Keynote speaker on creating a culture of trust, human connection, and belonging in the face of uncertainty.
Build a Culture of
Connection.
Trust.
Collaboration.
Growth.
Belonging.
Smiley is a Workplace Culture Keynote Speaker
Build a Culture of
Belonging.
Connection.
Teamwork.
Growth.
Transformation.
The Power of Human Connection in the AI Age.
↓ SPEAKING CLIENTS ↓
Smiley Helps Leaders Grow and Thrive in the Age of AI.
One of the top workplace culture speakers in the world, Smiley helps teams supercharge trust, connection, collaboration, and belonging so they can thrive in the face of uncertainty. This leads to increased performance, engagement, profits, and growth.
“One of the Top Human Resources Keynote Speakers.” -Recooty HR
“One of the Top 12 Speakers Who Will Inspire You.” -Thrive Global
4x
Bestselling Author
2MM
“Top 10 Keynote Speakers to Watch.” -AAE Speakers
“Top 10 Speakers on Workplace Culture.” -Sweeney Agency
12 Years
of Thought Leadership on the Future of Work
700
Keynotes in 25+ Countries
TEDx Views
500K
People Reached
in Audience
100+
Media Features
Renowned Workplace Culture Expert
↓ PRESS ↓
Keynote Topics.
How Leaders Can Increase Engagement + Retention, Motivate High-Performing Teams, Build Trusting Relationships, and Create Human Connection in the Age of AI
Driving Team Engagement and Performance, Connection and Culture Transformation 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
Leading High-Performing Teams:
Building High-Performing Teams to Supercharge Collaboration, Embrace Culture Change, and Drive a New Era of Growth in the Face of Uncertainty
Building a Care Mindset to Develop Human-Centered Leaders, Build Trusting Relationships, Empower Well-Being, and Thrive in the Future of Work
“Extraordinary. Full stop.”
Smiley’s Keynotes share an actionable, practical toolkit for leaders and teams to:
Attract, Retain + Engage Top Talent
Collaborate Across Silos + Communicate Across Generations
Lead Through Change + Build Culture Transformation
Deepen Trust + Build High-Value Relationships
Navigate Uncertainty, Drive Massive Growth + Thrive in the Age of AI
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“Smiley was an outstanding opening keynote speaker for us.”
- Meredith Rollins,
Executive Director, PCMA Foundation and Chief Community Officer, PCMA -
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“Smiley shared excellent stories and practical tips for our team on how to build human connections, support compassion and empathy in the hybrid world.”
- Veronica Rodriguez,
Sr. Manager Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Xilinx -
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“We loved Smiley’s authenticity, evidenced-based data, vulnerability and energy.”
- Cathy Hill,
Vice President Marketing & Product Management, Circa -
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“Smiley helped our team come up with new and exciting ideas for how to recruit and retain top talent."
- Scott Leatherman,
Vice President, SAP Silicon Valley -
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“Smiley is an entertaining, high energy, engaging, motivational, thought-provoking, behavior changing expert on workplace issues. He received stellar reviews.”
- Gina Ayllon, CAE,
SHRM Executive Director Northern California -
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“Smiley’s presentation on belonging in the workforce was phenomenal.”
- MetLife -
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“The message aligned perfectly with our strategy and values.”
- MassMutual
↑ TESTIMONIALS ↑
The Future of Work is Human Connection.
As Artificial Intelligence, uncertainty, and market volatility have led to a weakened labor market in a rapidly evolving multigenerational hybrid workplace; and time spent face-to-face has been replaced with wall-to-wall Zoom meetings, AI agents, and 24/7 Teams messages; workplace connection has withered—employees are experiencing the lowest levels of belonging and engagement ever. 40% employees don’t feel a sense of connection to their coworkers, 40% don’t trust their coworkers, and 20% don’t even have one friend at work. 80% of employees globally are disengaged from their jobs, costing the world economy $438 billion a year in lost productivity. Half of Americans are lonely. Half of workers are burned out.
Highly connected employees experience:
+34%
+36%
goal
attainment
boost in
well-being
+59%
+92%
more professional
growth
more positive
relationships
High-levels of employee belonging lead to a:
56%
increase in job performance
167%
increase in employer promoter score
50%
drop in turnover risk
75%
reduction in sick days
18x
more promotions
$52M
yearly company savings
Source: BetterUp, The Connection Crisis + The Value of Belonging at Work
Smiley’s keynotes will show you how.
Why Book Smiley?
All smiles, humble, kind, and drama-free.
Smiley takes pride in not being a diva and making his clients feel like they are working with an easy-going close friend. He’s had the nickname “Smiley” for over 25 years, ever since the first week of high school. Smiley is a very friendly person, and makes people feel like they belong. When you book Smiley, you get Smiley’s full dedication to your event. Smiley treats everyone with respect, from meeting planners, to planning committees, senior executives, the A/V crew, event staff, team members, volunteers, and every single audience member. Smiley embodies belonging, not just in his message, but in how he shows up.
Smiley goes above and beyond.
Smiley doesn’t just speak and catch the next flight out, he does everything he can to create a true partnership with the event planners, meeting professionals, and clients he works with. Smiley takes time to learn about each audience’s unique needs and priorities, including unlimited prep calls. Smiley customizes every presentation, interviews team leaders + employees + members prior to a talk, incorporates those interviews into his keynote, and gives all he can for an engagement, beyond his time on stage. Smiley maximizes value to audiences by sharing his slides, actionable 1-page summaries, and free practical guides. Smiley will stay for a Q&A, breakout, workshop, book signing, expo, sponsor lunch, reception, cocktail party, or karaoke. If Smiley can do anything to make your event a success, please let us know.
