Month: March 2017

Top Keynote Speakers Who Donate Their Speaking Fees to Charity

Who are the top keynote speakers that donate their speaking fees to charity? Below is a list of speakers who give back to non-profit and community organizations that strive to make the world a better place.

Bert and John Jacobs, Life is Good

If ever there were a company that optimized the importance of giving back to the community, Life is Good would be it. The company was founded on the tenants of optimism, gratitude, and authenticity. Life is Good donates at least 10% of its annual net profits to the Life is Good Kids Foundation to positively impact over 120,000 kids daily facing poverty, violence, and illness. Bert and John Jacobs have lived and breathed “giving” at every stage of Life is Good’s growth and also donate all of their speaking fees to the Life is Good Kids Foundation.

James Curleigh, The Red Tab Foundation

James Curleigh, or “JC”,  is the President of Levi. He donates all fees to the Red Tab Foundation which is affiliated with Levi Strauss & Co. The foundation aids employees by providing critical aid to employees who are suffering through unexpected emergencies. The Red Tab Foundation also provides education and proactive programs to help individuals maintain their financial health.

Steve Gross, Life is Good Kids Foundation

Steve is the co-founder and Chief Playmaker at the Life is Good Kids Foundation. The LIG Kids Foundation partners with leading childcare organizations to positively impact the quality of care delivered to the most vulnerable children Additionally, the foundation also supports child care providers, believing that “in order to better care for the most vulnerable children, we must better support those who care for them.” As a Playmaker Steve helps others discover the power of optimism so that they can build resilience and bring greater joy, connection, courage, and creativity to their lives. Steve’s fees also go to the LIG Kids Foundation. John Mackey, Whole Foods Market John Mackey is the co-founder and CEO of Whole Foods. He is a strong believer in free market principles, to boldly defend and reimagine capitalism, and encourage a way of doing business that is grounded in ethical consciousness. In 2001, driven by a  passion to see the business realize its potential for a deeper purpose, and to answer the call to service that he feels in his heart, Mackey cut his pay to $1 a year and continues to work for Whole Foods. Mackey has created several philanthropic foundations at the core of Whole Foods Markets: The Whole Planet Foundation, which works to eradicate poverty in developing nations; the Local Producer Loan Program, which helps fund local farmers and food producers in business expansion; and, the Global Animal Partnership, which works to establish standards for the humane treatment of farm animals.

Matthew Beall, Hawai’i Life Charitable Fund

Matthew Beall is the Principal Broker and CEO of Hawai’i Life Real Estate Brokers. Hawaii Life is the exclusive affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate for the neighbor islands of Hawaii (Kauai, Maui, Hawaii Island, Molokai, and Lanai). Matthew is also a television host of “Hawai’i Life” on HGTV. A portion of his speaking fees are donated to the Hawai’i Life Charitable Fund which works to preserve Hawaii’s beauty and culture by supporting its people.

Scott Harrison, charity:water

Scott Harrison is the founder and CEO of Charity:Water a non-profit organization that builds long-lasting public water installations and water sanitation services to communities in need around the world. When completed, those projects provide over 6.4 million people with clean, safe drinking water. Scott was inspired to start Charity:Water after volunteering on a hospital ship off the coast of Liberia as a photojournalist. He quite his job as a club promoter in NYC and turned his full attention to the global water crisis and the world’s 663 million people without clean water to drink. In ten years, with the help of more than one million donors worldwide, Charity:Water has raised over $225 million and funded over 21,000 water projects in 24 countries. Scott donates all of his speaking fees to Charity:Water.

Lauren Bush Lauren, FEED

Lauren Bush Lauren is the CEO, Creative Director, and Co-Founder of FEED Projects, she is also a fashion model and designer. FEED is a charitable company whose mission is to create good products that help feed the world. Many may recognize her first  famous burlap tote bags with the word “FEED” printed on them–When purchased, the bag feeds one child in school for one year. FEED Projects has now expanded their product lines to include leather bags and clutches, and t-shirts with all profits funding children’s school lunches.

Doc Hendley, Wine to Water

While bartending to pay the bills, Doc Hendley noticed the men and women sitting on the stools seemed to want to be part of something bigger. Inspired from behind the bar, Hendley started Wine to Water with wine tasting and a humble donation jar. Hendley realized that just by using his ability to tend bars and create relationships with people, he might be able to help provide people with clean drinking water. So, at the bars where he worked, he started raising money to fight this water epidemic the best way he knew how, by pouring wine and playing music. Today Wine to Water not only raises money and brings awareness to the lack of clean drinking water in the developing world, but the organization (and also Doc himself) has dug, repaired, and sanitized drinking wells for nearly 25,000 people in five third world countries.  Hendley donates all of his speaking fees back to Wine to Water. These top-notch keynote speakers not only bring hype, and engaging, meaningful content to your event, but in booking them you are also contributing to charitable organizations that work to help those in need and make the world a better place.

These top-notch keynote speakers not only bring hype, and engaging, meaningful content to your event, but in booking them you are also contributing to charitable organizations that work to help those in need and make the world a better place.

Who are the Top 10 Motivational Keynote Speakers?

Are you planning a motivational keynote event for your company or organization?

Research shows that a boost in employee engagement and morale will also boost company productivity and profit. Motivation comes in many forms and goes by many names–motivational speakers have overcome adversity, beat the odds, and invested insurmountable amounts of time and effort to reach for their dreams.

A motivational speaker can inspire, engage, empower, and, of course, motivate your team. But, “Who are the top motivational keynote speakers,” you may ask?

Fear not, we’ve compiled this list for you. 

1. Jack Canfield

The originator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, and a prolific self development author, Jack is recognized as America’s number one motivational speaker. From Jack’s motivational keynote audiences will be inspired to participate more fully in life, show more compassion and caring in their professional relationships, dream bigger, replace blaming and complaining with responsibility, and how to persevere in the face of fear, obstacles, and setbacks. A keynote presentation from motivational speaker Jack Canfield is a once and a lifetime experience not to be missed.

2. Leon Logothetis

Leon is a global adventurer, motivational speaker, and philanthropist. Uninspired at this broker job in London, Leon set out for life on the road. Inspired by the movie The Motorcycle Diaries, Leon traveled across the country in a vintage yellow motorbike relying solely on the kindness of strangers to find food, gas and lodgings, while simultaneously giving life-changing gifts to good Samaritans along the way. Leon’s motivational keynote speech teaches you how to listen to that inner voice that tells you life is yours, that anything you dream is possible, and that the power for harnessing all of this potential has been right in front of you all along through kindness and human connection. Leon has an inspiring and fun story to tell, one that will surely motivate all in attendance.

3. Mel Robbins  

Mel Robbins is best known for her TEDxTalk: “How To Stop Screwing Yourself Over.” Mel is a powerful motivational keynote speaker who jumps into your audience (literally); creating motivational experiences with surprising research, vivid imagery, original videos, and music. In her keynote, “The 5 Second Rule”, based off her bestselling book of the same name, Mel points out that as we grow up we have parents, coaches, teachers, mentors, etc. who push us to be better and work harder. But as adults, we often don’t have anyone to push and motivate us but ourselves. Using scientific research on the nature of habits, and drawing on facts from some of the most famous moments in history, art, and business, Mel explains the power of a “push moment” to break the habit of procrastination and self-doubt and become a more confident and productive individual.

4. Brian Holloway

Former offensive tackle for the New England Patriots, Brian Holloway, is the most requested motivational team builder. He understands how to transform thinking within organizations and challenge the competitive spirit of diverse teams. Brian grew up to face and overcome many challenges—he spent much of his youth adjusting to life in 12 different states, even being labeled a “slow learner.” Persistence and an unstoppable spirit propelled Brian through his early struggles and on to academic and athletic success throughout high his school, college, and professional football years. As an international motivational speaker, Brian’s speaking engagements move and inspire audiences to positive change.

5. Tan Le

Tan Le is an innovator, entrepreneur, and the co-founder and CEO of the bioinformatics company EMOTIV. In her motivational keynote speech, “My Immigration Story,” Tan recounts her childhood experiences fleeing from war-torn Communist Vietnam with her mother, and sister at the age of 4, to their life in Australia as refugees. Despite immense financial and emotional hardships, Tan explains how her single mother was able to support Tan and her sister and provide them with a good education. Audiences will be motivated by the tenacity of this young entrepreneur and inspired by her courage and grace in any situation.

6. Magic Johnson

Universally known for his 13 year professional basketball career, which includes 12 NBA All-Star games, an Olympic gold medal win, and a very public diagnosis and battle with HIV, Earvin “Magic” Johnson is also one of our most requested motivational speakers. After retiring from professional basketball, Magic turned his interest toward entrepreneurship and became a leading spokesperson for HIV education. After leaving the ballcourt, Magic turned to the board room. He established the Magic Johnson Development Corporation, which builds commercial property in long-neglected minority urban and suburban neighborhoods. In his keynote address Johnson delivers a passionate message about his life story and how we can all make a difference in our community. Magic is dedicated to developing programs and supporting services that address the educational, health, and social needs of ethnically diverse, urban communities.

7. Diana Nyad

At the age of 64, Diana Nyad successfully fulfilled her lifelong dream of completing the 110-mile swim from Cuba to Florida on September 2, 2013. Never one to quit, this marked her fifth and final attempt. It was in July of 2010, at the age of 60, when she first began her quest of swimming from Cuba to Florida, a task she had failed to finish thirty years prior that. Nyad was unsuccessful in 2010 and tried two more times 2011 and 2012 before completing her historic and victorious swim in 2013. When asked her motivation, she replied, “Because I’d like to prove to the other 60-year-olds that it is never too late to start your dreams.” If Diana’s story doesn’t inspire you to never give up  and never stop working towards your dreams, then nothing will.

8. JP Pawliw-Fry

What is it that most often stops us from performing at our best and accomplishing our goals? Dr. JP Pawliw-Fry suggests that it is pressure moments when we feel, overwhelmed and unsure. Using the research and brain science of emotional intelligence Pawliw-Fry explains how your brain works under pressure and how that affects your decision making and your impact on others. JP offers actionable tips on how to view pressure situations as opportunities, instead of obstacles, and provides strategies to manage your emotions so you can be at your best even in your most difficult moments.

9. Allison Massari  

In 1998, Allison survived a devastating near head-on car crash where she was trapped in her burning car, conscious the entire time. A selfless onlooker, who was a Vietnam veteran, ran into the fiery scene, kicked the glass out, and saved her life. Just three years later she was hit again at 60 mph and sustained a closed-head brain injury. Allison’s profound journey of overcoming these two life-altering injuries gives her a genuine and direct approach to transcending life’s difficulties. By sharing her story she motivates change in people and in organizations. Her motivational keynote focuses on success, adversity, and personal development to equip audiences with tools they need to effectively manage change and challenges. Alison is also a successful entrepreneur who has built four businesses in 25 years and has been voted top ten motivational speakers in North America for the past three years.

10. Bert Jacobs and John Jacobs

Motivational speakers, Bert and John Jacobs have an inspirational story of turning their dream into a socially conscious business. Bert and his brother John launched their retail company, Life is Good, with $78 in their pockets, by selling T-shirts on the streets of Boston. Today, Life is Good is a $100 million positive lifestyle brand sold by over 2,000 retailers across the US and Canada. The brand developed 10 “superpowers” (gratitude, authenticity, creativity, love, courage, compassion, simplicity, humor, fun, openness) that they not only run their company by, but also live by. These superpowers were inspired by customers’ stories which illustrated the power of optimism in the darkest of times.

With the top ten motivational speakers (or perhaps 11?) in mind, you’re well on your way to planning the most motivational and inspiring keynote event your organization has ever seen!

Why Book a Keynote Speaker?

A keynote speaker is certainly is an investment, but it will prove to be a valuable one. A keynote speaker can bring excitement and notoriety to your event. They also provide expertise on the topic your event centers around, and sometimes an outsider is just the person to really drive a particular message home. A keynote speaker will help set the tone of your event, bring thought leadership and expertise to your organization, and inspire audiences.

To set the tone

This is the very name sake and role of a keynote speaker, to set the tone of the entire event. A keynote speaker can bring it all together and make all of the varies workshops and presentations a cohesive element.

To create buzz around the event

A keynote speaker, especially a well established one, carries a certain level of notoriety and can draw media attention to your event. Usually speakers are also bestselling authors, and in some sense have developed a following. The notoriety that the speaker possesses will bring a sense of buzz and excitement to your event a well. This attention can put your event and company on the map.

To bring thought leadership to your organization

The purpose of a keynote speaker at an event is not solely for entertainment purposes, though a keynote speaker should be entertaining. The main purpose through of a keynote speaker is to inform an audience and make them think about a subject in a new way. A keynote speaker should provide audiences with actionable insights that they can take away from the event and implement into their daily and/or work lives that will help to make them more productive, energetic, happier, healthier, or something along the lines of keynote topic.  

To inspire your audience

While the audience should walk away from the keynote having learned something, if they are not simultaneously inspired by the keynote speaker and his/her message, then they will not be inspired to actually implement what they have learned into their lives of work. So a keynote speaker will also inspire your audience and provide them with the reassurance that they are capable of making the change the keynote speaker speaks of.

As you can see the keynote speaker plays many roles at an event, and thus there are many reasons why you would want to hire a keynote speaker at your event–plus, your event attendees will thank you if you do!

Top Author Keynote Speakers

Many keynote speakers are also well established and bestselling authors. Author keynote speakers can add a distinctive touch to your event with their in-depth knowledge of their particular subject of expertise. Not to mention picking up a copy of their book can be a nice way to refresh and deepen your understanding their message post event. Here are some of the top author keynote speakers that you should know about.

Kim Scott

Kim Scott is the co-founder and CEO of Radical Candor, Inc which builds software tools for managers. She is the author of a book called “Radical Candor: How To Be a Kickass Boss without Losing your Humanity”, published by St Martin’s Press. Kim is an advisor at Dropbox, Kurbo, Qualtrics, ReelGoodApp, Rolltape, Shyp, Twitter, and several other Silicon Valley companies. She was a member of the faculty at Apple University and before that led AdSense, YouTube, and Doubleclick Online Sales and Operations at Google. Known for her ability to generate billions of dollars in revenue from millions of small customers while keeping her team happy and margins high.

Mel Robbins

Mel Robbins is best known for delivering one of the most popular TEDxTalk’s in the world: “How To Stop Screwing Yourself Over.” Mel is a powerful keynote speaker who jumps into your audience (literally); creating motivational experiences with unforgettable engagement, surprising research, vivid imagery, original videos and music. Mel is a third generation entrepreneur who’s launched and sold two companies and currently owns and operates a multi million-­dollar publishing and speaking business. Her provocative and compelling views on leadership, courage and human potential have earned her international attention and invitations to train executive teams at some of the world’s leading brands such as The PGA Tour, Million Dollar Roundtable, PwC, CISCO Systems, YPO, Johnson & Johnson, and Chase Business. Her newest book, “The 5 Second Rule,” has already made multiple best seller lists.

Erik Wahl

Erik Wahl is an internationally recognized graffiti artist, number one best-selling author and entrepreneur. Erik redefines the term “keynote speaker.” Pulling from his history as both a businessman and an artist, he has grown to become one of the most sought-after corporate speakers available today. Erik’s bestselling business book UNTHINK was hailed by Forbes Magazine as “THE blueprint to actionable creativity” and by Fast Company Magazine as “Provocative with a Purpose.” Erik Wahl’s understanding of vision was originally born in the school of disappointment. After an eight-year career as a partner in a corporate firm, he became frustrated by the lack of innovative thought and corresponding profits he saw in business. So he set out to challenge companies to change their way of thinking, while simultaneously pursuing his own individual passions. Wahl’s ther books include “Unchain the Elephant” and his newest bestseller ‘Spark the Grind” was recently released.

Robert Cialdini

Extensive scholarly training in the psychology of influence, together with over 30 years of research into the subject, has earned Dr. Cialdini an international reputation as an expert in the fields of persuasion, compliance, and negotiation. His books including, “Influence: Science & Practice and Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion” are the results of more than 30 years of study into the reasons why people comply with requests in business settings. USA Today lists “Influence” in their 12 Best Business Books of All Time. Dr. Cialdini’s most recent co-authored book is “The Small BIG, small changes that spark big influence” has been met with rave reviews. His co-authored book, “Yes! 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to be Persuasive,” has been on the New York Times, USA Today & Wall Street Journal  Best Seller Lists. Dr. Cialdini’s most recent book “Pre-Suasion: A Revolutionary Way to Influence and Persuade” was accepted to the New York Times bestseller list immediately after it was released.

Jack Canfield

As the originator of the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series, Jack Canfield fostered the emergence of inspirational anthologies as a genre – and watched it grow to a billion dollar market. As the driving force behind the development and delivery of over 100 million books sold through the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” franchise, Jack Canfield is uniquely qualified to talk about success.  Behind the empire Time Magazine called the “publishing phenomenon of the decade” Jack Canfield is America’s leading expert in creating peak performance for entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, managers, sales professionals, corporate employees and educators. Affectionately known as “America’s #1 Success Coach”, Jack Canfield has studied, interpreted and presented what makes successful people different. He knows what motivates them, what drives them, and what inspires them