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The lead negotiator behind the historic 2025 Israel-Hamas ceasefire, Brett McGurk shares powerful insights from over two decades as a top national security advisor, serving under four U.S. presidents.

One of the longest-serving and most effective national security experts of his generation, McGurk has been deeply involved in Middle East military strategy, diplomacy and U.S. policy for more than two decades. He has served directly for the last four presidents, negotiated multiple hostage releases, built the international coalition that ultimately defeated ISIS, and engaged regularly and directly with leaders from across the Middle East and around the world.

McGurk offers insight into complex world problems, and how he built successful coalitions, advised four very different presidents, and acted as a steady and reliable leader to resolve seemingly insurmountable conflicts—earning strong bipartisan support in our divisive times. He shares his perspective on the current state of world affairs, the personalities who shape today’s headlines and their impact on industries such as energy, global financial markets, and the U.S. economy.

McGurk’s experiences have led him to some of the world’s most volatile regions. Serving as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Iraq and Afghanistan under President Bush, McGurk helped develop “The Surge,” a fundamental and successful shift in Iraq war strategy. Under President Obama, he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Iraq and Iran, spearheading secret negotiations with Iran that led to the release of six American citizens from the notorious Evin prison. McGurk led sensitive negotiations with Russia on the Syria crisis and shuttled between global capitals to build the largest international coalition in history as well as local armies on the ground to defeat ISIS, serving as Special Presidential Envoy to both President Obama and President Trump.

McGurk served as the top Middle East advisor in the White House for President Biden, including the management of the crisis following the Hamas attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023. He was the lead negotiator on the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release talks, which culminated in a ceasefire and hostage release on January 19, 2025. In the final period of these talks, McGurk invited the incoming administration to participate, a historically unprecedented partnership.

President Bush described McGurk as part of a “band of brothers” inside the White House at a critical phase of the Iraq war. President Obama called him one of his “closest advisors” on the Middle East. Condoleezza Rice referred to him as the “consummate professional diplomat.” The New York Times cited him as “a doer” in high-stakes negotiations.

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Top National Security Advisor to three consecutive U.S. Presidents (2004-2018); Former Special Presidential Envoy leading the Campaign to Defeat ISIS; NBC News/MSNBC Senior Foreign Affairs Analyst

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A Conversation with Brett McGurk
The White House’s top middle east advisor and diplomat Brett McGurk shares his insider’s perspective on the current state of world affairs, the personalities who shape today’s headlines and how this impacts industries such as energy, global financial markets and the U.S. economy. McGurk tailors his presentation for each audience and is available to speak in keynote, moderated question and answer, panel discussion or fireside chat formats.
From the White House to the Front Lines: Fresh Perspectives on Geopolitical Hotspots
Brett McGurk paints a vivid picture of today’s geopolitical climate drawn from firsthand experience serving under Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden. A specialist in the Middle East who built one of the largest coalitions in history to defeat ISIS and who negotiated the long-sought Israel-Hamas cease-fire and hostage release, McGurk provides a rare combination of strategic insight and practical realities. His presentation includes anecdotes from his experiences in some of the world’s most volatile regions—such as spearheading secret negotiations with Iran that led to the release of six American citizens from the notorious Evin prison, leading sensitive negotiating with Russia on the Syria crisis, and shuttling between global capitals to build coalitions to handle life-and-death challenges. His discussions bring to light the impact of diplomacy and the ripple effect of Washington decision-making around the globe.
Four Presidents at War: Leadership Lessons for Keeping Critical Missions on Track
Having the unique distinction of serving as a top national security advisor under four consecutive U.S. Presidents (George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden), Brett McGurk shares his experiences working with four very different Commanders in Chief. McGurk shares unparalleled perspectives regarding the decision-making process of each of the four administrations, particularly in the Middle East. As he covers the transitions from one administration to the next, McGurk highlights mile markers and anecdotes from his accomplished career, including the complex steps he took in the campaign against ISIS and a regional approach to deter Iran and protect Israel following the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023. From the White House to battlefields and palaces across the Middle East, McGurk provides audiences with ideal business illustrations for navigating complexity and uncertainty, setting objectives and achieving successful outcomes.
Negotiating on World Stage: From Drafting Constitutions to Building Coalitions to Releasing Hostages and Ending or Preventing Wars
Offering seasoned perspective in bridging both republican and democrat administrations, McGurk offers unparalleled insights into some of the most high-profile legal issues facing our country—and the world—today. Serving as a top national security advisor under four consecutive U.S. Presidents, Brett McGurk was a masterful negotiator often immersed in matters of complex international law and policy. He has led negotiations with allies and adversaries, including Iran, spearheaded coalition building to defeat ISIS, and led historic negotiations with Saudi Arabia regarding a potential normalization deal with Israel. His most recent position culminated in the successful conclusion of negotiations to secure a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza, a negotiation that spanned multiple capitals over the course of a year.
Early in his career, McGurk he was the Legal Advisor to the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) and helped draft Iraq’s interim constitution. After Columbia Law School, McGurk clerked for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and for U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist. He was at the Supreme Court on September 11, 2001, a date that changed the course of history and also the trajectory of McGurk’s career, beginning with his position in Iraq in early 2004 and then to the White House a year later.

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The White House’s former top Middle East negotiator who secured the historic 2025 ceasefire and hostage release between Israel and Hamas; Esteemed advisor to four consecutive U.S. Presidents

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The former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine and bestselling author of the memoir Lessons from the Edge shares insights on the region and the current crisis as well as experiences from her 33-year career in the U.S. Foreign Service.

Marie Yovanovitch served three times as U.S. Ambassador, most recently in Kyiv as the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine. Previously, she served as U.S. Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic (2005-2008) and the Republic of Armenia (2008-2011). She retired from the Foreign Service in 2020 and is currently a Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and a non-Resident Fellow at the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University.

Born into a family that survived both Soviet and Nazi terror before emigrating to the U.S., Yovanovitch rose to the top of her profession in the crucible of the former USSR. Following early assignments in Moscow, London, Ottawa, and Mogadishu, she served as Deputy Director of the Russia Desk and then, as a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, she was named Deputy Chief in Ukraine. Within the Department of State, Ambassador Yovanovitch has worked on the Russia desk, the Office of European Security Affairs, and the Operations Center. She also served as the Dean of the School of Language Studies at the Foreign Service Institute, U.S. Department of State and as the Deputy Commandant and International Advisor at the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, National Defense University.

Ambassador Yovanovitch earned the Senior Foreign Service Performance Award eight times and the State Department’s Superior Honor Award on nine occasions. She is the recipient of two Presidential Distinguished Service Awards and the Secretary’s Diplomacy in Human Rights Award. Following her retirement, Ambassador Yovanovitch received the Trainor Award for Excellence in the Conduct of Diplomacy from Georgetown University, the inaugural Richard G. Lugar Award from Indiana University, the 2020 PEN/Benenson Courage Award from Pen/America, the Morgenthau Award from the Armenian Assembly of America, the American Spirit Award for Distinguished Public Service from the Common Good, and the Paul H. Douglas Award for Ethics in Government.

In early 2022, Marie Yovanovitch’s memoir, Lessons From The Edge, was an instant New York Times bestseller. The late Madeleine Albright called the book “A brilliant, engaging, and inspiring memoir from one of America’s wisest and most courageous diplomats—essential reading for current policymakers, aspiring public servants, and anyone who cares about America’s role in the world.”

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Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch, Business Speaker, Keppler Speakers Bureau

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Lessons from the Edge: A Conversation with Former U.S. Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch

In a moderated question and answer format, Marie Yovanovitch, former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine and New York Times bestselling author of the memoir Lessons from the Edge draws on her decades of experience in Ukraine, Russia, and the many other countries that emerged from the former Soviet Union, to share her insights on the region and the current crisis, as well as experiences from her 33-year career in the U.S. Foreign Service.

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Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine; NYT Bestselling Author of Lessons from the Edge

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Jennifer Granholm is an American lawyer, educator, author and politician who served most recently as the 16th United States Secretary of Energy, and previously as the two-term governor of Michigan.

As governor, she spearheaded Michigan’s economic recovery after the Great Recession by diversifying the state’s economy to focus on clean energy.

As Secretary of Energy (2021-2025), Granholm restructured the U.S. Department of Energy to focus on research and development of advanced clean energy solutions and deployment of zero-carbon technologies. She oversaw $200 billion of U.S. DOE investments into companies and projects to accelerate the clean energy transition.

During her tenure as Secretary, the country saw record deployment of clean energy — adding the equivalent of 30 Hoover Dams of zero-carbon energy to the nation’s electricity grid in 2024, more than twice as much solar power deployed as ever before.

Granholm serves in the board of Edison International and is the CEO of Granholm Energy, LLC advising businesses and organizations on clean energy solutions.

An honors graduate of Harvard Law School (1987), she is the author of A Governor's Story: The Fight for Jobs and America’s Economic Future. Granholm was named in 2024 to the Time 100 Most Influential People list, and Forbes’ list of Top Climate Leaders.

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Former Two-Term Governor of Michigan and CNN Senior Political Commentator

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A Conversation with Jennifer Granholm
Available in a keynote, fireside chat, or Q&A format—or paired with another speaker for a powerful point-counterpoint discussion—Jennifer Granholm draws from her history-shaping career as U.S. Secretary of Energy, Governor of Michigan, and Michigan Attorney General to provide a unique insider’s view into both policy and action. Tailoring her presentation for each audience, Jennifer shares actionable insights on how energy policy and technology drive innovation, shape industries, and create opportunities in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
Lead, Women, Lead!
Jennifer Granholm, former U.S. Secretary of Energy and Michigan’s first female Governor and Attorney General, knows what it takes to lead through adversity. Drawing on her trailblazing career, Granholm combines compelling stories, practical insights, and powerful data to inspire and empower women in leadership roles. With actionable takeaways on navigating challenges, driving change, and embracing bold decisions, this keynote challenges women to raise their hands, break barriers, and lead with confidence and purpose.

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Former U.S. Secretary of Energy and First Female Governor of Michigan; One of TIME’s Most Influential People 2024

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A groundbreaking figure in the history of American space exploration, Captain Scott Kelly shares invaluable insights on leadership and teamwork, resilience, and embracing failure to achieve personal and professional goals.

Holding the record for the single longest mission of an American astronaut in space, Captain Scott Kelly draws from his epic life journey to help individuals and organizations redefine and reach beyond their limits. With stories from his rough-and-tumble childhood in New Jersey as the son of two police officers, Scott Kelly shares how despite starting out life as a poor student, he was able to become a U.S. Navy fighter pilot flying the F-14 Tomcat, and then a test pilot, and finally a NASA astronaut.

When he and his twin brother, Mark, were selected to become astronaut candidates in April of 1996, they were the first relatives ever selected. After completing his training, Scott became the first American in his class of 44 prospective astronauts assigned to a space flight as the pilot of STS-103, an emergency repair mission to the Hubble Space telescope in 1999. On his second mission, Scott was assigned to command space shuttle mission STS-118, a rare feat given that most shuttle commanders are assigned after two flights as a pilot.

Scott recounts the challenges that he and his crew faced on his four missions to space and shares the traits that helped him overcome those obstacles. With humor and visual storytelling, he describes the effects of isolation, the physical impact on the body and the psychological pressures of living in a confined space. He vividly describes the many dangers—from the constant risk of collision with space debris to the potential for depressurization, fire, or system failures — any of which could have meant catastrophe. He shows how preparation, attention to detail and teamwork can make the difference between life and death—success and failure for a team

Scott Kelly is the author of two New York Times bestsellers, including his memoir, Endurance: A Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery, and the companion collection of images published as Infinite Wonder: An Astronaut's Photographs from a Year in Space. He is also author of advice book Ready for Launch: An Astronaut’s Lessons for Success on Earth, and two children’s books, My Journey to the Stars and Goodnight, Astronaut.

Scott Kelly’s story is featured in the award-winning TIME and PBS documentaries A Year in Space and in the theatrical release from Universal Pictures of the 2021 documentary The Wonderful: Stories from the Space Station. In 2021, he was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

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History-Making NASA Astronaut; First to Complete a Year-in-Space Mission

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The Sky Is Not the Limit
During his record-breaking Year in Space, U.S. astronaut Scott Kelly captivated the world while laying the groundwork for the future of space travel and exploration. And while science was at the core of Kelly’s groundbreaking expedition, it is his life lessons and personal stories from 229 miles above Earth—and the path that led him there—that offer unique perspective on embracing risk and discovering one’s true potential to achieve the impossible. Drawing from his epic life journey and the extraordinary experience of living in isolation for a year, Kelly provides invaluable lessons in leadership and teamwork, as well as strategies for managing anxiety and stress in uncertain times. An American hero whose contribution to humanity is as far-reaching as his story, Captain Kelly is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
Failure IS an Option: Transforming Setbacks into Success
Although the world knows Captain Scott Kelly as the history-making, record-breaking U.S. astronaut who successfully completed a year in space, he’s grappled with plenty of failure in his life. By embracing failure, however, he unlocked repeated success. Captain Kelly shares candid, inspiring, and often hilarious stories from his own epic life journey, as well as vivid examples of groundbreakers ranging from Albert Einstein to Elon Musk. He provides audiences with compelling insights on how failure is an essential step in the process of achieving lasting resilience, and continuous personal and professional growth. He reveals how organizations that recognize and embrace failure as part of their process create a culture where employees and teams can bring their best ideas — allowing them to think differently, be more inventive, and discover remarkably innovative solutions. By confronting our setbacks and allowing ourselves to “fail forward,” we unlock deeper strengths and gain powerful new focus on our individual and team goals.

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History-making NASA astronaut; Real-life hero whose bestselling memoir was optioned for a major motion picture by Sony

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Aron Ralston's extraordinary story of survival after an 800-pound boulder trapped him in a remote Utah canyon captured global headlines in 2003. In his New York Times best seller, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, the Oscar-nominated film, 127 Hours, and on stage, Ralston takes audiences vicariously through those six days without water, means of communication, or hope of escape, to the ecstatic moments when he freed himself by severing his own arm.

Following a miraculous rescue spearheaded by his mom and with the aid of prosthetics he helped design, Aron returned to his outdoor passions, completing elite mountaineering projects which remain unrepeated even to this day. He has interviewed with Tom Brokaw, David Letterman, and Jay Leno, and received standing ovations and industry-leading testimonials from over five hundred groups around the world. Attendees credit Ralston's story with encouraging them through disease, disability, and loss, even saving their lives from suicide and depression.

Aron's incredible triumph in the face of insurmountable odds inspires audiences to harness the power of their deepest motivations, relationships, and mindset to transform personal and professional \"boulders\" into their blessings. Today, Ralston continues to pursue high-altitude adventures, advocates for wilderness protection, and tries to keep up with his two spirited children, Leo and Elisabetta.

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As depicted in the film, 127 Hours, this courageous adventurer’s compelling story of survival against all odds inspires others to harness their inner strength to overcome life’s adversities.

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Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Turning Adversity to Advantage
\"You know me as the guy who cut his arm off. But this is the story of the guy who was smiling when he cut his arm off,\" explains Aron Ralston, who faced 6 days of unimaginable adversity with surprising gratitude. An extraordinary example of the human spirit pushed to the extreme, Aron's legendary tale of survival and post-traumatic growth personifies resilience, perseverance, and the power of our minds.
Using evocative detail and bright humor, Ralston captivates and transports audiences into the intense darkness of his entrapment, through to the euphoric release of his amputation. In his adept storytelling, the boulder that crushed his arm becomes a metaphor for the adversity we all experience in our personal and professional lives. Aron urges us to reframe those challenges as the crucibles which clarify what's important to us and what's possible for us. Ralston's thesis is that, while we can't always control what happens to us, we can control how we respond, and he openly shares how that philosophy guided him through his recovery in 2003, as well as his later experiences with depression and divorce, and, more recently, the death of his father.
Aron teaches simple steps for embracing a crisis, rather than resisting it. He reminds us to breathe deeply and connect with our most profound motivations -- not just the will to live, but the will to love -- in order to find our courage. Ralston emphasizes how compassionate accountability for our mistakes enables us to choose a future of growth, resilience and thereby discover gratitude for the hardship we encounter, as it can both strengthen and soften us. At a time when life's boulders are more intense than ever, Aron Ralston helps us each find the possibility in our problems, the transformation in our traumas, and the blessings in our boulders.

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Fearless Adventurer & Subject of the Film, 127 Hours inspires audiences to transform personal and professional \"boulders\" into blessings.

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Demystifying and harnessing the power of generative AI, Trent Gillespie helps organizations drive growth and unlock new opportunities for innovation.

Trent Gillespie doesn’t just talk about AI—he’s built and led AI-powered innovations at the highest levels. With over 25 years of experience driving transformative change, and nearly a decade at Amazon driving its global expansion, Last Mile innovation, and Alexa AI privacy efforts, Trent has shaped AI strategies that impact millions worldwide.

Now, as CEO of Stellis AI, he works directly with executives to turn AI potential into real business results. He’s the architect behind the AI Flywheel™ and AI SPRINT™ frameworks—Amazon-inspired, battle-tested approaches that help organizations harness AI for innovation, growth, and competitive advantage.

More than just another AI speaker, Trent brings real-world, hands-on experience to the stage, delivering high-energy keynotes filled with practical insights and strategies—offering a grounded, expert perspective that cuts through the noise.

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Winning with AI: How to Build an AI-Enabled, High-Growth Business
In today’s fast-paced business environment, leveraging generative AI isn’t just a trend— it’s a game changer. With potential productivity boosts of up to 200% and $14 trillion in new value on the horizon, businesses face a crucial decision: adapt or fall behind. Yet, many leaders are stuck navigating a sea of hype without clear, actionable guidance on integrating AI effectively.
Join Trent Gillespie in this engaging keynote, where he cuts through the noise to deliver practical steps for transforming your business into a powerhouse of AI-driven growth and innovation. Drawing on his vast experience—from spearheading global growth at Amazon to leading Stellis AI’s cutting-edge AI advisory work—Trent demystifies generative AI. Attendees will learn how to implement AI in their business with the AI SPRINT™ framework, turning uncertainty into scalable growth and long-term success
Inside Amazon’s Innovation Machine: Building a Culture of Relentless Growth
For over 30 years, Amazon has set the gold standard for innovation, reshaping industries and redefining how we live and work. Through his leadership in global expansion and major innovation programs, Trent Gillespie had a front-row seat to Amazon’s groundbreaking strategies. He witnessed how Amazon thought big, made bold decisions, and built a system for continuous innovation.
Now, Trent is sharing these insights to help businesses replicate Amazon’s innovation DNA. This keynote unveils Amazon’s systematic approach to innovation—providing a roadmap for any company looking to drive breakthrough ideas and sustained growth. Attendees will gain a deep understanding of Amazon’s 'Working Backwards' methodology, its Leadership Principles, and decision-making strategies that fuel continuous innovation.
Unleash the AI Flywheel: Leverage AI and Amazon’s Principles to Win in the AI Era
AI is the new engine of business growth. In this keynote, former Amazon executive and AI transformation strategist Trent Gillespie unveils The AI Flywheel™, an Amazon inspired framework for building self-sustaining, high-innovation companies powered by AI. Drawing from his experience driving global innovation, growth and AI efforts at Amazon, Trent breaks down how it became an innovation machine—and how other companies can apply AI to achieve similar success.
Attendees will learn how to apply the AI Flywheel to their companies, to design AI driven organizations that foster continuous innovation, accelerate decision-making, and scale smarter. This keynote also includes a look into Amazon’s renowned \"Working Backwards\" innovation process—reimagined for the AI era. Attendees will leave empowered to make immediate impact, starting their journey to create a highly innovative, AI-enabled business.
Unlock Growth with AI
AI isn’t just a tool—it’s a game-changer for growth and innovation. Yet, many employees feel overwhelmed or uncertain about how to harness its potential in their roles. This talk delivers clear, actionable steps to move from inaction to impact, helping teams eliminate bottlenecks, ignite innovation, and unlock transformative growth.
In this keynote, Trent Gillespie—former Amazon executive and CEO of Stellis AI—will illuminate how employees at all levels can leverage AI to make a tangible difference in their organizations. Drawing on his unique Amazon experience and working every day with businesses to harness AI, Trent will tailor his insights to the unique needs of each audience, providing clear, actionable strategies to help teams innovate and drive growth.
Power Up with an AI + Innovation Workshop
Trent provides engaging and impactful executive-level on-site and virtual workshops to inspire leaders and their teams to improve innovation and transition into AI-powered companies. All workshops are customized to the specific group and goals, to ensure a high-impact result. Consider Trent for leadership and team offsites, quarterly events, company or group All-Hands meetings, or a leadership or team workshop. Workshops can also be added to keynote presentation. Fees vary by workshop and audience.

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Former Head of Amazon’s Global Growth, Delivery Innovation, and Alexa AI Privacy, Stellis AI CEO

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An award-winning journalist, New York Times bestselling author, and one of the most recognized voices in radio, Michele Norris engages audiences in candid discussion about current events, social issues, and bridging the divide in America.

From the radio airwaves of NPR to The Washington Post to her current role as MSNBC Senior Contributor, Michele Norris is one of the most trusted voices in American journalism.

For a decade, as host of National Public Radio’s longest-running program, “All Things Considered,” she captivated audiences nationwide while earning some of journalism’s highest honors. As a Washington Post Opinions Columnist, Norris sparked important dialogue on current events, social issues and the power to make change. At MSNBC she brings her compelling insights to cover current events as a Senior Contributing Editor.

Norris is also host of “Your Mama’s Kitchen,” an acclaimed podcast produced by Barack and Michelle Obama’s media company. With an incredible range of guests including actors, authors, chefs, and musicians, she explores family histories, memories, and cultures through rich conversations flowing from the simple prompt: “Tell me about your mama’s kitchen.”

On stage, Norris inspires open and honest dialogue, with memorable stories and fascinating perspectives drawn from her personal journey, investigative research, and interviews with world leaders, Nobel Laureates and influential newsmakers. She makes complex and taboo issues remarkably accessible. Audiences walk away empowered to stimulate discussion around challenging topics within their communities.

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Washington Post Opinions Columnist, Former NPR Host and Special Correspondent, and Founding Director of “The Race Card Project”

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The Race Card Project - Eavesdropping on America's Conversation on Race
Join us for a discussion on race and identity in America, with Peabody Award-winning journalist Michele Norris, founder of The Race Card Project™. The Race Card Project creates sturdy cultural bridges through candid conversation using real stories on race, culture and identity. In 2010, former NPR journalist Michele Norris began inviting people to distill their thoughts on the word race to only six words. Since then, The Race Card Project™ has collected more than 500,000 “postcards” from all 50 states and 96 countries. People often send backstories and photos to share more about what is behind their six-word statements. Many of these essays contain sentiments and hard truths rarely expressed out loud. Today, these powerful six-word memoirs kickstart honest conversations that leave people with a better sense of each other, and themselves, through a variety of tools and resources. The goal is to tap into the stories, people and threads that make up our complex cultural landscape and then engage people to talk across difference, race, inclusion and identity.
The Grace of Silence and the Power of Words
Award-winning journalist Michele Norris's 2010 book The Grace of Silence started out as a quest to uncover how America talked about race in the wake of the Obama presidential election. What resulted was what Norris calls an \"accidental memoir.\" Named one of the year's best books by The Christian Science Monitor, the book became an eye-opening family history lesson revealing her own family's racial legacy and the larger conversation surrounding race in America. The book has also led to the spinoff blog \"The Race Card Project\" and a deeper look at our attitudes and beliefs about race.
If You Meant It Then You Should Have Put a Stamp On It
In this unique presentation, Michele Norris examines how old fashioned handwritten letters have helped define what is best about America, and explores how we hold on to that in the age of email, Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr. This refreshing talk looks at the profound impact and importance of letters written by presidents, CEOs, sportsmen, soldiers, pioneer women and pioneering scientists -- and examines how we communicate today and what it may tell us about our tomorrow.

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Washington Post columnist, former NPR All Things Considered host and author of the forthcoming book Our Hidden Conversations: What Americans Really Think About Race (January 2024)

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The subject of a major motion picture starring Jennifer Lopez and Jharrel Jerome, Anthony Robles shares his extraordinary, against-all-odds story of becoming a three-time NCAA champion wrestler, despite being born with one leg.

Lighting up the stage with his authentic positivity and charisma, Anthony shares with audiences his personal strategies for success: A limitless belief in self, unrelenting determination, and the motivation to do things no one ever thought possible.

The recipient of the “Jimmy V Perseverance Award” at the ESPN ESPYs and the NFL’s “Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award,” Anthony is a Nike athlete, the first signed to an agreement after having retired from active participation in a sport. He is currently ESPN's NCAA wrestling analyst and expert, and the wrestling analyst for the Pac-12 Network as well. He was inducted to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame; appointed by President Obama as a member of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition; and was a member of the Presidential Delegation to the 2014 Sochi Paralympic Games.

Anthony’s incredible story was chronicled in the acclaimed film based on his memoir, Unstoppable, produced by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s production company in partnership with Amazon MGM Studios. The film opened to wide acclaim at the Toronto International Film Festival 2024 and was hailed as “Nothing short of extraordinary” by Variety.

* In partnership with Washington Speakers Bureau *

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Inspiring NCAA Wrestling Champion, National Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee, and subject of the upcoming film, Unstoppable, released in 2020

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Anthony Robles, Corporate Speaker, Keppler Speakers Bureau

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Be Unstoppable: Wrestling With Life’s Challenges On & Off The Mat
Anthony Robles was born without a right leg, yet he never let disability stop him from achieving his dreams. With unrelenting determination—and the belief that he could do anything—he defied all odds and became a champion collegiate wrestler, competing against able-bodied athletes. An NCAA Division I Champion, three-time All-American, and a recipient of the ESPY Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, Anthony inspires others to believe that they too can overcome the odds. In this moving, awe-inspiring presentation, Anthony shares his extraordinary life story—now chronicled on the big screen in a major motion picture starring Jennifer Lopez and Jharrel Jerome—and illustrates how perseverance, hard work, and a strong belief in yourself can not only lead you to success, but make you unstoppable.

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Inspiring NCAA Wrestling Champion, National Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee, and subject of the film, Unstoppable

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Sharing never-before-told anecdotes, Paul Whelan recounts his harrowing journey as a hostage in Putin’s Russia—enduring human rights abuses while fighting for freedom and justice from behind enemy lines.

On December 28, 2018, Paul Whelan was traveling in Russia for a friend’s wedding when he was framed for espionage and arrested in his hotel room. Thus began a harrowing journey of unwavering resilience, patriotism, and survival that spanned five years, seven months, and five days of unlawful imprisonment—before his emotional return home in the most historic prisoner swap since the Cold War.

From torture by sleep deprivation in a filthy prison cell to harassment in a forced labor camp, the trauma Paul faced was substantial. But by forming crucial alliances and communicating with fellow prisoners, guards, and other Americans detained nearby, Paul was able to learn and share invaluable resources and information about the War in Ukraine and other global events—and was able to ultimately fight for his own release.

Drawing from his remarkable story, Paul inspires audiences to overcome their own most difficult obstacles, providing strategies for mental resilience and goal-setting. He also brings a wealth of experience in corporate security, expertly blending risk management with strategic insights to safeguard organizational integrity and enhance operational resilience. He applies the leadership and team-building principles he learned while detained to the corporate world—emphasizing that building strong alliances and learning to communicate mindfully with others is essential for success.

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The Human Spirit Unbroken: A Journey of Strength and Resilience
Sharing previously untold details of the story that swept the globe, Paul Whelan recounts his harrowing journey as a hostage wrongfully detained in Putin’s Russia for five years, seven months, and five days. From being framed and arrested while traveling in Russia for a friend’s wedding; to the sleep deprivation torture and harassment in a forced Labor Camp; to the crucial alliances and information-swapping with fellow prisoners and nearby American detainees, Paul shares the intriguing anecdotes and smart goal-setting strategies that ultimately led to his emotional return home, inspiring audiences to overcome their own most difficult obstacles and achieve success.
Global Security and Risk Management: How to Safeguard Your Employees and Organizational Integrity
Bringing a wealth of experience in corporate security, Paul Whelan expertly blends risk management with strategic insights to safeguard organizational integrity and enhance operational resilience. He also includes tips for safe international travel, the most up-to-date State Department recommendations, and steps to take in the rare event you or your employee is arrested or detained abroad.
Leadership and Team-Building: How Key Alliances and Smart Communication Saved My Life—and Can Save Your Business
While held hostage in a Russian prison and labor camp for more than five and a half years, Paul Whelan formed crucial alliances with fellow prisoners, guards, and other American detainees held nearby. Through smart strategizing, information-gathering, and resourceful communication methods, Paul was able to learn and share invaluable information about the War in Ukraine and other global events. In this keynote he applies the principles he learned to businesses, emphasizing that building strong teams and forming mindful, respectful bonds with others is essential for success.
An Unforgettable Conversation with Paul Whelan: Resilience, Leadership, and Survival
Experience an intimate, dynamic conversation tailored specifically to your audience. Guided by an interviewer, Paul will share candid, never-before-heard insights into his extraordinary ordeal, his mental fortitude, and the life-changing lessons he learned—applicable to any challenge. It’s more than just a conversation; it’s a powerful masterclass in resilience, strategy, and leadership and a thought-provoking experience.

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Igniting Confidence and Transforming Leaders Juan Bendana is a powerhouse speaker, dynamic entrepreneur, and elite coach trusted by top CEOs, Olympians, Grammy-winning artists, actors, and Fortune 100 leaders.

Known as the ultimate \"confidence expert,\" Juan’s insights have reshaped leadership in globally recognized organizations by helping leaders close the gap between their self-image and their goals. Drawing from his journey of overcoming social anxiety and low confidence, Juan created The Confidence Cycle—a proven, science-backed framework empowering leaders to lead boldly, thrive through change, and ignite extraordinary growth. His new book, Confident by Choice: The Three Small Decisions that Build Everyday Energy (August 2025), is a game-changer for anyone looking to unlock their full potential. With energy, authenticity, and actionable tools, Juan equips audiences with the confidence they need to shatter limitations, embrace transformation, and achieve the extraordinary. Confidence isn’t just Juan’s expertise—it’s the X-factor that propels organizations and individuals to their next level.

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Lead Through Change: How to Build Confidence, Develop Trust and Inspire Authentic Leadership
The pace of change in today’s world is relentless—disruption, uncertainty, and unexpected challenges are the new normal. Traditional leadership methods are no longer effective; they leave teams feeling disconnected, uninspired, and stuck. But what if uncertainty wasn’t something to fear but a catalyst for growth and transformation? In this dynamic and high- energy keynote, Juan Bendana delivers a blueprint for thriving in the face of change. Drawing from his work with Fortune 100 leaders and top-performing teams, Juan inspires attendees to embrace uncertainty by showing up with authenticity, leading with confidence, and inspiring a deep sense of trust.
The Confidence Cycle: The Secret for Everyday Engagement and Motivation
Change is no longer an occasional challenge—it’s the new normal. In a world where uncertainty and increasing demands dominate, leaders and teams often feel overwhelmed and disengaged. But these challenges also present a powerful opportunity to grow, adapt, and thrive. Based on his work with top CEOs, Olympians, and Fortune 100 leaders, Juan Bendana delivers the tools to transform moments of uncertainty into catalysts for growth, engagement, and high performance. Drawing from his ground-breaking research of over 250,000 leaders, Juan equips attendees with actionable tools to overcome imposter syndrome, elevate confidence, re-energize teams, and embrace change with trust and authenticity. Through inspiring stories, humor, practical insights, and audience interaction, this keynote will prepare leaders and teams to break through barriers of self-doubt, cultivate motivation and ignite excitement for the future. Juan’s dynamic delivery will leave your team feeling inspired, engaged, and ready to tackle their biggest goals with renewed energy and optimism—no matter what the future holds.
Make Confidence your Competitive Advantage: Break Through Performance Barriers to Reach the Next Level
Unlocking the next level performance requires more than just ambition; it demands action. But with changing customer expectations, leaders are struggling to be effective and as a result, have lost the motivation to reach new heights. The old approach to growth is a thing of the past. And while many hold on to the way things used to be, in order to exponentially grow, we must adopt a new mindset. Drawing from his work with category leading companies such as Disney, American Express and Zillow, Juan empowers leaders to set clear and actionable goals with confidence, turning today’s barriers into tomorrow’s breakthroughs. This high-energy keynote will help your people identify the barriers to growth and provide the actionable tools to move through them with confidence. All high performers understand this simple truth: Confidence is our competitive advantage. Whether you’re heading into a negotiation or presenting why you and your team are the right choice, confidence is required to convey and deliver outstanding value. Through engaging stories and actionable strategies, your audience will learn how to continuously find growth opportunities and how raising the standard to extraordinary can unlock another level of performance. It’s time to raise the bar.

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When Vishal Amin takes the stage, audiences hear from a battlefield-hardened strategist and global security leader whose personal data was hacked—landing him on an ISIS kill list, forcing him out of the military, and fueling a gripping, high-stakes masterclass in resilience, risk, leadership, and real-world cyber defense.

As an Executive Leader within Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity and National Security at Microsoft - one of the world’s largest cybersecurity companies, and founder of the Spades Institute, Vishal's journey is anything but ordinary. A former F-18 fighter pilot and U.S. Marine Corps Special Operations Officer, his military career took a dramatic turn in 2014 when his personal identifiable information was compromised in a classified data breach. The exposure led to his inclusion on an ISIS kill list, necessitating immediate protective measures and forcing him to leave active service. This life-altering event marked his transition from the front lines of kinetic warfare to the front lines of digital defense.

That crucible moment launched a new mission—one grounded in defending not only national security but corporate resilience. Today, Vishal is one of the most sought-after voices in cybersecurity, advising top federal agencies, Fortune 100 companies, and global institutions on AI-driven security, compliance, and threat mitigation. His leadership has helped reshape Microsoft’s federal and enterprise security strategies, driving innovation and trust at scale. But beyond the boardroom, Vishal delivers something rare: authenticity, gravitas, and real-world urgency. His keynotes are more than talks—they’re strategic briefings, infused with hard-earned wisdom, gripping storytelling, and leadership lessons forged in the crosshairs of global conflict. When Vishal speaks, the room leans in—because he’s lived the threat, led through the storm, and emerged with a blueprint for resilience in a world where cyber is the new battlefield.

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Lessons from the Ready Room: Leading Through Chaos with Clarity, Courage, and Culture
What does it take to lead when the stakes are sky-high, and failure isn’t an option? Vishal Amin brings the hard-earned lessons of the fighter pilot’s ready room and special operations missions to today’s corporate battlefield—where uncertainty, pressure, and complexity define the new normal. Blending riveting storytelling with actionable frameworks, he shares how elite teams build trust, make bold decisions fast, and create a culture of accountability that endures under fire. This keynote strips leadership down to its essentials—and rebuilds it for the speed and scale of the modern enterprise. It's not just about leading people—it's about preparing them to lead themselves when it matters most.
The Cybersecurity Trust Imperative: How to Lead, Defend, and Win in the Age of Digital Adversaries
In a world where cyberattacks are relentless and trust is currency, Vishal Amin delivers a high-voltage masterclass on what it really takes to protect critical infrastructure at scale. Drawing from his rare fusion of combat-tested military strategy and frontline experience with billion-dollar security operations at Microsoft, Amin unpacks the real threats most leaders don’t see coming—and how to outmaneuver them. From digital twins to offensive cyber, he reveals how to think like an adversary, act like a strategist, and lead like everything is on the line—because it is. This isn’t a lecture; it’s a wake-up call for every executive or manager responsible for protecting their people, data, and mission.
The Future of AI: Balancing Innovation, Responsibility and Human Impact
AI is changing everything—but without trust, it changes nothing. In this provocative and visionary keynote, Vishal Amin explores how leaders can harness the full power of artificial intelligence without crossing ethical or regulatory red lines. With deep national security experience and a front-row seat to Microsoft’s AI transformation, Vishal shares how to build user-first AI cultures that move fast and responsibly. This is the blueprint for future-ready leadership—where innovation, compliance, and integrity aren’t at odds but in sync. For companies or organizations betting big on AI, this is your strategic playbook.
Additional Speech Topics and Areas of Expertise
In addition to above topics, Vishal can also address:
- Lessons from the Ready Room: A Conversation on Building Culture.
- “NIPLOC” - Candid conversations from the cockpit: Vishal brings audience members onstage and into conversations that have never been told.
- The Cybersecurity Trust Imperative: Protecting Our Critical Infrastructure.
- Additional Areas of Expertise include: Defining Leadership; Military & Veteran Engagement; Cloud Technology & Strategy; National Security; Risk Management; Digital Transformation; and Organizational Culture & Trust.

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Heather R Younger, J.D. is a trusted contributor to leading news outlets, like Forbes, Fast Company, Bloomberg, NBC and ABC and one of the world’s leading experts on Caring Leadership® and active listening at work.

She is the visionary Founder and CEO of Employee Fanatix, a preeminent employee engagement and workplace culture consulting firm to Fortune 100 companies. Employee Fanatix conducts annual research on workplace culture, relying on employee voices for what is relevant now, to help companies redefine their culture strategy. Heather has personally read over 30,000 employee surveys and facilitated over 100 employee focus groups, including her signature “Art of Active Listening Sessions.”

With over 25 years of successfully managing teams, she has worked in customer experience, sales, and large account management for multi-million dollar accounts and multiple industries such as tech, staffing, healthcare, professional services, the public sector, and the financial sector. She's a renowned keynote speaker, drawing insights from current data and putting into practice what she teaches in her Caring Leadership Transformation Model™.

Heather is an award-winning leader in the area of Employee Engagement as recognized by Inspiring Workplaces, is a LinkedIn Learning course partner, 3-time best-selling author, TEDX speaker, and the host of the popular, Leadership with Heart podcast.

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Heather Younger, Leadership Speaker, Keppler Speakers Bureau

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The Self-Leadership Imperative: Turning Personal Growth into Collective Impact
In this empowering program, Heather R Younger guides leaders to take ownership of their professional growth and navigate challenging situations with resilience. Through The Self-Leadership Imperative, leaders will learn to take control of their own paths, transforming the way they inspire and uplift their teams.
This keynote is ideal for managers, executives, directors, founders, and other business professionals who are:
- Prioritizing personal and professional growth as an essential part of leadership development Seeking to create intentional workplace relationships and set clear expectations
- Focused on enhancing their ability to inspire, engage, and drive their teams toward organizational success
Audience Takeaways:
- The Self-Leadership Framework – A proven model to stay strong, flexible, and focused through change
- Progress Over Perfection – A mindset shift to embrace growth, adaptability, and continuous improvement A Self-Empowerment Toolkit – How to take control of your career trajectory and leadership influence How to Foster a Culture of Resilience
The High-Performance Culture Code: Where Compassion Ignites Engagement and Results
The leaders people remember most aren’t just smart — they’re Caring Leaders. They create cultures where people feel seen, heard, and valued. And when leaders lead with care, it doesn’t just feel good — it delivers results.
In this powerful keynote backed by her book, Heather R Younger reveals how compassion, accountability, and a deep commitment to belonging fuel innovation, boost retention, and unlock peak performance. It’s a blueprint for building energized, high-performing teams — even in times of uncertainty and change.
This program is perfect for leaders and team members:
- Want to build an agile workplace that attracts and keeps top talent
- Are navigating change and looking to keep employees engaged and motivated Believe well-being is a strategy, not a soft skill
The audience will leave with:
- A High-Performance Culture Roadmap – Practical steps to create an engaged, results-driven workforce
- Proven Strategies to Improve Employee Retention and Productivity – Reduce burnout, turnover, and disengagement.
- Tangible Actions to Drive Employee Motivation & Peak Performance – Unlock discretionary effort and build loyalty Leadership Presence & Influence – Techniques to communicate with authenticity, empathy, and authority.

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From shaping the voices of prime ministers to advising top CEOs, Allison Shapira is the trusted authority in transforming leaders and organizations through the art of powerful communication.

As a leader, your voice matters. Your ability to enter a room with presence and speak in a way that commands attention helps you build trust with clients and colleagues and directly influences your leadership trajectory. In an age of artificial intelligence, constant disruption, and rapid change, authentic communication is no longer a “soft skill” — it’s a business imperative. When used strategically, AI can help leaders clarify their message, scale trust, and lead with greater presence, empathy, and impact. Whether you’re speaking to your team, your board, or your clients, it’s your voice which is your most valuable leadership asset.

Allison Shapira helps leaders tap into that power. An adjunct lecturer at the Harvard Kennedy School, former opera singer, and Founder/CEO of Global Public Speaking, Allison has spent over 20 years working with Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and nonprofits around the world. She equips leaders with the tools to communicate authentically, confidently, and effectively — in person, online, or in partnership with AI. Her book, Speak with Impact: How to Command the Room and Inﬂuence Others, was a Washington Post bestseller. Her forthcoming book is entitled AI for the Authentic Leader: How AI Can Help You Lead with Confidence, Clarity, and Influence (Fall 2025).

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Allison Shapira, Leadership Speaker, Keppler Speakers Bureau

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Lead with Your Voice: Developing Inspired and Purpose-Driven Leaders
Throughout history, leaders have used their voices to inspire audiences and mobilize action. Words can be used to command, comfort, and ignite. As one of the world’s foremost experts on communication and leadership, Allison Shapira teaches audiences how to lead with their voice in order to build trust with clients, colleagues, and other critical stakeholders. Drawing upon her expertise, Allison weaves together a powerful approach to using your voice. She introduces her innovative ACE Model of leadership communication—Authenticity, Clarity, and Energy—offering practical strategies to enhance daily interactions and amplify impact. Key takeaways include the following and can be customized for any audience:
Authenticity – Speak with confidence by aligning your words with your purpose, ensuring both authenticity and persuasiveness;
Clarity – In a world of distractions, brevity is power. Master the art of clear, concise communication, even in uncertainty; and,
Energy – Your presence shapes the room. Learn to harness and project your best energy for maximum influence.
AI & The Authentic Leader: How AI Can Help You Lead with Confidence, Clarity, and Influence
Artificial intelligence is already changing how we communicate. Can it actually make us more authentic and more creative than ever before? In this eye-opening presentation, Allison Shapira draws from her own research and experiences to share how personalized AI tools can help us tap into our creativity, stories, and values, so we can supercharge our authenticity.
She’ll discuss the benefits and risks of AI—and show audiences how they can use it in ethical, effective, and powerful ways to make us better as humans. Key Takeaways from this presentation include a clear understanding of how to use AI ethically in daily communication practices; practical techniques for leveraging AI to enhance personal authenticity and creativity; and strategies for building confidence in communication style by embracing AI as a thought partner. This presentation can be customized for any audience.

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The visionary leader behind one of the most extraordinary brand turnarounds in the sports and fitness industry, Jim Weber shares the secrets to his success—from purpose-driven leadership and product innovation to customer obsession and workplace culture.

As former CEO of Brooks Running, Jim Weber took the company from the brink of bankruptcy to a billion-dollar global performance brand—earning the backing of Berkshire Hathaway and Warren Buffett along the way. Under his leadership, Brooks made the bold decision to go all-in on performance running, differentiating itself in a competitive market and becoming a favorite among elite athletes and everyday runners and walkers alike.

Jim’s strategy centered on focus, innovation, and culture, transforming Brooks into a company built on purpose-driven leadership and customer obsession. By investing in cutting-edge technology, biomechanics research, and sustainable practices, he positioned Brooks as an industry leader in both performance and brand loyalty. His ability to navigate economic downturns, market shifts, supply chain disruption, and fierce competition proved instrumental in the company’s long-term success. Runner’s World magazine named Jim one of the most influential innovators in the running industry. He also earned a spot for more than 10 consecutive years on the Footwear News “Power 100” list.

In 2017, Jim was faced with a new personal challenge—he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, with complications leading to the loss of the use of one lung. He emerged from the experience cancer-free, and the life-altering experience gave him an even deeper perspective and focus on making the most of life’s journey every day.

In 2022 Jim published a memoir, Running with Purpose: How Brooks Outpaced Goliath Competitors to Lead the Pack, outlining his incredible story and offering inspirational anecdotes and tangible takeaways for leaders, entrepreneurs, and the 150+ million runners worldwide.

In his compelling, insightful keynotes, Jim shares game-changing business strategies—from product innovation to cultivating customer obsession and building more trusting workplace cultures. Audiences walk away prepared to lead with agility and purpose, adapt to change and disruption, and build brands that go the distance.

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Jim Weber, Business Speaker, Keppler Speakers Bureau

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Business is a Marathon: Leading with Agility, Purpose, and Pushing Through “The Wall”
Success in business—like running a marathon—requires vision, endurance, and the ability to push through challenges. Jim Weber, former CEO of Brooks Running, knows this firsthand. In this keynote he shares the formula that re-founded and transformed Brooks from a business on the brink of bankruptcy into a $1.4B global powerhouse brand and industry leader, competing against world class brands. From leading with purpose and driving innovation to cultivating customer obsession and building more trusting workplace cultures, Weber reveals the key decisions that fueled Brooks’ success—offering powerful takeaways on strong leadership, adapting to change and disruption, and building a brand that goes the distance.

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Sharing personal anecdotes and inspiration from her history-making career, Karine Jean-Pierre offers a compelling view from the podium at the highest levels of government.

Karine Jean-Pierre is the former Press Secretary and Special Advisor to President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. She is the first Black person and first openly queer person to serve as the White House Press Secretary and is the longest serving female in this role. Karine is a long-time advisor to President Biden, having served in senior communications and political roles in the Biden Administration, the Biden campaign, and in the Obama Administration. Prior to her role on the campaign, she served as Chief Public Affairs Officer for MoveOn.org and an NBC and MSNBC Political Analyst.

Jean-Pierre served as Regional Political Director for the White House Office of Political Affairs during the Obama-Biden administration and as Deputy Battleground States Director for President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign. She served as Southeast Regional Political Director for President Obama’s 2008 campaign, Deputy Campaign Manager for Martin O’Malley for President, Campaign Manager for the ACLU’s Reproductive Freedom Initiative, and Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Legislative and Budget Affairs for two members in the New York City Council.

Previously, Karine worked at the Center for Community and Corporate Ethics, and she is the author of her memoir titled Moving Forward: A Story of Hope, Hard Work, and the Promise of America. Born in Martinique and raised in New York, Jean-Pierre is a graduate of Columbia University. Karine’s forthcoming book, Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines, will discuss Biden’s decision to bow out of the 2024 election and will encourage voters to look beyond the two-party political system.

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Karine Jean-Pierre, Leadership Speaker, Keppler Speakers Bureau

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A Conversation with Karine Jean-Pierre
Drawing from her trailblazing career, Karine Jean-Pierre shares insights on how the new administration’s policies will shape industries and the economy, helping businesses thrive in our ever-changing landscape. Karine tailors her presentation for each audience and is available to speak in keynote, moderated question and answer, panel discussion or fireside chat formats.
Hope is a Discipline, a Practice, and an Action
Karine Jean-Pierre believes that when we hope for a better world, we create a better world—that we can make a difference. It is hope that ultimately unlocks our power to bring about change. Jean-Pierre's parents grew up in Haiti, and it is their story of resilience, determination and hope that has inspired her to strive for the greatest heights in her life and career. As a history-making White House Press Secretary and Special Advisor to the President, Jean-Pierre's light shines far beyond the gates of The White House. Her focus has been on the pursuit of always being present as a whole person, who had one of the most demanding careers in the world, yet who also found time to be a loving and supportive parent to her daughter and an active member of her beloved mother's care team as she battled cancer. It was hope that she could balance her life and career that carried Jean-Pierre through the most challenging of times. Out of these experiences comes a message of hope that she offers to audiences that all things are possible, no matter the obstacles and detours that life is almost certain to present. We just have to believe.

","field_twitter":"K_JeanPierre","field_first_name":"Karine","field_hide_fee":"1","field_ignore_keppler_lit":"0","metatags":{"title":"Karine Jean-Pierre | Keppler Speakers","canonical_url":"https://api.kepplerspeakers.com/speakers/karine-jean-pierre","description":"

Sharing personal anecdotes and inspiration from her history-making career, Karine Jean-Pierre offers a compelling view from the podium at the highest levels of government.

Karine Jean-Pierre is the former Press Secretary and Special Advisor to President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. She is the first Black person and first openly queer person to serve as the White House Press Secretary and is the longest serving female in this role."},"field_siebel_id":"SPKR-1230","field_website":{"arguments":["http://www.karinejean-pierre.com/"],"title":["http://www.karinejean-pierre.com/"],"type":"external"}},"relationships":{"field_category":{"data":[{"id":"media-u","type":"terms"},{"id":"politics-media-c","type":"terms"}]},"field_environment":{"data":[{"id":"college-theater-events","type":"terms"},{"id":"business-events","type":"terms"}]},"field_subcategory":{"data":[{"id":"journalists-u-media","type":"terms"}]},"field_fee":{"data":{"id":"30001-50000","type":"terms"}},"field_related_speakers":{"data":[{"id":"brett-mcgurk","type":"speakers"},{"id":"yamiche-alcindor","type":"speakers"},{"id":"jonathan-karl","type":"speakers"},{"id":"secretary-jennifer-granholm","type":"speakers"}]},"field_tags":{"data":[{"id":"politics","type":"terms"},{"id":"author","type":"terms"},{"id":"msnbc","type":"terms"},{"id":"nbc","type":"terms"},{"id":"lgbtq","type":"terms"},{"id":"media","type":"terms"},{"id":"washington-dc","type":"terms"}]}}},{"id":"630","type":"components","attributes":{"title":"New to Keppler Speakers","bundle":"speaker","metatag":[{"tag":"meta","attributes":{"name":"title","content":"| Keppler Speakers"}}],"field_title":"New to Keppler Speakers"},"relationships":{"field_speakers":{"data":[{"id":"juan-bendana","type":"speakers"},{"id":"vishal-amin","type":"speakers"},{"id":"heather-younger","type":"speakers"},{"id":"allison-shapira","type":"speakers"},{"id":"jim-weber","type":"speakers"},{"id":"karine-jean-pierre","type":"speakers"},{"id":"brett-mcgurk","type":"speakers"},{"id":"trent-gillespie","type":"speakers"}]}}},{"id":"jamie-clarke","type":"speakers","attributes":{"title":"Jamie Clarke","nid":"48","status":"1","created":"1484855009","revision_default":"1","metatag":[{"tag":"meta","attributes":{"name":"title","content":"Jamie Clarke | Keppler Speakers"}},{"tag":"meta","attributes":{"name":"description","content":"Mountain-climber and adventurer Jamie Clarke guides teams to setting goals, overcoming obstacles, and remaining true to their vision."}},{"tag":"link","attributes":{"rel":"canonical","href":"https://api.kepplerspeakers.com/speakers/jamie-clarke"}}],"path":"/speakers/jamie-clarke","body":"

Business IS an adventure—and mountain-climber and entrepreneur Jamie Clarke walks audiences through how to succeed in reaching their own unique Everest.

From world-renowned adventurer to CEO to sought-after performance coach, Jamie Clarke has built and led strong teams, navigated high-pressure landscapes, and overcome setbacks in order to achieve success. Now he inspires organizations and individuals to brave their own Everest with memorable insights and actionable strategies on leadership, risk management, and defining and achieving goals.

Drawing from his years as an elite mountain-climber, Jamie shares enthralling stories like reaching the Everest summit twice—but only after his first two attempts were cut short by deadly storms. Determined and dedicated, he reached his goal in 1997 and 2010. Jamie is also one of a handful of people in the world to hold the rare accomplishment of climbing the Seven Summits. Always one for new adventures, Jamie rode camels across the Empty Quarter of Arabia, and motorbiked across Mongolia with his son.

Jamie also relays the lessons he learned as CEO of a successful mountaineer clothing e-commerce business—as well as his experience as a performance coach for Olympians, the NFL, Hockey Canada and the 2018 Stanley Cup-winning Washington Capitals. Jamie also offers insights garnered from his current role as fellow and associate professor at the University of Calgary’s Haskayne Business school, where he teaches and mentors in the Centre for Advanced Leadership.

With humor and high energy, Jamie provides his proven keys to scaling the heights: thorough planning and preparation, understanding risk management, and creating an honest and authentic culture in your team. He inspires organizations and individuals to set high goals, overcome their obstacles, and remain passionate in their entrepreneurial adventures.

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Performance coach for the 2018 Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals and Extreme Adventurer

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The Map is Not the Terrain: Charting a New Course for Leadership
Jamie Clarke knows a lot about leadership and uncertainty. He has spent his entire adult life embracing the unknown. From his days as a world-renowned adventure leader and elite climber to becoming a successful business builder and professional sports consultant to a Stanley Cup-winning hockey team, Jamie has navigated countless high pressure and challenging landscapes. Even though teams and individuals consistently ignore this certainty, Jamie knows it: Uncertainty leads to indecision. Indecision leads to fear. Fear leads to chaos. Chaos ends in failure. Always.
This program takes you inside the mindset and the leadership qualities that build team cultures that don’t shrink from uncertainty. Instead, they succeed when others fail. What to do when your old map no longer works? These cultures are everything from teams of business professionals, expeditions struggling to survive negative 70 degree blizzards in the death zone of 25,000 feet, or professional sports teams finding their collective way to break through past failures and become champions. With an infectious sense of humor and palpable, authentic passion, Jamie challenges his audiences to think differently about success, failure, hard work and fear.
Above All Else: The Power of Passion
With humor and palpable passion, Jamie Clarke challenges audiences to think differently about success, failure, passion, hard work and fear, as he shares insight from his journeys scaling the world’s highest mountains, trekking through the most dangerous places and starting his own successful retail business. Perfect for audiences seeking expertise on risk-taking, project management, and team building, Clarke’s customized presentations deliver powerful perspective on learning from failure, the art of grunt work, conquering fear through focus, and above all—living life with passion.
Everyone starts at ZERO: Selling and the Mindset Reset
Jamie Clarke gets it. He gets how to grab an audience of sales professionals, pull it in and keep it with him for every word, laugh, metaphor and lesson. With an infectious charisma, relatable humor and a feel-it-in-your-shoes passion, Jamie challenges sales audiences to think differently about success, drive, failure, hard work and fear. No matter your past successes, be it summiting Everest or setting new sales records, everyone at one point has to start all over again. And prove it again. To start at ZERO. Again.
This captivating program on regrouping and starting over from zero, shares hard-earned insights from his journeys scaling our world’s highest mountains, trekking through its most dangerous places and then creating and managing his own adventure outfitters business. Jamie Clarke is the perfect speaker for sales kick-off events seeking a fresh spark and an actionable blueprint for sharpening risk-taking and mindset. Clarke’s customized presentations deliver powerful take-away lessons on:
- Performing your best when it matters most
- The shift required to get the grunt work done
- Conquering fear through focus
- Building a resilient, winning mindset

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Two-time World Champion Triathlete and four-time Hall of Famer Siri Lindley has coached Olympic medalists and World Champion athletes, and now she applies her winning strategies to business audiences, inspiring employees and teams to reach their highest performance potential.

Siri motivates audiences with her own life experiences as she demonstrates:

The value of leadership and inspiration. As an elite coach, Siri has mentored countless athletes, individuals, and business leaders. Her keynotes are renowned for highlighting the critical importance of strong leadership and effective motivation in business settings, inspiring audiences to strive for excellence. Her approach emphasizes the importance of self-care, purpose, and resilience, enabling individuals to not only excel in their careers but also find deeper meaning in their daily lives.

The power of perseverance and resilience. Siri herself has overcome immense life challenges to become a champion athlete. Her speeches inspire listeners to push through obstacles and overcome setbacks in their careers.

The benefits of a growth mindset. Siri emphasizes the importance of continual learning and improvement, showing how business leaders can find value in adopting a growth mindset to stay competitive and adaptable in a constantly changing marketplace.

The importance of a healthy work-life balance. As a triathlete, coach, and co-founder of two non-profits, Siri is no stranger to the challenges of balancing work and personal life. Her speeches encourage listeners to prioritize self-care and find a healthy balance between their professional and personal commitments.

The power of energy. In late 2019, Siri faced her own difficult battle when she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. Despite being given less than a 10% chance of survival, she was pronounced cancer-free by her doctors in May of 2020. Today her belief in thriving, not just surviving, guides others to master their own mindsets, emotions and purpose. Siri’s second book, Finding a Way: Taking the Impossible and Making it Possible (2023), provides readers with the tools needed to overcome their struggles and achieve the life they want to live.

Siri Lindley conducts her highly-rated ChampionMind corporate excellence programs and workshops across the country, and she and her wife, Rebekah Keat—also a world-class triathlete and coach—run the Sirius Tri Club for triathletes and the Siri and Bek Squad, which helps people transition to a healthier lifestyle. They have also co-founded two non-profits focused on rescuing horses from slaughter.

In 2023, Siri was inducted into the World Triathlon Hall of Fame.

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World Champion Triathlete, High-Performance Coach and One of Tony Robbins' Favorite Motivational Speakers

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Siri Lindley, Motivational Speaker, Keppler Speakers Bureau

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Winning Big and Living Fearlessly
Fear can be either motivating or crippling. Without decisive action, fear left to grow in the dark will extinguish any chance for individuals, teams, and organizations to succeed. Former #1 triathlete in the world, Siri Lindley, powered through fear on her path to reach the highest level of this grueling sport. She believes that business is 80% psychology and 20% strategy. Siri shows how to train your team members to master their emotions, meaning, and mindset using her ChampionMind principles. This approach fosters a winning culture and a team grounded in accountability. In these times of uncertainty and disruption, Siri demonstrates that it's okay to be afraid, it's what we do about it that makes the difference. Her insights into team members’ physiology and “state” create teams with unstoppable momentum, all guided by her ChampionMind approach.
Succeeding as a Resilient and Fearlessly Authentic Leader
Two timeless traits of great leaders are resilience and authenticity. Great leaders are more crucial than ever as entire industries navigate global changes. After her competitive days as a #1 world-ranked triathlete, Siri forged a new path as a mentor and coach, training 11 world champions, 2 Olympic medalists, and hundreds of world-class competitors. She brings those same ChampionMind skills to organizational leaders by helping them reframe challenges and master their own mindsets, emotions, and meaning. What are the habits and rituals that support high team performance? How does a shared vision infuse your team with purpose, motivation, and energy? Siri even shows how to connect with your team to retain and grow valuable talent using her own ChampionMind approach.
RESILIENCE: How Your Mindset Can Take You from Battling Fears to Thriving
In November 2019, Siri Lindley’s world was shattered when she was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia. With only a 5% chance of survival, she could have succumbed to fear, but Siri refused to let grim statistics dictate her fate. She had already proven that the impossible was possible, becoming a world champion triathlete despite not knowing how to swim when she started. With that same unwavering ChampionMind spirit, Siri faced her illness head-on, determined to beat it. Her journey is a profound testament to resilience and courage. Siri passionately shares and teaches the ChampionMind principles that helped her defy the odds and emerge triumphant.
Re-writing Your Own Narrative for a Life of Authenticity
Every day, we author and build upon our own story. Who do we say we are? Who do we serve? Who are we responsible for? What burdens do we decide to carry that may not even be ours to carry? Former #1 world-ranked triathlete and coach to world champions, Siri Lindley, learned how to re-write the story she had been telling herself. From being a young woman with crippling self-doubt and debilitating obsessive-compulsive disorder, she transformed her life by using her ChampionMind principles, ultimately becoming a 2x world champion triathlete despite starting without knowing how to swim. Siri teaches audiences practical steps for breaking free from “Imposter Syndrome” and living a life of authenticity and intention using her own ChampionMind approach

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Paul Epstein has spent nearly 15 years as a professional sports executive for multiple NFL and NBA teams, a global sports agency, and the NFL league office, where he has broken every premium revenue metric in Super Bowl history, opened a billion-dollar stadium, and founded the San Francisco 49ers Talent Academy, where he became known as the “Why Coach.”

As an award-winning speaker he was named one of SUCCESS magazines top thought leaders that get results, Paul’s impact continues off stage providing leadership development and culture transformation programs for companies and teams including Amazon, Disney, Johnson & Johnson, NASA, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Los Angeles Lakers to embody a spirit of WINNING MONDAY—and his work has been featured on ESPN, NBC, Fox Business, and in USA Today.

He is also a 2x best-selling author of The Power of Playing Offense and Better Decisions Faster.

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Paul Epstein, Leadership Speaker, Keppler Speakers

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Making Better Decisions Faster, How to Overcome Paralysis and Inspire Action
Even the most elite performers can rush to bad judgements, become paralyzed by indecision, or get worn down by decision fatigue.
In this keynote, Paul reveals the streamlined three-step process he’s used to turn around major sports franchises — from the locker room to the boardroom. Avoid decision traps, move forward clear and confident, and make the best out of your MVDs: Most Valuable Decisions.
Leadership & Growth Insights from the NFL & NBA
Culture can only scale when EVERY person in it takes full ownership, accountability, pride, and a commitment to daily excellence. That's the spirit of a champion, and culture (when done right) is our ultimate competitive advantage.
This keynote is inspired by Paul’s 15 years as a culture-building practitioner in the NFL & NBA (including multiple national awards for his work as Founder of the San Francisco 49ers Talent Academy), then stress tested across his training and consulting practice to deeply examine: what do the greatest cultures in the world have in common?
A Masterclass to Build Momentum and WIN
Sales is the lifeblood of every organization. Without it, there is no business to operate. No people to employ. No purpose to fulfill. No impact to ignite in the market. CONFIDENCE is what makes it all possible.
Paul realized how confidence can be the ultimate separator and competitive advantage needed to win as a sales leader in the NFL and NBA, breaking the all-time Super Bowl revenue record, surpassing billion-dollar goals while opening new NFL stadiums, and transforming cellar-dwelling NBA teams from 28th in league revenue to 2nd within a single season.

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An award-winning Latina entrepreneur who went from living in an orphanage to creating a wildly successful salsa company she sold to Campbell’s Soup for $231M, Magie Cook inspires audiences around the world to face their biggest obstacles and reach their greatest potential.

Magie Cook grew up in Mexico, living in an orphanage with 68 other children. As a child, she taught herself how to play basketball and ultimately immigrated to the US on a basketball scholarship at the University of Charleston. While there, she started to make fresh salsa for her friends—and word spread of her delicious recipe.

After graduating, Magie struggled to find a job and was on the brink of homelessness—until her friends entered her in a fresh salsa competition. Magie won the contest unanimously, was gifted $800 to start her business, and Maggie’s All-Natural Fresh Salsas & Dips was born. Just four years later, her company grew into a multi-million dollar enterprise. She sold the company to Campbell’s Soup for $231M in 2015.

Now Magie travels the world, inspiring individuals and organizations with her high-energy keynotes. Combining research-based data and inspirational storytelling, Magie provides strategies for organizations to optimize performance, improve employee happiness and well-being, and transform workplace cultures into more equitable, creative environments for leaders to grow. Her charismatic humor, vulnerability, and pragmatic approach for tackling the challenges of work and life energizes audiences and motivates them to see what’s possible when they shift their mindset towards success, resilience, resourcefulness, and relentlessness.

Magie is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Nobel Entrepreneurial Prize in Mexico, the Small Business Administration’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and West Virginia’s Generation Next “40 Under 40” Award.

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Magie Cook, Motivational Speaker, Keppler Speakers Bureau

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Mindset With Magie
In this powerful keynote, Magie shares what it takes for team members to create a permanent mental shift for success, how to uncover and leverage their ‘why’, and how they can visualize their journey into the future. Using research-based studies rooted in psychology and language, Magie skillfully weaves practical mental strategies with how she’s integrated these in her life experiences. Leadership and teams who understand the potential for greatness leads to organizations that have happier employees, greater productivity, more creativity, and stronger leadership.
Overcome Any Adversity & Discover Your True Potential
In this signature keynote, Magie takes the audience on an inspirational journey through stories of how she was able to overcome a seemingly insurmountable number of personal and professional obstacles to create her multi-million dollar salsa company. Through real life examples, audiences will laugh, cry and most importantly, learn about the tools and strategies Magie employs when she meets challenges. When leaders adopt these practices, it leads to increased team trust, more creative thinking, and a higher capacity for dealing with change.
Together We Rise
In today’s rapidly changing world, organizations that prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) are better equipped to adapt and succeed. This keynote, led by Magie Cook, a LGBTQ+ Latina who overcame adversity to achieve the “American Dream” and build a multimillion-dollar company, delves into the benefits of embracing DEI in the workplace. Drawing on her personal experiences of navigating different cultures and leveraging her skills, Magie shares key insights and strategies for creating a culture of mindfulness and inclusion in your team.
Why Adversity is the Key to Future Identity
In this signature keynote, Magie takes the audience on an inspirational journey, sharing how she turned adversity into her greatest advantage using the 3R Framework. Through real-life examples, leaders will discover how to reframe their mindset, rebuild resilience, and reignite their purpose—transforming challenges into steppingstones for success. Audiences will laugh, cry, and, most importantly, walk away with actionable strategies to build team trust, inspire creative thinking, and navigate change with unstoppable momentum. When leaders embrace adversity as the new advantage, they unlock their highest potential and shape a future-driven identity.

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Through a combination of expert coaching, consulting, and training, Eric Boles helps organizations achieve goals quickly, function within their purpose and values, and see transformative results.

A former NFL wide receiver, Eric is the founder and president of The Game Changers, a training and development company that provides a non-traditional approach to performance management and enables organizations to spark positive change, unleash their potential, and exceed their goals and expectations.

Eric presents inspiring insights and strategies to a variety of education, government, healthcare, manufacturing, and financial services organizations and associations that help cultivate leadership, culture change, teamwork, and peak performance. He has lent his expertise to some of the most recognized and respected organizations in the world, including Starbucks, Hasbro, UPS, SAP, Michelin, Swiss Re, MGM, Aviva, Alaska Airlines, and the U.S. Air Force. The results they have experienced are nothing short of transformative.

Prior to becoming a high-performance authority, Eric learned key principles of team dynamics and leadership as a National Football League professional. He was coached and mentored by some of the best coaches and players in the league.

The author of “Moving to Great: Unleashing Your Best in Life and Work,” he motivates others to take leaps towards reaching their organizational goals with company wide support and enthusiasm, bringing real change and lasting results.

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The retired NFL pro and executive coach and consultant inspires with powerful insights and game-changing strategies on leadership, managing change, cultural transformation and peak performance.

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Eric Boles, Business Speaker, Keppler Speakers Bureau

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Fearless Leadership
Fear is a major reason people don’t move forward to new levels. Fear of change, fear of rejection, fear of confrontation and even fear of success can hold us back. Strategies for conquering our fears and changing our mindset and focusing on desired outcomes are outlined. Fear and confidence are contagious, and we need to manage our input to control our output.
Moving To Great
How can we be at our best more of the time? What qualities do peak performers have that allows them to perform at the next level? How do we align our goals and values to stay focused on our desired outcomes. This message will focus on habits and attitudes to move to new levels.
Leading Through Change
Rapid change continues to impact our lives. How can we lead ourselves and others through the changes. We will look at the reasons why people don’t like change and how we can overcome those barriers. Often fear and lack of confidence enter into our decision processes as well. What are you modeling? It’s all up to leadership!

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Eric presents inspiring insights and strategies to a"},"field_siebel_id":"1-JF6ZV"},"relationships":{"field_category":{"data":[{"id":"business-c","type":"terms"},{"id":"inspirational-motivational-c","type":"terms"},{"id":"leadership-achievement-c","type":"terms"},{"id":"sports-c","type":"terms"}]},"field_environment":{"data":[{"id":"business-events","type":"terms"}]},"field_subcategory":{"data":[{"id":"leading-through-change-c-business","type":"terms"},{"id":"high-stakes-leadership-c-leadership-achievement","type":"terms"},{"id":"athletes-coaches-c-sports","type":"terms"},{"id":"team-building-c-business","type":"terms"}]},"field_fee":{"data":{"id":"20001-30000","type":"terms"}},"field_related_speakers":{"data":[{"id":"dr-jen-welter","type":"speakers"},{"id":"merril-hoge","type":"speakers"},{"id":"walter-bond","type":"speakers"},{"id":"robyn-benincasa","type":"speakers"}]},"field_tags":{"data":[{"id":"football","type":"terms"},{"id":"personal-motivation","type":"terms"},{"id":"peak-performance","type":"terms"},{"id":"sales-kickoff","type":"terms"},{"id":"sales-strategies-0","type":"terms"},{"id":"nfl","type":"terms"}]},"field_theme":{"data":[{"id":"top-kickoff-speakers","type":"terms"},{"id":"resilient-leadership-change-management","type":"terms"}]}}},{"id":"ryan-estis","type":"speakers","attributes":{"title":"Ryan Estis","nid":"1101","status":"1","created":"1484866065","revision_default":"1","metatag":[{"tag":"meta","attributes":{"name":"title","content":"Ryan Estis | Keppler Speakers"}},{"tag":"meta","attributes":{"name":"description","content":"Based on original research on today’s category-leading companies, Ryan Estis helps you lead through change, unleash your full potential, and enhance business performance, in the new economy. "}},{"tag":"link","attributes":{"rel":"canonical","href":"https://api.kepplerspeakers.com/speakers/ryan-estis"}}],"path":"/speakers/ryan-estis","body":"

Based on original research on today’s category-leading companies, Ryan Estis helps you lead through change, unleash your full potential, and enhance business performance, in the new economy.

\n\n

Ryan spent 15 years helping companies connect with employees and customers as an ad agency executive and Fortune 500 chief strategy officer. Now, as the chief experience officer at Ryan Estis & Associates, he brings a deep level of visionary thinking and hands-on experience to a wide range of clients to help them achieve breakthrough success. He travels all over the world to get an inside look at what the world’s best companies do differently, and distills those insights so organizations can embrace change, improve performance, and deliver growth.

\n\n

Recognized as one of the “The Best Keynote Speakers Ever Heard” by Meetings & Conventions magazine, his presentations include original research and actionable content customized for each audience. He informs and educates with case studies that include powerful sales and leadership takeaways that leave attendees with a purpose-driven plan for applying their new ideas once they get back to the office.

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Sell For Impact
Delivering Value & Winning Customers in the New Economy
Customer expectations and behavior are evolving faster than most sales organizations. B2B buyers considering a purchase now spend only 17% of that time actually meeting with potential suppliers and if comparing multiple suppliers, the amount of time spent with any one sales rep shrinks to 5%.
This reality requires a fundamental shift in go-to-market strategy and a radical evolution in seller skill and competency. Sales teams not only have to earn customer access from a position of expertise, but also use a new value-based, deeply customized approach to earn customer partnerships that can sustain growth into the future.
Human Centered Leadership: Leading High-Performance Teams in a Forever Changed World
Includes lessons from Prepare for Impact
We have changed. Work has changed. And employee attitudes and expectations have changed. We are seeing the largest evolution in our relationship to work in the last century.
Knowledge workers now expect their managers to be part of their support system and help them improve their employee experience as well as their life experience. But in a Gartner survey assessing the evolving role of management, only 47% of managers are prepared for this role.
Ryan Estis teaches leaders how to leverage this defining moment of change as a catalyst to improve performance and empower our people by embracing the principles of human-centered leadership.

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The former Director of Communications for Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Ken Schmidt has advised executive leaders of many of the world’s best-known brands, delivered more than one thousand keynote presentations, written two best-selling books and created a popular business podcast.

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.

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The former director of communications for Harley-Davidson Motor Company played an active role in one of the most celebrated turnarounds in corporate history – and has delivered more than 1,000 keynotes around the world.

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Full Throttle: Shift Gears, Stand Out, and Cruise to the Top
“No matter what we sell, make, or do, we’re a commodity to people who don’t know us,” says Ken Schmidt. Companies who understand that and change their mindset to engage customers differently will win big. Authenticity stands out in today’s impersonal world and Ken unpacks a roadmap for creating an unshakable emotional connection with customers. This talk is rooted in the ideas that drove Harley-Davidson’s incredible transformation and return to dominance as Ken and his team led the company’s shift away from focusing on product features and instead leaned into the key drivers of human behavior. As it did, H-D’s sales, profitability, and loyalty skyrocketed. Ken’s high energy and humor punctuate this talk as he shows businesses of every size and scope how to align everyone in the organization around a set of values that ignite customer passion, maximize sales growth, and stand out in their marketplace.
Sample Takeaways:
- Discover the three questions that should drive every decision to protect and enhance your reputation
- Transform the company mindset towards being known for who you are vs. what you do
- Harness the three drivers of human behavior to create unshakable loyalty
- Gain ways to be memorable so customers tell your story to others – in person and on social media
- Elevate your business by humanizing it and delivering delight
Revving Up Reputation: Storytelling That Drives Success
A compelling and memorable story does more than engage – it moves people, reshaping perceptions and driving change. Ken Schmidt, the mastermind of Harley-Davidson’s resurgence, understands that potent narratives do more than catch attention; they change minds and distinguish your business from look-alike competitors. Leadership’s role is the engine that drives this process forward, fostering a culture where storytelling becomes the rocket fuel for this change. In this presentation, Ken delivers a strategic framework for organizations to redefine their narratives, guiding leaders and teams to uncover the core of their organizational identity and craft stories from within and beyond their walls. Through vivid real-world examples, Ken illustrates how authentic storytelling can elevate brands to a place of prominence and trust. This keynote doesn't just inspire; it redefines how organizations live out and communicate their uniqueness, forging indelible connections that turn casual customers into loyal champions.
Sample Takeaways:
- Elevate the likeability of your business by crafting stories that delight customers
- Uncover the three core elements behind every memorable story that's ever been told
- Learn how to craft vocabulary that breathes new life into the seemingly familiar or mundane
- Find your three most memorable and distinguishing storylines
- Tap into underutilized opportunities to share stories
- Discover simple tools that encourage employees to become storytellers
Gear Up: Fast Track Your Career
“How do you want to be talked about and what are you doing to make that happen?” Ken Schmidt reminds people that we are a story-telling species and getting noticed by customers or even in your own organization is about being memorable. Saying or doing what people expect doesn’t make you – or your business – stand out. In this talk Ken shows how to make a lasting impact. It starts with answering three key questions about how you want to be remembered. Ken reminds audiences that what people remember about you is dependent on how you make them feel about themselves. It’s more important to be interested – not interesting. Ken shares lessons learned from a celebrated career at Harley-Davidson and beyond to show how to build a personal brand that will fast track your career in today’s dynamic landscape.
Sample Takeaways:
- Identify your unique qualities and how you want to be remembered
- Hear ways to make others feel good about themselves
- Learn how to take an active role in meetings and actively participate
- Understand that by encouraging others to share their stories, you can then share yours
- Ways to continuously improve your personal brand by focusing on R&R (Remember & Repeat)

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With humor, intelligence, and humility, iconic athlete Alex Rodriguez inspires audiences with stories of his journey from young phenom, to poster child for baseball, to public failure—followed by his comeback and self-made business career—and shares the leadership and team-building lessons he's learned along the way.

Alex Rodriguez is a businessman and the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of A-Rod Corp, a broad-based investment firm that bets on world-class startups and partners with leading global companies across the real estate, health and wellness, technology, and sports & entertainment industries. While best known as one of the world’s greatest athletes (a 14x MLB All-Star and a 2009 World Series Champion with the New York Yankees), for more than 25 years, Alex leads a team of experts building high-growth businesses, and is co-owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Audiences rarely have the opportunity to hear a story like that of Alex Rodriguez—from young phenom, to poster child for baseball, to public failure, followed by his comeback and self-made business career. Alex's speaking engagements provide an inside look at his journey, what he has learned and how he has applied it. His humor, intelligence, and humility delight a wide range of audiences—including mainstage conferences, corporate leadership retreats, and more intimate gatherings. Alex has evolved over the years in ways unimaginable, and his journey continues.

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Alex Rodriguez, Inspirational Sports Speaker, Keppler Speakers Bureau

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Strategic Pivoting: Making a Purposeful Shift
How can you make a successful pivot into a new career? Over the course of your life, you may have several careers. What do you need to know to make the shift successful? Alex Rodriguez made several shifts over his lifetime. He spent the first part of his life as a baseball player, playing for 22 seasons in Major League Baseball. After his career was over, he successfully pivoted into being a media presenter and a business entrepreneur. He didn’t switch overnight. In this exciting talk, Alex shares what you need to know in order to make a purposeful shift. Audiences will come away understanding: never limit yourself, find your passion, and educate yourself.
Mindset of a Champion: Success Across Sectors
How do you succeed in whatever you do? You need to adopt the mindset of a champion. A champion knows that success doesn’t come easy or overnight. Before Alex Rodriguez became one of the most successful and highest-paid athletes in baseball, he was just a young man who loved the game and wanted to become better. So he studied the game, took copious notes, and improved his expertise in the sport. His process can be applied to any area of life, not just sports. In this frank talk on what it takes to succeed, Alex shares how he developed his champion mindset. Audiences will come away learning to find their superpower, educate themselves, work hard, and stay focused.
Resilience: How to Stay in the Game When Challenges Arise
How do you stay the course when you face challenges in life? For each of us, a day will come when we have a huge personal or business setback. When a setback happens, starting over may seem like an insurmountable challenge. You may want to give up rather than go on. Alex Rodriguez faced many challenges over his 22-year career in baseball, from striking out to losing games to injury to being suspended. However, he was able to overcome his challenges and stay in the game. In this story-filled talk, Alex shares how to stay resilient. Audiences will come away understanding why you should always get back up when you’re knocked down, never set limitations on yourself, and say yes first, then figure out the rest.
Diversity: A Business Imperative for Strong Teams and Success
Why are organizations with more diversity more successful than less diverse companies? More diverse companies have higher productivity, more innovation, and less turnover. If you want to build strong teams and organizations, you need to hear diverse voices. As a successful baseball player and business owner, Alex Rodriguez understands the importance of diversity for strong teams and success. In this talk spanning his baseball and business careers, Alex shares the importance of diversity for success. Audiences will come away understanding that in order to be innovative and appeal to diverse markets, you need to have different people with different opinions, people who are willing to say no instead of yes, and people who are hired because of their expertise, not just because they check a box.

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From their exemplary customer service to the relevant speakers they have access to; Keppler secures speakers that fit our goals and objectives.

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With Keppler, we are not just a client, but a valued partner.

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Keppler Speakers understands the mission of [your] organization.

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Unforgettable experiences start with Keppler Speakers

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Audiences want to be inspired by stories of ordinary people achieving extraordinary things. They want to learn from experts in their field. They want to get a glimpse of what it is like to be a history maker, a ground breaker, or an entrepreneurial pioneer. As a speakers bureau, we provide everything from motivational speakers and women speakers to the industry’s top business leaders. Helping you create unforgettable experiences at your next business meeting, conference, or event is what Keppler Speakers is all about.

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Ben Nemtin

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