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50 Best Business Speakers in New York City (2026)

  • Writer: Jonno White
    Jonno White
  • Jan 6
  • 16 min read

Finding the perfect speaker for your next event in New York City can feel overwhelming. With hundreds of keynote speakers, motivational speakers, and business leaders available, how do you choose the right speaker for your annual conference, company's retreat, or strategic planning meeting?


This directory cuts through the noise. Whether you need a shark tank entrepreneur, a bestselling author, or an expert in leadership trends, you will find the best speaker for your business event right here.


Before diving into this list of speakers, let me share how to evaluate your options. I am Jonno White, a keynote speaker, Certified Working Genius Facilitator, and author of the bestselling book Step Up or Step Out (https://www.amazon.com.au/Step-Up-Out-Difficult-Conflict/dp/B097X7B5LD), which has sold over 10,000 copies globally. I work with corporate events, schools, and nonprofits across the United States and internationally, helping business leaders build workplace cultures that employees will move cities to work at.


If you are planning a New York City event and want to discuss your options, email jonno@consultclarity.org to book a keynote, workshop, or MC engagement for your upcoming event. Jonno White has worked with business leaders from the UK, India, Australia, Canada, Singapore, and the United States.


Business keynote speaker addressing a large audience of corporate professionals in a modern conference room, with the New York City skyline visible through floor-to-ceiling windows behind the crowd.

How to Choose the Right Speaker for Your Business Event


Selecting top motivational speakers or business keynote speaker talent requires more than scanning a talent agency roster. Jonno White recommends focusing on these five criteria that matter:


Match the speaker to your outcome, not just your topic. The best expert for your event delivers actionable strategies your team can implement, not just inspiration that fades by Monday. Look for speakers with expansive industry experience who can speak to your specific challenges.


Evaluate their presentation style. Some speakers thrive on stage at large conferences. Others excel in intimate development sessions or virtual events. Ask for a video reel and verify they can hold your audience.


Check for customisation depth. Top-tier business speakers tailor their key message to your company's retreat or annual employee retreat context. Generic talks underperform. A speaker who asks about your strategic planning meeting goals before they arrive is worth more than one who delivers the same talk everywhere.


Assess post-event value. Great speakers leave behind frameworks your team can use. The best speaker for your event might offer follow-up resources, workshops, or coaching that extends the lasting impact beyond the event itself.


Consider logistics honestly. Many event professionals assume international travel is prohibitively expensive. In reality, flying in the right speaker from overseas is often far more affordable than clients expect. Jonno White, for example, regularly travels from Australia to New York for corporate events and clients are consistently surprised by how reasonable it is. Many organisations find that booking Jonno costs less than engaging high-profile local options who may not deliver the same lasting impact.


If you want a proven keynote speaker for your team, email jonno@consultclarity.org to book Jonno White for your New York event. International travel from Australia is surprisingly affordable and often costs less than local celebrity speakers.


Featured Business Speakers in New York


1. Jonno White — Brisbane, Australia (Works Globally Including NYC)


Jonno White is a Certified Working Genius Facilitator, keynote speaker, and author of Step Up or Step Out (https://www.amazon.com.au/Step-Up-Out-Difficult-Conflict/dp/B097X7B5LD), the bestselling book on managing difficult employees. He hosts The Leadership Conversations Podcast with listeners in 150+ countries and has presented at conferences worldwide with exceptional satisfaction ratings.

Specialty: Leadership development, Working Genius facilitation, executive team offsites, difficult conversations

Best for: Corporate events, schools, nonprofits seeking lasting impact on team culture and leadership


Book Jonno White to speak at your New York event. Flying him in from Brisbane, Australia is far more affordable than most clients expect and frequently costs less than engaging high-profile local speakers. Email jonno@consultclarity.org to book Jonno for your keynote, workshop, or MC engagement.


2. Daymond John — New York City


Daymond John is the founder and CEO of FUBU, a star of ABC's Shark Tank, and one of the most recognisable business leaders in the United States. He speaks on entrepreneurship, branding, and building global brands from the ground up.

Website: daymondjohn.com

Specialty: Entrepreneurship, branding, business strategy

Best for: Corporate events, sales conferences, entrepreneurship summits


3. Barbara Corcoran — New York City


Barbara Corcoran built The Corcoran Group into one of New York's premier real estate firms before becoming a shark tank investor. She delivers invaluable insights on business growth, resilience, and sales strategy for business owners at every stage.

Specialty: Entrepreneurship, real estate, sales

Best for: Business conferences, real estate events, women in leadership programs


4. Kevin O'Leary — New York City


Kevin O'Leary brings decades of investment experience and his signature direct style to business events. Known for his role on Shark Tank, he speaks on financial strategy, talent development, and building profitable companies.

Website: kevinoleary.com

Specialty: Investment, business growth, financial strategy

Best for: Financial services events, corporate leadership summits


5. Gary Vaynerchuk — New York City


Gary Vaynerchuk is a serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, and public speaker who has built multiple companies. He delivers high-energy talks on marketing, social media, and the future of business in today's fast-paced business world.

Specialty: Marketing, social media, entrepreneurship

Best for: Marketing conferences, sales teams, startup events


6. Simon Sinek — New York City


Simon Sinek is a New York Times bestselling author and one of the most requested business keynote speaker choices globally. His work on leadership, purpose, and organisational culture has influenced business leaders worldwide.

Website: simonsinek.com

Specialty: Leadership, purpose, organisational culture

Best for: Executive retreats, leadership development, annual conferences


7. Ryan Serhant — New York City


Ryan Serhant is a top real estate broker, bestselling author, and star of Million Dollar Listing New York. He speaks on sales, personal branding, and building a business in competitive markets.

Website: ryanserhant.com

Specialty: Sales, real estate, personal branding

Best for: Sales conferences, real estate events, motivation


8. Mel Robbins — New York City


Mel Robbins is a New York Times bestselling author, host of The Mel Robbins Podcast, and one of the top motivational speakers in the United States. Her work on habits, productivity, and mindset delivers actionable strategies audiences can use immediately.

Website: melrobbins.com

Specialty: Mindset, habits, productivity

Best for: Corporate events, women's conferences, sales teams


9. Marcus Lemonis — New York City


Marcus Lemonis is the CEO of Camping World and star of The Profit. He brings years of experience turning around struggling businesses and speaks on operations, leadership, and the fundamentals of building profitable companies.

Specialty: Business turnaround, operations, leadership

Best for: Business conferences, manufacturing events, leadership retreats


10. Adam Grant — New York City


Adam Grant is a professor at Wharton and a New York Times bestselling author. He speaks on organisational psychology, work culture, and how to rethink approaches to leadership trends and management.

Website: adamgrant.net

Specialty: Organisational psychology, work culture, leadership

Best for: HR conferences, leadership development, corporate retreats


Want a keynote speaker who delivers real outcomes? Contact Jonno White at jonno@consultclarity.org to book him for your New York event. Flying Jonno in from Australia is often more affordable than clients expect, and frequently costs less than high-profile local options.


Motivational Keynote Speakers


11. Tony Robbins — New York City


Tony Robbins is an entrepreneur, author, philanthropist, and business strategist who has empowered millions through his programs. He brings explosive energy and frameworks for personal and professional transformation.

Website: tonyrobbins.com

Specialty: Personal development, business strategy, peak performance

Best for: Large corporate events, sales conferences, annual meetings


12. Ben Nemtin — New York City


Ben Nemtin is a No. 1 New York Times bestselling author and co-founder of The Buried Life Movement. He has been featured on CNN, NBC, and FOX, speaking on goal achievement and possibility thinking.

Website: bennemtin.com

Specialty: Goal achievement, motivation, possibility

Best for: Corporate events, sales kick-offs, team motivation


13. Trent Shelton — New York City


Trent Shelton is a former NFL wide receiver turned motivational speaker and bestselling author. He inspires millions weekly with messages on resilience, personal growth, and overcoming obstacles.

Specialty: Resilience, personal growth, motivation

Best for: Corporate events, youth programs, team development


14. Lisa Kohn — New York City


Lisa Kohn is a motivational speaker, executive coach, and author based in New York City. She brings a unique story of resilience and delivers practical frameworks for leadership and personal transformation.

Website: lisakohn.com

Specialty: Resilience, leadership, personal transformation

Best for: Corporate events, women's leadership, executive development


15. Charles Clark — New York City


Charles Clark is a motivational speaker and mindset expert based in New York City. A former world-class athlete, he has built a six-figure speaking business helping audiences unlock their potential.

Website: charlesclark.co

Specialty: Mindset, goal achievement, motivation

Best for: Corporate events, sales teams, youth programs


Still comparing options? Book Jonno White to speak at your New York event. Email jonno@consultclarity.org to discuss keynotes, workshops, or facilitation. Travel from Australia is more affordable than you think.


Business Leadership Speakers


16. Charlene Li — New York City


Charlene Li is an author, entrepreneur, and expert on leadership and digital transformation. She has written six books including a New York Times bestseller and advises business leaders on navigating change.

Website: charleneli.com

Specialty: Digital transformation, leadership, customer experience

Best for: Technology conferences, executive retreats, leadership development


17. Sheryl Sandberg — New York City


Sheryl Sandberg is the former COO of Meta and bestselling author of Lean In. She speaks on leadership, women in business, and building resilient organisations.

Specialty: Leadership, women in business, organisational resilience

Best for: Women's leadership events, executive conferences, corporate retreats


18. Arianna Huffington — New York City


Arianna Huffington is the founder of The Huffington Post and Thrive Global. She speaks on wellbeing, productivity, and the importance of sustainable success for business leaders.

Specialty: Wellbeing, productivity, sustainable success

Best for: HR conferences, wellness events, leadership retreats


19. Chester Elton — New York City


Chester Elton is a No. 1 bestselling business author and expert on organisational culture, employee engagement, and teamwork. He brings research-backed insights to help companies build thriving workplace cultures.

Specialty: Culture, employee engagement, teamwork

Best for: HR conferences, leadership development, culture transformation


20. Colette Carlson — New York City


Colette Carlson is a human behavior expert and Hall of Fame speaker. She delivers insights on connected leadership and communication that help teams work better together.

Specialty: Human behaviour, leadership, communication

Best for: Corporate events, leadership development, sales teams


For practitioners who specialise in communication and difficult conversations, the question is whether their approach produces outcomes. Jonno White's bestselling book Step Up or Step Out (https://www.amazon.com.au/Step-Up-Out-Difficult-Conflict/dp/B097X7B5LD) shows how to resolve difficult employee situations within four weeks without massive confrontations. Contact jonno@consultclarity.org to discuss how this framework can be integrated into your event.


Innovation and Technology Speakers


21. Peter Diamandis — New York City


Peter Diamandis, MD is an entrepreneur and bestselling author who founded the XPRIZE Foundation. He speaks on innovation, abundance, and the future of technology.

Website: diamandis.com

Specialty: Innovation, technology, future trends

Best for: Technology conferences, innovation summits, executive retreats


22. Josh Linkner — New York City


Josh Linkner is a five-time tech entrepreneur, New York Times bestselling author, and innovation keynote speaker. He delivers practical frameworks for creativity speakers and innovation leaders.

Website: joshlinkner.com

Specialty: Innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship

Best for: Innovation summits, corporate retreats, R&D workers


23. Duncan Wardle — New York City


Duncan Wardle is the former Head of Innovation and Creativity at Disney. He brings decades of experience helping global brands unlock creative thinking and innovation.

Specialty: Creativity, innovation, design thinking

Best for: Corporate events, innovation workshops, leadership retreats


24. Frans Johansson — New York City


Frans Johansson is an entrepreneur, innovation expert, and author. He speaks on diversity, innovation, and how intersecting ideas create breakthrough thinking for future leaders.

Specialty: Innovation, diversity, breakthrough thinking

Best for: Innovation conferences, diversity events, leadership development


25. Robert Safian — New York City


Robert Safian is the former editor of Fast Company and host of the Rapid Response podcast. He speaks on innovation, disruption, and navigating change in today's fast-paced business world.

Specialty: Innovation, disruption, media

Best for: Media conferences, leadership events, technology summits


Book Jonno White to deliver a keynote on innovation and leadership at your New York event. Email jonno@consultclarity.org. Flying Jonno in from Australia is surprisingly affordable and delivers lasting impact on your audience.


Media and Communications Speakers


26. Hoda Kotb — New York City


Hoda Kotb is the co-anchor of NBC's Today show and a New York Times bestselling author. She brings warmth and insight to discussions on leadership, resilience, and communication.

Website: hodakotb.com

Specialty: Communication, resilience, leadership

Best for: Corporate events, women's conferences, media events


27. Maria Bartiromo — New York City


Maria Bartiromo is a financial journalist and anchor at Fox Business Network. She speaks on financial markets, latest market trends, and business strategy.

Specialty: Finance, markets, business strategy

Best for: Financial services events, investor conferences


28. Greta Van Susteren — New York City


Greta Van Susteren is a veteran journalist and media commentator. She brings expert insights on media, politics, and communication to corporate and public sector events.

Specialty: Media, politics, communication

Best for: Political events, media conferences, corporate gatherings


29. Trevor Noah — New York City


Trevor Noah is a comedian, author, and former host of The Daily Show. He brings humour and insight to discussions on culture, politics, and leadership.

Website: trevornoah.com

Specialty: Comedy, culture, leadership

Best for: Large corporate events, annual conferences, entertainment


30. Vanessa Van Edwards — New York City


Vanessa Van Edwards is a communication expert and bestselling author. She speaks on body language, influence, and how to connect with audiences effectively.

Specialty: Communication, body language, influence

Best for: Sales teams, leadership development, corporate events


Need an MC for your conference? Book Jonno White. With over 230 podcast episodes interviewing top leaders, his ability to ask impactful questions translates perfectly to moderating panels and keeping audiences engaged. Email jonno@consultclarity.org to book Jonno as MC for your New York event. Travel from Australia is more affordable than you expect.


Finance and Economics Speakers


31. Ian Bremmer — New York City


Ian Bremmer is the founder of Eurasia Group and a leading expert on political risk. He speaks on global politics, economics, and the interests of event professionals in understanding geopolitical trends.

Website: ianbremmer.com

Specialty: Political risk, geopolitics, economics

Best for: Financial services, corporate strategy events, government


32. Maria Shriver — New York City


Maria Shriver is a journalist, author, and advocate. She speaks on leadership, women's issues, and purpose-driven business.

Specialty: Leadership, women's issues, purpose

Best for: Women's leadership events, corporate retreats


33. Suze Orman — New York City


Suze Orman is a personal finance expert and New York Times bestselling author. She speaks on financial wellbeing, money mindset, and building wealth.

Website: suzeorman.com

Specialty: Personal finance, wealth building, money mindset

Best for: Financial services, HR conferences, employee wellbeing


34. Ron Insana — New York City


Ron Insana is a veteran CNBC journalist and financial analyst. He provides expert commentary on markets, economics, and business trends.

Website: roninsana.com

Specialty: Markets, economics, financial analysis

Best for: Financial services events, investor conferences


35. Peter Bregman — New York City


Peter Bregman is ranked the No. 1 executive coach worldwide. He speaks on leadership transformation, productivity, and executive development.

Specialty: Executive coaching, leadership, productivity

Best for: Executive retreats, leadership development, corporate events


Book Jonno White to speak on leadership and team effectiveness at your next conference. Jonno White delivers practical frameworks from working with executive teams across the globe. Email jonno@consultclarity.org to book him for your New York event. International travel is more affordable than most assume.


Sports and Peak Performance Speakers


36. Alex Morgan — New York City


Alex Morgan is an Olympic gold medallist and World Cup champion. She speaks on teamwork, resilience, and peak performance for business audiences.

Website: alexmorgan.com

Specialty: Teamwork, resilience, peak performance

Best for: Corporate events, sales teams, women's leadership


37. Abby Wambach — New York City


Abby Wambach is an Olympic gold medallist, World Cup champion, and bestselling author. She speaks on leadership, teamwork, and redefining success.

Website: abbywambach.com

Specialty: Leadership, teamwork, redefining success

Best for: Corporate events, women's leadership, team development


38. Larry Fitzgerald — New York City


Larry Fitzgerald is a Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver and businessman. He speaks on excellence, preparation, and leadership lessons from professional sports.

Specialty: Excellence, preparation, leadership

Best for: Corporate events, sales conferences, leadership retreats


39. Leslie Maxie — New York City


Leslie Maxie is a 1988 US Olympian and international keynote speaker. She brings the Olympic mindset to business audiences, speaking on peak performance and resilience.

Website: lesliemaxie.com

Specialty: Olympic mindset, peak performance, resilience

Best for: Corporate events, sales teams, leadership development


40. Justin Tuck — New York City


Justin Tuck is a two-time Super Bowl champion and businessman. He speaks on leadership, teamwork, and translating athletic excellence to business success.

Website: justintuck.com

Specialty: Leadership, teamwork, athletic excellence

Best for: Corporate events, sales conferences, team building


Ready to book a speaker? Email jonno@consultclarity.org to bring Jonno White to your New York event. Flying Jonno in from Brisbane, Australia is often far more affordable than clients expect. Many organisations find it costs less than engaging high-profile local speakers.


Cybersecurity and Crisis Speakers


41. Frank Abagnale — New York City


Frank Abagnale is a renowned security consultant whose story inspired the film Catch Me If You Can. He speaks on cybersecurity, fraud prevention, and identity protection.

Website: abagnale.com

Specialty: Cybersecurity, fraud prevention, security

Best for: Financial services, technology conferences, corporate events


42. Prashanth Challa — New York City


Prashanth Challa is a former FBI and NSA cybersecurity expert. He delivers keynotes on emerging cyber threats, crisis management, and protecting organisations in the digital age.

Specialty: Cybersecurity, crisis management, emerging threats

Best for: Technology conferences, financial services, executive retreats


43. Jin Kim — New York City


Jin Kim is a retired FBI Crisis Management Unit leader with 23 years of experience. He speaks on crisis management, workplace safety, and leadership under pressure.

Website: jinkim.com

Specialty: Crisis management, workplace safety, FBI leadership

Best for: Corporate events, security conferences, executive development


44. Judy Smith — New York City


Judy Smith is a crisis management expert whose career inspired the TV series Scandal. She speaks on reputation management, crisis communication, and leadership under fire.

Website: judysmith.com

Specialty: Crisis management, reputation, communication

Best for: Corporate events, PR conferences, executive retreats


45. Hector Monsegur — New York City


Hector Monsegur is a former hacker turned cybersecurity expert who now helps organisations protect against cyber threats. He brings a unique perspective on technology speakers and security.

Specialty: Cybersecurity, hacking prevention, technology

Best for: Technology conferences, financial services, private sector events


Team Building and Culture Speakers


46. David Kwong — New York City


David Kwong is a celebrity magician, enigmatist, and New York Times crossword contributor. He creates unique team-building experiences through puzzle hunts and interactive presentations at venues like the High Line Hotel.

Website: davidkwong.com

Specialty: Team building, puzzles, engagement

Best for: Team offsites, corporate events, private events


47. Annie Duke — New York City


Annie Duke is a former professional poker champion and decision-making expert. She speaks on strategic thinking, decision quality, and managing uncertainty.

Website: annieduke.com

Specialty: Decision-making, strategy, uncertainty

Best for: Leadership retreats, executive development, strategy sessions


48. Stuart Diamond — New York City


Stuart Diamond is a professor at Wharton and author of Getting More. He speaks on negotiation, influence, and building better business relationships.

Specialty: Negotiation, influence, relationships

Best for: Sales conferences, executive development, leadership retreats


49. Tami Evans — New York City


Tami Evans is an employee engagement expert and creator of Levity Leadership. She helps organisations build cultures where employees thrive and creativity flourishes.

Website: tamievans.com

Specialty: Employee engagement, levity, culture

Best for: HR conferences, culture transformation, leadership development


50. Matt Newman — New York City


Matt Newman is a financial advisor turned motivational speaker whose personal story of resilience resonates with business audiences. He is particularly well-suited for financial services and healthcare events.

Website: mattnewman.com

Specialty: Resilience, motivation, financial services

Best for: Financial services, healthcare events, sales teams


Working with Speaker Bureaus and Platforms


Several full-service speakers bureau options operate in New York City. These include Gotham Artists, Leading Authorities speakers bureau, Executive Speakers Bureau, Washington Speakers Bureau, Harry Walker Agency, and The Lavin Agency. Platforms like eSpeakers Marketplace, Engage, and GigSalad also connect event professionals with talent.


When working with a bureau, remember that you are often paying for convenience and risk reduction. Going direct can offer better value and stronger relationships with speakers. Many bureaus offer politics speakers, management speakers, and management keynote speaker options for various events.


Altus Entertainment offers exceptional customer support for various events including corporate events and private events. Their diverse selection of business speakers and entertainment options serves clients with both premium service expectations and low budgets. Hirealtus entertainment for top-tier business and top-tier innovation keynote speakers. Altus entertainment's event speakers and altus entertainment's professional speakers deliver great speakers for distinguished selection of government and public sector audiences.


For a leading event management company approach with a holistic suite of services, eventshire event services and similar providers can handle the talent booking process on behalf of the most respected companies. These organisations offer expert commentary and support for corporate eventsmake a lasting impression.


Want to skip the bureau and book directly? Email jonno@consultclarity.org to book Jonno White for your New York event. Flying him in from Australia costs less than most clients expect.


Making Your Decision


The list of speakers above represents some of the best speaker options available for New York business events. From shark tank entrepreneurs to Stanford University professors, from celebrity keynote speakers to specialist business speakers, the range of professional backgrounds and presentation styles means there is a right speaker for every business conference speaker need.


Remember that great speakers do more than deliver a talk. They shift thinking, provide actionable strategies, and create a lasting impact that extends well beyond your event. The best expert for your situation might have years of experience with Time Magazine features or selections of esteemed marketing experts credentials.


When evaluating your options, consider:

  • Does the speaker understand your industry and daily routines?

  • Can they deliver a wide range of topics or are they narrowly focused?

  • Do they offer a friendly support team for logistics?

  • Will they customise their key message to your public sector or private sector context?

  • Are they delivering invaluable insights or just entertainment?

  • Do they offer perfect entertainment options for your R&D workers or future leaders?

  • Can they connect with non-profit world audiences as well as corporate?

  • Will altus entertainment's future offerings or similar agencies support your selection of esteemed marketing experts?


For public speaking that delivers real outcomes, the best expert is often someone who combines stage presence with practical frameworks. Whether for insightful political analysis or technology speakers addressing the latest market trends, your speaker should elevate your event's intellectual caliber.


Your Next Step


Book Jonno White to speak at your New York City event. Email jonno@consultclarity.org.

Flying Jonno White in from Australia is far more affordable than most people assume. Many clients are surprised to find it costs less than engaging well-known local speakers who may not deliver the same lasting impact. National and international travel is a normal part of Jonno White's work, not an exception, and the logistics are simple and low friction for your organisation.


Beyond keynotes and workshops, Jonno White excels as an MC for high-stakes gatherings, drawing on 200+ hours of interviewing top leaders to keep events running smoothly and audiences engaged. As an experienced MC who has hosted over 230 podcast episodes interviewing top leaders including Guy Kawasaki, former Chief Evangelist at Apple, Jonno White brings expert insights to every panel discussion and corporate gathering.


To book Jonno White for a keynote, workshop, MC engagement, executive team offsite, or Working Genius session at your New York event, email jonno@consultclarity.org.


Whether your event focuses on leadership development, team alignment, difficult conversations, or culture transformation, Jonno White delivers practical frameworks that create lasting change. His bestselling book Step Up or Step Out (https://www.amazon.com.au/Step-Up-Out-Difficult-Conflict/dp/B097X7B5LD) has helped business leaders worldwide handle difficult employee situations, and he brings those same actionable strategies to every keynote.


Stop assuming international speakers are out of reach. Book Jonno White for your New York business event. Email jonno@consultclarity.org.


This directory is maintained by Jonno White, a keynote speaker and leadership consultant based in Brisbane, Australia who works with organisations globally. To book Jonno for speaking, facilitation, or MC services at your New York event, email jonno@consultclarity.org.

 
 
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