Inspiring speakers connect audiences with themes of teamwork, resilience, and determination. In times of adversity their powerful lessons inspire, motivate, and drive performance across corporate, nonprofit, and association events.
Ginger Kerrick
<p>Ginger Kerrick is Chief Strategy Officer for Barrios Technology, a small woman-owned human spaceflight company in Houston, Texas. </p><p>Prior to joining the Barrios executive team, Ginger served in multiple senior leadership roles at NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC) before retiring in 2021 including Deputy Director of the Exploration Integration and Science Directorate and JSC Assistant Center Director for Vision and Strategy. She spent the majority of her 30-year NASA career supporting JSC’s Flight Operations Directorate (FOD) in leadership roles, including Assistan
Elizabeth Lombardo
<p>Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo brings an unparalleled energy to stages around the globe by actively engaging audiences. Her knowledge in cutting-edge research, relatability, storytelling and humor provides entertainment and actionable strategies for attendees to create sustainable change.</p><p>Known as America’s most-trusted celebrity psychologist, Dr.
Travis Mills
<p>Travis Mills’ keynote speech teaches and inspires audiences nationwide to “Never give up. Never quit.” no matter the obstacles or circumstances. Mills’ larger-than-life personality, sense of humor and incredible spirit for life engages audiences from the moment he takes center stage.</p><p>On April 10, 2012, United States Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills of the 82nd Airborne was critically injured on his third tour of duty in Afghanistan by an IED (improvised explosive device) while on patrol, losing portions of both legs and both arms.
Dominique Dawes
<p>Dominique Dawes is a three-time Olympian, Olympic gold medalist, and trailblazer in American gymnastics. </p><p>A member of the legendary “Magnificent Seven,” she made history at the 1996 Atlanta Games as the first Black woman to win an individual Olympic medal in gymnastics. Today, she is the founder and brand ambassador of the Dominique Dawes Academy, creating safe, empowering spaces for young athletes in gymnastics, ninja, and more, with a growing national footprint.
Kara Goldin
<p>Kara Goldin knows what it’s like to build a business, and a new category, from nothing to something big. She is a resilient, inspiring and motivational leader and storyteller.
J. R. Martinez
<p>J.R. Martinez is an actor, best-selling author, motivational speaker, advocate, and wounded U.S. Army veteran. He is many things. But perhaps most significantly, he is an inspiration.</p><p>In March of 2003, J.R. was deployed to Iraq. On April 5, he was driving a Humvee in Karbala when his left front tire hit a roadside bomb. The three other soldiers were ejected from the burning vehicle, but J.R. was trapped inside. He suffered smoke inhalation and severe burns to 34 percent of his body. J.R.
Chris Bashinelli
<p>“We need more people like Chris in the world,” says Dr. Jane Goodall. </p><p>National Geographic Explorer and global storyteller Chris Bashinelli helps organizations lead through change by strengthening what matters most—true human connection. Drawing on experiences in over 40 countries, Bash shows leaders how embracing challenge becomes the most powerful driver of growth—reigniting employee inspiration, boosting sales, and building cultures where people feel safe to bring their best selves.
Orlando Bowen
<p>Orlando Bowen was a linebacker in the CFL from 2000-04. He began his career with the Toronto Argonauts and ended it while playing for the Hamilton Tigercats. His career was sadly cut short after a severe concussion suffered at the hands of two corrupt police officers. </p><p>In 2004, while waiting to meet friends while in a parking lot, Orlando was approached by two undercover officers who accused him of dealing drugs. The officers then physically beat Bowen who suffered significant injuries to the head.
Suneel Gupta
<p>Suneel Gupta asks audiences, leaders and teams: “How can an organization excel on the outside if its people are exhausted on the inside?”</p><p>As the founding CEO of RISE, a breakthrough wellness company, Suneel Gupta helped thousands of people build better habits for life and work. Now as a bestselling author and Harvard Medical School visiting scholar, Suneel has taken his mission one step further – helping people achieve sustainable peak performance by bolstering emotional resilience and engagement.
Captain Sandy Yawn
<p>Captain Sandy is a leader, hero and businesswoman whose exceptional leadership style has helped her to break through every obstacle in her path – from the glass ceilings and near-fatal accidents on land to pirates and fires at sea!</p>