Michael Bonner | Disruptive Innovator, Entrepreneur, Ellen Degeneres Favorite Teacher, Atlanta's 40 under 40

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Michael Bonner

Disruptive Innovator, Entrepreneur, Ellen Degeneres Favorite Teacher, Atlanta's 40 under 40

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Please contact us for pricing
Travels From
Atlanta, Georgia

Michael Bonner
Biography

Michael Bonner is a renowned leader, innovator, and performance booster, who is a trailblazer in leadership development and organizational culture. He is a dynamic keynote speaker as seen on The Ellen Show, NBC Nightly News, and Time for Kids and a recent recipient of Atlanta's 40 under 40 awards . He is the CEO of Bonnerville, a business that promotes the value of self-care and a highly respected team member at the famed Ron Clark Academy. 

He empowers leaders to build genuine relationships and establish a positive organizational culture, vision and team development. His seminars challenge listeners to reflect, strategize, and execute in order to increase their efficiency in the workplace and personal areas. He empowers listeners to build genuine relationships with their teams and colleagues because "You cannot demand a withdrawal from someone you have never invested in." 

Michael Bonner's transformative approach leaves C-suite and nonprofit leaders, educators, and administrators confident and prepared to become world-changing citizens who garner significant impact.

To learn more about Michael Bonner, visit michael-bonner.com and follow him on all social media platforms at @michaelbonner_.

Michael Bonner
Featured Videos

Current: 2025 Speaking Reel

Time 02:31

More Videos From Michael Bonner

2025 Speaking Reel
Time 02:31
The Audacity to Believe
Time 02:27
Speaking is About Service
Time 01:20
Handling Burnout & Bringing Change
Time 17:34

Michael Bonner
Featured Keynote Programs

Take Action
Turning Adversity into Accomplishment

Success is rarely about talent—it’s about one decision made consistently over time. In this high-energy session, Michael Bonner challenges educators and leaders to stop waiting and start building systems that turn pressure into progress. Through sharp storytelling, real-world examples, and practical frameworks, participants will learn how to update outdated habits, leverage discomfort, and make decisions that compound into lasting results. This session equips you with clear strategies to move from intention to execution—and from adversity to achievement.

Take Action
Turning Adversity into Accomplishment (Breakout Session)

This interactive breakout goes beyond inspiration and into implementation. Participants will dig deep into the systems, habits, and decisions that separate intention from execution. Through guided exercises, small-group challenges, and real-time reflection, educators and leaders will identify the specific obstacles holding them back—and build an actionable plan to move forward. Walk away with practical tools, clear next steps, and a personalized action framework designed to turn adversity into measurable progress.

AI Without Fear
Leading Smarter in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence isn’t coming—it’s already here. The question is: will you lead it, or avoid it? In this interactive breakout, Michael Bonner helps educators and leaders understand how to use AI as a tool for efficiency, creativity, and student growth—without losing authenticity or critical thinking. Participants will explore practical applications, ethical guardrails, and simple strategies to integrate AI confidently into their daily work. Leave equipped, not intimidated—and ready to lead in the new era of innovation.

The Audacity to Believe

Thriving in the New Age of Leadership

Facing technological disruptions and rising turnover, both educators and corporate professionals need more than survival skills. “The Audacity to Believe” empowers leaders to become change makers. Michael Bonner shares how to cultivate a “believer’s” mindset, fostering teamwork, creativity, and social capital. He unveils 5 key traits of effective leaders: belief in potential, learning for success, tailored approaches, resilience through failure, and embracing feedback. This speech will leave you energized and ready to inspire your team or students, unlocking the audacious potential within your organization or classroom.

Michael Bonner
Featured Book

Get Up Or Give Upby Michael Bonner

Get Up Or Give Up

by Michael Bonner

Michael Bonner knew he wanted to be a teacher after his favorite college professor, Dr. Poulson, inspired him. The professor’s passion and love for teaching prompted Michael to change his major and his life’s direction. But nothing prepared Michael for the reality of a Title One school.      

Teaching is fun until a 7-year-old is assaulting you or you’re dodging furniture being thrown at you. When you mix the craziness of a classroom with a marriage that was about to implode, anyone might want to quit. Smiling on the outside while feeling dead on the inside took this dedicated teacher to the breaking point. Michael knew he must change what was inside him, in his approach to life, or nothing would change anywhere else. 

So Michael took matters into his own hands to make four key paradigm shifts that helped him create a world of successful learning for his students and love within both the classroom and beyond. The result has been a transformation that’s taken Michael far beyond the classroom as he inspires thousands across the country.  

Michael Bonner
Featured Reviews

Michael Bonner
Featured Articles & Resources

Michael Bonner’s New PD: Systems That Spark Student Growth

What if your teachers could reignite their passion for the classroom and see extraordinary growth in their students? That’s exactly what award-winning educator and...
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Why Michael Bonner Day Exists

In the small town of Hertford, North Carolina, February 10 is Michael Bonner Day. The man in which the day honors is Michael Bonner, a Hertford native and a teacher with a now...
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Hidden Figures

Social media has grown into something I believe none of us initially imagined. The ability to connect with individuals across the world and take a peep into what they are doing...
Read More

Michael Bonner New Book Release Get Up or Give Up!

  Michael Bonner knew he wanted to be a teacher after his favorite college professor, Dr. Poulson, inspired him. The professor’s passion and love for teaching prompted...
Read More

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to some of the most common questions about booking Michael Bonner for your event.

How do I book Michael Bonner for my event?

Booking Michael Bonner with Premiere Speakers Bureau is a streamlined 4-step process:
  • Availability Check: Contact us with your event date and budget to verify if your desired speaker is available.
  • Hold Date: We place a temporary "hold" on the speaker's calendar while you finalize internal approval.
  • Contracting: We issue a contract outlining the fee, cancellation policy, and event expectations.
  • Logistics: Once signed, our event management team handles all travel booking, itinerary, and AV requirements.

Why should I partner with Premiere Speakers Bureau rather than contacting speakers directly?

Partnering with Premiere Speakers Bureau provides a comprehensive safety net for your event that direct booking cannot match. You get the same speaker for the same price, but with a dedicated team with over 30 years of event experience handling contracts, logistics, and are prepared for any emergency. We know what it takes to run an excellent event.

What makes Premiere Speakers Bureau unique compared to other agencies?

Premiere Speakers Bureau distinguishes itself by having over 30 years of experience while partnering with more than 35,000 events. PSB has also built a streamlined, fully online process that makes booking a speaker, handling travel and payments extremely easy for anyone looking to plan a speaker led event.

How does Premiere Speakers Bureau's 'Zero Cost Service' model work?

Premiere Speakers Bureau operates on a 'Zero Cost Service' model for event planners. Our services—including research, booking, and logistics—are always free to the client. The speaker covers our commission from their standard honorarium as payment for our role in marketing and managing their engagements.

How are speaker fees structured, and what is typically included?

A speaker's fee typically covers the keynote presentation, a pre-event planning call, and standard customization. Travel expenses are usually billed separately.

What are the standard policies for speaker travel and expenses?

Travel expenses are negotiated during contracting. We generally recommend a flat travel fee for simplicity, though we also offer line-by-line invoicing when preferred. PSB ensures these expenses adhere to professional standards, and our Event Portal allows for easy tracking and invoicing.
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