10 Dynamic keynote speakers who can transform your next event

September 08, 2025

Brian Lord

President

Selecting a keynote speaker is about more than filling a slot in the agenda—it’s about finding a voice that will inspire, motivate and leave a lasting impression on your audience. The Premiere Speakers Bureau has curated a roster of speakers who are not only experts in their fields but also master storytellers. Below is a conversational overview of ten keynote speakers who consistently receive rave reviews from meeting planners and audiences alike. Each summary gives a sense of their style, topics and why they might be the perfect fit for your next conference or corporate event.

1. Ryan Leak – encouraging leaders to chase failure

Ryan Leak is a dynamic speaker and New York Times best selling author who teaches audiences to view mistakes as opportunities for growth. As the CEO of a leadership development firm in Dallas, he and his team train more than 30,000 leaders each year, working with Fortune 500 companies and professional sports teams. His popular books—Chasing Failure, Leveling Up and How to Work with Complicated People—blend resilience, humor and practical advice. Leak’s passion is helping people “push past autopilot” so they can level up in their careers and lives. With media appearances on Good Morning America and The Today Show, and a viral story about proposing to his wife and getting married on the same day, Ryan brings an energy that is equal parts relatable and motivational.

Why book him? If your team needs to embrace a growth mindset, Ryan’s blend of storytelling and strategy will help attendees reframe setbacks as stepping stones. His emphasis on resilience and continuous improvement makes his message ideal for leadership retreats, sales kick offs and company culture events.

2. Kyle Scheele – unleashing “crazy ideas” that create outsized results

Described as the “patron saint of crazy ideas,” Kyle Scheele has built a career around turning playful experiments into viral moments. He once hosted a Viking funeral for the regrets of 21,000 people, organized the world’s first fake marathon and amassed a million TikTok followers in just 25 hours. His whimsical projects have been featured in Fast Company, WIRED and The Washington Post, and his videos have garnered over 250 million views. Kyle’s presentations encourage audiences to think bigger, break down self imposed limitations and find meaning in even the quirkiest of endeavors.

Why book him? For events focused on innovation, creativity or employee engagement, Kyle’s stories show how unconventional thinking can produce surprising outcomes. He’s also an ideal choice for conferences seeking to motivate younger audiences or those embracing digital platforms like TikTok.

3. Dr. Jessica Kriegel – data driven culture transformation

Dr. Jessica Kriegel is the Chief Scientist of Workplace Culture at Culture Partners and a recognized expert on organizational culture. A frequent commentator on CNBC, MSNBC and CNN, she tackles topics ranging from generational differences to strategic leadership. Her "Culture Equation" methodology helps Fortune 10 and Fortune 500 companies reshape their DNA to boost revenue, drive sales and improve retention. Kriegel holds a doctorate in Human Resources Development and uses research backed frameworks to help leaders design workplaces where employees thrive.

Why book her? If your organization is wrestling with culture change, employee engagement or DEI initiatives, Dr. Kriegel provides actionable insights rooted in data. She’s particularly effective for leadership summits and C suite events where strategic transformation is on the agenda.

4. Brittany Hodak CSP – turning customers into superfans

Customer experience expert Brittany Hodak is an award winning author and entrepreneur whose SUPER Model™ framework helps companies transform customers’ apathy into advocacy. Her debut book Creating Superfans was praised by Forbes, and she’s written more than 350 articles on customer experience for outlets like Success, Adweek and Inc.. Brittany founded and scaled an entertainment agency to eight figures, collaborating with icons like KISS, Taylor Swift and Dolly Parton, and even landed four investment offers on Shark Tank. She later served as Chief Experience Officer at Experience.com and advises Fortune 100 clients on fan centric strategies.

Why book her? Her insights resonate with marketing and customer service teams looking to create memorable experiences that drive loyalty. Brittany’s storytelling background and entrepreneurial experience make her sessions both inspiring and practical.

5. Jon Acuff – humor and insight for goal driven leaders

Jon Acuff is the New York Times best selling author of ten books and one of Inc. Magazine’s Top 100 Leadership Speakers. His latest book, All It Takes is a Goal, shows readers how to turn abstract dreams into daily habits. Known for mixing sharp insights with humor, Acuff has addressed audiences at FedEx, Range Rover, Microsoft and Chick fil A. He once opened for Dolly Parton at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium and speaks candidly about overcoming fear, finishing what you start and enjoying the journey.

Why book him? For teams that want to set bold goals without burning out, Acuff’s blend of stories and actionable frameworks helps people move from talkers to doers. His easy going style is especially effective for sales meetings, leadership development programs and multi company conferences.

6. John O’Leary – a survivor teaching others how to truly live

John O’Leary’s life changed in 1987 when, as a nine year old, he was burned on 100 % of his body in a house explosion and given less than a 1 % chance to live. After sharing his story of resilience in his parents’ book Overwhelming Odds, John began speaking publicly and now inspires more than 50,000 people at over 100 events every year. He speaks across industries—sales, healthcare, education and finance—and nearly all his engagements come through referrals, a testament to his impact. His books On Fire and In Awe became instant #1 national bestsellers, and his podcast has over two million downloads.

Why book him? John’s story and message resonate with audiences seeking hope, perseverance and purpose. He’s a powerful choice for organizations focusing on mental health, safety, healthcare or any group facing adversity.

7. Robyn Benincasa – extreme teamwork and human synergy

Robyn Benincasa is a two time World Champion Adventure Racer, a retired San Diego firefighter and a CNN Hero. Drawing on experiences from jungles in Borneo to peaks in the Himalayas, she teaches “Human Synergy”—the idea that ordinary people working together can achieve extraordinary results. Her unique techniques help teams transform setbacks into comebacks, and she has been recognized as one of Real Leaders magazine’s Top 50 Keynote Speakers and Meetings.net’s #1 Female Speaker. Corporate clients like IBM, Starbucks, Boeing and Johnson & Johnson turn to her for guidance on resilience and collaboration.

Why book her? For audiences tackling change, crisis or high stakes teamwork, Robyn provides high energy stories and lessons from the world of endurance racing. Her sessions encourage trust, accountability and camaraderie—skills every organization needs.

8. Kevin Brown – the HERO Effect® and customer loyalty

Kevin Brown’s unconventional journey—growing up in blue collar Muskegon, Michigan and working his way from frontline jobs to the executive boardroom—has given him deep insights into customer loyalty and organizational excellence. Over his 30 year career he helped transform SERVPRO into the #1 franchise in its industry with annual revenues surpassing $2 billion. Today he travels the world sharing “The HERO Effect®,” a philosophy that differentiates world class organizations and high performing individuals from everyone else.

Why book him? Kevin inspires audiences to expand their vision and deliver heroic levels of service—perfect for customer service conferences, franchise conventions and leadership summits. He also speaks from personal experience as a father of a son with autism, giving his talks depth and authenticity.

9. Molly Fletcher – negotiating success and unlocking dynamic drive

Dubbed the “female Jerry Maguire” by CNN, Molly Fletcher spent two decades as one of the first female sports agents, representing over 300 elite athletes and coaches including John Smoltz, Matt Kuchar, Erin Andrews and coaches Tom Izzo and Doc Rivers. Now one of the most booked female speakers in the world, her TED Talk “Secrets of a Champion Mindset” has over a million views. Fletcher is the author of several books—The Energy Clock, Fearless at Work, A Winner’s Guide to Negotiating and her latest Dynamic Drive, which is a #1 USA Today bestseller. She also hosts the Game Changers podcast where she interviews leaders like Troy Aikman, Sue Bird and Simon Sinek.

Why book her? Molly’s background in high stakes negotiations and talent management provides valuable lessons on relationship building, performance and work–life balance. Her talks appeal to sales teams, sports organizations and women’s leadership events.

10. Mike Rowe – celebrating the dignity of work and the trades

Known as the host of the hit television series Dirty Jobs, Mike Rowe is an Emmy Award winning TV host, New York Times best selling author and CEO of the mikeroweWORKS Foundation. Nicknamed “the dirtiest man on TV,” he has profiled hundreds of workers in essential industries, shedding light on jobs that often go unnoticed. His foundation has awarded over six million dollars in work ethic scholarships to nearly 1,500 people, helping to reinvigorate the skilled trades.

Why book him? Mike’s authenticity and humor make him a favorite for audiences focused on workforce development, vocational education and blue collar industries. His message underscores the dignity of work and the importance of closing the skills gap.

How to choose the right keynote speaker for your event

When evaluating speakers, consider your event’s theme, audience demographics and desired outcomes. Do you need a high energy storyteller like Kyle Scheele, a data driven strategist like Dr. Jessica Kriegel or an inspirational survivor like John O’Leary? Also think about diversity—gender, background, and speaking style—to ensure a balanced program. Working with Premiere Speakers gives you access to a team that can align your goals with the perfect speaker.

Ready to take the next step?

If any of these speakers resonate with your event’s vision, reach out to the team here at Premiere Speakers Bureau to check availability and discuss which speaker would be the best fit. A compelling keynote can transform your conference from ordinary to unforgettable, leaving attendees inspired long after the final applause.