Top Inspirational Speakers: Book Today
Captivate your audience with dramatic stories of adversity, triumph, and change. Our awe-inspiring speakers redefine courage and human potential throughout their keynote speeches. They can energize listeners with stories that inspire peak performance, move your audience to action, and create a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose. These inspirational speakers and thought leaders have moving inspirational stories that draw out emotions in your audience and leave them feeling like they are capable of accomplishing anything.
Katie Ledecky
Olympic Champion Swimmer; 10x Olympic Medalist, 19x 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 15-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 six 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.
Hakeem Oluseyi
Astrophysicist, Former Space Science Education Lead for NASA, & Inspirational Speaker
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Hakeem Oluseyi
Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi has three degrees, 8 U.S. patents, four E.U. patents and has hosted shows on the Science Channel and on Discovery. But more impressive is his life story. Oluseyi grew up in the roughest neighborhoods of America, learned to survive on the street, and still taught himself Einstein’s theory of relativity from an old set of encyclopedias. At every turn he was presented with a compelling option to quit and yet he persevered. Today, he is a NASA astrophysicist, a global educator, and the author of the highly-anticipated memoir A Quantum Life: My Unlikely Journey from the Streets to the Stars where he recounts his journey from the streets to the stars. Dr. Oluseyi is exclusively represented by Leading Authorities.
Joan Higginbotham
Retired NASA Astronaut, Rocket Scientist, Electrical Engineer, & Third African American Woman in Space
- Local: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US West: $35,001 - $55,000*
- Europe: $35,001 - $55,000*
- Asia: $55,001 - $75,000*
Joan Higginbotham
A NASA astronaut and black motivational speaker, Joan Higginbotham is a trailblazing electrical engineer who in December 2006, flew aboard Space Shuttle Discovery to become the third African American woman to travel into space. Over the nearly 13-day mission, she joined the seven-member crew to continue construction of the International Space Station (ISS), embarking on four space walks and operating the station’s robotic arm. Sharing captivating insights from her 20-year distinguished career with NASA, Higginbotham inspires audiences with her personal journey of breaking barriers into space and beyond. Taking groups aboard the International Space Station and sharing her lessons-learned along the way, she highlights the keys to succeeding in her missions – including preparation, perseverance, and never giving up – and how these tactics can be applied to any endeavor.
Cal Ripken, Jr.
Legendary "Iron Man" of Baseball
- Local: $35,001 - $55,000*
- US East: $35,001 - $55,000*
- US West: $55,001 - $75,000*
- Europe: $75,001 and up*
- Asia: $75,001 and up*
Cal Ripken, Jr.
One of the true legends of baseball, "Iron Man" Cal Ripken, Jr. broke several professional records during his 21 seasons, but none is as sacred as his consecutive-games-played record. Shattering Lou Gehrig's streak of 2,131 games by more than 500, Ripken displayed perseverance, endurance, and an everyday work ethic that endeared him to fans, transformed him into a national icon, and some argue, even saved baseball at its darkest moment. An inspirational speaker, philanthropist, businessman, and best-selling author, Cal Ripken, Jr. is the personification of leadership, commitment, and excellence. As a male motivational speaker, in warm and witty presentations filled with stories from his illustrious career, he shares how his keys to success apply to both the business world as well as the baseball field.
Darcy Gaechter
Adventurer, Author, First & Only Woman to Kayak the Amazon River from Source to Sea
- Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
- US East: $10,001 - $20,000*
- US West: $10,001 - $20,000*
- Europe: $10,001 - $20,000*
- Asia: $20,001 - $35,000*
Darcy Gaechter
Chris Cassidy
NASA Astronaut, Navy SEAL, CEO and President of the National Medal of Honor Museum
- 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*
Chris Cassidy
DeDe Halfhill
Renowned Leadership Expert and Colonel, USAF (Ret.)
- 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*
DeDe Halfhill
Described by Dr. Brené Brown as one of her “leadership heroes and a total badass,” U.S. Air Force retired Colonel, DeDe Halfhill is a proven leader and communications executive who draws on her 25-year accomplished military career to provide a transparent, real-world perspective on the power of embracing humanness and vulnerability in leadership. During her time with the Air Force, DeDe became a trusted advisor to some of our nation’s highest-ranking military leaders, including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Secretary of Defense. Deployed twice during the Iraq War, DeDe gained first-hand experience leading and advising through the most difficult circumstances, often when lives were at risk, and when there were no easy answers. She understands leadership, not just from studying it, but by actually living it. Weaving in both humorous and heartwarming stories, she demonstrates the practical strategies for any organization to authentically connect, build trust, and empower others in a meaningful way – and, with Brené Brown's words, that leading with vulnerability and humanity is the path to true courage and exceptional leadership.
Sekou Andrews
Grammy-Nominated Creator of "Poetic Voice" & Inspirational Speaker
- 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*
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 a black motivational speaker and 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.”
Sebastian Terry
Inspirational Keynote Speaker, Best Selling Author, TV Host, & Founder of the 100things Movement
- Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
- US East: $10,001 - $20,000*
- US West: $10,001 - $20,000*
- Europe: $20,001 - $35,000*
- Asia: $20,001 - $35,000*
Sebastian Terry
Jessica O. Matthews
Innovator and CEO, Uncharted
- Local: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US East: $35,001 - $55,000*
- US West: $55,001 - $75,000*
- Europe: $55,001 - $75,000*
- Asia: $75,001 and up*
Jessica O. Matthews
Jessica O. Matthews is the Founder & CEO of Uncharted, an award-winning energy and data technology company that develops infrastructure solutions for communities, facilities, and Internet of Things. The company was founded by Jessica when she was only 22 years old. Jessica’s research and career centers around the intersection of disruptive technology, renewable energy, human behavior, and the psychology of self-actualization. A business motivational speaker and dual citizen of Nigeria & the U.S., Jessica has a degree in Psychology and Economics from Harvard University, an MBA from Harvard Business School, and is listed on over 10 patents and patents pending—including her first invention of the SOCCKET, an energy generating soccer ball, at the age of 19.
Erik Weihenmayer
World-Class Blind Adventurer
- Local: $55,001 - $75,000*
- US East: $55,001 - $75,000*
- US West: $55,001 - $75,000*
- Europe: $75,001 and up*
- Asia: $75,001 and up*
Erik Weihenmayer
Ben Saunders
Record-Breaking Explorer & Repeat TED Speaker
- Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
- US East: $35,001 - $55,000*
- US West: $35,001 - $55,000*
- Europe: $10,001 - $20,000*
- Asia: $35,001 - $55,000*
Ben Saunders
Polar explorer, TED speaker, and record-breaking long-distance skier Ben Saunders fuses the spirit of adventure with impressive technical ingenuity. He has five North Pole expeditions under his belt and is best known for leading one of the most ambitious expeditions in a century. Humble and self-effacing, he is an explorer of limits and his message is one of inspiration, empowerment, and boundless potential. He explores the dichotomy between ideas and action and urges audiences to consider carefully how to spend the “tiny amount of time we each have on this planet.”
Dakota Meyer
Medal of Honor Recipient & New York Times Best-Selling Author
- Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
- US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
- Europe: $20,001 - $35,000*
- Asia: $20,001 - $35,000*
Dakota Meyer
Sarah Robb O'Hagan
Renowned Business Leader, CEO of EXOS the Performance Coaching Company, Former President of Equinox, Former Global President of Gatorade, Former Marketing Director at Nike and the Virgin Group
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Sarah Robb O'Hagan
What moves your audience? Is it the explorers that push themselves to discover new realms? What about the US military leaders who lead forces on high-stakes missions? Whatever it is that captures your audience’s attention, stories from our top inspirational speakers are bound to leave them amazed.
In the saturated inspirational and motivational speaker world Leading Authorities provides a vast range of inspirational speakers that other speakers bureau wish to imitate. From military veterans and scientists to CEOs, authors, and explorers, our inspirational speakers are ready to share their stories, whether you’re hosting an event focused on team-building, goal-setting, innovation, leadership, or other topics that are trending in the lecture industry.
Because our talented inspirational speakers come from many different backgrounds, we help you find the best speaker for your event and audience. That means we think about more than your budget. When booking a Leading Authorities inspirational speaker you also get intersectionality ranging from African Americans speakers, female speakers, people with disabilities, and LGBT+ keynote speakers to ensure you're catering to your audience. We consider your goals, audience demographics, and theme so we can create a list of inspirational speakers who meet your needs.
We don’t stop there, though. Our team also takes care of the logistics in getting your speaker from Point A to Point B and helps with choosing and organizing event extras. Find out more about our top inspirational speakers by browsing their profile today.
Inspirational Speakers From A Wide Range of Backgrounds
Our top motivational speakers cover a wide range of topics including, how to achieve success in life, motivation and inspiration, their bestselling books and nuggets of wisdom, the difference between female and male motivation, how to unleash the power from within and become the best version of yourself, how to succeed at public speaking, how to become a professional speaker, and how to internalize the thoughts and beliefs of top inspirational conference speakers.
Additional topics these popular motivational speakers talk about are leadership, adventure, branding, economic outlook, turnaround, teamwork, sales, risk-taking and its pros and cons, relationship building, peak performance, overcoming adversity, growth, and overall happiness and well-being. Inspiration plays a key role in enabling others to feel as though they have it within themselves to create something great or enable positive change to happen. Without inspiration, new products and ideas come to a standstill. Booking famous motivational speakers benefits any type of organization and will have a positive impact on any audience. Contact our motivational speakers bureau to get started.
These top motivational speakers and famous inspirational speakers come from all backgrounds and walks of life, with experience in delivering a motivated seminar, speaking at TED talks, are bestselling authors, former Navy SEALs, and world-renowned experts. For some professional motivational speakers, being public speakers did not always come easily. For some, watching motivation videos, having a motivational coach, reading a motivational author, watching other celebrity motivational speakers, practicing public speaking, and surrounding themselves by motivational people is what helped them succeed.
The Impact of Relatable and Authentic Personal Anecdotes
These famous, inspirational speakers are perfect for any audience in any situation, but especially when your listeners are in the need for corporate speakers or business speakers that don’t just talk about the good parts of life. The most successful speakers in the world are those that can tie in personal anecdotes and instances that are relatable to audiences, even if they haven’t experienced a situation like it before. Successful celebrity speakers are authentic and can inspire and motivate people that have been in a rut or need a general pick-me-up to keep them going on a successful track. These inspirational keynote speeches will get the audience and yourself to live your dreams and change your life while providing a uplifting event experience.
Inspirational speakers are the perfect fit for annual meetings, sales conferences, live broadcast events, or any situation where motivational speaking is involved. A CEO keynote speaker or American motivational speaker can elevate any event experience to increase motivation and productivity.
According to Entrepreneur, unhappy and unsatisfied workers can cost U.S. companies up to $550 billion per year. Investing in employees and company culture can help resolve this issue and increase employee happiness, satisfaction, and retention. Employers are coming to the realization that just being able to offer a job is not enough – providing a competitive salary, work perks, substantial benefits, and a welcoming and inclusive environment are all things future employees are looking to check off on their list. If these things cannot be provided, employees are going to look elsewhere to have these needs satisfied. American motivational speakers can provide companies with the inspirational talks that employees look forward to and lean on.
Let Us Handle The Logistics
Working with LAI makes planning an event and choosing a speaker for your meeting easy. If this is your first time searching for a speaker for an event – we are here to help. The process begins by reaching out to us and giving us a rundown of what type of event you’re planning and what type of presenter you’re searching for. The type of event you’re planning and the speaker for that event will need to go together – if you’re planning a formal event, a lax speaker is most likely not the right fit. Once we’ve established what type of speaker is right for the event that you're putting together, we will send you a variety of speaker options, all within your desired fee range. You will have the ability to explore each of these speakers’ profiles in-depth, their accomplishments, their bios, and their speaking topics, along with some sample speaking footage.
After you pick the speaker you would like to have present at your event and we confirm their availability, LAI handles the rest from there. Everything from deciphering travel logistics to ensure that the speaker is at the meeting on time, to providing their headshot and biography for your event marketing purposes, Leading Authorities speakers bureau is there every step of the way. Additionally, if you are looking for help producing the event, whether it is taking place virtually, in-person, or in a hybrid setting, LAI Live an help. And if you’re looking for a sizzle reel to intro your speaker or a compilation video that highlights the peaks of the meeting, LAI Video can help as well.
We'll Match You With One of Our Top Inspirational Speakers
For more information or to book a speaker for you next event or meeting, contact our team.
To get in touch, you can also send us an email at Contact@lauthorities.com, fill out the form below, live chat with a member of our team online, or call us at 1-800-SPEAKER.