Inspirational Keynote Speakers

General Stanley McChrystal
Former Commander of U.S. and International Forces in Afghanistan; Credited with the capture of Saddam Hussein and the killing of al-Qaeda’s leader in Iraq

A one-of-a-kind commander with remarkable record of achievement, General Stanley McChrystal, (USA,Ret.) is widely praised for creating a revolution in warfare that fused intelligence and operations. General McChrystal in an inspirational speaker with great insight about leadership, teamwork, and international affairs.

Robert Ballard
Deep-Sea Explorer; Best Known for His Discoveries of the Titanic and the German Battleship Bismark, and John F. Kennedy's boat, PT 109

A vivid storyteller, Robert Ballard shares his passion for discovery and adventure. A National-Geographic-Explorer-in-residence who discovered the Titanic during a live broadcast, Ballard shares his zeal for learning and relates his groundbreaking finds with the need for technological advances and conservation related initiatives.

Eric Greitens
Navy Seal, White House Fellow, Founder of The Mission Continues, and Author of The Heart and the Fist

A decorated soldier and international humanitarian, inspirational speaker Eric Greitens combines courage and compassion to create a culture of civic engagement. Sharing his insights on leadership, ethics, and social responsibility, Greitens maps out his strategies for shaping the next generation of America's leaders.

Lieutenant Colonel Greg Gadson
Decorated Army Commander and New York Giants Honorary Captain

Lieutenant Colonel Greg Gadson has survived the very worst of war, but this highly decorated American soldier has not been defeated by unfortunate circumstance; instead, his life is a portrait of courage in the face of great adversity. Gadson speaks with fervor about the crucial role teamwork and camaraderie play when facing life's obstacles. As a speaker on change, he applies his story of personal adversity to every level of an organization, showing how every team depends on every one of its players.

Tommy Spaulding
Former President & CEO of Up with People
New York Times Best-selling Author & Leadership Expert

Inspirational speaker Tommy Spaulding is the founder & president of the Spaulding Companies LLC, a leadership development, consulting and speaking organization. A world-renowned speaker on leadership, Spaulding has spoken to hundreds of organizations, associations, schools, and corporations around the globe. Spaulding speaks on corporate culture, the essentials of customer service, and the importance of authentic relationships in business.

Jeff Skiles
Co-Pilot of U.S. Airways Flight 1549, “The Miracle on the Hudson”

On January 15, 2009, U.S. Airways flight 1549 struck a flock of Canada geese, causing the plane to lose both engines. Jeff Skiles details the lessons, training, and scenarios that led to the "Miracle on the Hudson" with a great sense of humor and his natural storytelling ability.

Michael Durant
Best-Selling Author and Inspiration for the Movie Black Hawk Down

An Army aviator and the sole survivor of the Black Hawk crash chronicled in the movie Black Hawk Down, Michael Durant turns his experience into lessons of personal and professional growth. An awe-inspiring speaker, Durant describes the power of teamwork, leadership, and change.

Erik Weihenmayer
World-Class Blind Adventurer

Inspiring audiences to have the courage to reach for near impossible goals, Erik Weihenmayer asks participants to dig deep to find the grit, determination, and ingenuity within to transform their lives. The first blind athlete to climb Mt. Everest, Weihenmayer shares how his daring adventures have shattered the perceptions of people all over the world and encourages others to use all of their senses to accomplish their dreams.

Gerda Weissmann Klein
Author and Holocaust Survivor

Weaving a story of hope in a time of evil, Gerda Weissmann Klein captivates audiences with her inspiring story about surviving the holocaust. In her historical account, Klein delivers an uplifting presentation and describes how she found love in the face of overwhelming loss.

Matt McFadyen
Adventurer and Master Storyteller

From dragging heavy sleds to the North Pole, to sailing small yachts through some of the deadliest oceans, Matt McFadyen has pushed himself and others to the ends of the earth, and, after cheating death, tests the limits of human potential and strives to raise the bar for himself and others. The youngest Australian to reach the North Pole, he has been part of three record-breaking expeditions there and two long-haul sailing expeditions to Antarctica, making Matt one of our most daring and heroic inspirational speakers.