Best Keynote Speakers in Minneapolis

Minneapolis Keynote Speakers Services

Minneapolis isn’t just the land of 10,000 lakes—it’s the land of 10,000 ideas. The Twin Cities metro area, which includes Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Bloomington, thrives on innovation, diversity, and leadership. From Fortune 500 headquarters to fast-growing startups, the region has built a national reputation for forward-thinking HR practices and dynamic organizational cultures that blend Midwest values with global vision.

That’s what makes the Minneapolis area such fertile ground for world-class keynote speakers. These professionals don’t just motivate teams—they shape the future of work through leadership psychology, communication science, and experience design.

At Digital Reference, we’re proud to showcase our curated list of top keynote speakers in the Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington region. Some are independent consultants, some run their own businesses, and others lead divisions within established firms. What they all share is a relentless commitment to inspiring growth through evidence-based insights and authentic storytelling.

Our Selection Methodology - Twin City Keynote Speakers

Choosing the right keynote speaker for your conference or corporate event is no small task. At Digital Reference, our selection process is grounded in data, research, and performance evidence. We don’t just scan speaker bios—we evaluate impact metrics, audience engagement, and thematic consistency across dozens of verified engagements.

Our methodology includes:

🟢 In-depth research across LinkedIn, event archives, and audience reviews.

🟢 Evaluation of speaking style, content originality, and delivery effectiveness.

🟢 Assessment of professional background in HR, leadership, motivation, or business transformation.

🟢 Relevance to the Minneapolis–St. Paul market, focusing on speakers who represent the city’s collaborative and innovative spirit.

We’ve also integrated Digital Reference’s proprietary HR insight model, which identifies thought leaders whose work aligns with emerging workforce trends—like emotional intelligence, inclusion, hybrid work culture, and leadership storytelling.

You can learn more about our consultant curation framework on the Consultant Directory page at Digital Reference.

🌟 Meet the Best Keynote Speakers in Minneapolis

Below are some of the most inspiring voices from the Twin Cities area—leaders, thinkers, and communicators who have each transformed audiences through their craft.

🔶 Lou (Lewis) Carbone

Author, Keynote Speaker, CEO Experience Engineering, Inc.

🔗 LinkedIn | 🌐 experienceengineering.com

Lou Carbone is not just a keynote speaker—he’s a trailblazer in experience management. As the founder of Experience Engineering, Lou has spent decades redefining how organizations think about customer experience (CX) and employee experience (EX).

His philosophy centers around emotional connection—the idea that every business moment, whether customer-facing or internal, creates a “feeling” that determines loyalty.

✨ Highlights:

💡 Creator of the concept of Experience Engineering®, used by brands like IBM, Mayo Clinic, and American Express.

🎤 Frequent keynote speaker at major HR and business transformation conferences, known for translating neuroscience into practical business impact.

🧩 Focuses on “human-centered systems” that bridge the gap between business strategy and emotional engagement.

Lou’s ability to blend science and storytelling makes him a Minneapolis icon. For HR professionals seeking to enhance employee experience design, his frameworks are invaluable.

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🔶 Ross Bernstein

Inspirational Business Keynote Speaker & Best-Selling Author

🔗 LinkedIn | 🌐 rossbernsteinspeaking.com

Ross Bernstein is one of the Twin Cities’ most recognized keynote speakers—a bestselling author of more than 50 sports-themed books and a consultant who uses the world of sports as a metaphor for business excellence.

His programs explore what drives champions—on and off the field—and how those same principles can elevate company culture.

✨ Highlights:

🏆 Worked with over 500 Fortune 500 companies, including Microsoft, Marriott, and Wells Fargo.

🏒 Uses stories from elite athletes and coaches to deliver insights on ethics, leadership, and accountability.

🎤 Delivers more than 120 live and virtual events each year.

Ross’s charisma and humor make him a crowd favorite. He transforms locker room lessons into powerful HR takeaways about team cohesion, motivation, and leadership under pressure.

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🔶 Richard Coffey

Motivational Leadership Keynote Speaker

🔗 LinkedIn

Richard Coffey’s journey—from a U.S. Army paratrooper to a professional basketball player and motivational speaker—is the epitome of resilience and personal leadership.

He helps teams understand that excellence isn’t an accident—it’s a habit rooted in self-discipline and purpose.

✨ Highlights:

💪 Former University of Minnesota Gopher and NBA player with the Chicago Bulls.

🪂 Former paratrooper in the U.S. Army, bringing military precision to his leadership frameworks.

🎤 Speaker for corporate and academic audiences focusing on perseverance, teamwork, and mindset.

Richard’s message resonates deeply with HR professionals committed to building cultures of resilience and accountability.

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🔶 Dr. Jermaine M. Davis

Professional Speaker on Leadership and Communication Topics

🔗 LinkedIn | 🌐 jermainedavis.com

Dr. Jermaine M. Davis is one of Minneapolis’s most dynamic voices in diversity, communication, and motivation. With a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership, Dr. Davis connects heart and strategy—helping organizations strengthen morale and inclusivity through authentic communication.

✨ Highlights:

📘 Author of Leading with Greatness! and Becoming Who I’ve Always Been.

🧠 Founder of The Stand Out Leadership Academy.

🗣️ Known for interactive sessions that blend research, humor, and storytelling.

💬 Expertise in “courageous conversations” that drive DEI outcomes and workplace empathy.

Dr. Davis’s impact extends far beyond Minneapolis—his methods are embraced nationally by HR departments seeking transformational leadership development.

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🔶 Kevin Hogan

Keynote Speaker (Body Language, Influence, Persuasion, Motivation)

🔗 LinkedIn | 🌐 kevinhogan.com

Dr. Kevin Hogan is internationally known for his work in persuasion and human behavior. A bestselling author and speaker, he teaches audiences how to use psychological insight to improve communication, leadership, and customer relationships.

✨ Highlights:

🧩 Author of The Psychology of Persuasion and 24 other books.

🧠 Consulted for organizations like Microsoft, Boeing, and 3M.

🎓 Holds a doctorate in psychology with a specialization in influence and motivation.

Kevin’s expertise is ideal for HR professionals navigating change management, negotiation, and emotional intelligence.

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🔶 Jack Stahlmann

Keynote Speaker, Approachable Expert on Reframing Employee Retention

🔗 LinkedIn | 🌐 dontflinchguy.com

Jack Stahlmann’s message is simple but unforgettable: Don’t Flinch. As a leadership and resilience expert, he uses humor and storytelling to explore how small acts of courage build unstoppable teams.

✨ Highlights:

🎬 Former actor with appearances in Spider-Man 2 and Arrested Development.

💼 Brings Hollywood insights into the boardroom, blending storytelling and motivation.

💬 Delivers customized keynotes for organizations like General Mills, UnitedHealth Group, and Target.

Jack’s sessions energize HR audiences with laughter and real-life lessons on embracing uncertainty with confidence.

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🔶 Brian Alementi

Keynote Speaker and Mindset Elevation Trainer

🔗 LinkedIn | 🌐 brianalementi.com

Brian Alementi is a Minneapolis-based speaker and leadership coach who helps teams unlock the leader within. His approach emphasizes emotional intelligence and self-awareness as the foundation for effective management.

✨ Highlights:

🧭 Founder of Alementi Leadership Group.

🧠 Focuses on the neuroscience of leadership and emotional regulation.

💬 Works with HR teams to develop coaching cultures inside organizations.

Brian’s pragmatic yet empathetic tone resonates with audiences seeking practical leadership frameworks grounded in science.

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🔶 Scott Zimmer

Owner and Keynote Speaker

🔗 LinkedIn | 🌐 scotttalks.com

Scott Zimmer brings warmth and humor to one of HR’s most talked-about challenges: managing across generations.

✨ Highlights:

🧩 Expert on generational communication and engagement.

🎤 Former corporate trainer and national speaker.

💬 Helps leaders understand what motivates Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers differently.

Scott’s ability to decode generational patterns helps HR teams bridge communication gaps and design more inclusive workplaces.

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🔶 Joel Swanson

Keynote Speaker, Workshop Leader at Mile One

🔗 LinkedIn | 🌐 mileoneteams.com/speaking/

Joel Swanson’s leadership philosophy is rooted in his work as a Certified EOS Implementer, helping businesses grow through operational clarity and culture alignment.

✨ Highlights:

🚀 Founder of Mile One Leadership.

🧠 Focus on building high-performance teams through structure and accountability.

💬 Integrates Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) principles into team development.

Joel’s talks blend practical leadership systems with inspirational storytelling, ideal for HR leaders focused on team alignment and engagement.

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🔶 Ginny Priem

Keynote & TEDx Speaker and Best Selling Author

🔗 LinkedIn | 🌐 ginnypriem.com

Ginny Priem empowers audiences to rebuild after adversity and lead from authenticity. Her keynotes are raw, real, and transformative.

✨ Highlights:

💖 Author of You’re My Favorite, a memoir of personal resilience.

🧠 Focuses on emotional intelligence, self-trust, and courage.

💬 Frequent guest on leadership podcasts and women’s empowerment panels.

Ginny’s ability to connect through vulnerability makes her one of the most inspiring female voices in Minneapolis today.

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🔶 Hannah Ubl

Keynote Speaker, Co-Founder at Good Company Consulting

🔗 LinkedIn

Hannah Ubl helps organizations future-proof their cultures. A researcher, speaker, and storyteller, she explores trends shaping the future of work—from hybrid collaboration to employee well-being.

✨ Highlights:

🧩 Co-founder of Good Company Consulting.

🧠 Specializes in culture design, generational dynamics, and future-of-work trends.

💬 Collaborates with HR teams to reimagine engagement in evolving workplaces.

Hannah’s fresh perspective inspires leaders to embrace change and design workplaces that truly work for people.

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🔶 Tim Gabrielson

Corporate Keynote Speaker & Entertainer

🔗 LinkedIn | 🌐 timgabrielson.com

Tim Gabrielson combines comedy, magic, and motivation in unforgettable keynotes that show how humor drives performance.

✨ Highlights:

🎭 Over 20 years as a professional entertainer and motivational speaker.

💬 Specializes in the psychology of positivity and stress management.

🧠 Helps HR professionals understand the science behind happiness and productivity.

Tim’s approach is ideal for organizations aiming to boost morale and build resilient, optimistic teams.

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🔶 Rachel Brewster

Communication Coach | Workshop Facilitator & Corporate Trainer

🔗 LinkedIn | 🌐 rachelbrewster.com

Rachel Brewster teaches the art of clear and confident communication. With an MBA and background in leadership coaching, she helps professionals find their voice and influence outcomes.

✨ Highlights:

🧩 Founder of Brewster Leadership Group.

🧠 Focus on presentation mastery and storytelling.

💬 Helps leaders communicate authentically and strategically.

Rachel’s sessions are a favorite among HR executives who value clarity, confidence, and connection.

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🔶Joe Schmit — The Power of Impact

🔗 LinkedIn | 🌐 joeschmit.com

Joe Schmit, Emmy Award–winning broadcaster and speaker, teaches leaders to recognize the impact of their influence.

✨ Highlights:

🏆 Author of Silent Impact and The Impact Blueprint.

🎥 30 years in broadcast journalism with KSTP-TV.

💬 Helps organizations build cultures of recognition and purpose.

Joe’s storytelling reminds leaders that impact is not accidental—it’s intentional.

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🔶Ryan Estis

Author | Keynote Speaker | Growth Lab Advisory

🔗 LinkedIn | 🌐 ryanestis.com

Ryan Estis is one of the most in-demand business performance experts in North America. A Minneapolis native, Ryan blends research, business acumen, and inspiration in his keynotes.

✨ Highlights:

🚀 Former ad agency executive turned leadership expert.

🧠 Founder of Ryan Estis & Associates, focused on human-centered performance strategy.

💬 Clients include Mastercard, Google, and The NBA.

Ryan’s insights on change leadership and purpose-driven performance make him a premier voice in the modern HR landscape.

Why Minneapolis Is a Hub for Keynote Leadership

The Minneapolis–St. Paul metro thrives because it invests in people-first innovation. From Medtronic to General Mills, the region’s major employers understand that success depends on culture, inclusion, and adaptability—values championed by the speakers above.

At Digital Reference, we believe these professionals represent the very best of what the Twin Cities offer: empathy, intelligence, and impact. Together, they embody the future of leadership in America’s heartland.

If you’re exploring HR strategy, leadership consulting, or event curation, our Contact page connects you directly with our research team for personalized guidance.

Closing Thoughts — and Why Digital Reference Spotlights Keynote Speakers

At the end of the day, what makes a keynote truly great isn’t just stage presence—it’s the ability to move people toward meaningful action.

Digital Reference exists to help organizations find and evaluate the right voices for that mission. Through rigorous research, data-backed methodology, and human insight, we curate the most effective consultants and speakers for every region and industry.

Explore more on our website, including:

• What Is An Energy Coach?
• Best Career Coach & Consulting Services in the USA
• Best Keynote Speaker Services in the USA

‍Whether you’re planning a leadership summit in downtown Minneapolis or an HR workshop in Bloomington, our team ensures you connect with the voices who will truly inspire your people to grow.

Visit Digital Reference to explore our national network of experts and discover how our curated insights can elevate your organization’s next event.