I've had the privilege to listen to hundreds of speakers over the last several years. Listening is my job, so I can spot an amazing speaker from several decibels away. Some shine!
Below is a short list of those shining speakers for keynote addresses, plenary sessions, and small workshops. My criteria for inclusion in this list include:
- Their content
- Delivery and Cadence
- Organization (structure)
- Attitude
- Audience Response
Updated 9/2/23
My name is Matt and I am a live illustrator for events and meetings. I live in Peninsula, Ohio and I travel nationwide.
I help organizations add clarity to their meetings and bring a holistic view to conversations, improving meeting productivity and value.

Jim Detert
https://jimdetert.com/
Dr. Chris Kuehl

Marilyn Sherman
Marilyn helps people get a front-row seat to life. Her website may be female-centric, but I saw her please a mixed audience with dynamic storytelling and attendee engagement. She had everyone cheering.
With a focus on leadership, communication, and personal development, she leads individuals and shows the way to break out of comfort zones. Desiring everyone to have a front row life, she combines practical strategies with heartfelt storytelling.
I've followed along with Marilyn over the past couple of years and watched her respond to some family health struggles. She practices what she preaches. Highly recommended. https://marilynsherman.com/

Shane Battier
Shane, a distinguished ex-NBA player, is recognized among the top 25 NBA players who never made it to an All-Star game. This fact is a testament to his team-oriented approach. In fact, his commitment to teamwork is a cornerstone of his message.
I had the opportunity to hear Shane speak at a USMA utility conference, where he emphasized the importance of collaboration and diligence. He tailored his message specifically for the audience, demonstrating his dedication to the organization.
Unlike many sports figures whose speeches often lean towards self-centeredness, Shane stands out. His humility and genuine approach make him a pleasure to listen to. https://www.battier.com

Kaitlin Hall
Kaitlin Hall is sure to electrify your event! An expert in improvisation along with a sharp sales acumen, she provides tailored solutions to help your team navigate challenges in leadership and communication. Kaitlin equips each participant with the right responses for a variety of situations through improv activities.
She delivers on the understanding that successful teamwork is crucial in today's workplace. Her vibrant energy ensures active audience engagement, both on stage and through in-seat activities. https://improv2grow.com/

Adam Markel
At least one of Adam's keynote can be encapsulated in a single term: resilience. His delivery revolves around personal resilience, organizational resilience, and the capacity to recover from the relentless changes in our world. Hearing Adam at a Fuse Alliance event, I appreciated the practicality in his delivery. He also fostered a sense of camaraderie in the room, making sure we all had each other's backs. (A phrase that often reused through the rest of the event! https://adammarkel.com/

Billy Beane
There are few superstars in the world of data analytics. Even fewer superstars with stories interesting enough to be turned into movies starring Brad Pitt.
I've witnessed and drawn for Billy Beane. Billy brings his story of transforming the Oakland A's by laying off the hunches, and playing baseball by the numbers. The monstrous bet had its naysayers, but listening to the facts changed baseball forever. He tells the story so very well. A+!

Pierre Quinn
Pierre Quinn and I started a relationship as the pandemic rolled into our (and everyone else's) careers when he interviewed me for his Leading While Green Podcast. We've been fast LinkedIn friends since. These, are of course not reasons to recommend Pierre. But hearing from another prospective client (that hired Pierre, but not me to draw!) had this to say:
Hey Matt! Good to hear from you. Pierre did so well! It could not have been a better recommendation. He came prepared and was a perfect fit to close out our conference. They were all super energized! He also got the highest net promoter score.
Pierre speaks to those at the cusp of leadership- who need a little help and support. https://pierrecquinn.com/

Jon Colby
I'm fairly certain that everyone knows Jon Colby. Well maybe not everyone, but his speaking engagement calendar is constantly full. I can't imagine a more liked guy! I drew for Jon on the tying together of happiness and appreciation in leadership. This guy is top notch! https://joncolby.com/

Jim Pelle
Lol. Jim delivers humor! As a young man, Jim was a writer for some of the original Saturday Night live skits. He delivers on ridiculous stories from his own life, and brings in easy-to-digest snippets to improve communication. I teamed up with Jim during the pandemic and illustrated his keynote presentation to a government procurement group. Recommended! https://laughterworks.com/
Who wrote this article? My name is Matt and I am a live illustrator for conferences and events including but not limited to strategic planning, annual conferences, innovation immersion, brainstorming, sales meetings and vision casting. Consider the addition of a dedicated scribe/live illustrator for your event to add clarity to your outcome and help your event stay on track.
Want to pick my brain about a speaker? Give me a call 330 835 7383.



