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Best Keynote Speakers in New York City
New York City Area Keynote Speaker Services
New York City is often described as the “capital of the world”, a place where ambition meets action and where diverse voices come together to shape business, culture, and society. It’s no surprise, then, that the keynote speaking circuit in the New York-Newark-Jersey City metro area is thriving. From conference stages in Manhattan hotels to leadership retreats across the Hudson, keynote speakers here play a critical role in sparking conversations that reshape industries, guide HR leaders, and inspire teams to think differently.
In fact, keynote speakers in this region are not just presenters—they are storytellers, advisors, and catalysts for change. For organizations navigating workplace transformations, from hybrid models to diversity and inclusion strategies, the right keynote speaker can provide clarity, strategy, and motivation at exactly the right moment.
Below, you’ll find some of the most influential keynote speakers in the New York City area, each bringing a unique perspective and proven track record. Some operate solo, others lead consultancies, and a few are well-known authors and media figures—but all of them shape the way companies think about leadership, culture, and transformation.
🌟 Meet New York City’s Keynote Speakers Making Things Happen
♦️ Nicholas Thompson
Keynote speaker and Moderator
Nicholas Thompson is a name synonymous with journalism, technology, and forward-thinking leadership. As the CEO of The Atlantic and former Editor-in-Chief of Wired, he has built a reputation as one of the world’s foremost voices on how innovation intersects with society.
What makes Nicholas especially compelling as a keynote speaker is his ability to weave data, storytelling, and humor into his presentations. He’s known for tackling topics like the future of work, artificial intelligence, and media ethics in ways that feel both intellectually rigorous and approachable for HR leaders and business executives alike.
Highlights of Nicholas’s contributions include:
🔹 Leading Wired through a transformative period that solidified its reputation as the magazine of record for technology.
🔹 Frequent media appearances on CBS News, NPR, and other outlets as a trusted technology analyst.
🔹 Speaking engagements that blend his journalistic insights with practical takeaways for organizations.
For HR audiences, Nicholas helps leaders understand how technology will reshape workplaces and employee experiences, from AI-driven hiring tools to new collaboration platforms.
♦️ Therese Gedda
Founder and CEO, Reimaginez
Therese Gedda is a culture strategist and international keynote speaker who has been championing the future of work for over 20 years. As the Founder and CEO of Reimaginez, she partners with scale-ups and large enterprises to transform their organizational cultures into high-performing, people-first ecosystems.
Her keynotes focus on culture design, leadership transformation, and talent engagement—topics that HR leaders find both urgent and inspiring.
Key achievements include:
🔹 Delivering talks in more than 10 countries to audiences of thousands.
🔹 Advising Fortune 500 leaders on how to build cultures that retain top talent.
🔹 Recognition by the Nordic 100 as one of the most influential thought leaders shaping the future.
Therese brings an empathetic yet pragmatic lens to organizational change, making her an ideal voice for conferences focused on HR innovation, leadership, and employee well-being.
♦️ Jessica Abo
Founder and Keynote Speaker
Jessica Abo bridges storytelling, media expertise, and personal development. A journalist-turned-keynote speaker, she is also the author of Unfiltered: How to Be as Happy as You Look on Social Media.
Her work resonates deeply with HR leaders because she addresses authentic leadership, burnout, resilience, and communication—critical issues in today’s workplace.
Highlights of Jessica’s career:
🔹 Award-winning TV journalist with appearances on Good Morning America, Access Hollywood, and more.
🔹 Media trainer for executives and entrepreneurs, helping leaders tell their stories effectively.
🔹 Keynotes tailored to companies navigating employee engagement and wellness challenges.
Jessica’s approach is refreshingly candid. She helps audiences confront the realities of comparison culture and equips them with tools to foster healthier, more connected workplaces.
♦️ Mark Monchek
Author, Keynote Speaker, Opportunity Strategist
Mark Monchek is the Founder of Opportunity Lab, a strategy and culture consulting firm. His keynote work is anchored in purpose-driven leadership and sustainable growth.
Mark has a unique ability to bring organizational psychology into conversations about business success. He is the author of Culture of Opportunity: How to Grow Your Business in an Age of Disruption, and his keynotes are known for inspiring leaders to turn change into opportunity.
Key distinctions:
🔹 35+ years advising startups, nonprofits, and global corporations.
🔹 Special expertise in aligning company culture with long-term strategic goals.
🔹 Frequent speaker on resilience, adaptability, and collaboration in the face of disruption.
For HR teams, Mark’s message is clear: culture is not just “soft stuff”—it’s the core driver of business outcomes.
♦️ Nikki Greenberg
Keynote Speaker
Nikki Greenberg is a world-renowned futurist and innovation strategist. With a background in architecture and real estate technology, she helps organizations imagine what the future of cities, workplaces, and digital environments will look like.
Why HR leaders listen to Nikki:
🔹 She helps them prepare for the next wave of generational shifts in the workforce.
🔹 She explores how technology and design will impact employee engagement and workplace strategy.
🔹 She is a two-time award-winning architect and TEDx speaker with global recognition.
Nikki’s keynotes are highly visual, energetic, and rooted in practical foresight. She equips leaders with tools to adapt their talent strategies for tomorrow’s challenges.
♦️ Julienne B. Ryan
Training Consultant - HR Specialist, Narativ Inc.
Julienne B. Ryan is a storytelling consultant and keynote speaker who helps organizations build stronger connections through communication.
As a consultant at Narativ, she specializes in narrative development for leaders, managers, and HR teams.
Highlights:
🔹 Known for blending humor with serious insights on workplace communication.
🔹 Experienced in helping leaders shift from transactional interactions to meaningful storytelling.
🔹 Engages audiences in ways that feel personal, practical, and highly relatable.
Julienne’s message resonates deeply in HR: when employees feel heard, they are more engaged, productive, and loyal.
♦️ Thomas P. Farley
Keynote Speaker, Workshop Leader
Thomas P. Farley, also known as “Mister Manners,” is a cultural authority on modern etiquette. His keynotes address workplace civility, communication, and team dynamics—all urgent themes in today’s HR landscape.
His background includes:
🔹 Regular TV appearances on the Today Show and other outlets.
🔹 Founder of the consulting firm “Mister Manners.”
🔹 Author and columnist focused on manners in the digital age.
Thomas’s talks are not about outdated rules of etiquette—they are about how respect, kindness, and communication foster thriving workplace cultures.
♦️ Rochelle Rice, CSP, AS
Keynote Motivational Speaker, Body Based Leadership
Rochelle Rice is a certified speaking professional and acclaimed keynote speaker specializing in body-based leadership and communication.
Her expertise comes from decades of helping individuals and organizations understand the connection between physical presence, confidence, and leadership.
Highlights:
🔹 President of the National Speakers Association NYC chapter.
🔹 Frequent keynotes at leadership retreats and corporate workshops.
🔹 Advocate for using body language and movement as tools for professional success.
Rochelle’s approach is unique—she teaches HR leaders and executives how to embody confidence and presence, skills often overlooked in leadership development.
♦️ Marisa Santoro
Corporate Leadership Trainer, Author. Keynote Speaker
Marisa Santoro is the founder of InRShoes, a leadership training and speaking practice dedicated to helping professionals navigate confidence, communication, and influence.
With a background in finance and technology, Marisa translates complex leadership challenges into practical strategies for HR leaders and executives.
Key highlights:
🔹 Creator of the Gutsy Leadership™ program.
🔹 International speaker on confidence-building for women in leadership.
🔹 Published author with a focus on professional empowerment.
Her keynotes are particularly impactful for organizations looking to advance women leaders and foster inclusive leadership cultures.
♦️ Peter Shankman
Bestselling Author, Global Keynote Speaker
Peter Shankman is an entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and author best known as the founder of HARO (Help a Reporter Out). His keynotes blend marketing, customer experience, and personal productivity.
Highlights:
🔹 Author of Zombie Loyalists: Using Great Service to Create Rabid Fans.
🔹 Frequent speaker on ADHD as a superpower, bringing authenticity to conversations on neurodiversity.
🔹 Media personality with appearances on CNN, BBC, and FOX.
For HR audiences, Peter brings fresh perspectives on employee engagement, customer service, and embracing neurodiversity.
♦️ William Arruda
Motivational Speaker and Virtual Keynote Speaker, Bestselling Author
William Arruda is widely recognized as the father of personal branding. As a keynote speaker and founder of Reach Personal Branding, he has helped thousands of professionals and executives define and communicate their unique value.
Highlights:
🔹 Author of Digital YOU: Real Personal Branding in the Virtual Age.
🔹 Frequent contributor to Forbes.
🔹 Creator of career development programs used in Fortune 500 companies.
His keynotes are highly relevant for HR and talent leaders who want to help employees build personal brands that align with company values while driving engagement and retention.
♦️ Fran Hauser
Bestselling Author, Keynote Speaker
Fran Hauser is a venture capitalist, author, and keynote speaker whose mission is to champion women in business.
Her career includes senior roles at Time Inc. and AOL, but she is best known for her bestselling book The Myth of the Nice Girl: Achieving a Career You Love Without Becoming a Person You Hate.
Keynotes often focus on:
🔹 Leadership authenticity.
🔹 Gender equity in the workplace.
🔹 Building values-driven career paths.
Fran is a natural fit for HR events seeking to address diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB).
♦️ Scott Steinberg
CEO, FutureProof Strategies
Scott Steinberg is a futurist and technology trends expert. His keynotes focus on innovation, adaptability, and business transformation.
Highlights:
🔹 Author of Think Like a Futurist.
🔹 Ranked among the world’s leading business strategists by Forbes.
🔹 Frequent advisor to Fortune 500 firms.
Scott’s talks equip leaders with future-proofing strategies, helping HR and executives anticipate challenges before they arrive.
♦️ Jessie Singer
Journalist | Keynote Speaker | Author
Jessie Singer is a journalist and author known for her book There Are No Accidents. Her keynotes highlight the intersection of policy, workplace safety, and accountability.
Highlights:
🔹 Author of There Are No Accidents, praised by Publishers Weekly and The Atlantic for its systemic approach to understanding harm and risk.
🔹 Journalist with bylines in The Washington Post, The Guardian, The Nation, Bloomberg News, and New York Magazine.
🔹 Frequently invited keynote speaker, including as the featured speaker at the 2025 SAVIR Conference in New York City.
🔹 Advocates for shifting from individual blame to systemic accountability—an idea that resonates strongly in HR, DEIB, and organizational change contexts.
For HR audiences, Jessie’s talks challenge leaders to rethink how organizations address risk, safety, and systemic responsibility.
Wrapping It Up
From futurists to culture strategists, media veterans to personal branding pioneers, New York City’s keynote speakers reflect the diversity, ambition, and innovation of the region itself. They’re not just delivering speeches—they’re sparking conversations that ripple across industries, influencing how organizations engage employees, embrace technology, and navigate change.
At Digital Reference, we believe in shining a light on professionals who embody radical authenticity, transparency, and innovation. That’s why this list isn’t about rankings—it’s about recognizing voices that are shaping the future of leadership and HR.
Dive into more insights from Digital Reference:
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Ultimately, New York City thrives because of the ideas shared on its stages. At Digital Reference, we’re proud to help organizations find the right voices to guide their people through transformation.
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