In a world increasingly driven by technology and rapid innovation, the power of genuine human connection remains at the heart of meaningful progress. As we look ahead to 2025, keynote speakers focusing on human connection are redefining how individuals, teams, and organizations collaborate, communicate, and thrive. These thought leaders bring transformative insights on empathy, relationship-building, and emotional intelligence, inspiring audiences to create stronger bonds in both personal and professional spheres. In this blog, we spotlight the trending human connection keynote speakers for 2025, whose impactful messages are shaping the future of connection and community.
Shola Richards: Founder & CEO, Go Together Global & Best-Selling Author
Shola Richards is a dynamic keynote speaker, the best-selling author of “Civil Unity”, “Making Work Work”, and “Go Together”, an in-demand workplace civility expert, and a prolific writer with a passionate worldwide following. His articles and wildly-popular Monday morning “Go Together Movement” email series have impacted people in over 160 countries, and his work has been featured on the Today Show, CBS This Morning, Forbes, Black Enterprise, Complete Wellbeing India, and Business Insider Australia.
Ben Nemtin: 1 New York Times Bestselling Author, Top 30 Motivational Speaker & Co-Founder The Buried Life
Ben Nemtin is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of What Do You Want To Do Before You Die, the star of the MTV show The Buried Life, and an internationally renowned keynote speaker. As the co-founder of The Buried Life movement, Ben’s message of radical possibility has been featured in major media including The Today Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, FOX, ABC, CBS, NBC News, and more. Oprah Winfrey called Ben’s life work “truly inspiring.”
In-Q: Emmy Nominated Poet, Multi-Platinum Songwriter, & Best-Selling Author
IN-Q is an Emmy nominated poet, multi-platinum songwriter, and the best-selling author of Inquire Within. His groundbreaking achievements include being named to Oprah’s SuperSoul 100 list of the world’s most influential thought leaders, being the first spoken word artist to perform with Cirque du Soleil, and being featured on A&E, ESPN, and HBO’s Def Poetry Jam. He’s inspired countless audiences around the world, live and virtually, through his performances and storytelling workshops. Many of his recent poetry videos have gone viral with over 60 million views combined, and his stand-up poetry special, IN-Q – Live at the Ace Theatre, is now streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.
Shabnam Mogharabi: Entrepreneur, Entertainment Executive & Author
Shabnam Mogharabi is an entertainment entrepreneur and producer with 20 years of experience leading mission-driven media companies. She co-founded the uplifting content studio SoulPancake with actor Rainn Wilson, which she ran as CEO for nearly a decade, amassing 1B+ video views and dozens of Emmy and Webby Awards. Currently, she is the founder and CEO of The Joy Brigade, a consulting and advisory firm that helps companies with strategy, business planning, culture, content creation, and storytelling. She is also a highly sought-after public speaker on the subjects of positive psychology, joy, and purpose.
Rob Lawless: Creator of Robs10kFriends, Human Connection Expert
In 2015, Rob Lawless set out to meet 10,000 people, spending one hour with each person to truly understand their stories. His project, Robs10kFriends, is all documented on his instagram @robs10kfriends. Rob believes that genuine human connection is something important in today’s world and through his journey, Rob has discovered how the power of intentional connection can unite, connect and empower us in ways far deeper than we ever imagined.
Dr. Luana Maqrues: Author, Scientist & Innovator, Associate Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School
Dr. Luana Marques’ personal story of overcoming adversity, trauma, and poverty while growing up in Brazil provides authenticity and depth to her message. She’s known for her captivating presence and dynamic storytelling that weaves together the threads of her personal journey and professional expertise to inspire transformation in her audiences. Today, as an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School, Past President of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, and best-seller author, Dr. Luana is a paragon of resilience, determination, and boldness.
Greg Schwem: Corporate Comedian & Motivational Speaker | Author of “The Road to Success Goes Through the Salad Bar” | Expert on Humor in Business & Employee Engagement
Greg Schwem is a renowned corporate comedian and motivational speaker, celebrated for his ability to blend humor with insightful commentary on the modern business world. Often hailed as “Your Boss’s Favorite Comedian,” Schwem brings a unique and entertaining perspective to corporate events, conferences, and seminars. With a career spanning performances on platforms like SiriusXM, Comedy Central, and VH-1, he has established himself as a leading figure in the realm of business humor.In addition to his stand-up comedy, Schwem is the author of two books, “Text Me If You’re Breathing: Observations, Frustrations and Life Lessons from a Low-Tech Dad” and “The Road to Success Goes Through the Salad Bar: A Pile of BS From a Corporate Comedian.” These works showcase his sharp wit and keen observations on both personal and professional life, resonating with a broad audience and providing laughter and inspiration. Schwem’s keynote speeches focus on the importance of incorporating humor into the workplace to foster a positive company culture, enhance employee engagement, and improve teamwork. His presentations, such as “You Can’t Cancel Laughter,” demonstrate how humor can be a powerful tool for overcoming obstacles and boosting morale, especially during challenging times.
Tucker Bryant: Poet & Innovation Keynote Speaker
Tucker Bryant is an entrepreneur, innovation strategist, and nationally renowned poet. After nurturing his craft at Stanford University, Tucker went on to become a lead Product Marketing Manager at Google where he discovered the potential of the creative tools poets have relied on for millennia to drive innovative leadership in the corporate world. His performances, which have garnered millions of views online, have been featured in TEDx, The New York Times, and dozens of other organizations across the globe.
Alison Levine: Polar Explorer, Leadership Expert & NY Times Bestselling Author
Alison Levine is a leadership expert, polar explorer and mountaineer who is no stranger to extreme environments. She has survived sub-zero temperatures, hurricane force winds, sudden avalanches….and a career on Wall Street. She is one of the most in-demand keynote speakers, delivering resounding leadership messages that transcend her extreme climbing expeditions and remain relevant in today’s fast-paced business environments. She is able to draw relevant, authentic parallels between mountaineering and business because she has experienced both first hand—on multiple mountains, in multiple organizations, and in multiple industries.
Andrea Hollingsworth: Author, Keynote, Therapist, Global Expert on Compassionate Leadership & Radical Self-Compassion
Dr. Andrea Hollingsworth is an acclaimed keynote speaker, prolific author, and seasoned psychotherapist who’s spent decades studying the transformative power of compassion and self-compassion. Her articles have been published more than a dozen times in peer-reviewed journals, and she has taught at prestigious institutions like Princeton, Boston University, and Loyola University Chicago. Dr. Andrea’s new book—The Compassion Advantage: How Top Leaders Build More Humanizing Workplaces—was published in August, 2024.
Garry Ridge: Chairman Emeritus and Former CEO of WD-40 Company, World-Renowned Expert in Creating Top Organizational Culture
Garry Ridge spent 25 years as CEO building one of the world’s most beloved and recognized branded companies – WD-40 Company – starting with creating a culture of leaders and individual contributors who are genuinely joyful in their work. He refers to this time of his career as his apprenticeship. And now, he fulfills his life’s purpose by transforming his learnings into teachings, extending his guidance as a coach to companies and executives worldwide.
Shelley Brown: Motivational Speaker, Chief Belongingologist & Champion of Cultural Cohesion
Shelley Brown champions belonging as the heartbeat of personal, professional, and organizational success! As an award-winning speaker, author, artist, and mindfulness educator, Shelley advocates belonging as the secret ingredient for building cultures where connection, inclusion, productivity, and retention thrive. With a blend of wit and wisdom, she takes audiences on an engaging journey to uncover the magic of celebrating differences. Her goal? To create workplaces where belonging fuels both people and profits!
