Speaker Profile Thumbnail for Allison Shapira

Bestselling Author, Harvard Kennedy School Adjunct Lecturer | Founder/CEO, Global Public Speaking | Leadership Communication Speaker | Former Opera Singer

Allison Shapira Speaking Fee: $20,000 to $30,000

Bestselling Author, Harvard Kennedy School Adjunct Lecturer | Founder/CEO, Global Public Speaking | Leadership Communication Speaker | Former Opera Singer

Speaker Profile Thumbnail for Allison Shapira
Speaking Fee:
$20,000 to $30,000

Travels From:
Washington, DC

Primary Topic Category:
Leadership and Management

Secondary Topic Category:
Business & Entrepreneurship

 

Allison Shapira Speaker Profile: At A Glance

As a leader, your voice matters. Your ability to enter a room with presence and speak in a way that commands attention helps you build trust with clients and colleagues and directly influences your leadership trajectory.

In an age of artificial intelligence, constant disruption, and rapid change, authentic communication is no longer a “soft skill” — it’s a business imperative. When used strategically, AI can help leaders clarify their message, scale trust, and lead with greater presence, empathy, and impact.

Whether you’re speaking to your team, your board, or your clients, it’s your voice which is your most valuable leadership asset.

Allison Shapira helps leaders tap into that power. An adjunct lecturer at the Harvard Kennedy School, former opera singer, and Founder/CEO of Global Public Speaking, Allison has spent over 20 years working with Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and nonprofits around the world. She equips leaders with the tools to communicate authentically, confidently, and effectively — in person, online, or in partnership with AI.

Allison Shapira is a sought-after keynote speaker, former opera singer, best-selling author, and leadership communication expert who has advised global leaders at the pinnacle of their careers. Since 2003, she has developed communication programs inside some of the largest and most influential organizations on the planet—including Fortune 50 companies, government agencies, and nonprofits. From prime ministers and their cabinets to CEOs and their teams, she has worked with communicators at the highest echelons of leadership to strengthen how they speak so they can accelerate powerful, positive change. Today, Allison continues to speak and advise leaders on how to create shared understanding through authentic human communication. She brings over two decades of global public speaking experience to each engagement, teaching leaders how they can become confident, empowered communicators who transform organizations from the inside out through thriving cultures, collaborative environments, and reputations built on trust. Integrating cutting-edge AI tools, her practical frameworks inspire audiences to Speak With ImpactSM, equipping them to rise and meet the future. Allison has been an adjunct lecturer in public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School since 2014, teaching Harvard graduate students the art and practice of public speaking. Over the years, she has shared her insights with renowned media outlets including The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and the Harvard Business Review. Her book Speak with Impact: How to Command the Room and Influence Others (HarperCollins Leadership) was a Washington Post bestseller. Her forthcoming book is entitled AI for the Authentic Leader: How AI Can Help You Lead with Confidence, Clarity, and Influence.
“Allison’s keynote was amazing! I heard nothing but positive feedback after our Summit. The most powerful part was that she got everyone up and interacting. We’ve never had a speaker engage that much with our group beforehand.” Jammie Serrano, Vice President of Advisor Development, Advisors Excel “You knocked it out of the park! This was a discerning audience, and you engaged them with your storytelling, examples, relatability, and professionalism. They were raving about it, which doesn't happen often! I appreciate the prep calls we had: you tailored the session really well to meet our expectations. I look forward to working with you again soon!” Molly Flanagan, Director and Chief of Staff to the Chief Legal Officer, Procter & Gamble “Our session was the perfect balance of what we needed, when we needed it. You embodied this balance of interactivity and practical content, made us laugh, got us out of our comfort zone - in a comfortable way. It wasn’t just about executive presence; it was about how you present yourself and connect with people every day: both everyday communication, team communication.That’s so important in this hybrid world we’re living in.” Jeanne Martel, CEO, ClinicalMind “I had the honor of hosting a great learning session for our EY teams on strategies for speaking with impact with the inspiring Allison Shapira. Allison took us through the principles of authenticity, clarity and energy and how embracing these simple but powerful fundamentals can set us up for communications success. I think that we all acknowledge that being able to communicate effectively is incredibly important, but do we spend enough time polishing our individual skills? Even if you’re a ‘natural’ you can always improve. Thank you Allison for sharing your insights, tip and techniques and indeed your energy. And of course the opera!” Hanne Jesca Bax, EMEIA Managing Partner, Ernst & Young "Allison Shapira has been a key faculty member in our Executive Education program on Strategic Leadership, and she has been absolutely phenomenal. The participants in our programs come from all walks of life and all regions of the world, and Allison’s ability to authentically and deeply connect with everyone is truly remarkable. Her course evaluations are always stellar, and she is described as “insightful, warm, brilliant, engaging, dynamic and inspiring”. We couldn’t me more pleased with her involvement in this important leadership development program at Harvard and will be delighted to continue having Allison back." Rob Wilkinson, Faculty Chair, Strategic Leadership, Harvard Kennedy School
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