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Something Different

Looking for an incredible out-of-the-box keynote speaker but not exactly sure what you're interested in? These amazing speakers offer a presentation that goes beyond traditional business topics. From artists to adventurers these speakers can offer audiences a little "something different."

Let us know if you are interested in one of our speakers for your event.

Miguel Cervantes

Alexander Hamilton in Broadway’s “Hamilton,” Actor & Advocate

Fees

Local: $20,001 - $35,000*
US East: $35,001 - $55,000*
US West: $35,001 - $55,000*
Europe: $35,001 - $55,000*
Asia: $75,001 and up*

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Miguel Cervantes

For years, Miguel Cervantes was the actor behind the most visible role in the world of the performing arts. Following his standout performances as Alexander Hamilton in the Chicago run of Hamilton: An American Musical, he was hand-picked by the show’s creator and original Alexander Hamilton actor Lin-Manuel Miranda to play the role of the title character in the Broadway run of the universally beloved production in 2020. He would stay in the role until 2024. Cervantes’ ascent to the stratosphere of theatrical excellence embodies the essence of creativity, resilience, and unwavering dedication to one’s purpose. He overcame setbacks and unthinkable personal tragedy to capture imaginations with his spellbinding portrayal of Alexander Hamilton and cement his legacy as one of the great performers of our time. He taps into the magic of story and performance to inspire audiences to write their own unique script to success.

Topics & Types

Inspiration & Motivation Creativity Diverse Voices Emcee & Master of Ceremonies Entertainment Acts Something Different

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Katie Ledecky

Olympic Champion Swimmer; 10x Olympic Medalist, 21x World Champion, 14x World Record Breaker

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Katie Ledecky

Katie Ledecky is a 10-time Olympic Medalist (seven Gold, three Silver) and 21-time World Championship Gold Medalist, the most for any female swimmer. She has broken 14 World Records and 37 American Records in her career. Katie was the most decorated female athlete at both Tokyo and Rio Games and had the most decorated single Olympics performance ever by a U.S. female athlete in Rio. Katie’s success has earned her USA Swimming’s Golden Goggles Award as Female Swimmer of the Year an unprecedented eight times. A recent graduate of Stanford University, Katie is passionate about the importance of education, especially STEM and leadership programs for girls. Katie went home with more hardware at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics - two gold medals and two silver medals, making her the most decorated female swimmer in individual events of all time. She also made history by winning gold at the first ever 1500m women’s event.

Topics & Types

Peak Performance Inspiration & Motivation Overcoming Adversity Athletes & Commentators Female Speakers Olympians

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Sekou Andrews

Grammy-Nominated Creator of "Poetic Voice" & Inspirational Speaker

Fees

Local: $55,001 - $75,000*
US East: $55,001 - $75,000*
US West: $55,001 - $75,000*
Europe: $55,001 - $75,000*
Asia: $75,001 and up*

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Sekou Andrews

A school teacher turned actor, musician, two-time national poetry slam champion, entrepreneur, and award-winning poetic voice, any given day may now find Sekou keynoting at a leadership conference, helping a Fortune 500 company with brand messaging, or even performing pieces for Barack Obama in Oprah’s backyard. Sekou is the creator of Poetic Voice, a new, cutting-edge speaking category that seamlessly fuses inspirational speaking with spoken word poetry to make messages more moving and memorable. For over 15 years, Sekou Andrews has been helping the world’s largest organizations deliver relevant information with riveting inspiration through an innovative, unconventional category of speaking called “Poetic Voice.”

Topics & Types

Innovation Inspiration & Motivation Corporate Culture Customer Experience Disruption & Digital Transformation African American Speakers Diverse Voices Entertainment Acts Something Different

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Maya Jaguar

Cultural Innovator, Former Head of Transformation at Google X, Leadership & Transformation Advisor

Fees

Local: $20,001 - $35,000*
US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
Europe: Please Inquire
Asia: Please Inquire

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Maya Jaguar

Maya Jaguar is a catalyst for cultural change and a sought-after organizational and personal transformation coach who leaders and teams in high-intensity, high-stakes roles look to for guidance on how to inspire, ignite, and grow their businesses. Previously, she held the esteemed role of cultural alchemist and head of transformation at X, the moonshot factory founded by Google’s parent company, Alphabet. At Google X, Jaguar spearheaded growth initiatives and oversaw the people side of innovation. Prior to that, she served as the moonshot’s first Latina head of diversity for a successful five-year tenure. Jaguar’s philosophy is rooted in the wholehearted conviction that unlocking the full potential of individuals is the key to unlocking the full potential of the organization.

Topics & Types

Peak Performance Inspiration & Motivation Creativity Mental Health, Happiness, & Wellness Diverse Voices Female Speakers Something Different

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Mark Bowden

Expert in Body Language, Human Behavior & Communication

Fees

Local: $20,001 - $35,000*
US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
Europe: $35,001 - $55,000*
Asia: $55,001 - $75,000*

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Mark Bowden

Mark Bowden is the keynote speaker for organizations worldwide whose work depends upon winning the hearts and minds of others. Mark entertainingly trains any audience in the most cutting edge techniques to stand out, win trust and profit every time they speak. His keynote presentation takes everyone on an exciting and humorous journey to understand how, with the right body language “It’s often not what you say—but how you say it, that gets results!” Expert in human behaviour and body language, keynote speaker Mark Bowden is the creator of TRUTHPLANE®, a communication training company and unique methodology for anyone who has to communicate with impact to an audience. Mark’s highly entertaining keynote speeches and training seminars teach audiences around the world how to use the most influential verbal and nonverbal language to stand out, win trust and gain credibility every time they speak.

Topics & Types

Marketing Negotiation Relationship Building Sales Consumer Behavior Authors Something Different

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Jon Dorenbos

World Class Magician, TV Personality, Former NFL Pro Bowler

Fees

Local: $75,001 and up*
US East: $75,001 and up*
US West: $75,001 and up*
Europe: $75,001 and up*
Asia: $75,001 and up*

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Jon Dorenbos

As an entertainer for over twenty years, Jon is known as the NFL's “Magic Man" and is respectfully referred to as the "Entertainer's Entertainer." He also has performed personally for Jason Statham, Nicholas Cage, Garth Brooks, Magic Johnson, the entire New England Patriots football team, Joe Montana and Dan Marino.

Topics & Types

Peak Performance Inspiration & Motivation Leadership Overcoming Adversity Teamwork Athletes & Commentators Entertainment Acts Something Different

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Dr. Romie Mushtaq, MD

Leadership, Workplace Culture, & Wellness Expert; Chief Wellness Officer, Great Wolf Resorts

Fees

Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
Europe: $20,001 - $35,000*
Asia: $35,001 - $55,000*

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Dr. Romie Mushtaq, MD

A board-certified physician, award-winning speaker, and nationally recognized wellness expert, Dr. Romie Mushtaq is on a mission to transform mental health and wellness in the workplace. She is the founder of brainSHIFT Institute and advises Fortune 500 leaders, professional athletes, and global associations on performance, leadership, and mental health for individuals and teams. She combines more than two decades of authority and leadership in neurology, integrative medicine, and mindfulness to deliver cutting-edge programs and create tangible cultural change. In addition to founding brainSHIFT, Dr. Romie is the first chief wellness officer for Great Wolf Resorts, where she spearheads programs and initiatives designed to build a wellness-focused culture for more than 10,000 employees, as well as curate unique wellness experiences for guests. As one of the faces of the movement toward a new, more effective concept of workplace wellness, she has been featured in NBC, CBS, FOX, Forbes, NPR, Inc., and Huffington Post, as well as dozens of other national media outlets.

Topics & Types

Inspiration & Motivation Leadership Teamwork Human Resources Healthcare Mental Health, Happiness, & Wellness College & University Speakers Diverse Voices Female Speakers Something Different

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Jade Simmons

Speaker, Rockstar Concert Pianist

Fees

Local: $75,001 and up*
US East: $75,001 and up*
US West: $75,001 and up*
Europe: Please Inquire
Asia: Please Inquire

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Jade Simmons

Named one of the “Best Keynote Speakers of 2019” (Northstar Meetings), Jade spent the first few years of her career performing as a classical concert pianist. Following an artistic epiphany, she pivoted from playing the piano to impress audiences, to using the piano as the vehicle by which to provide the inspiration, information and entertainment that profoundly moves them instead. The results have been, well…darn impressive. No stranger to pushing boundaries to see bold results, this concert pianist turned world changer is brought in by the likes of corporations like Mass Mutual, Royal Bank of Canada, DOW, Raytheon, the Hershey Company, Genentech, Valic, Pfizer and Nationwide to redefine purpose, inspire seismic shifts in mindset and activate audiences to go out and instantly start living more consequential lives of impact.

Topics & Types

Inspiration & Motivation Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion African American Speakers CEOs Diverse Voices Entertainment Acts Female Speakers Something Different

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Jim Sonefeld

GRAMMY Award-Winning Musician & Drummer, Hootie & the Blowfish

Fees

Local: Please Inquire
US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
US West: $35,001 - $55,000*
Europe: $55,001 - $75,000*
Asia: $75,001 and up*

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Jim Sonefeld

Everyone has heard a Jim Sonefeld song – even if they don’t know it. He is the drummer of one of the top-selling rock bands of all time, Hootie & the Blowfish, as well as an award-winning songwriter and solo artist. Throughout his prolific career, his music has reached every corner of the globe and captured the imaginations of people from every walk of life. Sonefeld shares inspirational, never-before-heard behind-the-scenes stories from his life and the rise of Hootie & the Blowfish to illustrate how anyone is capable of overcoming any obstacle to achieve their purpose in life.

Topics & Types

Inspiration & Motivation Overcoming Adversity Entertainment Acts Something Different

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Josh Kelley

Chart-Topping Singer & Songwriter

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Local: Please Inquire
US East: $35,001 - $55,000*
US West: $35,001 - $55,000*
Europe: Please Inquire
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Josh Kelley

Josh Kelley is a singer-songwriter who has been a mainstay on the pop music charts since the release of his hit song “Amazing” in 2001. “Amazing” was the most played song of that year on pop radio and rose to number five on the charts. In the more than two decades since his rise to stardom, Kelley has toured the world with some of music’s biggest names, including Taylor Swift, Dave Matthews Band, and Lady A. Kelley’s music has appeared on the soundtracks to some of the most beloved movies and TV shows, and has touched countless lives. His rise to mainstream success is a testament to the power of hard work, dedication, creativity, and dreaming big.

Topics & Types

Inspiration & Motivation Entertainment Acts Something Different

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Kevin Kallaugher

Editorial Cartoonist for The Economist & The Baltimore Sun

Fees

Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
US East: $10,001 - $20,000*
US West: $10,001 - $20,000*
Europe: $20,001 - $35,000*
Asia: $35,001 - $55,000*

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Kevin Kallaugher

Kevin Kallaugher (Kal) is the international award-winning editorial cartoonist for the Economist and The Baltimore Sun. His diverse portfolio includes more than 8,000 cartoons, 140 covers, and six books. In lively, illustrated presentations, Kal draws on stage while touching on themes like the uniqueness of our political system and the role of cartoons in free speech. He shares insights on current events, politics, and the economy and offers audiences a unique surprise to take home after his talks. He has lectured at TED, Harvard, Pixar, and Google among others. Offering an exciting twist for meetings and events, his presentations are always funny, interactive, and memorable.

Topics & Types

Inspiration & Motivation Comedians Entertainment Acts Something Different

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Alpana Singh

TV Host, Restaurateur, and Wine Expert

Fees

Local: Under $10,000*
US East: Under $10,000*
US West: Under $10,000*
Europe: Please Inquire
Asia: Please Inquire

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Alpana Singh

Born and raised in Monterey, California, it was only natural that Alpana Singh would develop a deep-rooted interest in wine. At 26, she passed the final level of the Master Sommelier exam—a feat achieved by only 269 people in the world. She's the first Indian woman and the youngest female ever to do so. She went on to serve as a Sommelier for highly-acclaimed restaurants in Chicago before opening three of her own. In lively, fun, and informative talks, Alpana shares her inspiring story of rising from the daughter of Fijian immigrants to becoming a successful entrepreneur and TV personality all while navigating a male-dominated profession. She give audiences a glimpse into the life as a Sommelier as she teaches them how to taste wines “blind,” purchase bottles like a professional, and pair with meals for any occasion.

Topics & Types

Inspiration & Motivation Overcoming Adversity Entrepreneurship Authors Diverse Voices Female Speakers Something Different

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John Ondrasik

Singer/Songwriter, Five For Fighting

Fees

Local: $35,001 - $55,000*
US East: $35,001 - $55,000*
US West: $35,001 - $55,000*
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John Ondrasik

John Ondrasik, better known by his stage name Five for Fighting, is a platinum-selling, Grammy nominated American singer-songwriter who has released six major albums and sold more than 2.5 million records and whose hits include “100 Years,” “Superman (It’s Not Easy),” “Chances,” “The Riddle,” “Freedom Never Cries,” and “What If.” Ondrasik offers audiences an intimate evening of storytelling, humor, and great music. He offers insights on the creative process and innovation while sharing stories and playing his most famous songs.

Topics & Types

Creativity Entertainment Acts Something Different

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Edward Lee

Award-Winning Chef, Author, and Culinary Director of Succotash

Fees

Local: Under $10,000*
US East: $10,001 - $20,000*
US West: $10,001 - $20,000*
Europe: Please Inquire
Asia: Please Inquire

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Edward Lee

Edward Lee is the chef/owner of 610 Magnolia, MilkWood, and Whiskey Dry in Louisville, Kentucky, author of Smoke & Pickles and Buttermilk Graffiti, and culinary director of Succotash in National Harbor, Maryland, and Penn Quarter, Washington, DC. He appears frequently in print and on television, including earning an Emmy nomination for his role in the Emmy Award–winning series The Mind of a Chef. Most recently, he wrote and hosted the feature documentary Fermented.

Topics & Types

Innovation Inspiration & Motivation Social Media & Social Networking Corporate Culture Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Diverse Voices Something Different

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Val Vigoda

Keynote Speaker, Indie Rocker, Electric Violinist and Singer/Songwriter for Disney & Off-Broadway

Fees

Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
US West: $10,001 - $20,000*
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Val Vigoda

Val is a classical violinist turned rebel rocker who became a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army before going on to tour the world with iconic rock stars such as Cyndi Lauper, Joe Jackson and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. She delights in giving keynote speeches where the message is enhanced by music—inspiring thousands with her powerful call to courage and the vulnerabilities she shares.

Topics & Types

Inspiration & Motivation Creativity Entertainment Acts Female Speakers

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Michael Fabiano

World-Renowned Risk-Taking Opera Singer, Entrepreneur, Arts Philanthropist

Fees

Local: $20,001 - $35,000*
US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
Europe: $20,001 - $35,000*
Asia: $35,001 - $55,000*

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Michael Fabiano

Having mesmerized audiences the world over with his unmistakable voice, Michael Fabiano has cemented his place as one of the most celebrated opera singers of his generation. Through the course of his career, Fabiano has sung in 76 cities, on 89 international stage, in 26 countries, and has had the privilege of performing on every major operatic stage in the world and collaborating with many of the most respected performers in his field. As a leading tenor, Fabiano has been praised for his intensity, emotional depth, and technical brilliance. He is a barrier-breaking talent whose career was chronicled in the Roku documentary Crescendo, and he draws from his own whirlwind journey performing at the world’s biggest venues to share powerful messages for how to be at your best when the spotlight is on you and compose your own path to success.

Topics & Types

Inspiration & Motivation Entertainment Acts Something Different

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Phil Hansen

Internationally Recognized Multimedia Artist, Author, and Innovator

Fees

Local: $20,001 - $35,000*
US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
Europe: $35,001 - $55,000*
Asia: $35,001 - $55,000*

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Phil Hansen

Referred to by his fans as “the Artist for the People,” Phil Hansen is an internationally recognized multimedia artist, speaker, author and innovator—at the forefront of bringing art to a wider audience. Crashing irreverently through conventional boundaries, Phil works at the intersection of traditional art, electronic media, offbeat materials, and interactive experiences. He is most widely known for his meta-art, videos that document the creation process (sometimes even through destruction), showing millions that art is action, not just result. For the tens of millions who have seen Phil’s art on TV and online, it’s hard to imagine that his artistic journey nearly came to an end when a tremor developed in his drawing hand. In exploring new ways to create art, he discovered that by embracing his shake, limitations could become the passageway to creativity. His inspirational story was first shared on the TED stage to a standing ovation, and then shared around the world including on PBS, BBC and CCTV. He’s the author of Tattoo a Banana, a guide to exploring creativity through art with everyday materials and he’s the founder of Goodbye-Art Academy, providing high quality and free art education videos to teachers and students everywhere.

Topics & Types

Inspiration & Motivation Overcoming Adversity Creativity Something Different TED Speakers

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Max Major

World-Renowned Mentalist

Fees

Local: $35,001 - $55,000*
US East: $35,001 - $55,000*
US West: $35,001 - $55,000*
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Max Major

Max Major is a world-renowned mentalist living in Los Angeles, CA. His performances, which combine Magic, Mentalism, and Hypnosis, are featured at corporate events across the country. In addition to his studies as a magician, Major relies heavily on his skills at reading body language, which he has honed over the course of 2000 live shows. His clients include Facebook, Microsoft, Deloitte, CSX, Costco, Lockheed Martin, Booz Allen and a command performance at the residence of Redskins owner Dan Snyder. In the last 5 years he has been called before two Department of Defense Agencies to demonstrate his innovative techniques in hypnosis, body language and influence! In 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 he was named “DC’s Best Performance Artist” by the Washington City Paper, recognizing him as the premier entertainer in the region. In 2015 he bowed out of the race to give someone else a chance and focus on the category that really matters “Best Girls Night Out”.

Topics & Types

Adventure Inspiration & Motivation Leadership Negotiation Teamwork Creativity Mental Health, Happiness, & Wellness Entertainment Acts Something Different

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Cook Up Something Different With Celebrity Chef Speakers & More

From songwriters and cartoonists to orchestra conductors and magicians, our out-of-the-box speakers deliver a memorable and unique experience your audience won’t forget anytime soon. Perennial favorites in our "Something Different” talent pool include our celebrity chef speakers, who count among their numbers the youngest Master Sommelier.

With their unmatched experience in the kitchen and vineyard, our leading culinary speakers can give restaurateurs, hobby chefs, and other food lovers a unique perspective when it comes to preparing meals, pairing wines, and creating a thoughtful presentation for each plate.

At Leading Authorities speakers bureau, we understand you need a presentation that “wows.” That’s why we tailor our recommendations to your event and think about more than your budget when browsing our list of celebrity chef speakers and out-of-the-box talent. It’s also why we take care of logistics for you, plus add in all those awesome extras, like book signings, into your event package.

Discover what our celebrity chef speakers and other unique talent can cook up for your next event by clicking on the speaker's names featured in the list above to check out their speaker profile pages and browse through their experience and expertise, speaking topics, and see them in action by watching their speaker videos.

Contact our team today if you want to learn more about the speakers who bring something different to event stages or if you have any questions we can help you address about the speaker booking process.

To get in touch with us, you can also email us, call 1-800-SPEAKER, or live chat with a member of our team right now.

If you are looking for a specific speaker not listed above, please contact our team as we specialize in placing hard-to-find and in-demand keynote speakers from all around the world, which may not be listed on our website.

Katie Ledecky

Speaker Paul Ryan

Amy Webb

Ginny Clarke

Something Different