Top 10 leading speakers to follow in 2026 - MSN
Story by Emily Standley Allard
As organizations plan for the year ahead, leadership teams operate in an environment heavily shaped by economic adjustment, geopolitical complexity, and rapid technological change. Events remain one of the few opportunities when leaders can take a step back, reflect together, and engage with ideas that shape longer-term thinking. Keynote speakers 2026 are valued for their ability to achieve extraordinary outcomes and redefine movements that challenge the status quo and move society to action.
The list features the Top 10 Leading Speakers to Follow in 2026, who bring real depth to the stage. Whether you’re organizing a corporate conference, a leadership summit, or an annual sales kickoff, these are the names worth knowing.
Josh Davies
Josh Davies is an award-winning, dynamic speaker, thought leader, and advocate for building stronger communities through workforce and education. With more than two decades of leadership experience across business, education, and workforce development, he brings both passion and practical strategies to audiences around the world. As the founder of The Non-Prophets, Josh convenes global thought leaders to address pressing challenges in the future of work. He is recognized for his ability to make complex issues both relatable and actionable. His message is clear: In a world where change never stops, the future of work isn't coming - it's already arrived. The path forward? Doubling down on the skills that make us irreversibly human. Respected as a trusted authority, his engaging style, global perspective, and commitment to action make him a sought-after speaker for anyone looking to understand and navigate the rapidly changing world of work.
Danilo McGarry
Danilo McGarry is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading AI operators, working at the highest level of execution. As former Head of AI and Transformation for some of the world's largest Fortune 500 companies, he has led and delivered some of the most commercially impactful AI transformations globally, being one of the few people that has generated over $2 billion in value for organisations. His methods are taught in 100's of schools worldwide. Operating alongside pioneers such as Sam Altman, Yann LeCun, and Jensen Huang, Danilo bridges the gap between frontier AI and real-world business execution, being the best in this field at implementing AI in companies. He is known for being one of the only voices globally focused on AI as an operating model, not a tool, advising boards, leading consultancy firms, private equity firms, and governments on how to redesign their organisations to become AI-first. A global keynote and TED speaker, and host of one of the fastest-growing podcasts on AI, his work equips leaders to move faster than the market and convert AI into sustained competitive advantage. Best part of all, he is on a mission to teach everyone on Earth AI, which is why he remains approachable until today.
Tamra Ryan
Tamra Ryan is an author, sought-after speaker, and leadership expert who is redefining what it means to lead with purpose and compassion. After serving as CEO of Women’s Bean Project—a nationally recognized employment social enterprise- Tamra has dedicated herself to empowering others to become leaders worth following. Tamra is the author of two award-winning books: The Third Law, about how marginalized women break the cycle of poverty, and Followship: 16 Lessons to Become a Leader Worth Following (2025), which offers a roadmap for leaders seeking to inspire trust, loyalty, and transformation. Through her writing, speaking, and coaching, Tamra equips leaders with tools to embrace their responsibilities, navigate challenges, and create meaningful impact. Whether addressing policy makers, business leaders, or aspiring changemakers, Tamra’s message is clear: leadership is about achieving success and inspiring others to follow and become leaders worth following themselves.
Dr. Charlotte de Brabandt
Dr. Charlotte de Brabandt is reshaping how leaders think about growth, performance, and the future of work. With a unique blend of strategic insight and human-centered leadership, she operates at the intersection of AI, transformation, and organizational culture. Throughout her career, Charlotte has guided global enterprises through complex change, helping leaders move beyond technology adoption to fundamentally rethink how value is created. Known for her ability to translate emerging trends into practical action, she brings clarity to uncertainty and momentum to transformation. As a speaker, advisor, and thought partner, she is particularly focused on how AI is not just a technological shift, but a question of values, ethics, and leadership. At the core of her work is a simple belief: sustainable success comes from aligning innovation with purpose, people, and long-term impact.
Joseph Machicote
Joseph Machicote is a former Chief Human Resources Officer with more than 30 years of experience in human resources, organizational leadership, and culture transformation. A nationally recognized keynote speaker and #1 bestselling author, Joe has built a career centered on helping organizations develop high-performing, growth-mindset cultures that positively impact employees, customers, partners, and communities. As a leadership coach and consultant, he works with executives and teams to create a clear strategic vision and strengthen organizational effectiveness across industries, including hospitality, healthcare, manufacturing, communications, and supply chain operations. His expertise spans organizational culture design, inclusion and belonging, employee relations, labor relations, talent acquisition, and HR strategy during mergers and transformations. Beyond his corporate work, Joe is deeply engaged in community leadership, having served as Board President and advisor for nonprofit organizations such as Mental Health America of the Central Carolinas. His work reflects a consistent commitment to building healthier organizations and stronger communities through people-centered leadership.
Dr Josias Jean-Pierre
Dr Josias Jean-Pierre is the example of being overlooked to overbooked, turning pain into purpose, mess into messages, setbacks into opportunities. From being told to give up on his dream of being a prolific motivational speaker and a voice of his generation because of his setbacks. Diagnosed with a learning disability that affected his speech and the brain electrical activity, which impacted how fast he processes information. Dr Jean-Pierre’s setback did not stop him from achieving this vision that he captured. From educators and peers telling him to give up to now, Dr Jean-Pierre’s impact has reached nationally and internationally, and he is an award-winning author and motivational speaker. He has been seen on Yahoo Finance with Ice Cube, where he was named as one of the top 10 inspirational African Americans of 2021, Puget Sound Business Journal 40 under 40, and the Voice of Change magazine, where he was named as one of 40 speakers shaping the future with Les brown. Today, his message has transformed lives throughout the country and given people hope who lost hope. At the core, Dr Jean-Pierre’s work is about helping others to know and see they are born on purpose, for a purpose, and with a purpose. Despite the obstacle, you can triumph and have a testimony that can help others to overcome.
Mike Stevenson
Mike Stevenson’s journey began on the streets of London at 16, before finding his voice busking in Dublin. From manual labour to building award-winning businesses, his path has been defined by resilience, reinvention, and bold, creative thinking. Today, he is a globally sought-after keynote speaker, working with leading international organisations to unlock innovation, energise leadership, and drive meaningful performance. Blending powerful storytelling, sharp insight, and disarming humour, Mike challenges audiences to break from convention and think differently. He doesn’t deliver speeches—he creates turning points that inspire decisive action and shape more imaginative, resilient futures.
Amy Forsythe
Amy Forsythe is an award-winning journalist who’s covered military operations around the world. A former Marine Corps combat photographer and retired Naval officer, she’s been recognized by several national media outlets, such as Success Magazine, as one of their Top Women of Influence in 2022. Amy’s built a powerful reputation for translating complex global issues into compelling, human-centered narratives. In 2022, she published a coffee-table book titled Heroes Live Here, and this year she’s launching MediaBridge.io, a first-of-its-kind AI-powered platform designed to connect top voices with real-time media opportunities—reshaping how experts, journalists, and storytellers engage in today’s fast-moving information landscape. On stage, Amy delivers sharp, authentic perspectives on leadership, storytelling, and the future of media, captivating audiences from executive forums to national conversations. Her voice brings clarity, credibility, and purpose. For organizations seeking a speaker who informs, inspires, and drives meaningful dialogue, Amy remains one of the most influential voices to watch.
Marie C. Zoutomou-Quintanilla, MBA
Marie C. Zoutomou-Quintanilla is a transformational speaker on a mission to impact over six million lives through the power of her voice. A cancer survivor turned TEDx speaker, she made a promise during her battle: if she survived, she would dedicate her life to inspiring and empowering others. Today, she speaks on resilience, faith, leadership, and overcoming adversity, helping organizations, nonprofits, and women’s conferences drive measurable results. Marie is also a strategic consultant, educator, and author of impactful books, including I Will Not Be Bullied, Will Not Bully Others, and You Are Being Tested, Do Not Worry. As co-owner of Nova1017 and Head of Nonprofit Advisory at AllPeople Marketplace, she bridges purpose with business. A 14-year survivor, she serves as a Health Equity Ambassador for the American Cancer Society. Featured in major media outlets, Marie continues to transform lives globally through her message.
Kayla Dornfeld
Kayla Dornfeld is a nationally recognized educator, keynote speaker, and CEO of Top Dog Teaching. With over 18 years in the classroom, she has earned honors including North Dakota Teacher of the Year, USA Teacher of the Year, 2026 Empowered Woman of the Year, and Global Hundred Awardee, recognizing the top 100 innovative educators in the world. Unlike many speakers, Kayla is still a full-time third-grade teacher, meaning every strategy she shares is currently being used in her own classroom. She brings unmatched credibility and real-time experience to every stage she steps on. Kayla is known for delivering high-energy, impactful keynotes that leave educators feeling seen, supported, and ready to take action. Her most requested topics include building engaging classrooms, practical strategies that actually work, teacher well-being, and helping educators reconnect with the joy of teaching. She blends research-backed practices with honest classroom stories, creating sessions that are both relatable and immediately actionable. Having spoken to audiences of thousands across the country, Kayla’s mission is simple: help educators feel confident, capable, and excited to show up each day.
