TED-Talks Keynote Speakers
Browse TED-Talks Speakers
TED-Talk keynote speakers prove out how impressive and powerful public speaking is achieved with effective communication. These talented speakers create and inspire with original ideas and experiences. GDA has an impressive roster of TED-Talk speakers on every topic of expertise to share insight at your next event.
Keynotes: 5 Books: 6 Videos: 5
Shawn Achor Featured
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: 3 Books: 2 Videos: 7
Simon J. Anderson Featured
Futurist | International Keynote Speaker & Consultant | Award-Winning Author
Simon J. Anderson uses his "3A Thinking" approach to help leaders be more future resilient. He shows them how to pay Attention to how fast the world is changing, Anticipate some of the possibilities these changes might create, and lastly, take Action to turn those possibilities into opportunities.
Keynotes: 4 Books: 1 Videos: 8
Mariana Atencio Featured
Peabody and Gracie Award–Winning Journalist; 3x Emmy Nominee; Best-Selling Author; Viral Tedtalker
Mariana Atencio is a Peabody award-winning journalist, speaker, and author who has traveled around the world to help us discover & celebrate what makes us unique. As the only Latina national correspondent on NBC News, she’s a fighter for diversity, inclusion and authentic storytelling both on and off screen.
Keynotes: 1 Books: 12 Videos: 6
Dr. Robert Ballard Featured
Deep Sea Explorer, Discoverer of the Titanic Wreckage, Emmy-winning Documentary Producer
“I grew up wanting to be Captain Nemo from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.” Best known for his 1985 discovery of the Titanic wreckage, Dr. Robert Ballard has succeeded in tracking down numerous other significant shipwrecks.
Keynotes: 4 Books: 2 Videos: 8
Lisa Bodell Featured
Entrepreneur; Author; Innovation Expert; CEO of FutureThink
Lisa Bodell is an award-winning author and CEO of futurethink. As a futurist and expert on change management, she has helped thousands of senior leaders ignite innovation at Google, Pfizer, Lockheed Martin, and more.
Keynotes: 6 Books: 2 Videos: 6
Leonard Brody Featured
Entrepreneur, Venture Capitalist, Best-selling Author and a Two-Time Emmy Nominated Media Visionary
Leonard Brody has been hailed as "a controversial leader of the new world order." He has helped in raising millions of dollars for start-up companies, been through one of the largest Internet IPOs in history, and involved in the building, financing, and/or sale of five companies to date.
Keynotes: 4 Books: 5 Videos: 6
David Burkus Featured
Best-selling Author, Sought After Speaker, Professor
David Burkus is an organizational psychologist and best-selling author. Recognized as one of the world’s leading business thinkers, his forward-thinking ideas and books are helping leaders and teams do their best work ever.
Keynotes: 3 Books: 5 Videos: 2
Judy Carter Featured
Motivational Humorist and Stress Reduction Expert
As interviewed by Oprah Winfrey, and over 100 TV appearances, Judy Carter is one of America’s top motivational humorists, and stress reduction experts. With hilarious and empowering keynotes showing how we can all use our sense of humor to deal with burnout and lighten up.
Keynotes: 4 Books: 1 Videos: 8
Daryl Davis Featured
Musician, Author, Racial Justice Activist, Compelling Unifier, Klan Whisperer, and Award-Winning Conflict Navigator
Daryl Davis, a Black man, befriended members of the Ku Klux Klan and changed their lives. Over 200 of them gave him their robes and hoods to prove it! Daryl offers communication lessons from that experience. When we talk to our adversaries, fears that drive hate and misunderstanding melt away.
Keynotes: 2 Books: 0 Videos: 12
Amelia Rose Earhart Featured
Around the World Pilot; Podcast Host; Artist; President of Fly With Amelia Foundation
Single-Engine Aircraft Pilot Who Flew Around the World, President of Fly With Amelia Foundation, Namesake of the Original Amelia Mary Earhart
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: 5 Books: 1 Videos: 1
Bill Eckstrom Featured
President & Founder, EcSell Institute; International Keynote Speaker; Author, "The Coaching Effect"
Bill Eckstrom's primary passion is growth - especially how coaches and leaders impact the growth and performance of individuals and teams. This passion inspired Bill to launch EcSell Institute, a research-based organization that works with leaders internationally to help them better understand, measure, and elevate coaching’s impact on performance.
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: 5
Phil Hansen Featured
Internationally-recognized Multimedia Artist, Author, Innovator
Phil Hansen is an international multi-media artist who explores new ways to overcome limitations with innovation and creativity.
Keynotes: 5 Books: 1 Videos: 4
Jia Jiang Featured
Entrepreneur, Blogger and “Rejection Proof” Author
Jia Jiang (pronounced Jah Jahng) is an entrepreneur, blogger, TED speaker and an author. is the owner of Rejection Therapy and author. After he left a career in the corporate world to pursue life as an entrepreneur, he was soon confronted with everyone's biggest fear – rejection.
Keynotes: 1 Books: 0 Videos: 13
Kai Kight Featured
Innovative Keynote Speaker & Composer
As a classical violinist turned innovative composer, Kai Kight uses music as a metaphor to inspire individuals and organizations across the world to compose paths of imagination and fulfillment.
Keynotes: 4 Books: 0 Videos: 9
Elliot Kotek Featured
CEO & Founder - The Nation of Artists
Elliot is an innovator and content creator who blends technology and empathy to change the world. His 4Ps approach is used to re-center companies in their purpose, and the 50+ honors he's received while working with the planet's biggest names proves that Ideas + Empathy = Impact.
Keynotes: 7 Books: 1 Videos: 4
Janine Latus Featured
Speaker on Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence
Her NYT bestseller, If I Am Missing or Dead, is both a love letter to her sister and a call to break the cycle of abuse. Her talks are built on their story, and full of practical action items that help listeners save lives -- maybe even their own.
Keynotes: 4 Books: 5 Videos: 3
Charlene Li Featured
Entrepreneur; Expert in Digital Transformation, Disruptive Leadership, and Customer Experience
Charlene Li is an expert on digital transformation, leadership, customer experience and the future of work and the author of six books, including the New York Times bestseller “Open Leadership” and the co-author of the critically-acclaimed book “Groundswell”. Her latest book is the bestseller "The Disruption Mindset."
Keynotes: 3 Books: 2 Videos: 10
John Livesay Featured
Helping Sales Leaders Tell Stories to Win Sales; Author of The Sale Is in the Tale
Keynote sales speaker John Livesay, aka “The Pitch Whisperer,” helps sales forces connect with today’s crazy-busy, ultra-savvy buyers by becoming master storytellers with magnetic pitches. Whoever tells the best story gets the sale, and after John speaks, your people will know exactly how to craft irresistible stories.
Keynotes: 8 Books: 5 Videos: 13
Elizabeth Lombardo, Ph.D. Featured
Acclaimed Clinical Psychologist & Coach; Author of Get Out of The Red Zone; Positive Psychology Expert
Success starts from within. Whether you want to have a healthy body, booming business, or flourishing relationships, the first step is to rewire your brain and cultivate your peak mindset. Dr. Lombardo teaches practical skills to make lasting transformations in your life.
Keynotes: 1 Books: 4 Videos: 3
Dr. James Maas Featured
Nation's Top Sleep Educator, Award-Winning Professor
World famous sleep educator gives a dynamic program with incredible take-away value that constantly receives standing ovations. The information provided with audience interaction will increase daytime alertness, psychological mood, productivity, creativity, athletic prowess, general health and longevity
Keynotes: 3 Books: 1 Videos: 6
Sonia Nazario Featured
Social Journalist, Author, Humanitarian
Sonia Nazario is an award-winning journalist and humanitarian. Her personal story is the story of migration and of ganas (determination). Her articles and speeches move people to tears and end in standing ovations.
Keynotes: 5 Books: 3 Videos: 6
John O'Leary Featured
Author of best-selling book, On Fire: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life
In 1987, John was a curious nine-year-old boy. Playing with fire and gasoline, he created a massive explosion in his garage and was burned on 100% of his body. John was given one percent chance to survive.
Keynotes: 2 Books: 1 Videos: 12
Nando Parrado Featured
New York Times Bestselling Author, Rugby Legend, Hero and Inspiration for the Movie, Alive
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: 1 Books: 1 Videos: 7
Marlon Peterson Featured
Transformative & Inspirational
From facing life-in-prison at 19 to preeminent voice in social and criminal justice, Marlon Peterson is captivating. He is one of the few people to recieve a standing ovation from Chris Anderson, owner of TED TALKS.
Keynotes: 3 Books: 1 Videos: 1
Don Rheem Featured
The Science of Great Leadership
Don Rheem is CEO of E3 Solutions, a provider of employee workplace metrics which allows organizations to build engaged, high-performance cultures. Rheem focuses on using science-backed research to consult with leaders at all levels within an organization.
Keynotes: 6 Books: 3 Videos: 6
Michael Rogers Featured
The Practical Futurist
There are lots of futurists. Michael is a practical futurist with deep business and technology skills who is also a dynamic and entertaining speaker.
Keynotes: 3 Books: 1 Videos: 2
Alex Sheen Featured
Accountability Expert
World foremost expert on accountability and commitment, Alex is a five-time TEDxTalk speaker, author, podcast host, humanitarian, and Founder of the because I said I would movement. His work has been featured on the TODAY Show, Good Morning America, the Steve Harvey Show, CNN, Fox News and more.
Keynotes: 4 Books: 2 Videos: 7
Erik Wahl Featured
Motivational Artist, The Warhol of Wall Street
Erik is one of the most sought after speakers on the corporate lecture circuit on creativity and innovation. His keynote has been described as an "epic audience experience" He speaks over 100 times a year and his sought after graffiti artwork has raised millions of dollars for charity.
Keynotes: 5 Books: 0 Videos: 3
Pamela Barnum
Former Undercover Police Officer & Federal Prosecuting Attorney; Trust Strategist; Nonverbal Communication Expert
Pamela is a former undercover police officer and federal prosecuting attorney. She has spoken to audiences ranging from 50 to 12,000 in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Her recent TEDx Talk, “What Drug Dealers Taught Me About Trust” was viewed more than 200,000 times in the first six months.
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: 2 Videos: 2
Larry Burns
Former General Motors VP of R&D, Mobility Consultant for Google Inc.
Lawrence D. "Larry" Burns is the former corporate vice president of Research and Development for General Motors. Burns oversaw GM's advanced technology, innovation programs, and corporate strategy. Within GM, he personally championed vehicle electrification, “connected” vehicles, fuelcells, bio-fuels, advanced batteries, autonomous driving, and a series of innovative concept vehicles.
Keynotes: 5 Books: 2 Videos: 4
Jeff Butler
Helping Organizations Thrive In Multi-Generational Workplaces
A speaker who is a researcher but also practioner. Learn from the demographic you are looking to attract/work with in your organization.
Keynotes: 2 Books: 4 Videos: 3
Susan Cain
Chief Revolutionary of Quiet Revolution
Susan Cain is the Chief Revolutionary of Quiet Revolution LLC and the New York Times bestselling author of Quiet Power: The Secret Strengths of Introverts and Quiet: The Power of Introverts in A World That Can’t Stop Talking.
Keynotes: 2 Books: 1 Videos: 11
Susan David
The Visionary Behind Emotional Agility
Susan David, Ph.D., is an award-winning Harvard Medical School psychologist named one of the world's most influential management thinkers. She offers unique expertise on cultivating more agile, healthy, resilient, and authentically happy people, families, workplaces, and communities.
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: 3 Books: 0 Videos: 2
Patti Dobrowolski
Visual Thinker + Change Activator
Visual goal setter Patti Dobrowolski captivates and inspires audiences using the business leadership tool of the future: Drawing Solutions.
Keynotes: 5 Books: 1 Videos: 3
Dr. Adam Gazzaley
Professor in Neurology, Physiology and Psychiatry, Founder & Executive Director of Neuroscape.
Dr. Adam Gazzaley obtained an M.D. and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience. He is now Professor in Neurology, Physiology and Psychiatry at University of California, San Francisco and the Founder & Executive Director of Neuroscape, a translational neuroscience center engaged in technology creation and scientific research.
Keynotes: 7 Books: 1 Videos: 7
Dima Ghawi
Overcoming Adversity Keynote Speaker and Leadership Coach
Dima draws from 18 years of global corporate experience and the harrowing trials of her journey to establish her unique and empowering consulting company. Dima embraces future leaders, the rebels, and anyone who is ready to shatter limitations, reach their full potential, and become a part of a community for change.
Keynotes: 3 Books: 0 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 comback story of surviving the loss of two brothers to suicide. You will be glad you heard him speak.
Keynotes: 7 Books: 2 Videos: 3
Anne Grady
Speaker, Author, Entrepreneur
Anne has a master’s degree in organizational communication and has spent the last twenty years working with some of the largest organizations around the globe.
She has become known as a leading expert on communication, leadership, emotional intelligence, and resilience, contributing to Harvard Business Review, Entrepreneur, Fast Company and more.
Keynotes: 8 Books: 0 Videos: 4
Daniel Hulme
CEO & Founder, Satalia | Techno Activist | Unifying Humanity in the Digital Age
Daniel Hulme is a leading expert in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, and is the CEO of Satalia, an award-winning company that provides AI products and solutions for global companies such as Tesco and PwC. He speaks on the topics of AI, ethics, technology, innovation, decentralization and organisational design.
Keynotes: 5 Books: 5 Videos: 10
Dr. Willie Jolley
Award-winning speaker and singer, best-selling author and media personality
There are many motivational speakers, and then there is the one, the only, the incomparable Dr. Willie Jolley. He has been described simultaneously as a world-class, award-winning speaker and singer, best-selling author and media personality.
Keynotes: 14 Books: 2 Videos: 5
Diana Kander
NYT Best-selling Author, Entrepreneur, Forbes Contributor, a Senior Fellow at the Kauffman Foundation
Diana Kander is a New York Times Bestselling Author of All In Startup, entrepreneur, innovation consultant, and keynote speaker for Fortune 1000 companies who asks some big questions. What causes big, household brands to lose relevance with their customers and go out of business?
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: 5 Books: 0 Videos: 7
Daniel Kraft, MD
Physician, Scientist, and Entrepreneur
Daniel Kraft is a Stanford and Harvard trained physician, scientist, entrepreneur, inventor and innovator who speaks on how rapidly developing technologies are and will impact the future of healthcare and medicine.
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: 5 Books: 1 Videos: 2
Isaac Lidsky
Eyes Wide Open
Isaac Lidsky has the ability to speak on several topics based on his life experiences including a retinal degenerative disease that lead to his progressive sight loss and blindness, entrepreneurship, leadership, teams & motivation. Side Note: Isaac played Weasel on NBC's Saved by the Bell.
Keynotes: 4 Books: 1 Videos: 3
Riaz Meghji
Human Connection Expert | Author of Every Conversation Counts
Hosting for brands such as Citytv’s Breakfast Television, CTV News, TEDxVancouver and MTV Canada, during the past two decades Riaz has interviewed thousands of experts and now teaches leaders how to connect authentically and have their messages resonate with clients, customers and co-workers.
Keynotes: 5 Books: 5 Videos: 4
Mike Michalowicz
Entrepreneur
By his 35th birthday Mike Michalowicz had founded & sold two multi-million dollar companies. Confident that he had the formula to success, he became an angel investor...and proceeded to lose his entire fortune.
Keynotes: 3 Books: 0 Videos: 9
Kim Miles
TEDx Speaker, High Energy in High Heels
High energy in high heels: Kim Miles is a highly sought-after emcee, TEDx speaker, creative collaborator and event strategist. She partners with her clients to deliver content to audiences in unexpected, entertaining ways. Want to laugh while learning? Look no further: if Oprah and Ellen had a love-child, that's Kim.
Keynotes: 4 Books: 7 Videos: 1
Caroline Adams Miller, MAPP
Goals & Grit ™ Expert
Caroline is the world's leading expert on Goals & Grit. She helps people get more grit, achieve their goals, and find happiness. A Harvard graduate with a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology fro the University of Pennsylvania, she has authored seven books inclusing Creating Your Best Life and Getting Grit.
Keynotes: 4 Books: 4 Videos: 12
Dambisa Moyo
International Economist & Author who Analyzes the Macroeconomy and Global Affairs
Dr. Moyo's work examines the interplay of international business and the global economy, while highlighting the key opportunities for investment; capitalizing on her rare ability to translate trends in markets, politics, regulatory matters and economics into their likely impact on global business.
Keynotes: 4 Books: 0 Videos: 15
Aimée Mullins
Groundbreaking Athlete, Fashion Icon, Actor, TED All-Star, and Design Innovator
Aimée Mullins revels in the continuous exploration of what is possible—both for herself and those whose lives she touches. Aimée has developed her own unique formula for creating the “invented life,” fashioned from her undeniably unique combination of life experiences.
Keynotes: 2 Books: 1 Videos: 2
Roger Nierenberg
Symphony Conductor
Roger Nierenberg is the creator of The Music Paradigm. Mr. Nierenberg had lengthy tenures as the Music Director for the Stamford Symphony Orchestra in Connecticut, and the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra in Florida.
Keynotes: 3 Books: 1 Videos: 1
Johnny Quinn
Keynote Speaker, U.S. Olympian (Bobsled) and former Pro Football Player
Johnny Quinn was cut three times, lost 2.6 million dollars in NFL contracts and blew out his knee. Then he became an Olympian for the United States of America. From an NFL failure to a U.S. Olympian, Johnny’s “what’s next” attitude led him to success he never imagined.
Keynotes: 10 Books: 3 Videos: 4
Kristen Race, Ph.D.
Neuroscientist & Mindfulness Expert
Kristen Race, Ph.D has created brain-based mindfulness programs used by businesses, schools and families worldwide. Her programs provide simple mindfulness strategies and tools that are designed to create resiliency towards stress. Her dynamic and accessible presentation style makes her a great fit for all audiences.
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: 0 Videos: 2
Richard Resnick
TED Speaker on the Impact of Genomics on Absolutely Everything, Serial Entrepreneur, and CEO
The Genomic Revolution - a whirlwind journey through our deepening understanding of the genome and its dizzying applications in medicine, agriculture, society, and in defining the very nature of what it means to be human. And beyond human.
Keynotes: 8 Books: 5 Videos: 3
Mike Robbins
An Expert in Teamwork, Emotional Intelligence and The Powers of Appreciation and Authenticity
He has inspired tens of thousands of people around the world to reach new levels of awareness and productivity, both personally and professionally. Mike teaches people important techniques that allow them to be more grateful, appreciative, and authentic with others and themselves.
Keynotes: 1 Books: 5 Videos: 5
Patrick Schwerdtfeger
Futurist Leading Authority on Technology Trends
As a leading expert in technology trends and a recognized authority on global business trends, Patrick Schwerdtfeger's work focuses on providing insights into the technological forces driving the transformation of businesses around the world.
Keynotes: 4 Books: 1 Videos: 2
Janine Shepherd
A Broken Body isn't A Broken Person
Deepak Chopra calls Janine a Change Agent. Maria Shriver calls her an "Architect of Change." Her spellbinding, inspirational keynote blends the talent of a consummate storyteller with a message of resilience, defiance, acceptance and human potential.
Keynotes: 4 Books: 7 Videos: 6
P.W. Singer
Futurist, Cybersecurity, Technology and National Security Expert
A NY Times Bestselling author, described in Wall Street Journal as “the premier futurist in the national-security environment, Singer is considered one of the world's leading experts on 21st century technology/security. He's spoken at venues that range the White House and Sydney Opera House to TED and SXSW
Keynotes: 11 Books: 12 Videos: 9
Scott Steinberg
Business Strategist, Innovation + Trend Expert, Technology Futurist
Award-winning professional speaker, bestselling expert on leadership/innovation. Author of Make Change Work for You: 10 Ways to Future-Proof Yourself, Fearlessly Innovate, and Succeed Despite Uncertainty. Leading futurist/trends expert: 600+ outlets from CNN to TIME. Fortune 500 calls "defining figure” and "top trendsetter to follow."
Keynotes: 4 Books: 1 Videos: 7
Eric Termuende
Speaker and Bestselling Author
Eric Termuende is helping leaders build tomorrow's greatest places to work by educating them and empowering them to make one-degree shifts that build trust, reduce friction, and build a culture of experimentation.
Keynotes: 5 Books: 1 Videos: 3
Stosh Walsh
Inviting Individuals and Organizations to Greater Courage
Most people and organizations see the world as it is and react. This impactful presentation redefines courage as an invitation to envision the world as it could be, then create it Stosh's presentations invite individuals and organizations to live with greater courage and create the best world they can envision.
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.
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