Jun 27, 2023
Top Keynote Speakers of the Year
Hold on tight – we’re already halfway through 2023! With an abundance of charismatic and innovative leaders setting the stage and tackling society’s most pressing issues to date, we present to you the top keynote speakers of 2023. Whether you’re in search of masterful storytelling, expert advice on leadership, negotiation skills, or entrepreneurial wisdom, these speakers have received the most bookings and highest reviews so far this year. Read on to discover their magic!
Top Keynote Speakers of 2023
Storytelling is the #1 business skill necessary to connect, motivate, and lead people in today’s world. Stories compel us to engage in experiences, learn lessons, and define our values and ourselves within our organization. Matthew Luhn, a 20-year Pixar story veteran, brings his experience creating and developing 10 blockbuster films at Pixar, and provides practical strategies that teach and inspire people and teams to connect more effectively with audiences on an emotional level. Matthew uses the power of storytelling to bridge the gap between business and heart, driving your story toward one unforgettable selling point.
“Matthew will take you on a remarkable journey that will reinforce the power of story telling in everything we do. Providing you with practical steps you can take today, to become a better story teller, communicating with influence and impact.” – Jason B., Chief Experience & Marketing Officer Volkswagen Group Australia
James Clear is a top personal development keynote speaker and the author of the #1 New York Times Bestseller Atomic Habits, which has sold over 15 million copies worldwide. His thought leadership regularly appears in the New York Times, Entrepreneur, Business Insider, Medium, and Time, and he is a regular guest for CBS This Morning. His entertaining talks teach audiences about small habits, decision-making, and continuous improvement.
“James delivered a compelling presentation about habit change and personal productivity that will influence how our students stretch themselves to pursue new opportunities. His work is clear and actionable in a way that breaks down some of the most challenging barriers that we all have to overcome. I would highly recommend James to any organization seeking to accomplish great things.” – Dan S., CEO of Trilogy Education Services
Legendary for running the world’s most exclusive high stakes poker game frequented by A-List Hollywood celebrities and sports figures, Molly Bloom is a top-booked inspirational speaker and one of Fortune’s Most Powerful Women. She shares a life journey of triumph, ruin, and reinvention—from Olympic dreams crushed by a career-ending accident to seeing her multi-million-dollar business threatened by organized crime and shut down by the FBI. Her story of grit, resilience and self-determination has been called a “goosebump experience,” inspiring corporate audiences and winning stellar reviews.
“Molly hit every note. She held the attention of the entire room for the whole hour as our players were in complete silence and full attention.” – Meg P., Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey Club
James Lawrence is a top motivational speaker, endurance world record holder, triathlete, and subject of the documentary The Iron Cowboy: The Story of the 50.50.50. Known to the world as The Iron Cowboy for wearing a cowboy hat during Ironman races, James completed the greatest feat of human endurance: 50 full distance triathlons, in 50 states, in 50 consecutive days (50.50.50). His combination of energy, humor, determination, and achievements captivates his audience and creates an inspirational and awakening phenomenon for all.
“James, I just got done listening to your story (Anthem webinar). I’m still wiping tears. You are brave, strong and such an inspiration. Congratulations on your accomplishments. Thank you for sharing your story with us. It was so heartwarming listening to you speak about your journey.” – Aetna Team-member
Jia Jiang is a top resilience keynote speaker with one of the most viewed TED Talks and the bestselling author of Rejection Proof. In 2019, Toastmasters International awarded Jiang the Golden Gavel, which is given annually to honor the best keynote speaker in the industry. In his book, website, and talks, Jiang provides inspiration and knowledge for people and organizations to become fearless through rejection training.
“I love the positivity (learning) from the experiences. I never thought about how my fear has caused me to miss things in my life. This is life-changing.” – Diana, Dell Technologies
Robyn Benincasa is a top leadership and teamwork keynote speaker, author, and Adventure Racing World Champion. One of the highest-rated, female motivational speakers in the world, she regularly shares the stage with world leaders and business icons, her customers include many Fortune companies like Starbucks, Deloitte, Aflac, Boeing, and more.
“Robyn knocked it out of the ballpark! What an inspiration. Engaging, on target, organized in presentation and fun! She definitely helped us strengthen the core of our leaders and made such a positive impact. We’re grateful for her contribution to our conference.” – Theresa M., Vice President of Training & Development, tastefully simple
Dr. JP Pawliw-Fry is a top emotional intelligence keynote speaker, leadership thought leader, peak performance expert, and co-author of the New York Times bestseller, Performing Under Pressure. His work with leaders from Fortune 500 companies, U.S. Marines, Olympic athletes, NBA, and NFL teams has provided him with considerable opportunities to test his science-based tools in environments of high pressure.
“Best keynote presentation I have been to in years! Very different than the usual: extremely interesting and powerful – yet highly entertaining. It is not often I hear someone who can really ‘put it together’.” – Ernst & Young
Renowned as the spy catcher who took down the most notorious traitor in U.S. espionage history, Eric O’Neill is a former FBI counterterrorism and counterintelligence operative and authority on all aspects of cybersecurity. His story became the Hollywood thriller, Breach, starring Ryan Phillipe as O’Neill, his own bestselling book, Gray Day, and now, motivational keynotes that use the thrilling world of espionage as a captivating background. A top speaker on cybersecurity, O’Neill customizes his highly motivational and informative talks to educate, elevate awareness and inspire engagement in your organization’s cybersecurity goals. He also addresses the new SEC cybersecurity reporting requirements, the threat to U.S. security posed by terrorism, cyber threats to critical infrastructure, foreign intelligence, Neural Network AIs like ChatGPT, and the national conscience in a monitored society.
“Eric does an incredible job engaging an audience through the telling of espionage stories, while masterfully weaving in what it means today in the world of cybercrime. He captivated the attention of over 350 business leaders, who left with clear insight into the non-negotiable importance of strategic cyber-security.” – Melody, CCB Technology
A business attorney and CEO of the American Negotiation Institute (ANI), Kwame Christian took his place among the world’s top negotiation experts when his TEDx talk went viral, spurring his bestselling books, Finding Confidence in Conflict: How to Negotiate Anything and Live Your Best Life and How to Have Difficult Conversations About Race: Practical Tools for Necessary Change in the Workplace and Beyond, as well as Negotiate Anything, the #1 negotiation podcast in the world. Defining negotiation as “any conversation in which somebody in the conversation wants something,” Kwame has worked with the Fortune 500 to apply the fundamentals of negotiation to virtually all aspects of corporate success. He has also helped thousands, from all walks of life, acquire a negotiation mindset that can be applied to universal situations, conflicts, and difficult conversations. As Kwame is frequently quoted, “The best things in life are on the other side of difficult conversations.”
“One of the team used several of the negotiation skills learned that very same day which resulted in an increase in our fee percentage with this client which covered the cost of the training!” – Casey H., Director of Recruiting, VIP
Kevin O’Leary is a top entrepreneur speaker, author, venture capitalist, guest judge on Shark Tank, and star on Money Court. Within his various television roles, his opinionated nature has won over millions, and he continues to impress his audiences with professional tips and personal anecdotes.
“If you have the opportunity to see Kevin O’Leary in your city, I urge you to take advantage of it! You’ll walk out feeling smarter and ready to change your relationship with money!” – Marie, Boston
Impress your audience and invite one of the top keynote speakers of 2023 to your next event or meeting! Contact BigSpeak Speakers Bureau to book today. Please email info@bigspeak.com to inquire.