Thought Leader Keynote Speakers
Browse Thought Leader Speakers
Thought Leader keynote speakers inspire us to think differently. They can tap into psychology, emerging technology, innovations, and disruptions to deliver a message. Always in demand for fresh insight and practical future-focused strategies, GDA has many options of thought leader keynote speakers for 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: 5 Books: 0 Videos: 4
Kate Ancketill Featured
Leading Authority in Global Retail & Business Futurism
Kate is a leading authority in global retail and business futurism. With retail, consumer,
brand, hospitality, and technology specialisation, making complex societal shifts and emerging technologies relatable for any audience.
Keynotes: 1 Books: 2 Videos: 2
Jeff Bush Featured
Principal of The Washington Update; Authority on Nonpartisan Politics, Tax and Legal Policy, Finance and Economy
Jeff Bush is known for his unique ability to translate difficult and confusing information coming out of Washington D.C. into winning growth strategies for business owners, executives and high net worth investors. Jeff is a an integral part of The Washington Update, the industry’s NONPARTISAN experts on all things Washington.
Keynotes: 6 Books: 3 Videos: 15
Troy Hazard Featured
Street-smart business leader, bestselling author, franchise expert, and founder of 13 companies
There are few situations in the business world that Troy Hazard has not experienced and survived – from massive financial loss to stunning success. As a serial entrepreneur who has founded and nurtured thirteen businesses, Troy has been as consultant to some of the world's leading brands.
Keynotes: 3 Books: 4 Videos: 4
Robert Herjavec Featured
Leading Shark on ABC's Shark Tank and Founder & CEO Herjavec Group
Robert Herjavec is one of North America’s most recognizable business leaders. A dynamic entrepreneur, Robert has built and sold several IT companies to major players such as AT&T. He shares his expertise with other entrepreneurs each week as a leading Shark on ABC’s Emmy Award-winning hit Shark Tank.
Keynotes: 5 Books: 2 Videos: 4
Shama Hyder Featured
CEO of Zen Media, Best-Selling Author, Keynote Speaker, LinkedIn Top Voice in Marketing 4X
Shama is a trailblazing, award-winning entrepreneur who has built a global audience and is known for helping brands succeed in the digital age. Forbes, Businessweek, and Inc - Top 30 under 30 entrepreneurs in the field of marketing LinkedIn’s Top 10 Voices in Marketing for four years in a row.
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: 4 Books: 5 Videos: 4
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: 2 Books: 4 Videos: 9
Greg McKeown Featured
Author of the New York Times bestseller, "Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less." Host of the, "What's Essential" podcast.
Emerging as one of the most sought after speakers on leadership, peak performance, and business growth, Greg McKeown has trained at hundreds of events across the world including in the U.S., Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, China, England, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Norway and Singapore.
Keynotes: 2 Books: 1 Videos: 2
Bernard Baumohl
Chief Global Economist at The Economic Outlook Group
Bernard Baumohl is chief global economist at The Economic Outlook Group. He is well known for being ahead of the curve in assessing the direction of the U.S. and world economy.
Keynotes: 4 Books: 0 Videos: 4
Gabor George Burt
Business Tranformationist, Innovation Pioneer, Founder of the Slingshot Framework
Gabor George Burt is the global authority on re-imagining boundaries and author of the book Slingshot. A mastermind of innovation, creativity and strategy, Gabor enables individuals and organizations to overstep perceived limitations and to carve out successful growth strategies. His Slingshot Framework is at the forefront of global innovation.
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: 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: 5 Books: 3 Videos: 4
Eric Chester
The go-to expert on finding, engaging & keeping great employees.
Eric Chester is a trusted source in the global dialogue on workplace culture, employee engagement, and the emerging workforce. He helps business leaders attract, develop and retain top talent that delivers "on fire" performance.
Keynotes: 5 Books: 4 Videos: 16
Geoff Colvin
Senior Editor-at-Large, Fortune Magazine, and Bestselling Author Arming Leaders to Confront Disruptive Change and Win
Experience counts! Fortune veteran Geoff Colvin gives audiences critical information and insights they need to win. The rules have changed. Winning demands courage to confront reality faster than the competition. Transformation, innovation, and reinvention are on every leader’s mind. Colvin identifies what top companies and leaders are doing to adapt.
Keynotes: 2 Books: 2 Videos: 1
Gary Coxe
Transformational Business & Life Strategist and Sales Coach
Gary Coxe's work has been featured on The View, Inside Edition, Fox and Friends and as a regular on Dr. Phil’s show, The Doctors, and The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch. Gary draws onpersonal triumphs over tragedy and adversity to help individuals and organizations overcome their own obstacles to success.
Keynotes: 10 Books: 1 Videos: 4
Brad Deutser
Founder + CEO at Deutser | Author | Speaker
Brad Deutser, author of Leading Clarity: the Breakthrough Strategy to Unleash People, Profit and Performance, is the founder, President and CEO of Deutser, an award-winning management consulting firm, that works with leaders to create great companies inside and out.
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: 7 Books: 2 Videos: 9
Tiffany Dufu
Leadership Luminary, Founder & CEO The Cru, Author of DROP THE BALL
Named to Entrepreneur’s 100 Powerful Women and Fast Company’s League of Extraordinary Women, Tiffany is founder of The Cru. Launch team member to Lean In, CLO to Levo, and Former President of The White House Project. Featured in The New York Times, ESSENCE, O, The Oprah Magazine, and on NPR.
Keynotes: 5 Books: 10 Videos: 7
Ken Dychtwald
Renowned Visionary of the Age Wave and Longevity in America; Founder & CEO of Age Wave
Dr. Ken Dychtwald has emerged as North America’s foremost visionary and original thinker regarding the lifestyle, marketing, health care, and workforce implications of the age wave. During his career, Ken has addressed more than two million people worldwide in his speeches to corporate, association, social service, and government groups.
Keynotes: 5 Books: 3 Videos: 4
Maddy Dychtwald
National Authority on Women, Aging, & Marketplace Trends
Maddy Dychtwald is a nationally recognized author and leading expert on the changing demographic trends shaping the marketplace, the workplace, and our lives. She has also emerged as an authority on the economic ascent of women and its impact on various industries, including financial services, health care, and consumer marketing.
Keynotes: 5 Books: 2 Videos: 3
Susan Ershler
History-Making Mountain Climber, Business Executive, International Speaker and Bestselling Author
As a history-making mountain climber, business executive and author, Susan
Ershler inspires audiences to challenge their perceived limitations and reach
new heights of business and personal success.
Keynotes: 4 Books: 2 Videos: 3
Tasha Eurich
Organizational Psychologist, Researcher, and New York Times Best-Selling Author
Blending scientific savvy, hands-on tools, and powerful stories of leadership transformation, Tasha's programs are packed with interactive discussion, real-world application, and experiential activities. Audiences don’t just walk away inspired and entertained—they are ready to transform.
Keynotes: 4 Books: 0 Videos: 2
Dr. Paul Fedak
Heart Surgeon and Innovator
Dr. Paul Fedak is a cardiac surgeon, innovator, mentor, and academic leader. He is an engaging speaker who uses reflection into the rigorous training and unique challenges faced by performing open-heart surgery and developing novel biomedical innovations to provide useful insights into technical mastery, peak performance, and self-discovery.
Keynotes: 5 Books: 5 Videos: 2
Dan Heath
NY Times Best Selling author, Decisive, Switch and Made to Stick
Dan Heath is a Senior Fellow at Duke University's CASE center, which supports entrepreneurs who are fighting for social good. He is the co-author of Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard, which debuted at #1 on the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists
Keynotes: 3 Books: 6 Videos: 3
Rich Horwath
New York Times and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author on Strategy
The #1 most valued skill in business people today is strategic thinking. But only 23 percent of managers are strategic. Rich Horwath presents a simple framework for all business people to live strategically to reach their full potential.
Keynotes: 4 Books: 12 Videos: 4
David Houle
Futurist & Global Trends Expert
David Houle is a futurist, thinker and keynote speaker. He has keynoted numerous conferences across the country and internationally. In the last seventeen years he has delivered 1200+ presentations and keynotes on 6 continents and 16 countries.He is regularly invited to speak at corporate management retreats.
Keynotes: 8 Books: 6 Videos: 1
Shep Hyken
Customer Service and Experience Expert
Have you ever walked away from an interaction with a company and thought, "Wow, that was an amazing experience," or "Those people were amazing!"? That is what Shep Hyken helps his clients achieve. Shep works with companies who want to build loyal relationships with their customers and employees.
Keynotes: 6 Books: 0 Videos: 1
Omar Johnson
Culture, Diversity, Marketing and Branding Keynote Speaker, Former CMO at Beats by Dre, and Former VP Marketing at Apple
Omar Johnson is a top marketing and branding keynote speaker, entrepreneur, former CMO at Beats by Dre, and former VP Marketing at Apple. Adweek named Johnson a “Brand Genius,” and Business Insider named him one of the “Most Innovative CMO’s.” He was voted Top 100 Black Thought Leaders by BlackList100.
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: 7 Books: 5 Videos: 6
Thomas Koulopoulos
Futurist, Founder Delphi Group, Author Ten books, Speaker, Columnist
Tom Koulopoulos is a leading futurist, author of eleven books including Revealing the Invisible; The Gen Z Effect; Cloud Surfing; and The Innovation Zone, and founder of Delphi Group, a Boston-based think tank named one of the fastest growing private companies in the US by Inc. Magazine.
Keynotes: 7 Books: 2 Videos: 3
Matthew Luhn
Creativity Expert; Director; Former Lead Storyteller and Animator at Pixar Studios
Matthew is an accomplished storyteller, instructor, and story consultant, with over 20 years’ experience creating stories and characters at Pixar Animation Studios. Matthew teaches Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurs, and other professionals how to tell stories that bridge the gap between business and heart to build stronger brands and business communication.
Keynotes: 1 Books: 1 Videos: 3
Randy Mayeux
Co-founder, First Friday Book Synopsis and Accomplished Keynote Speaker
Randy Mayeux is an accomplished speaker who specializes in conducting Executive Book Briefings and training on presentation skills. He is an Instructor in the Business Leadership Center in the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University, where he has received the Teaching Excellence Award multiple times.
Keynotes: 8 Books: 3 Videos: 3
Heather E. McGowan
Future-of-Work Strategist
Future-of-work strategist Heather E. McGowan averages 75 speaking events a year from small audiences of c level executives to large forums of thousands. Her speaking while grounded in the changing nature of work extend to include talking points on leadership, DEI/DEIB, engagement, empowerment, culture, innovation, and transformation.
Keynotes: 3 Books: 5 Videos: 10
Rita Gunther McGrath
Professor, Columbia Business School
Rita Gunther McGrath is a world-renowned thought leader and a professor at Columbia Business School, where she directs the popular Leading Strategic Growth and Change program. She is widely recognized as a premiere expert on leading innovation and growth during times of uncertainty.
Keynotes: 3 Books: 5 Videos: 3
Lisa McLeod
Leading, Selling and Performing with a Noble Purpose
Lisa McLeod has rocked the house for giants like Google and Roche, as well as franchises, non-profits, and associations around the world. She has delivered programs in over 25 countries. She is a bestselling author and has been featured on NBC Nightly News and The Today Show.
Keynotes: 3 Books: 1 Videos: 4
David Nilssen
The Future of Talent
David Nilssen helps businesses to re-think their entire talent strategy so they can thrive in a borderless world. David has over 500 global employees and zero office space. David has a unique perspective about the future of work and challenges why business leaders must adapt faster than ever before.
Keynotes: 2 Books: 1 Videos: 8
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: 5 Books: 5 Videos: 5
Erik Qualman
Top Technology and Motivational Speaker, #1 Bestselling Author & Futurist
Often called a Digital Dale Carnegie, Erik Qualman is the author of multiple bestsellers including Socialnomics: How social media transforms the way we live and do business. He is the producer of the "Social Media Revolution" videos, the most-watched social media video series in the world.
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: 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: 5 Books: 4 Videos: 3
Leonard Sax
Author "The Collapse of Parenting", Physician, and Psychologist
In June 2008, Dr. Sax sold his practice to his associate and began a 5-year sabbatical, working with schools and community groups across the United States and around the world.
Keynotes: 4 Books: 1 Videos: 2
Melissa A. Schilling
Professor of Management at New York University Stern School of Business and Innovation Researcher
Melissa A. Schilling is the Herzog Family Professor of Management at New York University Stern School of Business. Professor Schilling’s research focuses on innovation and strategy in high technology industries such as smartphones, video games, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, electric vehicles, and renewable energies.
Keynotes: 2 Books: 0 Videos: 1
Ann Sheu
Thought Leader, Entrepreneur, Consultant, Coach, and Advocate for Empowering Growth-Oriented Leadership Teams
A journey of self-discovery, trial/error, Ann developed a tactical system that changed the way her family lived. By applying important business practices to her family, the Sheu family was able to align on shared visions / values to start their journey toward a high-performing family unit.
Keynotes: 1 Books: 0 Videos: 5
John Sitilides
Geopolitical & Geo-Economic Strategist - Expert in Global Affairs and American Politics
John is a geopolitical strategist and diplomacy coordinator to the Department of State, sharing his insights into U.S. and global geopolitical trends, intelligence and strategies before high-stakes decision makers and opinion leaders at investor, business and government conferences, forums and events.
Keynotes: 3 Books: 0 Videos: 2
Carol Spieckerman
Retail thought leader, speaker, trainer and advisor
Carol brings a rare combination of thought leadership and concrete tools and tactics, all of which are customized to the audience and aligned with event themes (no "canned" presentations or "pitches from the podium”). Carol is often lauded for her story-telling ability, energy, high-quality presentations, and in-depth knowledge of retail.
Keynotes: 2 Books: 6 Videos: 5
Shefali Tsabary
Clinical Psychologist, 3 x NYT Bestselling Author, CEO Conscious Coaching Institute
Best-selling author Dr. Shefali Tsabury discusses conscious parenting, creating an awakened family and raising confident children.
Keynotes: 5 Books: 4 Videos: 3
Jack Uldrich
World Renowned Futurist, Author, Expert on Change
Jack Uldrich speaks over 100 times a year to organizations, especially agriculture, education, energy, finance, retail, health care and manufacturing. He says creativity and action are more powerful and versatile than knowledge. He is energetic and full of thoughtful business and personal advice that will educate, entertain, and inspire audiences.
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: 4 Videos: 11
Liz Wiseman
CEO of The Wiseman Group; Author
Liz Wiseman is a researcher and executive advisor who teaches leadership to top organizations worldwide. She is the CEO of the Wiseman Group, a leadership research and development firm. Some of her recent clients include Apple, AT&T, Disney, Meta, Google, Microsoft, Nike, Salesforce, Tesla, and Twitter.
Topic Index
Browse topics in this category
- 38 Artificial Intelligence
- 19 Big Data
- 58 Branding / Marketing
- 93 Business
- 125 Business Growth / Strategy / Trends
- 41 CEO
- 110 Change Management / Organizational Change
- 77 Communication
- 11 Conflict Resolution
- 69 Corporate Culture & Governance
- 20 Corporate Social Responsibility
- 45 Customer Relations
- 27 Disruption
- 2 Distribution / Supply Chain Management
- 72 Diversity and Inclusion
- 27 Emotional Intelligence
- 90 Employee Engagement
- 93 Entrepreneur
- 18 Ethics / Values
- 62 Futurists / Trends
- 3 Hospitality
- 43 Human Resources / Workforce Issues
- 29 Influence
- 116 Innovation / Creativity
- 18 IT
- 230 Leadership
- 27 Management
- 25 Moderator / Facilitator
- 15 Negotiation
- 15 Networking
- 18 Productivity
- 4 Real Estate
- 4 Risk Management
- 7 Safety
- 71 Sales
- 26 Social Media
- 34 Storytelling
- 21 Stress Management
- 12 Sustainability
- 96 Teamwork / Teambuilding
- 51 Thought Leader
- 6 Trust / Honesty
- 38 Work-life Balance