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Best Keynote Speakers in St. Louis
St. Louis Keynote Speaker Services
St. Louis is more than baseball, blues, and barbecue—it’s a hub where leadership, innovation, and culture thrive. The metro area spans industries from healthcare and finance to education, manufacturing, and tech, with powerhouse companies like Emerson and Centene alongside a dynamic startup and nonprofit scene. But what truly fuels the city’s growth isn’t just business—it’s people. That’s why keynote speakers and consultants have become vital voices in St. Louis. They’re not only energizing conference stages but also shaping conversations around burnout, hybrid work, equity, and inclusion, helping organizations navigate today’s biggest challenges.
At Digital Reference, we’ve made it our mission to highlight professionals who bring real impact to the HR and leadership space. Our curated list is the result of extensive research, evaluation, and local insight, ensuring every featured speaker has a proven record of inspiring audiences and offering actionable strategies. Whether they’re independent consultants, freelancers, or working with larger firms, these speakers stand out for their ability to connect, motivate, and drive lasting change in organizations across St. Louis.
🌟 Spotlight on the Standout Keynote Speakers in St. Louis
🔷 Steve Hughes
Founder, Hit Your Stride, LLC | Communication Expert
Steve Hughes, founder of Hit Your Stride, LLC, is known for transforming how leaders and professionals communicate. As a communication expert and keynote speaker, Steve focuses on presentation mastery, leadership presence, and persuasive speaking—all areas that directly empower HR professionals who need to cultivate strong internal and external messaging.
✨ Steve’s unique strengths:
📌 Founder of Hit Your Stride—a firm dedicated to communication excellence.
📌 Delivers high-energy keynotes, breakout sessions, and training for executives.
📌 Known for making communication skills both fun and actionable, ensuring long-term results.
Organizations bring Steve in when they want leaders who inspire confidence and teams that can present ideas with clarity and conviction. His sessions are particularly valuable for HR leaders tasked with rolling out culture shifts, DEI initiatives, or organizational change.
🔷 Shep Hyken
Customer Service & Experience Expert | Bestselling Author
When it comes to customer service and experience, few names in St. Louis—or even nationally—carry as much weight as Shep Hyken. A New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Shep helps organizations align their HR and leadership practices with customer-centric strategies.
✨ Shep’s unique strengths:
📌 World-renowned thought leader in customer experience and loyalty.
📌 Author of multiple bestsellers, including The Cult of the Customer.
📌 Trusted advisor for Fortune 500s, small businesses, and associations alike.
For HR leaders, Shep’s insights connect employee engagement with customer satisfaction—because as he often emphasizes, “What’s happening inside is felt on the outside.”
🔷 Dr. Candice Cox
Licensed Clinical Social Worker | Founder, KHAOS Inc.
A licensed clinical social worker, therapist, and keynote speaker, Dr. Candice Cox blends professional expertise with personal authenticity. She’s the founder of KHAOS Inc., a nonprofit focusing on mental wellness and empowerment, and her talks often address resilience, trauma-informed leadership, and mental health in the workplace.
✨ Dr. Cox’s unique strengths:
📌 Trauma-informed strategies for leadership and HR contexts.
📌 Passionate advocate for mental health in corporate and community spaces.
📌 Inspires leaders to address employee well-being as a strategic priority.
Her work resonates with HR professionals who understand that mental health isn’t just a benefit—it’s a core driver of retention and productivity.
🔷 Becky Vollmer
Author | Empowerment Coach | Founder, You Are Not Stuck
Becky Vollmer, author and founder of You Are Not Stuck, is a motivational keynote speaker and empowerment coach who helps people and organizations make courageous choices.
✨ Becky’s unique strengths:
📌 Author and creator of the “You Are Not Stuck” movement.
📌 Expertise in inspiring change and fostering resilience.
📌 Popular with HR leaders who need to motivate teams through transition.
Her keynote sessions are especially effective for leadership retreats, HR conferences, and culture workshops where organizations want to reignite purpose and courage among staff.
🔷 Heather J. Crider
Neuroscience & Performance Speaker | Mindset & Resilience Expert
Heather Crider is an inspirational keynote speaker specializing in neuroscience, performance, and mindset. She helps organizations harness brain science to improve leadership, focus, and resilience.
✨ Heather’s unique strengths:
📌 Neuroscience-based approach to leadership and motivation.
📌 Focus on mindfulness, resilience, and brain performance in high-stress environments.
📌 Engaging delivery style that balances research and practical tips.
For HR, Heather is an invaluable partner in conversations about stress reduction, productivity, and employee well-being.
🔷 Dixie (Roush) Gillaspie
Business Coach | Author | Motivational Speaker
Dixie Gillaspie is a business coach, author, and speaker known for her fiery approach to overcoming obstacles. Her message centers on resilience, personal empowerment, and transforming “constraints into catalysts.”
✨ Dixie’s unique strengths:
📌 Author of Just Blow It Up: Firepower for Living an Unlimited Life.
📌 Advocates for resilience and adaptability in business and life.
📌 Known for challenging leaders to rethink their limits.
She’s a strong choice for organizations that want to inspire creativity and adaptability across their teams.
🔷 John O’Leary
International | Author of On Fire | Resilience Expert
John O’Leary is one of the most inspiring voices in St. Louis. A burn survivor who turned personal tragedy into a story of resilience, John delivers unforgettable keynote speeches on hope, courage, and leadership.
✨ John’s unique strengths:
📌 Author of the bestselling book On Fire.
📌 Internationally sought-after speaker for corporations, nonprofits, and associations.
📌 Brings deeply personal storytelling that connects with every audience.
His sessions are ideal for HR professionals focused on building cultures of resilience and compassion.
🔷 Dr. Leilani Carver-Madalon
Leadership & Communication Professor | DEI & Gender Equity Advocate
Dr. Leilani Carver-Madalon is a leadership and communication professor at Maryville University and a respected speaker on gender, leadership, and workplace culture.
✨ Dr. Carver-Madalon’s unique strengths:
📌 Academic expertise combined with real-world consulting.
📌 Focus on inclusive leadership and communication.
📌 A strong advocate for gender equity in leadership.
She’s a go-to for HR departments committed to advancing DEI and leadership development.
🔷 Jenn Whitmer
Consultant | Conflict Resolution & Enneagram Expert
Jenn Whitmer is a keynote speaker and consultant who helps organizations build healthy communication and conflict resolution practices.
✨ Jenn’s unique strengths:
📌 Certified Enneagram coach with expertise in conflict management.
📌 Popular for her engaging, relatable keynote sessions.
📌 Bridges personality dynamics with HR and leadership strategy.
She’s particularly impactful for HR leaders seeking to reduce workplace conflict while boosting collaboration.
🔷 Tim Hudson
Leadership Consultant | Organizational Effectiveness Speaker
Tim Hudson, often called “Doc Hudson,” is a St. Louis-based consultant and speaker with a focus on leadership and organizational effectiveness. His practical frameworks help HR and executive teams navigate cultural and structural change.
✨ Tim’s unique strengths:
📌 Hands-on consulting combined with dynamic speaking.
📌 Expertise in organizational culture and transformation.
📌 St. Louis community leader with strong local impact.
Tim is a trusted advisor for HR teams in need of practical strategies paired with motivational guidance.
Wrapping Up: St. Louis’ Keynote Landscape
St. Louis is more than its iconic Gateway Arch—it’s a gateway to innovation, leadership, and cultural transformation. The city’s keynote speakers reflect that spirit, bringing expertise in communication, resilience, neuroscience, DEI, customer experience, and more. From Steve Hughes helping leaders sharpen their voices, Shep Hyken linking employee experience to customer loyalty, Dr. Candice Cox advocating for mental health, Becky Vollmer empowering courage, Heather J. Crider blending neuroscience with leadership, Dixie Gillaspie redefining resilience, John O’Leary inspiring hope, Dr. Leilani Carver championing inclusivity, Jenn Whitmer tackling workplace conflict, and Tim Hudson driving organizational change—each professional adds a vital voice to the city’s growth.
At Digital Reference, we believe in spotlighting these professionals because HR is about more than policies and procedures—it’s about people. Our curated methodology ensures organizations find speakers who are not just motivational, but actionable.
Looking for more resources? Explore:
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- Best Keynote Speaker Services in the USA
If you’re an HR leader in St. Louis—or anywhere across the Midwest—Digital Reference is here to help connect you with the voices that inspire transformation.
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