Smiley is one of the top workplace culture keynote speakers in the world for the financial services, banking, and insurance industry.
Financial Services Keynotes
↓ INDUSTRY CLIENTS ↓
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“Your presentation on belonging in the workforce was phenomenal, thought-provoking, and will guide us as we move forward in equipping employees and leaders with the skills of today—and tomorrow—here at MetLife.”
-Head of Global Technology and Operations, MetLife -
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“Energetic. Amazing.”
- Associate Manager, Prudential Financial -
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“Smiley knocked it out of the park.”
-Diversity & Inclusion Manager, Charles Schwab
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“This was one of my best career days. So many employees felt extremely seen and inspired today. The message aligned perfectly with our strategy and values, and we had over 500 lines dialed in.”
- Mass Mutual -
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“Wonderful job today! I just jumped into my staff meeting and the team is raving about you. One member of the team said, "He was faaaaantastic! He shared so much and was able to keep my attention the entire time!" The rest of the team agreed!”
-Product Area Leader, Digital Workplace at Fidelity Investments -
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"We really enjoyed Smiley's strong and enthusiastic delivery in his session on Engaging the Multigenerational Workforce and appreciated the time he took to understand our organization and make the content as relevant as possible."
- Morgan Stanley -
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“Thank you so much for delivering an exceptional session on Monday evening – it was everything I had hoped for.”
- Vice President, RBC Wealth Management Canada
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“Extraordinary. Full stop.”
- Investment Advisor, RBC Wealth Management Canada
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"I LOVED your talk!"
- Workforce Development, SEI Investments
↑ INDUSTRY TESTIMONIALS ↑
Top Keynote Speaker for the Financial Services Industry Specializing in Workplace Culture, Belonging, Teamwork, and Team Collaboration in the Future of Work
The Future of Financial Services is Human Connection
The financial services industry in 2025 is characterized by a complex environment of regulatory changes, technological disruption, market volatility, industry consolidation, and evolving consumer behaviors. AI is expected to become integral to banking, potentially increasing profits by $170 billion to $340 billion by 2028.
But employees need time to learn new skills and training, specifically as it relates to consumer engagement and building deeper relationships and trust with teams, clients, and customers. In high-pressure environments and challenging times, employees and customers need to feel cared for and supported.
In a nonstop, disengaged, overwhelmed workplace; with wall-to-wall Zoom meetings, 24/7 Teams messages, AI agents, and the rapid adoption of GenAI & ChatGPT; the value of meaningful human connection increases exponentially and business is about building belonging for your people, your customers, and your community. High-levels of employee belonging create a 56% increase in job performance, lead to a 50% drop in turnover risk, and can save a company $52 million a year.
Smiley’s practical keynotes provide an actionable toolkit for financial services leaders to attract + retain top talent across generations, lead culture transformation, increase employee engagement + retention, build high-performing super-connected teams, build a culture of trust, psychological safety, and belonging, and drive growth in the future of work.
Speaking Reels
Belonging in the Future of Work: Event Recap
Human Connection in the Age of AI: Event Recap
Culture of Human Connection: Event Recap
2025 Keynote Preview
2025 Speaker Reel
Keynote Topics for Financial Services.
How Leaders Can Increase Engagement + Retention, Motivate High-Performing Teams, Build High-Value Relationships, and Create Human Connection at Work
Driving Team Engagement and Culture Growth, Connection and Community in the Age of AI, Uncertainty, and Overwhelm
How to Be a Future-Ready Organization and Attract, Retain, and Engage Top Talent and Communicate Across Generations
Building High-Performing Teams to Embrace Change, Transform Culture and Drive Human-Centered Growth in the Future of Work
Building a Care Mindset to Ignite High-Performing Teams, Build Trusting Relationships, Empower Well-Being, and Thrive in the Future of Work
Speaking Clips
The Power of Making the Ask
Leading Teams in the Age of AI
Human Connection in the Age of AI
Team Psychological Safety
A Culture of Making the Ask
Create a Sense of Belonging
Communicate Across Generations
Flexibility at Work
Belonging is Everyone’s Job
Start Caring for Others
Culture of Care
Employee Engagement
The Business Value of Belonging
Culture Transformation
From Hustle to Human Connection
The Myth About Workplace Belonging
Audience Customization Example
Hybrid is How We Connect
8 Reasons to Book Smiley to Speak
Smiley’s practical keynote talks are action-based and designed to increase workplace connection and build better relationships starting today.
All smiles, humble, kind, and drama-free.
Smiley delivers a memorable performance.
Seasoned Future of Work thought leader, trusted by the world’s leading Financial Services companies across banking, insurance, and fintech.
Resonates across generations with youthful expertise, positive energy, and practical tips.
Globally recognized expert on friendship, workplace culture & belonging, and human connection.
Champion for human connection and building high-value relationships in the Age of AI.
Smiley goes above and beyond.
“One of the Top Human Resources Keynote Speakers.”
“One of the Top 12 Speakers who will inspire you.”
Empowering World-Class Leaders, Teams, and Organizations to Thrive
Next Steps to Book Smiley as your Financial Services Keynote Speaker
Reach Out
Complete the Speaker Request Form to share your event details and confirm Smiley’s availability.
Prep
We’ll schedule a pre-event call so you can share your event’s goals and how Smiley can best customize his presentation to meet your audience’s unique needs and priorities. If needed, we’ll also schedule a prep call two weeks before the event to go over logistics and A/V, and make sure everyone is ready to go.
Customize
Smiley will schedule several additional calls with leaders, clients, key stakeholders, or employees, so he can build their personal stories and wisdom into his presentation, to make it resonate perfectly with your audience.
In addition to delivering an outstanding and highly actionable motivational keynote presentation, Smiley will show up for your people. Whenever possible, he’ll stay for client dinners, attend post-event cocktail receptions, moderate Q&As or discussion groups, sign books, do video interviews or podcasts, and make cross-promotional social media posts.
Show Up
After his presentation, Smiley will share his slides and create a custom 1-pager with key takeaways, article links, recommended books, and follow-on resources for audiences to engage with after his talk. Smiley will review audience feedback, and is happy to discuss planning a 6-month follow-up discussion group or interactive workshop, so your team can keep fostering belonging at work, long after Smiley’s keynote.
