Booking the right speaker for your event can make all the difference. Whether you’re looking to motivate, educate, or inspire your audience, finding a speaker who resonates with your attendees is essential.
We’ve gathered a list of nine standout keynote speakers who are not only experts in their fields but are also known for going above and beyond to engage and connect with their audiences. Each of these speakers has received rave reviews for their speaking events, making them a top choice for events that aim to leave a lasting impact.
1. “Absolutely spectacular” — Mike Rowe
CEO of mikeroweWORKS Foundation; Creator & Host of Dirty Jobs; Executive Producer & Narrator of How America Works
Mike Rowe has made a name for himself as the host of “Dirty Jobs” and “How America Works,” where he highlights the unsung heroes who keep our society functioning. Beyond his TV roles, he is deeply committed to supporting skilled trades through his mikeroweWORKS Foundation, which has provided millions in scholarships. Rowe’s keynote addresses are filled with authenticity, humor, and powerful storytelling that engage audiences while emphasizing the value of hard work and purpose.
Here’s what clients are saying about Mike Rowe:
“We had a wonderful experience with AAE and Mike Rowe was absolutely spectacular. Working with AAE and Mike and Mary was very easy and we are very thankful they were able to make this work. They made our event a huge success and we received raving reviews. Thank you!” — Kylee Fuller, Strada Education Network ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. “PHENOMENAL” — Dr. Bernice King
Civil Rights Leader, Minister, Attorney, Author & Daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
As CEO of The King Center, Dr. Bernice King continues her parents’ legacy of nonviolent social change. Her work empowers communities worldwide, and her speeches inspire audiences to embrace justice, unity, and equity. Dr. King is a renowned leader who has organized landmark events and worked tirelessly to advance civil rights, making her a powerful and influential voice for positive change.
Here’s what clients say about Dr. King:
“Dr. King was PHENOMENAL, and I cannot recommend her enough for others! It was truly a transformative experience!” — Andrew Smith, Exterro ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Dr. King’s willingness to share her personal time, stories, and expertise in honor of the 60th anniversary of her father’s visit, made this year’s lecture incredibly special!” — Jordyn Reich, Arizona State University ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. “Incredibly kind, patient, and gracious” — Simu Liu
Chinese-Canadian Actor & Writer; Best Known for His Role in Shang-Chi & Barbie
Simu Liu broke barriers as the first Asian lead in a Marvel movie, “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.” As a writer and advocate, Liu continues to inspire through his memoir “We Were Dreamers,” sharing his immigrant journey and the power of representation. Whether on screen or in person, Liu’s keynote speeches are powerful, resonating deeply with audiences eager to hear his experiences and insights.
Here’s what clients are saying about Simu Liu:
“Meeting and working with Simu to make this session happen was a delight. He was incredibly kind, patient, and gracious. He was able to blend his personal story with the topics that were relevant to our audience and the event itself.” — Zachary Kornblau, Indeed, Inc. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
4. “Poised, prepared, inspiring, and just lovely” — Elizabeth Smart
Abduction Survivor, News Correspondent, Child Safety Activist & Best-Selling Author of My Story
Elizabeth Smart’s harrowing story of survival has led her to become an advocate for child safety and trauma recovery. As a speaker, she empowers audiences with a message of hope, resilience, and vigilance, stressing the importance of protecting vulnerable children. Smart’s personal journey and her advocacy work continue to inspire communities, law enforcement, and families around the world.
Here’s what clients are saying about Elizabeth Smart:
“Many, many people who have attended this event for years said that she was their favorite keynote! Elizabeth was poised, prepared, inspiring, and just lovely.” — Jaime Anderson, Bivona Child Advocacy Center ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Elizabeth was a wonderful speaker and our guests truly enjoyed meeting her and hearing her story.” — Clarissa Mora, Children’s Advocacy Center of the Coastal Bend ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
5. “Amazing and so personable” — J.R. Martinez
Actor, Bestselling Author, Advocate, Wounded U.S. Army Veteran, Motivational Speaker on Resilience & Optimism
J.R. Martinez‘s recovery from a roadside bomb attack in Iraq turned him into an inspiring figure of resilience and optimism. A bestselling author and motivational speaker, he shares his story of overcoming adversity, reminding audiences that challenges can lead to growth and purpose. Martinez’s personal story, along with his ability to connect with others, makes him a sought-after speaker at corporate and educational events.
Here’s what clients are saying about J.R. Martinez:
“JR was amazing and so personable. He captured the audience with his presence and storytelling ability and he has an amazing story to tell. Our members gave him a standing ovation as he closed our conference!” — Robert Beach, FLGISA ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“J.R. is a dream. He is so friendly and approachable. I can’t wait to hire him for another client event!” — Wendy Parsley, The Predictive Index ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
6. “Brought a tremendous amount of energy” — Cassandra Worthy
Founder & CEO of Change Enthusiasm Global, Change Leadership Expert, Author
Cassandra Worthy is a leader in change management, focusing on the emotional side of organizational transformation. Her method, Change Enthusiasm, equips individuals and companies to navigate change with energy and optimism. As a speaker, she inspires with actionable insights and a clear framework for leading through uncertainty, making her a powerful asset for organizations looking to build resilience.
Here’s what clients are saying about Cassandra Worthy:
“Cassandra was amazing and brought a tremendous amount of energy to our event!” — Dody Kenny, PDS Special Events ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Amazing event and amazing keynote!” — Michelle Dotson, Zoom Video Communications, Inc. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
7. “A huge hit and a perfect fit” — Will Guidara
Restaurateur, Eleven Madison Park, The #1 Restaurant in the World; Entrepreneur & Bestselling Author of “Unreasonable Hospitality”
Will Guidara’s innovative approach to hospitality, which he coined as “Unreasonable Hospitality,” revolutionized the service industry. As the former co-owner of Eleven Madison Park, he led the restaurant to worldwide acclaim. Guidara’s keynote addresses delve into exceptional customer service and leadership principles, offering valuable lessons for businesses seeking to elevate their operations and culture.
Here’s what clients are saying about Will Guidara:
“We appreciated the AAE team’s work to secure the speaker we wanted — even though it looked like it would be impossible given his schedule. Will Guidara was a huge hit and a perfect fit for our Leadership Summit. An excellent team, speaker, and experience. Thank you!” — Chris Harder, Starcom Worldwide, Inc. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Will was incredible, inspiring, and exceeded our expectations.” — Erin Davidson, Funlab ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
8. “Such a treat to have her” — Laurie Hernandez
Olympic Gold Medalist, NY Times Bestselling Author, Actress
Laurie Hernandez’s journey from Olympic Gold Medalist to “Dancing with the Stars” champion has made her a beloved figure in sports and entertainment. Beyond her athletic achievements, Hernandez’s passion for mental health advocacy and representation has resonated deeply with audiences across the country. Her speeches inspire youth to follow their dreams while embracing self-care and resilience.
Here’s what clients are saying about Laurie Hernandez:
“Laurie was truly phenomenal — such a treat to have her for our event!” — Sarah Bedard, Splunk ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Laurie was a great speaker, and the response we received from our attendees was overwhelmingly positive!” — Pearl Brady, Shearman & Sterling ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
9. “Incredible—10/10 in every way” — Lisa Leslie
WNBA Champion & 4x Olympic Gold Medalist; Author of Don’t Let the Lipstick Fool You and From the Court to the Boardroom; Co-Founder, The Lockwood Group
Lisa Leslie is a pioneer in women’s basketball, known for her leadership both on and off the court. As a four-time Olympic gold medalist and a trailblazer in the WNBA, Leslie continues to inspire with her work as a media personality, author, and businesswoman. She brings a wealth of experience in leadership, teamwork, and overcoming obstacles, making her an ideal speaker for any event focused on success and empowerment.
Here’s what clients are saying about Lisa Leslie:
“Lisa was incredible—10/10 in every way!” — Brian Clark, AgileOne ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Lisa was a pleasure to work with and was an amazing speaker!” — Greg Pollack, Northcentral University ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
While this list is by no means exhaustive, each of these nine highly-reviewed keynote speakers brings something unique to the table, from transformative stories of resilience to groundbreaking insights on leadership, change, and representation. Ready to book a speaker who will go above and beyond to make your event a resounding success? There are so many wonderful options out there, and AAE is here to help.
