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Best Keynote Speakers in San Diego
San Diego Area Keynote Speaker Services
San Diego isn’t just about sunshine, beaches, and world-class fish tacos—it’s also a powerhouse of innovation, healthcare, technology, and higher education. The San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad metro area is home to some of the nation’s most dynamic companies and organizations, and behind many of them are HR consultants, keynote speakers, and leadership strategists who help shape workplace culture, leadership pipelines, and organizational growth.
From Carlsbad’s thriving biotech sector to San Diego’s growing startup scene, businesses are navigating talent acquisition, retention, leadership development, and cultural change like never before. That’s where San Diego’s keynote speakers and HR consultants step in. These professionals do more than just deliver a motivational talk—they offer real strategies backed by research, lived experience, and innovative frameworks.
At Digital Reference, our mission is to spotlight the very best.
Our Methodology: San Diego-Based Keynote Speakers
we research, evaluate, and curate professionals based on their proven impact, client feedback, speaking history, and unique approaches to leadership and HR challenges. We highlight both freelancers and solo operators who bring boutique expertise, as well as consultants working within larger firms who bring big-picture solutions.
🌟 San Diego’s Standout Keynote Speakers - Provider Spotlights
♦️ Adam Markel
Author, Resilience & Leadership Expert
Adam Markel is one of the most recognized names in resilience, leadership, and transformational growth. A best-selling author and sought-after keynote speaker, Adam empowers organizations to embrace change and build resilience as a core competency.
✨ What sets Adam apart:
🔥 Resilience-focused leadership — His book Change Proof provides a research-backed framework for adapting to disruption.
📊 Corporate depth — He’s worked with global companies, guiding them through change management, stress reduction, and leadership challenges.
🎤 Proven stage presence — From TEDx talks to Fortune 500 events, Adam inspires audiences while leaving them with actionable tools.
Adam’s talks resonate especially well with San Diego’s biotech, healthcare, and tech firms navigating constant shifts in the marketplace.
♦️ Kelly Cardenas
Entrepreneur, Author & Podcast Host
Kelly Cardenas brings contagious energy and entrepreneurial grit to the keynote stage. Best known as a business coach, podcast host, and consultant, Kelly’s style blends motivational storytelling with practical business strategy.
✨ Kelly’s highlights:
🚀 Entrepreneurial insight — Founder of a successful national salon brand, he understands firsthand how to build culture and scale teams.
🎧 Podcast influence — His Kelly Cardenas Podcast has hosted leaders across industries, offering insights on leadership and growth.
🌎 Community builder — Kelly’s message is about creating impact not just in companies, but in communities.
Kelly is a great fit for organizations looking to inject energy, inspiration, and culture-driven strategies into their leadership development programs.
♦️ Amy Halda
HR Consultant & Executive Coach
Amy Halda specializes in HR consulting and organizational leadership. With years of experience in executive coaching and team development, she has carved out a reputation in San Diego as someone who bridges leadership strategy with employee well-being.
✨ Why Amy stands out:
🧭 Executive coaching expertise — Helping leaders navigate complexity and transition.
💡 Employee engagement focus — Emphasizes culture-building and communication.
📈 Strategic advisor — Known for advising leadership teams in both corporate and nonprofit settings.
Amy is ideal for businesses in San Diego that want holistic HR support with a strong human-centered approach.
♦️ Sarita Maybin
Author, Communication Expert & Keynote Speaker
Sarita Maybin is an internationally recognized communication expert and author. Her keynote talks bring humor and relatability to serious workplace challenges.
✨ Sarita’s specialties:
💬 Communication skills — Author of Say What You Mean in a Nice Way, Sarita helps teams master respectful yet effective dialogue.
🌟 Positive workplace culture — Her sessions emphasize optimism, collaboration, and trust.
🎤 Engaging delivery — Known for weaving personal stories with practical advice.
For HR leaders tackling conflict resolution or communication issues, Sarita is one of San Diego’s most impactful voices.
♦️ Taylor Mauriello
HR & Leadership Development Consultant
Taylor Mauriello is an HR and talent development consultant who focuses on bridging next-generation leadership with organizational strategy.
✨ Taylor’s contributions:
🌱 Leadership pipeline builder — Designs programs that cultivate emerging leaders.
📊 Strategic alignment — Ensures HR initiatives support long-term company goals.
🔄 Adaptability — Known for working with both startups and established corporations.
Taylor is a strong choice for San Diego organizations aiming to future-proof their leadership teams.
♦️ Dawn Herscher
Author, Storytelling Coach & Speaker
Dawn Herscher is a speaker, author, and storytelling coach who helps professionals use narrative as a leadership tool.
✨ Dawn’s expertise:
📖 Storytelling in leadership — Teaches leaders to connect with teams through authentic narratives.
✨ Author insight — Brings depth as a published writer and communication coach.
🎤 Transformative workshops — Helps leaders translate stories into strategy.
Dawn’s approach is perfect for leaders who want to strengthen connection and communication in their teams.
♦️ Alexandra Kharazi, MD, FACS
Cardiothoracic Surgeon & Leadership Speaker
Dr. Alexandra Kharazi is a cardiothoracic surgeon and speaker who combines medical expertise with leadership insights.
✨ Unique strengths:
❤️ Healthcare leadership — Shares lessons from high-pressure surgical environments.
🔍 Precision & focus — Connects surgical discipline to leadership strategy.
👩⚕️ Women in medicine advocate — Uplifts women professionals navigating challenging fields.
Her talks inspire audiences to approach leadership with resilience, precision, and empathy.
♦️ Amber Clarkston
HR Professional & Workforce Development Consultant
Amber Clarkston is a consultant and HR professional focused on organizational growth and workforce development.
✨ Amber’s focus areas:
📈 Talent development — Helps organizations upskill and retain talent.
🤝 HR strategy — Advises on leadership alignment and cultural transformation.
💬 Engaging style — Known for making HR relatable and approachable.
Amber is especially effective with mid-sized organizations navigating growth phases.
♦️ Jeremiah Gardner
Author, Brand Strategist & Innovation Speaker
Jeremiah Gardner is an author, speaker, and brand strategist who helps organizations rediscover relevance in competitive markets.
✨ What Jeremiah brings:
📚 Author of The Lean Brand — A modern guide to brand innovation.
🌐 Innovation expert — Connects branding to organizational strategy.
🗣 Dynamic speaker — Blends research with practical marketing advice.
Jeremiah’s work is especially valuable for San Diego’s startup ecosystem and innovation-driven companies.
♦️ Rich Ferguson
Motivational Keynote Speaker at Unleash Your Magic: Observe, Adapt & Succeed!
Known as “The Ice Breaker,” Rich Ferguson is a magician, mentalist, and keynote speaker who merges entertainment with business lessons.
✨ Rich’s magic touch:
🎩 Memorable delivery — Uses illusions to illustrate leadership and communication lessons.
🤯 Audience engagement — Keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.
💼 Practical takeaways — Connects performance art to workplace collaboration.
Rich’s unique blend of entertainment and strategy makes him one of San Diego’s most memorable keynote speakers.
♦️ Michael D. Levitt
Founder, Breakfast Leadership & Burnout Expert
Michael D. Levitt is the founder of Breakfast Leadership and a leading expert on burnout prevention.
✨ Michael’s core themes:
⚖️ Work-life balance — Guides leaders to create sustainable practices.
🧠 Burnout recovery — Offers strategies for resilience and self-care.
🌎 Global presence — Recognized internationally for his work in leadership wellness.
Michael is the go-to speaker for organizations prioritizing employee wellness and sustainable leadership.
♦️ Dr. Matt Berlin, Psy.D.
Psychologist, Trainer & Leadership Speaker
Dr. Matt Berlin is a psychologist, trainer, and keynote speaker who brings behavioral science to leadership and HR strategy.
✨ Why Dr. Berlin is impactful:
🧩 Psychology-based leadership — Helps leaders understand behavior and motivation.
💡 Organizational resilience — Offers tools for navigating stress and change.
🗣 Engaging communicator — Translates complex psychology into practical lessons.
His work resonates strongly in healthcare, education, and corporate sectors.
♦️ Steve Olsher
Entrepreneur, Podcaster & Reinvention Expert
Steve Olsher is a serial entrepreneur, podcaster, and speaker best known for his expertise in reinvention and niche development.
✨ Steve’s strengths:
💼 Business reinvention — Guides organizations through pivots and transformations.
🎙 Podcasting authority — Known as a pioneer in digital broadcasting.
🧭 Find your “what” — His framework helps professionals align passion with purpose.
Steve is an ideal speaker for companies looking to embrace innovation and reinvention.
♦️ Michael Fugoso
Designer, Illustrator & Creative Consultant
Michael Fugoso is a designer, illustrator, and creative consultant who brings visual storytelling into business leadership.
✨ Michael’s edge:
🎨 Design thinking — Encourages leaders to adopt creative problem-solving approaches.
✈️ Aerospace background — His career in design gives him unique credibility with technical industries.
👨🎨 Brand storytelling — Helps organizations visualize and communicate their values.
Michael is a natural fit for San Diego’s tech and design-forward industries.
Wrapping Up: San Diego’s Keynote Speaking Powerhouses
San Diego is more than surfboards and sunsets—it’s a hub of innovation, resilience, and culture, and its keynote speakers embody that spirit. Adam Markel brings resilience strategies to help organizations thrive through change, while Kelly Cardenas infuses energy and entrepreneurial insight into leadership. Amy Halda provides executive coaching and HR expertise, and Sarita Maybin equips teams with practical communication skills that build positive workplace culture. Taylor Mauriello focuses on developing next-generation leaders, while Dawn Herscher helps professionals harness the power of storytelling. In healthcare and beyond, Dr. Alexandra Kharazi offers precision-driven leadership lessons, and Amber Clarkston strengthens workforce development strategies. Jeremiah Gardner drives innovation through brand strategy, while Rich Ferguson blends entertainment with leadership insights to create memorable experiences. Michael D. Levitt delivers global expertise in burnout prevention, and Dr. Matt Berlin brings psychology-based leadership frameworks to the stage. Steve Olsher inspires reinvention and digital innovation, and Michael Fugoso infuses design thinking and creative storytelling into organizational growth. Together, these diverse voices shape San Diego’s keynote speaking scene, offering businesses the tools and inspiration to lead with resilience, creativity, and purpose.
At Digital Reference, we’re proud to spotlight these professionals. Our mission is to connect organizations with trusted HR consultants and keynote speakers who can truly make a difference.
👉 For more insights into leadership and HR consulting, check out:
- Best Keynote Speaker Services in the USA
- Best Workforce Planning Consulting Services in the USA
- Best Organizational Culture Consulting Services in the USA
- Best Leadership Development Consulting Services in the USA
When you’re ready to bring transformational voices to your stage, remember: Digital Reference is here to guide you every step of the way.
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