FIND A VOICE.
Who we are.
Gotham is a creative, collaborative and committed mix of people with a shared passion for the power of storytelling and live events. Our eclectic backgrounds and experiences pull from all facets of the entertainment and events industry.What we do.
Gotham Artists is a trusted speaker bureau, helping organizations secure the world's most influential speakers for all types of events. From college campuses to corporate boardrooms to large festivals, we help you create and deliver impactful live and virtual events.Why choose us.
Finding the perfect speaker can be challenging and time-consuming. Gotham Artists exists to streamline and simplify this process for you. We pride ourselves on our relationships with all of the major bureaus, agencies, musical entertainment, and independent speakers from around the world. Because of these relationships, the recommendations we provide are curated specifically for our clients with no other thought but of who is the best fit for you– regardless of their affiliation.Don't just take our word for it
With more than 600 events every year including with Fortune 100 companies and the most prestigious universities in the country, we must be doing something right, at least according to these:
Amazing! My organization asked him to speak to our senior executives at a leadership conference. His presentation was energetic and informative, mixing requested topics with magic. He literally got the attendees out of their seats and left them enthusiastically talking about it afterwards. It was the finale to a long day and capped everything off with a bang! Hire Christophe.
Christophe Fox Testimonial 4
We had an extensive list of potential speakers for our keynote, including a Hall of Fame football player. I really wanted that Hall of Famer because I wanted inspiration, fun and high energy - but I was outvoted by others who wanted more education. After the keynote, I realized that there was no way he could have done what Simone did - especially virtually. It was fantastic.
Simone Ahuja 2
"I am so pleased we were able to have you present to our sales team. I am hearing nothing but rave reviews from the attendees and you received the top scores on our post meeting survey. You not only entertained the audience but you provided an incredibly powerful and useful message that resonated with our sales team and successfully incorporated the themes of our meeting."
Joel Zeff Testimonial
Gotham Artists superbly masters and manages all the aspects of talent management. They have a natural ability to grasp the key highlights of any product or action. They raise questions and seek information in order to obtain all the different angles needed for their job. They proved to have a deep understanding of the talent involvement at our event and they are excellent team players.
I truly enjoyed working with the team at Gotham Creative. Laurie (and her Team’s) attention to detail and methodical approach to the project ensured its success…and we had a lot of fun too! I recommend them without reservation to handle any job they are involved with…big or small.
One of the best things the Gotham team does is listen – they actively seek to understand our objectives and the relationships we want to cultivate between the attendees and organizations. I’ve worked with the Gotham team on multiple occasions and appreciate the care and focus they bring in all aspects from early planning to final execution.
Thanks so much for attending the event. We definitely appreciate you and all of the work that Gotham did. You all have great ethic and service and it definitely did not go unnoticed.
Thank you so much for making this event planning easy for me. I'm thankful for that because I really had no idea what I was doing. You always answered my questions so nicely. I had not so good experiences with other agents. I spent months looking for speakers and I'm happy I found Gotham Artists.
Thank you for all of your help getting this event to happen. I have been in this position for about 2 years planning events like this and working with you and Gotham has by far been the best experience booking an artist. Hopefully we can work together again.
You are a true partner in every sense of that word. Your expertise, masterful people
Meet the team
Whether you're booking talent for the first time or you're a seasoned event planner, it's ALWAYS good to know the people who are working for you! Our team is a creative, collaborative and committed mix of people with a shared passion for the power of storytelling and live events.
Samantha Conine
Chief Operations Officer
Samantha was born and raised in Westchester, New York (which is not upstate). She received her B.S. in Film and Television from Boston University and worked in script development, casting and production before joining Gotham in 2012. At Gotham she puts all of these skills to use to make sure client and talent needs are met, always going the extra proverbial (and sometimes actual) mile for them. She lives in a constant state of happy chaos with her husband, sons, and two Shiba Inu dogs.
Alec Melman
CEO & Co-Founder
Alec was raised in Brooklyn, NY, long before it became cool (the 1980s). He is a graduate of Stuyvesant High School, the University of Maryland and New York Law School (and might also be an ordained minister via the internet). He is a member of the NY State Bar and is also a notary for some reason. He loves to ride his bike to work (and everywhere). He lives in Leonia, NJ with his wife, son and daughter. He'd like to add a dog to the mix but has been outvoted 3-1.
Michael Gottesman
President, Lecture Division
Ben Anshutz
President, Entertainment Division
Laurie Barnett
Director of Creative Services
Kate DesRosier
Director of Business Development
Jim Oliver
Senior Agent
Jim grew up in sunny Virginia Beach, VA and graduated in 2008 from James Madison University with a degree in History and Philosophy. He moved to New York in 2010 to pursue a career in the entertainment industry, landing a job in the mailroom at WME in 2012 and subsequently joining the WME lectures division - where he first got to know the Gotham Artists team. Jim then moved to Innovative Artists where for two years he helped build out Innovative’s personal appearance division in New York.
Dustin Jones
Senior Agent
Born and raised in Arkansas, Dustin got his itch for the entertainment industry working at Missouri State University advising the student programming board. And then in 2000, he packed up his life, moved to DC, and enjoyed an amazing 22-year career with Keppler Speakers and ICM Speakers before joining Gotham in late 2022. When he's not connecting you with world-renowned artists, business leaders, content creators, broadcasters, authors, journalists, and artisans, you will find him working with his family in their newly opened doggie ice cream bar and bakery - Salty Paws Chic's Beach!
Max Smilen
Agent
Max was born and raised in Long Island, New York. He received his B.S. in Music Industry Studies and Business Administration from Loyola University in New Orleans. While studying in New Orleans, Max was a professional musician and played all across the city of New Orleans. He brought his talents back to the city of Manhattan and gigs regularly with his band, Smilen. Max loves going to see live music whenever possible.
Liz Cooke
Agent
Danielle Lamb
Agent Assistant
Cullen Resolute
Agent Assistant
Lizzie Brill
Agent Assistant
Lizzie grew up in Longmeadow, Massachusetts and graduated in 2021 from New York University with a degree in Film Studies and Creative Writing. Before joining Gotham, she did freelance writing and worked in hospitality. Lizzie recently moved to Harlem and in her free time, she likes to think about getting a cat. She is excited to bring her experience to Gotham!
Jade Amethyst
Agent Assistant
Introducing Jade Amethyst, the newest member of the dynamic Gotham team. With over six years of diverse work experience and over a decade in the vibrant Hampton Roads community, Jade brings a wealth of expertise and a keen eye for detail to her role. Committed to supporting her team's success, she excels in problem-solving and providing reliable assistance. Outside of the office, Jade finds solace and joy in the serenity of the beach, where she can often be found basking in the sun or enjoying a long walk. An avid foodie and ambivert, Jade enjoys whipping up culinary masterpieces at home and making lasting memories with friends.
Theresa Ferron
Event Logistics Coordinator
Katie Gonzalez
Event Logistics Coordinator
Katie was born and raised in the small town of Bolton, Connecticut. She received her B.S. in Hospitality and Tourism from Central CT State University and worked in Sales and Event Management for Marriott Hotels for the last 16 years. Her passion for detailing and executing events is what brought her to the Gotham Team! While most of her free time is devoted to her family (most notably her energetic 2 ½ year old Son), she also enjoys cooking and traveling abroad.
Conner Krizancic
Fractional Chief Marketing Officer
Conner Krizancic, a visionary in the realm of marketing and brand building, stands out as a leading figure in the speakers/speaking industry. As the founder of SpeakrBrand and the Fractional Chief Marketing Officer at Gotham Artists, he excels in raising the stature of executives, speakers, and authors, steering them towards becoming recognized thought leaders.
At Gotham Artists, Conner uses his extensive knowledge to assist speakers in leveraging their personal narratives and professional insights to make a significant impact on their audiences. His strategy goes beyond mere visibility, focusing on creating meaningful and sustained interactions that prepare clients to excel in the dynamic environment of public speaking.
Up Close and Personal
Outside of his professional life, Conner is a former Division 1 football player and a consistent competitor in Spartan Races, embodying discipline, resilience, and teamwork.
Favorite Speaker: Conner admires Robert Herjavec for his ability to blend insightful business acumen with engaging storytelling, which resonates deeply with his own approach to brand building and thought leadership.
Favorite Speaker Quote: "The only way to find limits is by pushing past them." —Alex Honnold
Austin Benton
Writer & Digital Marketing Strategist
At Gotham Artists, Austin leverages his expertise in writing, content creation, and digital marketing & business development to help speakers maximize their potential. He assists them in communication and strategic content placement to elevate their professional presence.
This dedication to the speaking sector is driven by his belief in the transformative power of articulate and compelling communication, which can inspire change and foster connections on a global scale.
Up Close and Personal
Austin continues to balance his ambitious professional goals with his roles as a dedicated husband and father, cherishing time spent with his family and enjoying basketball and tennis.
Favorite Speaker: Austin counts Daymond John as his favorite speaker, valuing his unique ability to turn entrepreneurial lessons into powerful, personal motivators.
Favorite Speaker Quote: "Not finance. Not strategy. Not technology. It is teamwork that remains the ultimate competitive advantage, both because it is so powerful and so rare." —Patrick Lencioni
Neva Paule
Writer & Editor
Neva Paule is an accomplished writer and editor with almost two decades of experience in developing captivating and educational content. At Gotham Artists, Neva brings her extensive experience and her passion for transformative communication to support speakers in making a lasting impact on their audiences.
Neva's journey into the world of public speaking and thought leadership was sparked by her early involvement in debate clubs and public speaking competitions during her school years. This foundation ignited a lifelong passion for the power of words and the impact they can have on an audience. Throughout her career, Neva has dedicated herself to helping speakers craft their messages to not only inform but also inspire their listeners.
Up Close and Personal
An avid traveler and amateur photographer, Neva often explores remote corners of the world with her family, gathering stories and capturing moments that reflect the diverse human experience. As a devoted wife and mother, she weaves her love for storytelling into bedtime tales for her little boy, often featuring whimsical characters inspired by their day-to-day family life.
Favorite Speaker: Neva's favorite speaker, Mel Robbins, influences her with the 5-second rule, a strategy that fuels her commitment to decisive action.
Favorite Speaker Quote: “Confidence is overrated. It’s when we’re uncomfortable and looking for answers that we learn and grow the most.” —Barbara Corcoran
Gotham Content Editorial Team
The Gotham Content Editorial Team is a group of dedicated professionals with over 60 years of combined experience in the speaker bureau industry. Our team is committed to quality assurance and content review, ensuring that we deliver top-notch, accurate, and engaging content. We’re passionate about the speaking industry and maintain the highest standards in all our publications. Sometimes, we even argue over content for hours, but it’s all in the name of quality!
Meet our team:
Gotham Team Tips
To provide our readers with the best experience possible, our editorial team adds insights in a "team tip" style within our articles. This approach leverages our extensive, real-world experience, offering unique and valuable content that you can't find anywhere else.
Commitment to Quality
We understand that there are many options for content about keynote speakers. What sets us apart is our commitment to enriching our content with individual expertise, ensuring our readers receive information that is both insightful and exclusive.
We believe that blending expertise with a touch of humor and humanity makes for the most engaging and informative content. So, while we take our work seriously, we don’t always take ourselves too seriously!