Allow me to shine a spotlight on some of the keynote speakers and thought leaders I’ve been following and admiring the past few years, and who I believe deserve recognition. Their stories, consistency, and the way they show up is undeniable. Here are my Top 10 Rising Voices to look out for in 2026!
1. Mary Messner, Keynote Speaker on Breaking the Barriers to Creativity & Innovation
Mary is redefining what creativity means in the business world. Her signature DREAM, FEEL, CREATE framework helps leaders move past conventional thinking and into bold, innovative action. What I love about Mary’s work is that she makes creativity accessible—not as an abstract concept, but as a practical leadership tool. Whether she’s speaking on “Creativity Unscripted” or championing women’s leadership through “Unscripted Brilliance,” Mary brings an energy that’s both authentic and transformative. She’s a risk taker and barrier breaker who’s worked with organizations like AMC Theatres and Saint Luke’s Health System, and she’s building a community of leaders who aren’t afraid to create the unexpected.
2. Princess Castleberry, Leadership Capacity Strategist & Global Speaker
Princess is disrupting the leadership capacity crisis in ways that are both deeply practical and profoundly needed. As the author of The Truth Is in the Trigger™, she’s equipped leaders with a framework that decodes the behavioral signals that precede burnout, conflict, and breakdown before they erode performance. Her Live, Lead, and Build Leverage™ Framework draws from more than two decades in enterprise risk management and crisis response, giving her a unique lens on how human behavior drives real business consequences. What sets Princess apart is her ability to reframe pressure as an early warning system—teaching leaders to eliminate “Conflict Waste™” and build resilience that actually holds over the long game. She’s working with organizations across finance, healthcare, education, and the global business events industry, helping teams exercise better judgment, resilience, and execution when the stakes are highest.
3. Hajj Flemings, Author of The Future of Intelligence, AI Strategist, Futurist & Keynote Speaker
Hajj is a futurist who sees what others miss—the hidden genius in people, places, and ideas, and then gives it language. As the CEO and Founder of REBRANDX, he’s architecting human potential at the intersection of AI, innovation, and culture. His work includes Rebrand Cities, which has digitally transformed thousands of small businesses; RapVS.AI, reimagining computer science through hip-hop and culture; and Prompt Camp, his AI think tank creating experiences that bridge the digital divide. Featured in CNN’s Black in America documentary and speaking everywhere from Harvard to the U.S. Department of Defense, Hajj has worked with iconic brands like Nike, Disney, and WordPress. What makes Hajj extraordinary is his commitment to making technology accessible and human—ensuring underrepresented communities aren’t just consumers but builders in the AI revolution. His upcoming book, The Future of Intelligence, captures this mission perfectly: making work feel like play while creating a more equitable digital future.
4. Erika Rothenberger, LEED AP, PMP, Empower Women to Audaciously RISE, Keynote Speaker & TEDx🎙️
Erika is bringing grit, grace, and glitz to stages across the country with a message that refuses to let women play small. As the founder of the Audacious Women’s Summit and host of the Grit Grace Glitz Podcast, she’s building a movement around one powerful idea: women deserve to have it all without apology. Her signature keynotes—”Audacity to Be Resilient,” “Audacity to Have It All,” and “The Audacity to Make Meaningful Connections”—are rooted in her own journey through trauma and transformation. What I love about Erika is her refusal to just survive when thriving is an option. She’s been recognized as one of Philadelphia Style’s 2025 Dynamic Women and is equipping leaders with practical strategies to redefine success on their own terms. Erika doesn’t just talk about resilience—she embodies it, and she’s inspiring women everywhere to embrace their boldness and unlock their fullest potential.
5. Kyle S. King, Author, Nonprofit Strategist, Community Builder & Keynote Speaker
Kyle is transforming educational leadership one story at a time through his powerful Start With Heart™ framework. As a six-time published author and seasoned educator, he’s on a mission to empower 100,000 professionals by teaching them that stories are the bridge to another person’s soul. What makes Kyle’s work so compelling is his belief that genuine connections built through understanding and valuing each other’s stories are the foundation of success in schools, workplaces, and communities. His high-energy keynotes go beyond motivation—they inspire reflection, connection, and intentional action. Kyle teaches educators, teams, and leaders how to create remarkable experiences by courageously unpacking and boldly sharing their authentic stories. Whether he’s in a sold-out arena or an intimate workshop, Kyle brings a unique energy that both educates and entertains, helping audiences recognize the significance of their stories and unlock their true potential.
6. Vanessa McNeal MSW, Keynote Speaker on Burnout & High Performance, Leadership Coach
Vanessa is rewriting what we think we know about burnout and high performance. As a 2x TEDx speaker with a Master’s in Social Work specializing in Trauma-Informed Care, she’s teaching leaders that their best people aren’t underperforming because they’re lazy or disengaged—they’re dysregulated. What I love about Vanessa’s work is how she cuts through the noise to reveal what’s really undermining performance: nervous system patterns, not willpower. She’s an instructor at MindBodyGreen Institute with a 160k online community, and she recently won the 2025 Best Speaker Video Contest. Vanessa brings neuroscience-backed tools to stages nationwide, helping organizations understand that until you address dysregulation at the nervous system level, no amount of strategy or team-building will move the needle. She’s teaching high achievers how to move from reactive survival patterns to grounded, sustainable performance—and showing leaders that regulation, not grinding harder, is the real competitive advantage.
7. Shari Collins, MS She/Her, Award-winning Global Leader, Strategist, Certified Educator, Author, International Speaker
Shari is a dot connector who’s building bridges between positive psychology, inclusive culture, and real organizational transformation. Recently honored as a Top 100 Global Power Leader at Parliament and featured on the cover of Insights Success magazine as “The Most Admired Leader to Watch in 2024,” she’s proving that workplace culture work can be both deeply human and strategically powerful. What I love about Shari’s approach is how she brings neuroscience to life—yes, she actually wears a brain hat during workshops to emphasize the science behind happiness and culture. As a certified Real Colors facilitator and positive psychology expert, she’s helping teams understand what truly motivates people and how social support drives happiness at work. Shari serves on the Advisory Board for Harvard Business Review and works with the National Education Association facilitating professional development nationwide. Her passion for workplace mentoring, inclusive environments, and creating cultures of belonging shines through everything she does—from strategic planning sessions to leading difficult conversations with grace and expertise.
8. Dexter Shorter, Ed.D., Speaker, Educator, Coach, Award-Winning Leader in Higher Ed
Dexter is on a mission to help people win in every aspect of life—because he believes anything is achievable. As an award-winning educator with a doctorate in education and more than 15 years of experience, he brings infectious energy and powerful messages that challenge audiences to maximize their existence. What I love about Dexter’s work is his unwavering belief in transformation—it’s not just a buzzword, it’s his life motto: Transform. Grow. Achieve. As a four-time college graduate and proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Dexter values the power of community and multiple forms of education. He’s served in leadership positions at both large and small universities, and his audiences are consistently moved and motivated by how he shares lived experiences and wisdom through mentorship. Fueled by his faith and his family, Dexter is helping leaders understand that we were made to win, and he’s equipping them with the mindset and tools to make it happen.
8. Ali Glaser, Helping Leaders Sustain High Performance Without Burnout, Author of All In!, Creator of the All In! Framework
Ali is redefining what high performance actually means—and it’s not about pushing harder. As an executive coach, leadership strategist, and keynote speaker with more than 20 years of experience, she’s teaching leaders that sustainable excellence comes from clarity, confidence, and managed energy, not relentless hustle. Author of All In! The 28-Day Reset, Ali has developed the All In! Framework, a leadership approach that blends self-awareness, intentionality, and energy management to help leaders sustain performance without burning out. What sets Ali apart is her deep understanding that when you’re at your best, you lead with purpose and make a stronger, more focused impact. She’s partnered with organizations across nonprofit, healthcare, corporate, and higher education sectors—including Rutgers University and BBYO—delivering keynotes and workshops that energize audiences while providing actionable tools. Ali’s work focuses on leadership performance, burnout prevention, and helping leaders show up effectively in ways that are both powerful and sustainable over the long haul.
10. Cayden Brown, Global Child Rights Defender and Speaker Founder of The Trespass Project
Cayden is proof that age is no barrier to changing the world—and I’m not just saying that because he’s my son. At just 18 years old, he’s the youngest Youth Peace Panelist in United Nations history and an awarded juvenile defender who has never lost a case. After an unfair childhood encounter with the legal system, Cayden became a Teen Court Defense Attorney at 16 and hasn’t stopped fighting for kids’ rights since. What makes him extraordinary is his lived perspective—he’s not theorizing about youth justice, he’s lived it and is transforming it. Harvard-trained in constitutional history and honored with a Special Tribute from the Michigan Legislature, he’s advised a former U.S. President on juvenile justice reform and spoken on global platforms including the UN. Featured on ABC News and working with Colin Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Camp, Cayden brings boldness and influence to every stage. His “Take Back Your Voice™” message is empowering a generation to recognize their power and demand justice. Watching him stay grounded in his faith while witnessing the global impact of his work has been one of the greatest honors of my life. The world needs to hear what this young man has to say.
The Future of Thought Leadership is Here
These ten rising voices represent the future of our industry—not because they’re chasing trends, but because they’re solving real problems with authentic perspectives and powerful frameworks. From Mary’s creativity revolution to Cayden’s global justice advocacy, from Princess’s nervous system insights to Hajj’s AI equity work, each of these speakers is carving out space that didn’t exist before. As someone who’s been in this industry for over a decade, I can tell you that the speakers who make the biggest impact aren’t the ones with the most polished presentations—they’re the ones whose message you can’t stop thinking about long after they leave the stage. That’s what you’ll find with every person on this list. If you’re planning events in 2026, do yourself a favor: book these voices before everyone else discovers what I already know. The speaking world is better when we elevate each other, and these ten are absolutely worth your attention.
– JB
Jacob Brown is a former NFL athlete turned transformational and motivational speaker with almost a decade of experience leading humans to overcome fear and fail forward in business, leadership and life.