GDA Gold Star Speakers
The GDA Gold Star Speakers is comprised of individuals who have been recognized as elite speakers that GDA works with consistently. The program was created in honor of GDA's 20th Anniversary, which was celebrated in 2019. Future inductees will be reviewed and inducted into Gold Star Speakers annually in February.
Selection criteria considerations include:
Excellence on the stage both with content and presence
History with GDA
Association to the GDA brand
Impact on and valuable contribution to audiences and clients
We welcome and celebrate our inaugural GDA Gold Star Speakers inductees. These 14 men and women truly represent the foundation that GDA Speakers has been built on.
Keynotes: 1 Books: 1 Videos: 7
Kristina Wandzilak and Constance Curry
Mother-Daughter Duo; Addiction Recovery Specialists; Authors of "The Lost Years"
Kristina and Constance are the authors of The Lost Years; Surviving and Mothers and Daughters worst nightmare. The Lost Years is a brutally honest and gritty story of Kristina’s dramatic descent into addiction and her mother’s desperate attempt to save her.
Keynotes: 5 Books: 6 Videos: 5
Shawn Achor
New York Times Bestselling Author and Positive Psychology Expert
Shawn Achor is the world’s leading expert on happiness and success topic. His acclaimed TED Talk, The Happy Secret to Better Work, has been seen by more than 20 million people around the world, and he’s shared his insight in his two books, The Happiness Advantage and Before Happiness.
Keynotes: 4 Books: 3 Videos: 5
Joan Brock
Author of More Than Meets the Eye
Joan shares her inspiring story of the sudden loss of her sight then the loss of her husband to cancer. Joan will captivate your audience while sharing the importance of making positive and productive choices in this world of change and challenge.
Keynotes: 3 Books: 1 Videos: 9
Kevin Brown
Author; Branding, Culture, and Leadership Expert
Kevin is passionate about helping people and organizations embrace a philosophy that separates world-class organizations and high-performance people from everybody else - he calls it The HERO Effect®. Kevin inspires and challenges people to show up every day and make a positive difference at work and in life!
Keynotes: 4 Books: 1 Videos: 18
Jeff Civillico
Entertainer & Emcee; Las Vegas Headliner; TV & Live Event Host; Philanthropist
Jeff Civillico is a former Las Vegas Headliner, TV & Live Event Host Personality, and Philanthropist. Jeff is also the Founder and Chairman of Win-Win Entertainment, a national non-profit that creates opportunities for professional entertainers, athletes and celebrities to share their time and talent with children in need.
Keynotes: 2 Books: 9 Videos: 3
Ankit Fadia
Computer Security Expert, Author, MTV India Host
The bestselling author Ankit Fadia is a tech junkie who loves tinkering with computers, gadgets and everything tech. He has hosted a show on MTV India called What the Hack!, where he gave tips to get more out of technology. He his own YouTube channel called Geek On The Loose.
Keynotes: 2 Books: 0 Videos: 3
Andy Fastow
Former CFO of Enron; Risk Management, Ethics, and HR Expert
Enron’s former CFO will make observations about how the ambiguity and complexity of laws and regulations breeds opportunity for problematic decisions and will discuss what questions corporate directors and management should ask in order to ensure that their companies not only follow the rules, but uphold the principles behind them.
Keynotes: 2 Books: 1 Videos: 11
Rex Lewis-Clack and Cathleen Lewis
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: 9 Books: 1 Videos: 10
Eric Maddox
Negotiator; Author; Consultant; Army Veteran
Eric Maddox collected the intelligence which led to the exact location of Saddam Hussein. Eric is a consultant and author, he delivers empathy based listening as the number one tool for building trust and maximizing influence in all areas of life.
Keynotes: 7 Books: 4 Videos: 17
Leslie Morgan Steiner
New York Times Best-Selling Author; Columnist for The Washington Post; Former Corporate Executive; Domestic Violence Survivor
Leslie Morgan Steiner is a master of engaging men and women in today's most important women's leadership issues -- parenthood, relationships, and work/family balance.
Keynotes: 2 Books: 1 Videos: 13
Nando Parrado
Survivor of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571; New York Times Bestselling Author; Rugby Legend; Hero; Inspiration for "Alive" Film
His is a story that many will recognize, but few have an opportunity to hear first hand. Nando Parrado recounts the extraordinary tale of how he and 15 of his teammates survived for 72 brutal days after their plane crashed into the frozen Andes Mountains 50 years ago.
Keynotes: 3 Books: 4 Videos: 4
Peter Sheahan
C-Suite Advisor and Entrepreneur
Founder & Group CEO of Karrikins Group, Peter Sheahan is known internationally for his innovative business thinking and thought leadership. With staff in more than 23 cities across 7 countries, he knows firsthand the challenges of growing a business in these rapidly-changing times.
Keynotes: 1 Books: 3 Videos: 20
Ron White
Memory Expert, U.S. Navy Veteran
Ron White is without question one of the top Memory Experts in the world. As a two-time national memory champion, Ron will teach audience members techniques to triple their memory, build relationships by recalling names and faces and much more!