What sets a great speaker apart? Is it their ability to inspire action, challenge perspectives, or create unforgettable moments? The world’s top speakers do all that and more.
They don’t just deliver messages—they ignite change. As we step into 2025, the demand for insightful, engaging, and transformational speakers has never been higher.
Whether they’re shaping the future of leadership, redefining workplace culture, or helping audiences master the art of communication, these speakers are making an undeniable impact. Their words don’t just inform; they empower, motivate, and leave lasting impressions.
If you’re looking for thought leaders driving meaningful conversations and influencing industries, these are the ten speakers to watch this year.
Jim Fielding, former President of Disney Stores Worldwide and executive leader at The Gap and 20th Century Fox, brings over 35 years of experience to the stage with an authentic, storytelling-driven approach. As an award-winning speaker and Indiana University Alumni of the Year, he delivers powerful insights on belonging, inclusion, and authentic leadership. Fielding tailors each talk to his audience, blending corporate wisdom with personal reflection to inspire and build high-performing teams and cultures. Passionate about community and continuous learning, he’s a must-follow speaker in 2025 for organizations seeking transformational leadership and meaningful connection.
Scott Rusnak is a Board-Certified Coach For The US and British Olympic Teams and an Expert EOS Implementer. He brings over 30 years of entrepreneurial experience, co-founding and successfully exiting multiple businesses. His signature talk, Who is the Architect of Your Life?, set to be presented in Slovakia, Dallas, Budapest, Sydney, and Rio in 2025, explores the hidden cost of overcommitment — and the importance of designing your life around who and what matters most. Rusnak empowers audiences to take inventory of their commitments, align with their true purpose, and create space for what matters most. Grounded in real-world success across multiple arenas and concepts like Dunbar’s Number, Rusnak’s message inspires transformative change, helping leaders build thriving businesses and fulfilling personal lives.
Leo Bottary is a thought leader in team collaboration and high-performance leadership, pioneering the concept of Peernovation—applying the best practices of top CEO forums to organizational teams. A seasoned speaker with over 100 engagements annually, he masterfully blends storytelling, data, humor, and actionable frameworks to inspire leaders to build stronger, more connected teams. His latest book, Peernovation: Forged by CEO Forums. Perfected for Teams, now in its second edition, reinforces his commitment to continuous learning and growth. With insights drawn from over 800 facilitated programs, Leo empowers organizations to embrace collaboration, celebrate achievements, and recognize that seeking help is not a weakness but a key to success.
Amy Reczek is a dynamic speaker who bridges sales strategy with behavioral science, empowering audiences to transform communication into measurable results. Founder of Sales and Presence, she helps sales teams, leaders, and business professionals master the art of connection through high-energy, interactive sessions packed with practical takeaways. Her signature approach breaks down the psychology of human behavior, showing how small shifts in listening, speaking, and engagement can lead to big wins. Constantly evolving with the latest research and real-world testing, Amy ensures her content is fresh, relevant, and immediately actionable. With a second book and a new keynote, “Message Received,” she’s a speaker to watch in 2025.
A world-renowned keynote speaker and transformation expert, Nick Jankel has spent over 30 years crafting talks that don’t just inspire—they transform. With an electrifying stage presence and deep expertise in behavioral science, leadership, and innovation, Nick helps audiences unlock their potential in the VUCA++ world. He customizes every keynote, blending cutting-edge research, actionable insights, and high-energy storytelling to deliver an unforgettable experience. His commitment to audience impact has made him the go-to speaker for top global organizations, from Fortune 500 leadership events to tech-driven user conferences. Passionate about creating lasting change, Nick ensures that every talk is a catalyst for real-world breakthroughs.
Shohan Rahman, VP of Channel Sales at Rain and founder of Sho FWRD, is a dynamic speaker and advocate for continuous learning and community impact. Guided by a Go-Giver mentality, he shares valuable insights through his Pay it FWRD video newsletter, delivering bi-weekly micro-learnings tied to his passion for reading and personal growth. In 2025, Shohan will launch keynote presentations for various organizations, expand the newsletter, and collaborate with businesses to host sessions that uplift the community. His commitment to consistency, intentionality, and personal development — including working with mental performance networks — inspires audiences to build purposeful brands and meaningful portfolios. Shohan’s mission is clear: to help others grow, learn, and pay it forward.
Ariane de Bonvoisin, founder ofAriane Media, is a globally recognized speaker, author, and coach known for her transformative talks on change, wellbeing, and inspired leadership. With authenticity at the heart of her message, Ariane shares personal stories—not slides—that resonate long after the event ends. She’s spoken at major companies like Google, Amazon, Twitter, L’Oreal, Red Bull, and even keynoted Oprah’s South Africa conference for 7,500 women. Drawing insights from her work with cutting-edge founders and CEOs, she blends psychology, business wisdom, and human connection to inspire lasting change. Ariane believes people crave inspiration, not just information, and her mission is to uplift, empower, and expand what’s possible for individuals, teams, and humanity.
Courtney Ramsey, founder of Courtney Ramsey Speaks, LLC, is a Certified Speaking Professional™ (CSP®) who helps leaders do the hard stuff—like give constructive feedback and have real conversations that drive performance. A former corporate learning leader turned keynote speaker and TEDx presenter, Courtney stands out by giving leaders practical tools they can use immediately—no theory, no fluff. Her acclaimed keynote, Quit Hitting Snooze on Tough Conversations, keynote equips leaders to lead with clarity and courage in a noisy, high-stakes world. By involving participants’ leaders in the process, she ensures lasting behavior change and real ROI. Her relatable, real-world approach makes her one of 2025’s most essential voices in leadership development.
Mark S. Lewis, bestselling author of GIVE A DAMN – The Ticket to Cultural Change, is a powerhouse speaker on a mission to inspire kindness, respect, and a thriving corporate culture. With decades of leadership experience — from running CEO roundtables to leading Louisiana’s tech boom — Lewis blends passion with practical strategies. His dynamic, interactive presentations energize audiences while delivering actionable insights on leadership, hiring, and personal growth. As co-founder of Evolve Media AI and co-author of a children’s book series, he’s committed to driving impact across generations. Lewis’s infectious energy, wealth of experience, and unwavering belief in purpose-driven success make him an essential speaker to watch in 2025.
Jon Colby, an award-winning speaker and improv expert, has spent his career empowering audiences with dynamic, interactive keynotes that build confidence, improve communication, and spark meaningful connections. He’s spoken in 40 states and across six continents, earning the “Vistage Top Performer Award” every year since 2021. Colby seamlessly weaves improv games into sessions on creativity, leadership, emotional intelligence, and positive psychology — making even the most introverted attendees feel comfortable and engaged. Whether delivering keynotes in the dark with phone flashlights or adapting workshops for virtual audiences during the pandemic, Colby’s resilience and passion for helping others shine through. His upcoming Colby Leadership Institute will extend his impact, giving organizations tools to foster creativity, collaboration, and growth.
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