purposeful design, and visual art. His work investigates the use of emerging technologies like AR/VR (XR) to heighten the human-to-human experience through experimental concepts around information discovery in a post-smartphone world.

Russell Ladson
Ted Ma
Ted
Ma
High-Performance Leadership, Team Building, Motivational Speaker

Ted Ma is a leadership strategist, author, and international keynote speaker who helps leaders become Everyday Mentors and create a culture that people never want to leave. As an elder millennial who has been coaching leaders for over 20 years, he brings a unique perspective to the stage.

Ted Ma
Bianca Mabute-Louie
Bianca
Mabute-Louie
Award-Winning Sociologist, Author

Bianca Mabute-Louie is a keynote speaker, award-winning sociologist, and forthcoming author. Her speaking, publishing, and research centers Asian Americans in the national discourse on race and politics. Her first book, UNASSIMILABLE, comes out January 2025 with Harper Collins.

Bianca Mabute-Louie
Leslie Maxie
Leslie
Maxie
Founder of Maxie Media Group, 1988 US Olympian, Entrepreneur, Strategist, Journalist, Host/MC, Media Trainer & Influencer

Renowned 1988 US Olympian and media trailblazer, Leslie Maxie, shares her extraordinary life journey with global audiences. From her early days as a 15-year-old speaker addressing 15,000 people to her extensive media career with ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC, CBS, and more, Leslie crafts impactful speeches. Through captivating stories, she provokes thought, inspires action, and leaves a lasting impression, connecting deeply with the hearts and minds of her listeners.

Leslie Maxie
Scott McArthur
Scott
McArthur
The Business Sculptor

Scott McArthur offers an unusual mix of experience, having worked as a research scientist, HR director, business consultant, rock musical producer, writer, keynote, and TEDx speaker. His delivery style, which he has developed across the sectors over 20 years, is humorous, well-crafted, inspiring, and direct.

Scott McArthur
Brad Montgomery
Brad
Montgomery
The People Side of Performance, Motivational Speaker, Certified Speaking Professional

Brad Montgomery teaches people how to use happiness to boost productivity, creativity, innovation, and profits. He specializes in using humor, interactivity, music, and visuals to ignite audiences so that they can use happiness as a tool to improve their lives and their jobs.

Brad Montgomery
Linda Nazareth
Linda
Nazareth
Economist, Futurist, Author

Linda Nazareth is an economist, a futurist, and a respected authority on the future of work.  As a newspaper columnist and an author, she knows how to frame things in ways that both educate and entertain, and as the Senior Fellow for Economics and Population Change at think-tank the Macdonald Laurier Institute she knows what she is talking about.

Linda Nazareth
Julian Newman
Julian
Newman
Founder and CEO of Culture Creative, Anthem Award Winning Diversity & Inclusion Leader, Author

Julian Newman is the founder and CEO of Culture Creative, an international award-winning leadership development and diversity & inclusion consulting firm. Julian is a certified and Anthem Award-winning Diversity & Inclusion leader based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As a cultural intelligence strategist, author, and motivational speaker, Julian has spoken to more than 100,000 people nationally and internationally during the past 20 years.

Julian Newman
James Norman
James
Norman
Founder & CEO of Pilotly

James Norman is a serial entrepreneur who at the age of 16 built his first online company. While previously he may have been known as a visionary in automotive product planning, over the past 10 years in the media and entertainment industry, he has become a thought leader in over-the-top media and consumer video consumption behaviors.

James Norman
Janice Omadeke
Janice
Omadeke
Founder of The Mentor Method, Serial Entrepreneur, TedX Speaker, Thought Leader, Mentor, & Author

Janice Omadeke is a proven leader focused on data-driven decision-making, focusing on strategy, innovation, and cultural change management. She founded The Mentor Method, an enterprise software for transforming company culture through mentorship. She is a thought leader and advocate for mentorship and entrepreneurship, and has been recognized by Forbes, Harvard Business Review, and Inc. Janice is certified in Entrepreneurship from MIT and PMP-certified with over ten years of corporate leadership experience in Fortune 500 companies.

Janice Omadeke
Dr. Tina Opie
Dr. Tina
Opie
Chief Vision Officer at Opie Consulting Group, Professor, Author

Whether as a keynote or interactive workshop leader, Tina’s focus is on creating more diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplaces. Using her Shared Sisterhood framework and proven approaches for unearthing blind spots within individuals and organizations. Tina serves as a catalyst for new thinking and needed change.

Dr. Tina Opie
Amy Peck
Amy
Peck
Founder & CEO of EndeavorVR, Global Speaker on the Future of XR

Amy Peck is the Founder & CEO of EndeavorXR, a leading global XR consulting firm working with Fortune 500 companies on XR, Metaverse, and Web 3.0 strategy and deployment. Amy is a recognized thought leader in the space and speaks globally on the future of XR. She is one of the world’s foremost strategists on immersive technology, Digital Twins, the Metaverse, Web 3.0, and Blockchain.

Amy Peck
Damian Pelliccione
Damian
Pelliccione
CEO & Co-Founder of Revry, World’s First LGBTQ+ Global Content Streaming Network, Blending Business Prowess with Film Production & Education

Damian Pelliccione (they/them) is the CEO and Co-Founder of Revry, the world’s first LGBTQ Global Content Streaming Network. With over 15 years of experience in the digital and new media world and as an avid speaker, passionate about supporting the LGBTQ community in both authentic representation and entrepreneurship, Damian has spoken at more than over 250 conferences and film festivals around the world.

Damian Pelliccione
Christie Pitts
Christie
Pitts
Early Stage Investor, Operator, Activist & Inventor

Christie Pitts is an investor, operator, and activist. Formerly VP of Operations at Mahmee and investor at Backstage Capital, she co-founded the VCs for Repro initiative, focused on the intersection of the economy and reproductive justice, and hosts the Moms at Work liveshow to build community, raise awareness, and advocate for better experiences for working moms.

Christie Pitts
Johnny Quinn
Johnny
Quinn
U.S. Olympian, Author, Former Pro Football Player

Olympic bobsledder Johnny Quinn is a highly sought-after speaker for businesses and organizations of all sizes. Known for his thought-provoking and action-packed speeches, Johnny has been featured on: ABC, BBC, CBS, CNN, ESPN, FOX, NBC, TIME, USA Today and the Wall Street Journal. Johnny’s newest book, “PUSH: Breaking Through The Barriers” ushers readers through the valleys of life to the thrills of rocketing down icy mountains at 80+ mph with no seat belts.

Johnny Quinn
Ryann Richardson
Ryann
Richardson
Founder, Political Activist, Miss Black America

Ryann Richardson made history when she became the 50th Anniversary Miss Black America. The tech marketer-turned-founder and Diversity & Inclusion advocate spent 10 years building brands and culture for companies spanning early-stage startups to billion-dollar "unicorns" to the Fortune500. Her work earned her a spot as the youngest honoree on Savoy Magazine’s list of Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America, and set her on the path to discovering her unique purpose as a champion for underrepresented voices.

Ryann Richardson
Monica M. Rivera
Monica M.
Rivera
Marketing Strategist, Clarity Coach, TEDx Speaker, and Founder of YOU WANNA DO WHAT

Monica M. Rivera (she/her) is a captivating speaker, marketer, and coach with over two decades of experience at renowned companies like Citi, Deloitte, Verizon, and SAP. She founded YOU WANNA DO WHAT?!, a coaching consultancy, aiding business professionals in becoming thought leaders. As a sought-after speaker, Monica has spoken at TEDx, The New York Times, Podcast Movement, and various national events, inspiring personal growth, empowerment, and success in individuals and organizations.

Monica M. Rivera
Betsy Ross
Betsy
Ross
President at Game Day Communications, Emmy® Award-Winning Sports Reporter

Betsy M. Ross is the president of Game Day Communications, a media and marketing agency based in Cincinnati. She is an Emmy® award-winning sports reporter and one of the first women to break into national sports news. Ross worked at ESPN for five years as an anchor and continues to be involved in sports broadcasting. She also teaches at the University level and is a former member of the Ball State Alumni Council.

Betsy Ross
Neil Sahota
Neil
Sahota
IBM Master Inventor, AI & Technology Expert, Author

Neil Sahota (萨冠军) is an IBM Master Inventor, United Nations (UN) Advisor, Artificial Intelligence (AI) subject matter expert, Faculty at UC Irvine, and author of Own the A.I. Revolution. With 20+ years of business experience, he works with organizations to create next-generation products/solutions powered by emerging technology.

Neil Sahota
Rodney Sampson
Rodney
Sampson
CEO of Opportunity Hub, Inclusive Startup Ecosystem Builder, Venture Capitalist, Economist

Rodney Sampson, of Opportunity Hub, is heralded as the leading inclusive startup ecosystem builder and is passionate about reducing poverty and wealth gap by advancing the cause of innovation, technology, entrepreneurship and investment as a way of life for all, with an emphasis on socially disadvantaged and under-estimated and sponsored communities in America and beyond.

Rodney Sampson
Dona Sarkar
Dona
Sarkar
Director of Technology for Microsoft Accessibility, Author, BIPOC Woman in Tech Leader

Dona Sarkar is the Director of Tech for Microsoft Accessibility, a BIPOC woman in tech leader, Multi-published author, and Owner of the ethical luxury fashion brand Prima Dona Studios. She was recently named one of Fast Company’s 100 Most Productive People and Cosmopolitan magazine's Businessperson of the Year.

Dona Sarkar
Erin Sarofsky
Erin
Sarofsky
Founder & Executive Creative Director of Sarofsky

Erin Sarofsky is the Founder and Executive Creative Director of Sarofsky, her own design-driven production studio. Her work with a Who's Who list of top-level marketing and entertainment industry executives has her collaborating on main titles for the Marvel blockbusters, among others.

Erin Sarofsky
Lars Schmidt
Lars
Schmidt
Founder of Amplify, Author, Writer, Host of the Redefining HR podcast

Lars Schmidt is the Founder of Amplify, an HR executive search and consulting firm that helps companies build progressive people teams and capabilities. He was named a Top 100 Influencer by HR Examiner and included in The Huffington Post’s Top 100 Most Social HR Experts on Twitter, and named a top 50 recruiting influencer by LinkedIn.

Lars Schmidt
Astrid Scholz
Astrid
Scholz
Serial Entrepreneur in Social Innovation & Systems Change

Dr. Astrid J. Scholz is a serial entrepreneur in social innovation and systems change. As a recovering nonprofit executive turned tech entrepreneur, Astrid is Co-Founder and CFO/COO of Armillaria, and Co-Founder of Zebras Unite. Astrid’s work focuses on democratizing innovation and capital to solve today’s wicked problems.

Astrid Scholz
Greg Schwem
Greg
Schwem
Humorous Corporate Entertainer, Author

Greg Schwem is more than just a business humor keynote speaker and sought after corporate emcee, Greg is also an author, nationally syndicated humor columnist for the Chicago Tribune, award-winning greeting card writer and creator of funnydadinc, voted one of the top Dad humor sites of 2016.

Greg Schwem
Dr. Kryss Shane
Dr. Kryss
Shane
Leading LGBT+ Inclusion Expert, Educator, Consultant, Advocate, Professor & Lecturer, Author

Dr. Kryss Shane, a renowned LGBT+ expert, boasts over 25 years of experience in guiding leaders globally. Featured in The New York Times, ABC News, and more, she specializes in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, helping businesses navigate these areas effectively. Holding a doctorate and multiple master’s degrees, Dr. Shane is an esteemed educator, serving at Columbia University and other institutions. Author of impactful books, including "The Medical Professional's Guide to LGBT+ Inclusion," she advocates for LGBT+ rights and inclusivity on various fronts.

Dr. Kryss Shane
Peter Sheahan
Peter
Sheahan
Founder & CEO of Karrikins Group, C-Suite Advisor, Thought Leader, Author

Peter Sheahan is the founder & Group CEO of Karrikins Group, a C-Suite Advisor, and a bestselling author. Sheahan is also known internationally for his innovative business thinking and thought leadership. With over 120 staff, in 24 cities, across nine countries, Sheahan knows firsthand the challenges of growing a business in these rapidly-changing times. He helps leading brands turn challenges into opportunities and disruption into growth.

Peter Sheahan
Arian Simone
Arian
Simone
Co-Founder & CEO of Fearless Fund, Entrepreneur, Author

Arian Simone is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, investor, best-selling author, and international speaker. She is the Co-Founder and CEO of the Fearless Fund, the First Venture Capital Fund built for WOC by WOC. She has been recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the “100 Women of Impact".

Arian Simone
Jill Sinclair
Jill
Sinclair
Founder Of Hustler Sophisticate Speaker Series, TEDx Speaker, Author, Executive Coach

Jill Sinclair is an executive coach, author, TEDx & international keynote speaker who changes people's lives by challenging their limits. Jill crafts her language and her message so she's speaking to the core of what her audience needs. She Helps her audience to UNCOVER and OVERCOME their success blockers. Jill is the founder of Hustler Sophisticate Speaker Series and Business Bootcamps.

Jill Sinclair
John Sitilides
John
Sitilides
Geopolitical Strategist, Global Affairs, and American Politics Expert

John Sitilides, a Washington D.C. government affairs specialist and diplomacy consultant to the U.S. Department of State, shares his insights into the U.S. and global risk trends, international security flashpoints and geopolitical strategies. He explores the complex geopolitical decisions that impact markets in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, helping clients better understand and mitigate risk.

John Sitilides
Lolita Taub
Lolita
Taub
Latina GP at Ganas Ventures, Community-Driven Investor

Lolita Taub is a GP at Ganas Ventures where she invests in pre-seed and seed community-driven companies in the US and Latin America. She is a woman of color with 13 years in tech, micro-influencer, an international keynote speaker, 2x TEDx speaker whose work in venture capital and tech has been recognized on Forbes, Inc.com, The Huffington Post and Entrepreneur.com among other publications.

Lolita Taub
James Taylor
James
Taylor
An Award-Winning Entrepreneur, Author, and Keynote Speaker on Creativity, Innovation, AI and Sustainability

James Taylor is an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and speaker on creativity, sustainability, innovation, and AI. For over 20 years, he has advised CEOs, entrepreneurs, educators, governments, leaders, writers, and rockstars on how to design innovative organizations, unlock creative potential, and build a sustainable future. He hosts The SuperCreativity Podcast and TV Show, has worked with clients like Apple, Sony, Cisco, and IBM, and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts.

James Taylor
Christopher Thornberg
Christopher
Thornberg
Economist and Founder of Beacon Economics LLC

Christopher Thornberg is the founder of Beacon Economics LLC. He is an expert in economic and revenue forecasting, regional economics, economic policy, and labor and real estate markets. He became nationally known for forecasting the subprime mortgage market crash that began in 2007, and was one of the few economists on record to predict the global economic recession that followed.

Christopher Thornberg
Dan Thurmon
Dan
Thurmon
Award-winning Hall of Fame Speaker, Best Selling Author, Peak Performance Coach, Work-Life Balance, Leadership, and Transformation Expert

Dan Thurmon is the founder and President of Motivation Works, a company that helps leaders and their organizations move confidently through change and transformation, so they become, achieve, and contribute MORE. Dan is a Hall of Fame Speaker, a teacher of peak performance, an author of impactful books, and a lifelong student of success, happiness, and achievement. He’s delivered thousands of presentations across six continents for audiences including world leaders, Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurs, and educators.

Dan Thurmon
Kunbi Tinuoye
Kunbi
Tinuoye
Founder of Urbangeekz, Award-Winning Journalist

Kunbi Tinuoye is an award-winning British-born journalist and broadcaster based in the United States. She is the founder of UrbanGeekz, a groundbreaking video-centric African-American, Latinx, and multicultural digital news platform focused on technology, science, business, and startups.

Kunbi Tinuoye
Dan Walters
Dan
Walters
California Current Events and Politics Expert, Journalist, Author

Dan Walters has been a journalist for nearly 60 years and has written about California and its politics for a number of publications, including the Sacramento Bee and The Wall Street Journal. Mr. Walters frequently appears on CNN, Fox, and other networks, commenting about political developments in California.

Dan Walters
Aniyia Williams
Aniyia
Williams
Creator, Inventor, Tech Changemaker

Aniyia Williams is a systempreneur, creator, inventor, tech changemaker, and investor. She is a principal on the Responsible Technology team at Omidyar Network, and works to help the tech world live up to its promise of changing lives for the better. She served as Executive Director of Black & Brown Founders, co-founder of Zebras Unite, and founded and led the fashion tech company, Tinsel.

Aniyia Williams
Jerry Won
Jerry
Won
Keynote Speaker on Authentic Storytelling, Creator Economy, and the Asian American Experience

Jerry Won is the Founder & CEO of Just Like Media, an Asian American storytelling company, home to popular shows Dear Asian Americans, The Janchi Show, and more. He is a leading voice in the Asian American community and speaks to global audiences on authentic storytelling, the Asian American experience, and his personal journey. He is also Founder & CEO of Always Be Creating, the premier community and events platform for Asian content creators.

Jerry Won
Ramona Wright
Ramona
Wright
TEDx Speaker, Founder, Strategist, Author, Tech Investor, Philanthropist, Coach

Ramona Wright, a TEDx speaker, author, tech investor, producer, tech investor, and philanthropist, has more than 15 years of strategic communication expertise. She’s a trailblazer who taught public relations and social media marketing to more than 200. Ramona is an accomplished speaker who has spoken on behalf of the American Heart Association, Google, and Microsoft. She worked with Emmy, Grammy, and Oscar Award-winning talent.

Ramona Wright