Table of Contents
Introduction
Event organizers, conference planners, corporate trainers, and educational institutions – this article is for you.
Discover how the right storytelling speaker can captivate your audience, making your event unforgettable.
Keep reading to find the perfect match for your next big event!
Hand-Picked Storytelling Keynote Speakers You Can Hire
Check out our curated selections for your next event. Like one? Click the button below to get in touch.
1. Matthew Luhn
Matthew Luhn is a top storytelling keynote speaker and former lead animator at Pixar Studios, with over 20 years of experience working on iconic films like Toy Story and Monsters Inc. He now helps businesses leverage the art of storytelling to build stronger brands and improve business communication.
- Experience: Worked on Toy Story, Finding Nemo, and Ratatouille.
- Clients: Apple, Google, and Microsoft.
- Books: Author of “The Best Story Wins”.
Why you should hire Matthew Luhn: Matthew’s insights from his time at Pixar bring a unique perspective to corporate storytelling, making his presentations both engaging and educational.
2. Omar Johnson
Omar Johnson, former CMO at Beats by Dre and VP of Marketing at Apple, is a branding and marketing expert who has transformed brands through storytelling. His work has been recognized globally, making him a sought-after speaker in the business world.
- Experience: Former CMO at Beats by Dre, VP Marketing at Apple.
- Recognitions: Adweek’s “Brand Genius”, Business Insider’s “Most Innovative CMO”.
- Clients: Nike, Coca-Cola, and Spotify.
Why you should hire Omar Johnson: Omar’s expertise in branding and marketing through storytelling can help elevate your brand’s presence and resonance with your audience.
3. Ken Schmidt
Ken Schmidt, former Director of Communications at Harley-Davidson, helped revive the brand by turning it into a symbol of freedom and individuality. His storytelling techniques are legendary in the marketing world.
- Experience: Communications Director at Harley-Davidson.
- Books: Author of “Make Some Noise”.
- Achievements: Rebuilt Harley-Davidson’s brand image.
Why you should hire Ken Schmidt: Ken’s unique insights into building brand loyalty and corporate culture through storytelling are invaluable for any business looking to strengthen its brand identity.
4. Duncan Wardle
Duncan Wardle, former Head of Innovation and Creativity at Disney, specializes in helping teams think differently to achieve better results. His storytelling workshops are renowned for sparking creativity and innovation.
- Experience: Head of Innovation and Creativity at Disney.
- Workshops: Conducted sessions for Coca-Cola, Ford, and McKinsey.
- Awards: Recipient of multiple industry accolades.
Why you should hire Duncan Wardle: Duncan’s ability to combine storytelling with creativity makes his sessions highly interactive and impactful, driving innovation within teams.
5. Marcus Collins
Marcus Collins, Chief Strategy Officer at Wieden+Kennedy, is an expert in cultural contagion and brand strategy. He has crafted campaigns for major brands like Budweiser and Google, making him a master of using storytelling to drive marketing success.
- Experience: Chief Strategy Officer at Wieden+Kennedy.
- Clients: Budweiser, Google, and McDonald’s.
- Teaching: Marketing professor at the University of Michigan.
Why you should hire Marcus Collins: Marcus’s deep understanding of cultural dynamics and storytelling makes him a compelling speaker who can help brands connect with their audience on a deeper level.
6. Kindra Hall
Kindra Hall is a national champion storyteller and award-winning columnist known for her ability to help businesses harness the power of storytelling. Her sessions are designed to help leaders and sales teams leverage their personal stories to drive business outcomes.
- Experience: National storytelling champion.
- Books: Author of “Stories That Stick”.
- Clients: Facebook, Berkshire Hathaway, and Target.
Why you should hire Kindra Hall: Kindra’s engaging style and practical storytelling techniques provide actionable insights that attendees can implement immediately to improve their communication and sales skills.
7. Deanna Marsigliese
Deanna Marsigliese is an animation art director at Pixar, known for her work on films like Inside Out and Toy Story 4. She specializes in storytelling through character design and has led workshops globally.
- Experience: Art director at Pixar Animation Studios.
- Credits: Inside Out, Toy Story 4, and Luca.
- Workshops: Hosted by SXSW, D23, and The Walt Disney Family Museum.
Why you should hire Deanna Marsigliese: Deanna’s unique approach to storytelling through visual art makes her sessions captivating and highly informative, especially for creative teams.
8. Peter Guber
Peter Guber, an Oscar-winning producer and CEO of Mandalay Entertainment, is an expert in using storytelling to connect with audiences. His vast experience in the entertainment industry makes him a sought-after speaker on storytelling for business.
- Experience: CEO of Mandalay Entertainment.
- Films: Produced Rain Man, Batman, and The Color Purple.
- Books: Author of “Tell to Win”.
Why you should hire Peter Guber: Peter’s ability to weave engaging narratives that resonate with diverse audiences makes his presentations powerful and inspiring.
9. Mike Reiss
Mike Reiss, a former writer and producer for The Simpsons, uses his comedic storytelling skills to entertain and educate audiences. His work has been recognized with numerous awards, including four Emmys.
- Experience: Writer and producer for The Simpsons.
- Books: Author of “Springfield Confidential”.
- Awards: Four-time Emmy Award winner.
Why you should hire Mike Reiss: Mike’s humorous approach to storytelling makes his sessions entertaining and memorable, perfect for engaging large audiences.
10. Molly Bloom
Molly Bloom, an entrepreneur and bestselling author, is known for her memoir “Molly’s Game,” which was adapted into an award-winning film. Her story of resilience and success is both inspiring and educational.
- Experience: Author of “Molly’s Game”.
- Media Appearances: Featured on Ellen, Vice, and NPR.
- Achievements: Top 3 in the US Ski Team.
Why you should hire Molly Bloom: Molly’s incredible life story and her ability to overcome adversity make her a powerful and inspirational speaker for any event.
11. Sandra Joseph
Sandra Joseph is a Broadway legend, known for her role as Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera. She is also a bestselling author and TEDx speaker, bringing her unique storytelling talents to the stage.
- Experience: Longest-running leading lady in The Phantom of the Opera.
- Books: Author of “Unmasking What Matters”.
- Achievements: Over 1,500 performances on Broadway.
Why you should hire Sandra Joseph: Sandra’s powerful performances and inspirational story captivate audiences, making her an ideal speaker for events focused on resilience and personal growth.
12. Victoria Labalme
Victoria Labalme is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author and performance strategist. She teaches teams how to adapt to change, develop resilience, and express themselves authentically.
- Experience: Performance strategist and Hall of Fame speaker.
- Books: Author of “Risk Forward”.
- Clients: Microsoft, Coca-Cola, and Starbucks.
Why you should hire Victoria Labalme: Victoria’s dynamic presentations inspire teams to innovate and embrace change, making her an excellent choice for corporate events.
13. Patrick Lencioni
Patrick Lencioni is a leading expert on organizational health and executive team development. His best-selling book, “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team,” has been a go-to guide for improving teamwork.
- Experience: Founder of The Table Group.
- Books: Author of “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team”.
- Clients: Fortune 100 companies.
Why you should hire Patrick Lencioni: Patrick’s practical advice and engaging storytelling help teams overcome common challenges and achieve high performance.
14. Bob Losure
Bob Losure is a former CNN Headline News anchor and author. His keynote presentations are filled with personal stories and insights from his career in journalism.
- Experience: CNN Headline News anchor.
- Books: Author of “Five Seconds to Air”.
- Achievements: Renowned emcee and host.
Why you should hire Bob Losure: Bob’s storytelling skills and media experience provide valuable lessons on communication and overcoming adversity.
15. Mariana Atencio
Mariana Atencio is a Peabody Award-winning journalist and bestselling author. Her speeches focus on authenticity and embracing change, inspired by her personal journey from Venezuela to the United States.
- Experience: National news anchor and reporter.
- Books: Author of “Perfectly You”.
- Awards: Peabody Award winner.
Why you should hire Mariana Atencio: Mariana’s compelling stories and dynamic presence make her an inspiring speaker for events focused on diversity and inclusion.
16. Chris Grimes
Chris Grimes is an expert in personal branding and the psychology of influence. His workshops are known for their interactive and engaging approach to improving communication and collaboration.
- Experience: Founder of Second Curve.
- Workshops: Specializes in personal branding and influence.
- Clients: Various corporate and educational institutions.
Why you should hire Chris Grimes: Chris’s unique blend of humor and expertise in personal branding makes his sessions both fun and impactful.
17. John “GUCCI” Foley
John Foley, former lead solo pilot of the Blue Angels, is a top motivational speaker known for his high-performance mindset and leadership skills. His presentations inspire audiences to reach new heights.
- Experience: Lead solo pilot of the Blue Angels.
- Books: Author of “Fearless Success”.
- Clients: Google, Microsoft, and BMW.
Why you should hire John “GUCCI” Foley: John’s expertise in high-performance teams and his motivational style make him an excellent choice for inspiring leadership and teamwork at any event.
18. Deirdre Van Nest
Deirdre Van Nest is a masterful communication keynote speaker and storytelling strategist. She helps professionals stand out and connect with their audience through the power of storytelling.
- Experience: Certified World Class Speaking Coach.
- Books: Author of “Fire Your Fear”.
- Workshops: Host of the Crazy Good Talks® podcast.
Why you should hire Deirdre Van Nest: Deirdre’s engaging storytelling techniques help professionals enhance their public speaking skills, making her an ideal speaker for corporate training and development.
19. Benjamin Hardy
Dr. Benjamin Hardy is an organizational psychologist and leading expert on the application of Future Self science. His talks focus on personal development and achieving long-term goals through storytelling.
- Experience: Organizational psychologist and author.
- Books: Author of “Willpower Doesn’t Work”.
- Articles: His blogs have been read by hundreds of millions.
Why you should hire Benjamin Hardy: Benjamin’s scientific approach to storytelling and personal development offers valuable insights for individuals looking to transform their lives and careers.
20. Joan Lunden
Joan Lunden is an award-winning journalist and women’s health advocate. Her inspirational talks draw from her extensive career in broadcast journalism and her personal health journey.
- Experience: Former host of Good Morning America.
- Books: Author of “Why Did I Come Into This Room?”.
- Awards: Multiple Emmy awards.
Why you should hire Joan Lunden: Joan’s engaging storytelling and advocacy for women’s health make her a powerful speaker for events focused on health, wellness, and personal empowerment.
How to Book Storytelling Speakers the Easy Way
Booking storytelling speakers through Gotham Artists ensures a seamless process, from initial inquiry to the final presentation.
Our dedicated team manages all logistics, allowing you to focus on hosting a successful event.
Contact Gotham Artists today to book a speaker who will captivate and inspire your audience.
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Article last updated on June 17th, 2024.
