Leadership Keynote Speakers: Get Inspired

What kind of person makes a great leadership speaker? Leaders and top leadership speakers come in myriad forms with different approaches and styles. Our leadership motivational speakers and leadership conference speakers for business come from all walks of life, from the battlefield to the board room. They get great reviews from audiences, and they are as entertaining as they are informative. These leadership conference speakers for business fuse insights with their energetic, motivational delivery to leave audiences with both the will and the way to affect positive change.

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

Former Commander of US and International Forces in Afghanistan, Best-Selling Author, & Co-Founder of the McChrystal Group

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    Please Inquire

One of the best leadership coaches and a New York Times bestselling author, General Stanley McChrystal is a four-star general, the former commander of U.S. and international forces in Afghanistan and the former leader of Joint Special Operations Command, which oversees the most sensitive counter-terrorism units. He is widely praised for revolutionizing warfare by fusing intelligence and operations and is credited with the capture of Saddam Hussein and the location and killing al-Qaeda’s leader in Iraq. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates called McChrystal “one of America’s greatest warriors.” McChrystal is leadership speaker and addresses leadership, teambuilding, and geopolitics.

Former Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, World-Renowned Infectious Disease Specialist, Trusted Advisor to 7 U.S. Presidents

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Dr. Fauci has served the country with a relentless pursuit of discovery and innovation. Serving as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) for 38 years and being a public servant for more than 50 years, Dr. Fauci oversaw an extensive research portfolio devoted to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious and immune-mediated diseases. As the key advisor to 7 Presidents and their administrations, Dr. Fauci lead medical and public health preparedness and treatments against emerging infectious disease threats, including HIV/AIDS, pandemic influenza, Ebola, Zika, and COVID-19.

Motivational Leadership Expert, FBI’s First African American Female Special Agent Assistant Director

Fees
  • Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
  • US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • Europe: Please Inquire
  • Asia: Please Inquire
Cassandra “Cassi” Chandler is an innovator, strategist, investigator, and leader who has broken barriers, led diverse teams, and built cultures of motivational leadership and inclusivity at some of the world’s most important organizations, including Bank of America and the FBI. In a career that has included many “firsts” across the U.S. government and financial services industries, she served as the FBI’s first African American female special agent assistant director as well as the Bureau’s first female national spokesperson and director of public and community affairs. In addition to defining the tools motivational leaders need to mindfully build more high-performing cultures, Chandler provides actionable insights on how to move the needle while leading with empathy.

Founder & CEO of GRAVITAS, National Bestselling Author of GRAVITAS (USA Today, No. 1 on Amazon)

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*
Lisa Sun, founder and CEO of GRAVITAS, seamlessly blends stories from her data-driven insights from 11 years at McKinsey & Company and from her experience as an entrepreneur launching an innovative retail brand to offer talks that encourage audiences to choose self-confidence, work to harness their “superpower,” and use gravitas to advance personally and professionally. Sun explores why it’s vital to push past your potential, how to transform an idea into a movement, and why you’ve got to bet on yourself every single day. Sun has always had a passion for style, for inclusivity, and for helping people look and feel their best and was named one of Washingtonian Magazine's Best Dressed Women.

Former Director, Executive Recruiting at Google and Holistic Leadership Strategist

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  • 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*

Dedicated to creating the conscious workplace for tomorrow, Virginia “Ginny” Clarke is a seasoned executive recruiter who has advised at the highest levels of corporate America for decades. A proven expert in driving diverse leadership, she is the former director of executive recruiting at Google, where she led the company’s diversity, non-tech recruiting, and leadership internal mobility teams – finding and hiring senior leaders across the company. She also built a scaled internal mobility program for Google’s senior leaders and designed much of the infrastructure that supports their executive recruiting function today. In speeches, Clarke draws on her unparalleled experience assessing thousands of executives inside corporate C-Suites and boardrooms to bring a unique, holistic five-dimensional approach to true leadership that is essential now more than ever. She delivers “no-holds-barred” discussions on the root causes that lead to a lack of diversity in organizations, and provides the integrated solutions that anyone can use to affect change. Ginny is one of the best management experts and the perfect virtual keynote speaker for any leadership institute looking to increase their knowledge of organizational cultures at a fast company.

First African American Army Surgeon General and Former Commanding General, US Army Medical Command

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  • Local: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • US West: $35,001 - $55,000*
  • Europe: $55,001 - $75,000*
  • Asia: $75,001 and up*
A trailblazer in female leadership, Lieutenant General (ret) Nadja West is the 44th Army Surgeon General and the former Commanding General of US Army Medical Command. She is the first African American woman 3-star General in the Army’s history, the first African American Army Surgeon General, and currently the highest-ranking woman to ever graduate from West Point. West shares her story of grit, perseverance, strength, and breaking boundaries, even when faced with adversity. Taking audiences on her journey to becoming the Army’s first African American woman 3-star General, she motivates them to overcome challenges with self-belief, bravery, and balance. With more than 20 years of experience in executive leadership, crisis management, and disaster response – including crafting the DOD medical response to the Ebola crisis – West speaks expertly on leadership tactics to effectively lead teams through times of uncertainty and crisis.

Former President and COO of Nintendo of America Inc.

Fees
  • Local: $55,001 - $75,000*
  • US East: $75,001 and up*
  • US West: $75,001 and up*
  • Europe: $75,001 and up*
  • Asia: $75,001 and up*
An award-winning innovator and disruptor, Reggie Fils-Aimé is a proven expert on transforming companies, re-vitalizing brands, and reshaping industries to solve daunting challenges and achieve ‘the impossible.’ Most recently, he was the president and chief operating officer of Nintendo of America – the first American and African-American to hold this position. Revered by business leaders and gaming fans alike, Fils-Aimé helped bring Nintendo’s greatest successes – including the Nintendo DS, the Wii, the Nintendo 3DS, Wii U, and the Nintendo Switch – to the global marketplace. Using his personal story as an example, he shares with audiences his principles for effective and innovative leadership, including defining a vision, courage in decision-making, and “irrefutable integrity.”

Former Secret Service Special Agent and Interrogator, Co-Host of Bravo TV’s “Spy Games”

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*

For more than 12 years, Evy Poumpouras served as a Secret Service special agent in an action-packed career during which she was responsible for protecting the world’s most high-value assets. She was a member of the Presidential Protective Division for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, and also protected Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George H.W. Bush. Today, she is a widely recognized multimedia journalist, host, and producer who uses her skills in front of the camera and behind it to conduct headline-grabbing interviews and investigate the biggest stories in the media. She appears regularly on “TODAY,” NBC, MSNBC, and “Good Morning America” to share her sought-after expertise on national security, law enforcement, and crime, and is the host of Bravo TV’s competition series “Spy Games.” Having mastered the arts of communication and psychology in a wide-ranging career that has taken her from the Secret Service to the TV screen and everywhere in between, Poumpouras offers unconventional strategies for crushing any challenge and living life fearlessly.

Organizational Performance Expert & Executive Director of the McChrystal Group Leadership Institute

Fees
  • Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
  • US East: $10,001 - $20,000*
  • US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • Europe: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • Asia: $20,001 - $35,000*
As a senior policy advisor, security professional, and leadership consultant, Jeff Eggers leverages 20+ years of experience managing strategic efforts and leading high-stakes, high-performing teams during his time with the White House, Department of Defense, and the U.S. Navy. Exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau, Eggers explains why humble leadership is more important than heroic leadership, why leadership’s role is to cultivate rather than control, how a sense of “we” is the common thread amongst all high-performing teams — ranging from Formula One Racing to the Tokyo String Quartet to Navy SEALS — and why the most significant risk factors to a corporation are internal.

NASA Astronaut, Navy SEAL, CEO and President of the National Medal of Honor Museum

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*
A decorated veteran of the sea, air, land, and outer space, Captain Chris Cassidy is among the leaders of an exclusive and distinguished group of accomplished military astronauts who have made an impact on and beyond this world. Recognized for his leadership and achievements as a United States Navy SEAL and a NASA astronaut, CAPT Cassidy’s various military deployments and spaceflight missions provided the catalysts for an action-packed career where he made the most of every opportunity presented to him, even in challenging and high-stakes environments.

Legendary Saturday Night Live Producer

Fees
  • Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
  • US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • Europe: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • Asia: $55,001 - $75,000*
A legendary presence behind one of America’s most beloved television shows, Lindsay Shookus is an Emmy award-winning producer who, for 20 years, worked as a veteran producer for “Saturday Night Live.” During her tenure, as producer and head of the talent department, Shookus was responsible for engineering the show’s success from booking celebrity hosts and musical guests and creating comfort and connections between them and the cast, to scouting rising stars to join the show’s ranks. She played a pivotal role in launching the careers of household names, including Kristin Wiig and Kate McKinnon — cementing her reputation for having a sharp eye for talent within the entertainment industry. She points to her own experiences to lead an on-stage masterclass on personal transformation, building connections, and embracing life’s obstacles on the road to overcoming them.

Visionary Leader, Institutional Change Agent, President of Paul Quinn College

Fees
  • Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
  • US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • Europe: Please Inquire
  • Asia: Please Inquire
In 2007, Dr. Michael Sorrell faced a life-altering decision. He was part of an ownership group that was on the verge of purchasing the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies and he would serve as the team’s president following the completion of the deal — a dream come true for him. At the same time, he was approached by Paul Quinn College, a failing institution, to serve as the historically Black college’s president in the interim while they sought out a permanent appointment to take over the role — a search that was proving difficult as the school continued to falter. Dr. Sorrell accepted the role, hoping it would be a brief side quest on his journey to becoming an NBA executive. In reality, it marked the beginning of a transformative and innovative era for the school that continues to this day. Dr. Sorrell has spearheaded one of the great turnaround stories of our time — leading Paul Quinn’s evolution from one of the worst in the nation to a higher education powerhouse. As the longest-tenured president in the college’s history, he has instilled a “WE Over Me” mentality in students, faculty, and the community at large and has been revered throughout his historic tenure for his ability to reimagine organizations to better serve the needs of the people that depend on them. He is a testament to the power of purpose and vision. Dr. Sorrell’s talks center on why the simplest approach to leadership is often the most effective one. As he engages the audience with the experiences that led him to Paul Quinn College, and the turnaround that followed, he introduces them to his “Four Ls” for leading with impact.

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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Executive, activist, one of the NY Times bestsellers, and entrepreneur, Sarah Robb O’Hagan is described by the media as everything from “Superwoman undercover” to the “Queen of the Jocks” to the ultimate example of where fierce business woman, mother, and fitness fanatic combine. Named among Forbes “Most Powerful Women in Sports” and recognized as one of Fast Company’s “Most Creative People in Business,” Sarah's career includes leadership roles at some of the world’s most iconic brands. She is the former CEO of Flywheel Sports, former President of Gatorade, former Director at Nike, and an internationally recognized re-inventor of brands. She has written bestselling books and is the founder of Extreme Living, a consultancy focused on bringing the best out of individuals and organizations, and CEO of Exos, the world leader in elite performance training that helps people reach higher and achieve more. As one of the top executive coaches, leadership experts, and consultant and speaker, Sarah is the perfect speaker/author for your event.

Co-Chairman of Albertsons, Former CEO of Starbucks, Former CEO of Extended Stay Hotels, & Former CEO of Pathmark Supermarkets

Fees
  • Local: $35,001 - $55,000*
  • US East: $35,001 - $55,000*
  • US West: $35,001 - $55,000*
  • Europe: $55,001 - $75,000*
  • Asia: $75,001 and up*
Jim Donald – the current co-chairman and former CEO of Albertsons, and the former CEO of Starbucks, Haggen Food & Pharmacy, and Extended Stay Hotels – focuses on innovation, quality, and service. He started his career as a grocer; he was handpicked by Sam Walton to build a supermarket presence for Wal-Mart. He helped Starbucks enjoy record growth and performance and increase its social responsibility commitment. At Extended Stay Hotels, Donald utilizing his reputation for turning around ailing companies. Named one of the “Top 25 CEOs in the World,” he addresses leadership, management, the power of one customer.

Former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence

Fees
  • 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*
Sue M. Gordon is the former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence (PDDNI) – the country’s number two ranking intelligence official. As the fifth PDDNI, she co-led the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and oversaw the entire Intelligence Community, comprised of over a dozen agencies that collect information on threats against the United States. In particular, Gordon’s transformative leadership focused on integrating intelligence across the organization, expanding outreach and partnerships, driving innovation, and advancing diversity and inclusion throughout the Community. With nearly four decades of legendary and dedicated service, Gordon has led at every level of the Intelligence Community with roles spanning numerous organizations and disciplines – drawing on this experience to inspire audiences to challenge the status quo, adapt to changing environments, and apply innovation to their business.

Leadership & Communication Expert; Mission-Driven Entrepreneur & CEO

Fees
  • Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
  • US East: $10,001 - $20,000*
  • US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • Europe: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • Asia: $35,001 - $55,000*
Meggie Palmer is an award-winning journalist, speaker and Executive Coach. She founded PepTalkHer, an organization on a mission to close the gender pay gap and support professionals to find alignment at work. Palmer spent 15 years as a foreign correspondent in Europe, the USA & Australia and has worked for networks including the BBC World, CNBC and the Financial Times. She is a purpose-driven business leader who advises Fortune 500 companies on how to retain top talent and create cultures that super charge businesses.

US Navy SEAL Rear Admiral (ret.)

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Rear Admiral Scott Moore is the former deputy commander of Naval Special Warfare. From the mountains of Afghanistan to briefings in the Oval Office, he is the man our nation’s leaders trust when failure is not an option. Whether leading a group of men or interfacing with Pakistani military leaders, he directed more than 2,000 missions and was involved in the marquee moments of our nation’s history. His presentations are a nail-biting, adrenaline-pumping glimpse into what it takes to create and lead high-performing teams.

President at McChrystal Group, Best-selling Author, Leadership Expert, and Former US Navy SEAL Officer

Fees
  • Local: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • Europe: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • Asia: $55,001 - $75,000*
Chris Fussell is a former Navy SEAL Officer and the current President at McChrystal Group, a premier leadership and management consulting firm founded by General McChrystal and fellow SEAL David Silverman. Fussell leads the company’s sales, branding, and client relations teams, bringing his Special Operations experience and his expertise in cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing within large, dispersed organizations.
Choose the Right Leadership Keynote Speaker for Your Event

Choose from leadership conference speakers who led military forces, steered political parties, drove corporate turnarounds, advanced scientific teams, increased employee engagement, and launched ground-breaking startup companies. Because we’re one of the largest premier leadership speakers bureaus, we represent some of the top leadership speakers available.

At Leading Authorities speakers bureau, we’re in the business of “wowing” event attendees. To help you find the perfect in-person, hybrid, or virtual keynote speaker on leadership, we collaborate with you. Tell us your budget, theme, and target audience, and we’ll take care of the rest. Our team helps with handling logistics and bundling extras into your event package, like a meet and greet or book signings, to ensure your event is seamless and makes you look good. 

If you are looking for a leading expert on business growth, a social entrepreneur, extreme leadership, emotional intelligence, or future trends, you've come to the right place. A motivational keynote speaker can come in the form of a founder and CEO, a Navy SEALs member, a leadership consultant, a serial entrepreneur, a bestselling author, or a national speaker. Additionally, check out the different types of leadership keynote speakers we recommend.

Types of Leadership Keynote Speakers

Choosing the right leadership keynote speaker for your event is important. Wow your audience with some one of these leadership speaker types.

New York Times Bestselling Authors

A New York Times bestselling author is most beneficial to audiences that are looking for reading material to go along with what their speaker is sharing with them. For some, knowing that a speaker has the credibility of being on the New York Times bestselling list makes them more reputable.

Leadership and Management Speakers

Leadership and management speakers are best suited for audiences looking for guidance in leading and managing their organization. High level managers, directors, and CEOs would benefit from the knowledge that a leadership keynote speaker or management keynote speaker has to share with real-life experience from their respective field of work.

Speakers on Business Growth

Speakers on business growth are perfect for any audience and event type. Every organization is interested in growing their business, and it isn’t just the CEOs that should be concerned with this. Every person within the organization has the potential to advocate for change that can lead to growth, making speakers on business growth a great fit for any audience.

Motivational Keynote Speakers

Motivational keynote speakers are typically the most common type of leadership keynote speakers. They are the people who can mix in the good and fun aspects of leadership with the not-so-fun and tough situations that leaders are sometimes forced to face. Motivational keynote speakers know how to engage an audience and motivate listeners to lead with gravitas.

African American Speakers

Learn from the inspiring stories of Black leaders who have worked at the highest levels of their respective fields. These speakers bring perspectives on leadership through adversity and the critical roles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in shaping an organization's operations. They also speak from their cultural backgrounds, bringing insights and stories that broaden audiences' appreciation for various cultures and promote more inclusive leadership.

Leadership Topics Our Speakers Cover

Within the leadership field, our speakers bring a vast array of experience and perspectives. Their expertise spans various industries, from business to military. Even within each industry, varied personal experiences lead to unique leadership topics. The range of industry backgrounds and experience creates opportunities for leadership speeches with topics like:

  • Leading in uncertain times
  • Guiding principles in leadership
  • Leadership in the digital age
  • Fostering connections as leaders
  • Leading with purpose
  • Anti-racist leadership
  • Leadership under pressure
  • Innovation in leadership
  • Leading outside the workplace
  • Leading successful teams

Depending on your event's theme and focus, our professionals can match you to topics and speakers that create an impact.

The Event Types We Find Speakers For

We organize keynote speakers with leadership expertise to cover a broad range of events. A few examples of event types that often benefit from leadership keynote speakers are corporate retreats, leadership summits, board of directors meetings, conferences, industry-specific trade shows, social impact events, and annual meetings. Leadership speakers contribute their specialized expertise and inspire their audiences to rethink leadership and apply new perspectives in their everyday work.

The Advantages of Working With Leading Authorities Speakers Bureau

Collaboration forms the basis of the work we do on behalf of our clients. We aim to create impactful and memorable events that fit your unique needs. Many of our seasoned and talented staff members have been with us for almost 30 years. Their expertise and tailored approach to event speaker selection means successful outcomes for your event. They connect you with ideas and personalities, finding the right solutions rather than selling a particular speaker. 

Here are a few other advantages we provide:

  • International presence: We maintain headquarters in Washington, D.C., and an office in London to serve national and international organizations, ranging from trade associations and major corporations to colleges and universities.
  • Storytelling: We match you with leadership experts who bring compelling stories that share the message you aim to promote. We can tell your desired story through an online speech, video, or live event. 
  • Bright talent: Anyone can talk, but we maintain a roster of engaging and charismatic personalities who bring unique perspectives from their industries. These experts come from the biggest brands and organizations.

Find Your Next Keynote Speakers On Leadership

Contact our team today if you want to learn more about the leadership experts, speakers, and authorities we represent for speaking engagements, or if you have any questions we can help you address about the speaker booking process.

To get in touch with a member of our team right away about the fee range for top leadership speakers, public speakers, international speakers, or business authors, you can also fill out the form below, email us at Contact@lauthorities.com, live chat with a member of our team online, or call us at 1-800-SPEAKER.

If you are looking for specific keynote speakers on leadership who deliver TED Talks not listed above, we still encourage you to contact our team, as we specialize in placing hard-to-find and in-demand keynote speakers from =around the world, which may not be listed on our website.