Activism / Philanthropy / Civic Engagement Keynote Speakers
Browse Activism / Philanthropy / Civic Engagement Speakers
Activism, Philanthropy and Civic Engagement keynote speakers have empowerment through empathy and helping others. Activism, Philanthropy and Civic Engagements speakers are survivors, entrepreneurs, celebrities, and influencers. GDA Speakers is proud to have a world-class roster of activism, philanthropy and civic engagement speakers to inspire your next conference.
Keynotes: 3 Books: 2 Videos: 0
Jennifer Ayers-Moore Featured
Mental Health Advocate
Jennifer Ayers-Moore, sister to Nathaniel Ayers, the subject of the book and film The Soloist, is a passionate, outspoken advocate for the artistically gifted mentally ill. Her journey began over 30 years ago when her charming, intelligent, talented, and handsome brother, Nathaniel, developed schizophrenia.
Keynotes: 7 Books: 0 Videos: 2
Greg Bennick Featured
Global Keynote Speaker, Interactive Comedian, Event Emcee
Greg Bennick is a keynote speaker and comedian all in one, offering fun approaches to ideas on community, finding your voice, and using creativity to grow as a team. He has a fascinating background: a comedy juggler and magician since his teens, a philanthropist and global humanitarian, AND an emcee!
Keynotes: 3 Books: 5 Videos: 4
Dan Buettner Featured
Best Selling Author of The Blue Zones
Dan Buettner is ready to wow audiences with secrets from around the world to live longer, better, healthier and happier lives.
Keynotes: 2 Books: 0 Videos: 5
Lauren Bush Lauren Featured
Founder and CEO of FEED Projects
Lauren Bush Lauren is the Founder and CEO of FEED Projects, an impact-driven lifestyle brand with the mission of creating good products that help FEED the world.
Keynotes: 2 Books: 4 Videos: 8
Kathryn Childers Featured
Women's History Trailblazer: One of First Five Women Special Agents in United States Secret Service
Kathryn Childers was one of the first five women hired into the Secret Service in 1971 protecting Presidents, dignitaries, as well as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and her children. Journalist, philanthropist, and author/publisher followed. Through it all, she became an expert at being scared fearless and shares that courageous journey.
Keynotes: 3 Books: 1 Videos: 5
Mick Ebeling Featured
Founder of Not Impossible Labs, CEO and Founder of The Ebeling Group
Most recently named one of Fortune Magazine’s World’s Greatest Leaders, a recipient of the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year Award and listed as one of the most influential creative people by The Creativity 50’s, Mick Ebeling has sparked a movement of pragmatic, inspirational innovation.
Keynotes: 1 Books: 1 Videos: 5
Haben Girma, Esq. Featured
Human Rights Lawyer, Author, First Deafblind Graduate of Harvard Law School
The first Deafblind person to graduate from Harvard Law School, Haben Girma advocates for equal opportunities for people with disabilities. President Obama named her a White House Champion of Change.
Keynotes: 2 Books: 1 Videos: 9
Doc Hendley Featured
Founder & International President of Wine To Water, Top 10 CNN Hero
“My efforts are going to be a drop in the bucket, but if I would have never taken that step because it was too big of problem, then we wouldn’t be anywhere right now.” — DOC HENDLEY
Keynotes: 2 Books: 3 Videos: 8
Jose Hernandez Featured
Former NASA Astronaut; Entrepreneur; Farmer; Vintner; Author
Jose Hernandez's talk is an effective motivational talk where individuals leave so inspired, they re-evaluate and upgrade their personal and professional goals in life. He shares a simple yet effective recipe that serves as an valuable tool in the empowerment process.
Keynotes: 2 Books: 4 Videos: 4
Earvin “Magic” Johnson Featured
Businessman, Philanthropist, NBA Hall of Fame
Earvin “Magic” Johnson has become one of the most successful African-American businessmen in the world. He is a Major League Baseball owner, an NBA Legend, a 2-Time Hall of Famer, an Entrepreneur, a Philanthropist and a Motivational Speaker.
Keynotes: 1 Books: 0 Videos: 5
Jennifer Keesmaat Featured
Canadian Urban Planner & Cities of the Future Visionary
Jennifer Keesmaat is a Canadian urban planner passionate about creating places where people flourish. Named one of the “most powerful people in Canada." Now a Distinguished Visitor in Residence at the University of Toronto, Keesmaat shares her vision for cities of the future.
Keynotes: 2 Books: 1 Videos: 11
Rex Lewis-Clack and Cathleen Lewis Featured
Inspirational Mother and Son Featured on 60 Minutes
Born blind, Rex Lewis-Clack was diagnosed with autism as a toddler, and then labeled a musical genius (piano) by the age of 7, when musicologists became astounded by Rex's ability to play back complex piano pieces he had heard only once.
Keynotes: 4 Books: 1 Videos: 8
Liz Murray Featured
Inspirational Speaker and Bestselling Author, Breaking Night
Formerly homeless, Liz Murray transformed her life of despair into an inspiring journey of determination, hope and hard-won success.
Keynotes: 3 Books: 0 Videos: 2
Tony Plana Featured
Former Award-Winning Star of Ugly Betty, Director, and Arts & Education Advocate
Cuban-born Tony Plana is one of the most recognizable Latino actors of stage and screen and has directed, produced, and starred in more than 60 major films. His most recognized role was the character of Ignacio Suarez, the widowed father to America Ferrera’s Ugly Betty.
Keynotes: 2 Books: 3 Videos: 2
Bill Rancic Featured
Entrepreneur; Award-Winning Author; Media Personality
Bill Rancic burst onto the national scene when he was hired by Donald Trump as the winner of the first season of NBC’s breakthrough program “The Apprentice”. He is speaking to businesses and organizations around the world, developing real estate in Chicago, and producing and appearing in several television programs.
Keynotes: 6 Books: 0 Videos: 4
Shiza Shahid Featured
Co-founder of Our Place, founder of NowVentures, co-founder & founding CEO of Malala Fund, and TIME magazine's 30 people changing the world
Shiza co-founded the Malala Fund with Nobel Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, and led the organization as founding CEO. She focused on creating access to high quality education for all children around the world. Shiza launched NOW Ventures in Silicon Valley, the largest Venture Capital Platform in the world.
Keynotes: 3 Books: 0 Videos: 3
Troy Vincent Featured
NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations; Co-Founder of A Call To Men
Troy Vincent informs the business of the NFL through the unique lens of his previous roles as a player, a player’s union president, and the Senior Vice President of Player Engagement. Vincent is considered a national leader as an advocate against domestic violence and sexual assault.
Keynotes: 4 Books: 2 Videos: 11
Bill Walton Featured
Basketball Legend, Broadcaster, Humanitarian, and Survivor
Bill Walton may be the most colorful figure in sports. An ESPN broadcaster, Bill’s college and NBA championship teams are legendary. But chasing the dream took a nightmarish toll: 39 surgeries and spinal failure. Insightful, funny, and profound, Bill inspires with lessons about winning, losing, teamwork, and overcoming the odds.
Keynotes: 1 Books: 3 Videos: 11
Jimmy Wayne Featured
Inspirational New York Times Bestselling Author & Award-Winning Musician
Jimmy Wayne is a former foster kid turned country music singer/songwriter whose songs and story highlight his mission to bring awareness to kids who age out of the foster system and become homeless.
Keynotes: 1 Books: 2 Videos: 1
Miki Agrawal
Social Entrepreneur and Disruption Expert
Miki Agrawal is a social entrepreneur known for breaking taboos and disrupting the status quo. She co-founded THINX, a high-tech, period-proof underwear brand. She most recently founded TUSHY, a company that is revolutionizing the American toilet category.
Keynotes: 3 Books: 3 Videos: 2
Brooke Axtell
Survivor of Human Trafficking & Domestic Abuse
Brooke Axtell is the Founder and Director of She is Rising, a healing community for women and girls overcoming rape, abuse and sex-trafficking.
Keynotes: 5 Books: 0 Videos: 9
Mallory Brown
Impact Storyteller, Filmmaker, Empathy Speaker
Mallory Brown is a social entrepreneur, adventure traveler, and humanitarian. She is the founder of World Clothes Line. She runs philanthropic campaigns, backpacking around the globe, raising awareness and encouraging a compassionate world.
Keynotes: 1 Books: 1 Videos: 7
Peter Buffett
Emmy Award-winning Musician, Philanthropist and Author
As Co-Chair of the NoVo Foundation, with his wife Jennifer, they seek to empower girls and women as the primary agents of change. Buffett’s inspiring New York Times Best-Seller, Life Is What You Make It, has sold nearly half a million copies worldwide.
Keynotes: 7 Books: 2 Videos: 8
Regina Calcaterra
New York Times Best-selling Author / Speaker
Regina is a NYT best-selling author, speaker and recognized trauma informed attorney. She co-founded Calcaterra Pollack LLP, a diverse 100% women owned firm early in the pandemic. As a survivor of childhood sexual and physical assault she represents adult survivors of childhood sexual assault and other abuse survivors.
Keynotes: 3 Books: 1 Videos: 4
Majora Carter
American Urban Revitalization Strategist; Environmental Justice Solutions
Economic revitalizer Majora Carter has made it her life's mission to find sustainable solutions for struggling communities - starting with her own.
Keynotes: 1 Books: 0 Videos: 4
Stephanie Decker
Inspiring Mom: Lost Both Legs Saving Children From Tornado, Founder of the Stephanie Decker Foundation
Stephanie Decker is the inspiring mother who lost both legs saving her children during a tornado. She also founded the Stephanie Decker Foundation which helps children with missing limbs take part in sports camps.
Keynotes: 1 Books: 1 Videos: 8
Jon Dorenbos
Magician, Motivational & Keynote Speaker and NFL Player
Jon Dorenbos has one of the most extraordinary and empowering stories of resilience, forgiveness, and living a life of purpose in the face of unfathomable obstacles.
Keynotes: 7 Books: 0 Videos: 2
Lizanne Falsetto
Visionary Entrepreneur, Founder/CEO of thinkThin®, CEO Pink Talented Angels & LF Advisory, Global Wellness Expert
Lizanne Falsetto is founder of thinkThin®. She is a courageous health & wellness pioneer, foodie, trend spotter, business media commentator, and advisor to the next-generation of entrepreneurs.Lizanne launched The PINK TALENTED ANGELS, designed to bring female leaders and early/mid-stage entrepreneurs together to help one another thrive.
Keynotes: 9 Books: 3 Videos: 2
Antwone Fisher
Best-Selling Author & Screenwriter
Antwone Fisher is an award-winning film and literary writer. Born in an Ohio prison to a teenage mother, Antwone became a ward of the state. He spent two years in a loving foster home, but was subsequently moved and suffered twelve years of abuse at his new foster family.
Keynotes: 4 Books: 5 Videos: 4
Michael Franzese
Former Member of Colombo Organized Crime Family. Current Speaker, author, TV and Film personality.
Michael Franzese is the only high ranking official of a major crime family to ever walk away, without protective custodies, and survive.
Keynotes: 3 Books: 1 Videos: 5
Dennis Gillan
Mental Health Advocate
Dennis Gillan is on a mission to reverse the current trends in completed suicides & to seriously reduce the stigma associated with getting help for one's mental health. The audience loves his comeback story of surviving the loss of two brothers to suicide. You will be glad you heard him speak.
Keynotes: 8 Books: 2 Videos: 2
Bob Goff
New York Times Best-Selling Author of Love Does
NYT bestselling author of Love Does, Everybody Always & Dream Big as well as an attorney who founded Love Does, a nonprofit human rights organization operating in Uganda, India & Somalia. Sought after speaker for leadership, church and university events, inspiring influencers to get to the ”do” part of life.
Keynotes: 7 Books: 1 Videos: 6
Katie Goodman
comic, actress, author, and speaker
Katie Goodman is an award-winning comedian, author and speaker. She has been seen on Showtime, Current TV, and TruTV, as well as touring internationally. She is a featured blogger for The Huffington Post, has contributed to O, The Oprah Magazine and is the author of Improvisation For The Spirit.
Keynotes: 2 Books: 6 Videos: 6
Erin Gruwell
Educator and Founder of the Freedom Writers Foundation
Erin Gruwell is a teacher, an author, and the founder of the Freedom Writers Foundation. By fostering an educational philosophy that values and promotes diversity, Erin transformed her students’ lives.
Keynotes: 4 Books: 4 Videos: 4
Tony Hawk
Legendary Skateboarder; Entrepreneur; Founder of The Skatepark Project (formerly the Tony Hawk Foundation)
Legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk, a pioneer of social media, philanthropist, successful entrepreneur, and the first skater to ever land a 900, talks about his experience creating authentic brands and giving back.
Keynotes: 5 Books: 0 Videos: 3
Charlie Rocket Jabaley
Influencer, Hip-Hop Mogul, Motivational Speaker, Athlete and Dreamer
Charlie Rocket inspires those around him. He’s lost 135 pounds. Became vegan. Ran 3 marathons. Reversed the growth of his brain tumor. Became an Ironman. Recently finished his nationally-known Dream Machine bike tour across America. He also made the cover of Runner’s World and secured a partnership with Nike.
Keynotes: 1 Books: 0 Videos: 3
Brenda Jones Harden
Professor at University of Maryland College Park, Committee of the Board ZERO TO THREE Chair
Brenda Jones Harden, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland College Park. Dr. Jones Harden is a Chair, Committee of the Board of ZERO TO THREE.
Keynotes: 1 Books: 1 Videos: 11
Michelle MiJung Kim
Korean American Immigrant; Award-Winning Author; Activist; Entrepreneur
Michelle MiJung Kim (she/her) is a queer Korean American immigrant woman writer, speaker, activist, and entrepreneur. She is CEO and co-founder of Awaken, where she has consulted hundreds of organizations and leaders from Fortune 500 companies, tech giants, nonprofits, universities and beyond on their equity education journey.
Keynotes: 2 Books: 0 Videos: 5
Jeff Kirschner
Litterati, Founder & CEO
Litterati is a community that's "crowdsource-cleaning" the planet - one piece at a time.
Keynotes: 1 Books: 0 Videos: 3
Jan Langbein
CEO and Founder - Genesis Women's Shelter and Support
For 28 years, Jan Edgar Langbein has been an activist in efforts to end violence against
women. Currently, as CEO of Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support, Ms. Langbein
oversees Genesis’ internal and external operations as well as funding and community
education.
Keynotes: 1 Books: 0 Videos: 4
Monica Lewinsky
Social Activist
Monica Lewinsky is a social activist, a global public speaker, a contributing editor to Vanity Fair and a consultant. She advocates for a safer social media environment and addresses such topics as digital resilience, reputation, privacy, cultivating compassion, overcoming shame and equality.
Keynotes: 0 Books: 1 Videos: 2
Rania Mankarious
CEO Crimes Stoppers of Houston, Author, Cyber Safety Expert
Mankarious is most proud to have built the first-ever Crime Stoppers headquarters in the world and has written over 200 articles on public safety. In addition to researching and writing, she’s also argued for school safety in front of the Texas House and Senate.
Keynotes: 8 Books: 1 Videos: 1
Shahir Masri
Environmental Scientist, Author, and Speaker
Shahir Masri is author of the book, Beyond Debate: Answers to 50 Misconceptions on Climate Change and a contributing writer for The Hill. He co-founded the National Outreach Project "On The Road For Climate Action," empowering everyday people to help solve the climate crisis through community outreach and education.
Keynotes: 4 Books: 0 Videos: 1
Jennifer McCollum
CEO of Linkage, Leadership Consultant, Speaker, and Executive Coach
Jennifer McCollum is CEO of Linkage, Inc. highly sought-after consultant and speaker, with a deep expertise in Inclusive Leadership and Advancing Women Leaders. She has 20 years of experience building and leading businesses in the leadership space and is a contributing author to Leadership in a Time of Crisis.
Keynotes: 1 Books: 2 Videos: 1
Patricia Moore
2020 CHANGEMAKER Award, Renowned Gerontologist, and Designer
Patricia Moore is an internationally renowned gerontologist and designer, serving as a leading authority on consumer lifespan behaviors and requirements. For a period of three years (1979-1982), in an exceptional and daring experiment, Moore traveled throughout the United States and Canada disguised as women more than eighty years of age.
Keynotes: 3 Books: 2 Videos: 4
Jim Morris, The Rookie
The Inspiration for the Movie “The Rookie”
Jim Morris is the subject of Disney's film "The Rookie." He's the science teacher/coach who made a bet with his baseball team; if they won district he would try out for an MLB team. They did, he did and made it to the major leagues in three months!
Keynotes: 2 Books: 1 Videos: 1
Kyle and Brent Pease
Ironman Champion Triathletes
Diagnosed with Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy as a child, Kyle Pease had grown up supporting his athlete brothers Brent and Evan from the sidelines. While his condition limited his ability to play sports, it didn't dampen Kyle's passion for them, nor did it stop them from including Kyle in everything.
Keynotes: 2 Books: 1 Videos: 7
Chad Pregracke
CNN Hero; Social Entrepreneur
Chad Pregracke embodies how one person can make a difference. Since the age 17, Chad has lead a movement for cleaner water through hard work and by mobilizing thousands of volunteers and corporations to join his cause. His presentation style is authentic, humorous, spontaneous, and inspires people to take action!
Keynotes: 6 Books: 2 Videos: 12
Jason Redman
Former Navy SEAL Officer, Author of Orange Wounded Warrior Sign at Bethesda Naval Hospital
Jason Redman joined the Navy on September 11, 1992 and spent eleven years as an enlisted SEAL. On September 13, 2007, outside of Fallujah, Iraq, Lieutenant Redman’s Assault Team came under heavy machine gun and small arms fire and he was severely wounded in the ensuing firefight.
Keynotes: 2 Books: 1 Videos: 2
Dan Reidenberg
Suicide Prevention & Teen Mental Health
Daniel J. Reidenberg is currently the Executive Director of SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education), a national non-profit agency working to prevent suicide and help suicide survivors and those suffering with depression.
Keynotes: 8 Books: 1 Videos: 3
Angela M. Sanchez
Formerly Homeless, Writer, Cartoonist, Magician, Education Advocate, First Generation Latino College Graduate
Angela M. Sanchez came of age in the Great Recession of the late 2000s and her writing is informed by her experiences. Namely, in 2007, when she was a junior in high school in Glendale, her father, a single parent, lost his job as an architectural draftsman.
Keynotes: 2 Books: 2 Videos: 2
Timothy Shriver
Social Leader, an Educator, Author, Film Producer, and Entrepreneur
Chairman, Special Olympics. As part of his passion for promoting the gifts of the marginalized, Shriver has harnessed the power of Hollywood to share stories of inspiration and change. Shriver and his team created exciting new Special Olympics programs in athlete leadership, cross-cultural research, health, education, and family support.
Keynotes: 4 Books: 1 Videos: 4
Lynn Smith
Media Expert, Anchor Alum NBC/MSNBC/CNN, Podcast Host
I help CEOs/Thought Leaders/ Experts articulate their vision to gain credibility and visibility through the media and video to significantly increase business. My 20 years as a journalist at TODAY, NBC News, MSNBC, and CNN has allowed me to help thousands to get their story told in a powerful way.
Keynotes: 1 Books: 1 Videos: 2
Pat Smith
TV Persona, Entrepreneur and President & CEO of Emmitt and Pat Smith Enterprises
Pat Smith is a busy wife, mother of 5, Ordained Elder, author, speaker, entrepreneur and philanthropist. Her non-profit, “Treasure You”, inspires women to pursue their second chance in life despite circumstances or setbacks.
Keynotes: 1 Books: 1 Videos: 6
Heidi A. Swan
Local, State and Federal Advocate; Cannabis-Induced Psychosis and Homelessnes Prevention Expert
As a passionate advocate about the mental health impacts of marijuana, Heidi's been on Dr. Phil, Fox.com and NBC-LA. A California resident, she advocates for local control and warning labels. Federally, she insists the industry and our elected leaders publicly disclose the known risks THC pose to brain health.
Keynotes: 5 Books: 3 Videos: 11
Dr. Steve Taubman
Empowerment Expert, Results Catalyst, Hypnotist, Humorist
Dr. Steve is an expert at helping people break through mental barriers and harness their subconscious minds for success. Using humor and astonishment, he guides his audience to laugh, gasp, think, and laugh some more, leaving them with powerful tools to transform their work and personal lives.
Keynotes: 4 Books: 1 Videos: 2
Rocky (Rock-T) Turner
Author, Speaker, Radio-TV Personality, Former Professional Baseball Player
Professional baseball player turned DJ and radio personality, Rock-T aka Rocky Turner, has a heart to motivate people to stop making excuses and get it done.
Keynotes: 0 Books: 0 Videos: 1
Brittany Underwood
International Trade Entrepreneur; Local Social Entrepreneur
The Akola Project is a social business within a non-profit framework that empowers marginalized women to generate income to uplift the lives of their families and communities by employing them to make high-fashion jewelry, handbags and home goods.
Keynotes: 2 Books: 0 Videos: 3
Tom Varano
Inspirational Speaker/Performance Speed Painter/Entertainer
Emotion Into Art™ is a speed painting show that wows the audience with speed paintings of famous faces, created in minutes, set to loud, powerful music. Some of the pieces are created upside down, then flipped during the process for the 'reveal'.
Keynotes: 2 Books: 0 Videos: 1
Natasha Verma
News Anchor, Cancer Survivor & Founder of the Verma Foundation
Natasha Verma, who is the weekday morning anchor for NBC’s 9NEWS in Denver. In 2017, Verma was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin’s lymphoma. During her chemotherapy, Verma designed cap wigs made of 100-percent human hair attached to cotton or velvet.
Keynotes: 2 Books: 1 Videos: 1
Janne Willems
Founder and Executive Director, Seize Your Moments
Janne's unexpected method and style refreshes audiences worldwide and gets them out their comfort zone. She provides an unique combination of theory and her life changing story. How to use trust to change the world.
Keynotes: 1 Books: 0 Videos: 4
Darren Woodson
Former Dallas Cowboy, Former ESPN Analyst, Entrepreneur, and Speaker
Three-time Super Bowl champion and five-time Pro Bowl selection Darren Woodson joined ESPN as an NFL analyst in 2005. He appears on NFL Live and SportsCenter, as well as other ESPN platforms throughout the year.
Topic Index
Browse topics in this category
- 18 Abuse / Domestic Violence
- 62 Activism / Philanthropy / Civic Engagement
- 13 Addiction / Substance Abuse / Recovery
- 5 Art
- 1 Black Culture
- 9 Bullying / Violence
- 10 Compassion
- 21 Consumer Trends
- 6 Culinary Arts
- 3 Design / Architecture / Engineering
- 8 Disability Rights
- 31 Education
- 25 Emotional Intelligence
- 24 Faith / Spirituality
- 39 Family / Relationships
- 4 Fashion
- 28 Generational Issues
- 10 Hispanic/Latino/Chicano/Xicano
- 5 History
- 4 Immigration
- 11 Jewish Groups
- 5 LGBTQ
- 2 Marijuana/Cannabis
- 18 Mindfulness
- 1 Photography
- 21 Professor
- 7 Racial Issues
- 4 Religion
- 4 Sexuality
- 30 Social Media
- 26 Social Responsibility
- 381 Virtual
- 55 Women's Empowerment